Fishing charters, especially in a beautiful aquatic wonderland like Tampa Bay, require a few things to be successful. A safe, comfortable boat helmed by an experienced, knowledgeable captain are at the top of the list. And the quality of your charter boat captain can make or break your whole day when you go on a fishing trip.
With Unreel Fishing Charters of Tampa Bay, you get a 22-foot Blazer boat helmed by USCG-Licensed Captain Chase Krutzky, who’s been fishing professionally on and around Tampa Bay for the last 10-plus years. And because this is a small business operation, your Unreel Fishing Charter will always be led by Captain Chase, no exceptions.
Here’s why Captain Chase is the best choice for your charter boat experience.
Why should you choose a Tampa Bay boat charter with a USCG-licensed captain?
The U.S. Coast Guard captain’s licensing procedure ensures that your Tampa Bay charter boat captain—even for intimate fishing trips like we offer at Unreel—has sufficient experience and safety knowledge to be responsible for clients out on the water.
What does a fishing charter captain need to do receive a USCG captain’s license?
In order to obtain a charter captain’s license from the U.S. Coast Guard you must meet a number of requirements set by the Department of Homeland Security.
Most notably, you have to have spent (with proper witnesses and documentation) at least 360 days total operating a boat. If you want a license for a Tampa Bay boat charter, you have to have at least 90 of those days of experience in near-coastal waters, and you also have to have at least 90 days operating a boat within the last three years.
Other mandatory requirements for becoming a USCG captain include:
- U.S. Citizenship
- Drug testing compliance
- Valid CPR certification
- Up-to-date First Aid training
- Passing a Coast Guard exam
Captain Chase brings all of this experience with him every time he leads a fishing trip. He has been certified as a knowledgeable and qualified captain for Tampa Bay waters, and he also has the safety training and experience to protect his guests.
What else does a Tampa Bay fishing charter captain need?
As important as licensing is, that’s only the start of what sets great charter boat captains apart from everyone else. On top of having a USCG license, you need a captain who brings the intangibles necessary for providing a great fishing trip every time—including local fishing knowledge as well as intuition, and a great personality that’s fun to be around. After all, having fun is a huge part of the job.
Unfortunately, there is no USCG exam or certification when it comes to where to find the fish in Tampa Bay, and how to catch them when you get there. And we can’t get a license for having a friendly, welcoming, and enjoyable personality for leading intimate fishing charters.
But rest assured, Captain Chase brings these intangible qualities to his Tampa Bay fishing trips, too. Look no farther than his perfect five-star Google review rating to see that he offers consistently great experiences to every single client.
That’s what you can expect when you book with Unreel.
Deckard & Company