Fishing Trip Times and Lengths
All trips leave the dock at 8:00am, unless an earlier or later take off is arranged ahead of time. Leaving the dock earlier does have it's advantages at certain times of the year; catching bait before everyone else and getting to our favorite spots before everyone else. The ½ day trips are 4 hours, the ¾ day trips are 6 hours, the full day trips are 8 hours and the extended day trips are 10 hours, dock to dock.

Reconfirming your trip and arriving at the dock
Please call your captain at the number listed on your confirmation letter the night before your trip. Please call after 5:00pm to make sure they are back within cell phone range. You should arrive at the dock about 10minutes before your scheduled take off time. This gives us a chance to ice down your drinks and gather any last minute items.

Fishing Instruction/Necessary experience
All of our guides are experts in teaching you the 'feel of the bite'. You do not need to be a pro to hook and land nice quality fish. Many of our anglers have never fished in saltwater before and many have never even fished before. Our guides will teach you how to operate the rods and reels and show you how and what to feel for when the fish takes your bait. Whether you prefer fly, spinning or conventional gear, our guides are experts in instructional teaching, very patient and will have you catching fish in no time.

Mounting your Trophy
Here at Key West Pro Guides we use some of the best replica mounting agents in the world, Grays Taxidermy and Atlantic Taxidermy. Take the memory home with you with a stunning replica mount and brag to all of your friends and family for years on end. Please let us know if you would like to mount a fish and we'll take care of everything. Remember, All billfish are release mounts only.

Captain Gratuities
It is often asked how much of a gratuity is considered customary to tip your captain for great service. The answer is similar to a restaurant gratuity, 15-20% of the trip.

Payment for your trip
To settle the balance of your trip after a great day on the water, we accept; CASH, personal & travelers checks and last but not least, American Express, Visa or MasterCard. Credit card transactions are subject to a 5% convenience fee. This fee helps to recouping costs incurred with processing credit card transactions.

Deposits
Key West Pro Guides operates year round with a group of professional full time fishing guides. When scheduling a fishing trip with one of us, we ask that you please try to avoid rescheduling or canceling your fishing trip as this creates booking and scheduling conflicts within the guide service. Below is our deposit and cancellation policy. This policy reflects the rights of Key West Pro Guides and applies to all of our fishing trips.

A 20% deposit is required for all fishing trips. We accept both checks and credit cards. If sending a check, please make it payable to: Key West Pro Guides, G31 Miriam St., Key West, FL. 33040

If you wish to pay your deposit with a credit card, we accept American Express, Visa or MasterCard. A charge of 20% will be applied at the time of your booking reservation. This charge reserves your guide for a specified trip length on a particular day. A confirmation will then be faxed, emailed or mailed to you confirming your trip with Key West Pro Guides. The remaining balance will be due in full at the end of your trip. All credit card deposits appear as TailChaser Charters Inc., Key West on your credit card statement.

Cancellation/Refund of Deposit policy
Deposits are only refunded if the captain cancels the trip. If the captain cancels the trip you will be given a cancellation number, this number can only be issued by Key West Pro Guides and is unique to your reservation. There is no refund if you cancel your trip less than 15 days before the scheduled trip date or in the case of a 'no-show'. If you must cancel within 15 days prior to your trip and we can book another trip for that day, we will refund your deposit to you.

If for any reason you cancel within 48 hours of your trip, Key West Pro Guides reserves the right to charge 50% of the trip rate, less your deposit, to help cover cost incurred in preparing for your trip and to compensate the captain for his loss of opportunity. This 48 hour cancellation fee will be charged to the credit card presented to pay your deposit when you reserved your trip and appear as TailChaser Charters, Inc.. Credit card deposits that are refunded are subject to a 5% handling fee. This fee helps to recouping costs incurred with processing credit card transactions.

Seasickness Policy
If your charter wants to return early because of seasickness, you will be responsible for full payment of your charter, regardless of length of time spent on the water or remaining on the charter. There will be no refund of the charter deposit due to a trip being terminated early due to seasickness.

We do not want this to happen to you, so take precautions! If you are planning an inshore trip, seasickness is very unlikely to be a problem. However, if you are going offshore, you should definitely consider some form of medication and/or wrist band to help prevent seasickness. This is your day, the evening before, take it easy! Key West is known for being a drinking town. Save the celebration for the night after your charter. Avoid excessive drinking and staying up to late, we see this as the #1 cause of seasickness.

Inclement Weather Policy
Your captain reserves the right to cancel or delay the start of your trip if there is inclement weather that may be considered dangerous or unsafe. If the winds at Sandy Key, sanf1, are more than 20knots sustained on the day of your charter or there are numerous showers, you may cancel your trip and receive a full refund. If your trip is cancelled, either by you or your captain due to inclement weather, you must have a cancellation number in order to receive a full refund. This number can only be issued by Key West Pro Guides and is unique to your reservation.

Additional Trip Information:
* All rates quoted are for your group and your captain.
* All trips are private charter. Sorry, we do not offer split or shared trips.
* Light Tackle boats may take up to four guests. Additional $75.00 charge for the 5th guest.
* Flats and Backcountry boat capacities vary by captain.
* Alcohol is allowed on your charter, please limit it to beer or wine. No hard liquor please.
* All trips include bait, tackle, rods, licenses and a cooler with ice.
* You are more than welcome to bring your own gear, but it is not necessary.
* Fish cleaning is available, as is short-term freezer storage.

Hurricane Hole Marina Services
If your trip departs from either Hurricane Hole, Kings Pointe or Garrison Bight Marina, there are ship stores on hand that offer everything from drinks, snacks, sandwiches, sunscreen, hats and lots more for your convenience. Hurricane Hole Marina also has an outstanding restaurant and bar to cook up your catch when you get back to the dock. The food is excellent and the beer ice cold. There is no better way to eat fish than fresh from the boat.

Items you should bring:
Drinks, plenty of liquids (Gatorade, Powerade, sodas, etc.)
Lunch or snacks
Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat. Last but not least, Don't forget the CAMERA!