It had always been a dream of my dad's and mine to fish in the Gulf, and we finally had the opportunity to make it happen. Since this was our first time saltwater fishing, I wanted to make sure we chose the right captain. After researching several charters, we decided to book the 6 hour nearshore trip with In The Zone Fishing and Captain Chop.
Honestly, they should rename the boat Disneyland because they make dreams come true on there.
To say we were impressed would be an understatement. Our original plan was to head into deeper water, but the seas were rough. Captain Chop recommended staying closer to shore, and I'm incredibly glad we took his advice. We came to fish, and he made sure we did exactly that. The action was nonstop from the moment we hooked our first fish!
We knew we had made the right decision right away. There were boats all around us, and nobody else seemed to be catching anything. Meanwhile, at one point nearly every rod on our boat was bent over with a fish on the line. And these weren't just any fish, they were massive bull reds.
Captain Chop's knowledge and skill were obvious throughout the trip, but what really set him apart was his personality. He and his deckhand Jayden (not sure how to spell his name) created an atmosphere that was just as memorable as the fishing itself. We spent the entire trip laughing, joking, and having a great time, even though my buddy got a little sea sick, he was still laughing. It never felt like a standard guided trip; it felt like spending a day on the water with good friends. Even if we hadn't caught a single fish, that alone would have made the trip worthwhile.
Before we even made it back to our vehicle, my dad, my buddy and I were already talking about booking another trip for next year (or sooner), this time for the 12 hour trip. I can't wait to get back on the water with Captain Chop and In The Zone Fishing. Do yourself a favor if you are looking for a trip down in the coast, book with Chop, you will not regret it.
Thank you for an incredible experience and for helping create memories that will last a lifetime!
