Richard.

I’m sorry you did not enjoy your trip with us. I do want to clarify a few things however.

Yes I did contact you the night before and advise you that it would be to rough offshore due to the south west winds that was occuring at the time of your trip. I offered to cancel the trip at no charge due to weather or we could bottom fish in the area of the Skyway Bridge out to Egmont Key and the edges of the shipping channel. All of which we did. I did state we would be bottom fishing for the same species with Mangrove Snapper being the main target. We did discuss conditions and I did state fishing had been slower inshore and catch was smaller then what we have been catching offshore and you did state you wanted to at least get out on the water. You choose to fish inshore after I had stated current conditions and offered to cancel at no charge.

Yes we did leave an hour later, however I did state to you, when we spoke the night before, that if we left at 700am it would be about 30 mins before tide change. Slack tides are known to kill the bite. You did agree and you did still receive your a full trip.

I’m confused by the fishing under public piers comment. As stated above, we fished several different areas. Scotty J’s does not fish under public piers. Yes we did fish the Skyway Bridge, but not under a public pier, and at no time did we stay in a non-productive area for more the 60 mins. We also fished several different ledges, rock piles and the shipping channel outside of Egmont Key, once winds died down later into your trip.

I understand you have decades experiences, but this was your first charter and you are new to bottom fishing for saltwater species.Yes we only landed three fish, however there was several missed chances, at no ones fault, it happens, it’s fishing. It is very difficulty to break the habit doing a hook set when using cirlce hooks. This did lead to several missed chances at fish. Also there was several times people got rocked up by the fish. Once again this is at no ones fault, it happens. But I as the Captain can only control so much, a missed fish is beyond my control.

I honestly do not mind a poor review, just as long as it is fair and accurate. I can learn from it. However, to say I did not give my best effort to put you guys on fish is totally false. First I advised you conditions inshore have been slow and with smaller fish. I continually was chumming waters with both live, dead, and cut bait in addition to frozen chum. I also was always changing rigs, switching to lighter gear, changing leaders, weights, moving to other areas, baiting hooks, and giving advice on bottom fishing tactics etc. All to put you guys on fish. Multiple times i even pointed out that we had activity on our bottom machine and at times in our chum. Unfortunately there is only so much I or any Captain can do. In reply to your comment “The Capt did not put his best effort to find us fish”. My question for you is what else could I have possibly done on your trip? What would you have like to seen me do differently?

I understand you caught some speckled trout and Mangrove snappers. I truly am happy you guys did get into some fish. I hope you were able to get some keepers and have a meal. Unfortunately your request was for “big fish!” When you booked the trip and I honestly feel we did everything possible to meet your expection. If you requested trout I would have gladly referred you to another boat, since our vessel is not capable of getting into some waters.

When we return to the Marina, I honestly wished you had stated you were displeased with your trip or had spoken up sooner. I do remember speaking with your party and apologizing for the slow bite. I was only given praise and understanding from you stating “You can’t make them bite”. Lastly if you are unsatisfied with a trip, do not tip. Especially, if in your eyes, I “did not put my best effort in”. It only sends mixed signals.

Please feel free to contact us with what we can do to make things up to you. I had already offered a discount on your next trip, but if there is anything else please let me know. Also please let me know how to return the tip we received from you guys.

Richard. I’m sorry you did not enjoy your trip with us. I do want to clarify a few things however. Yes I did contact you the night before and advise you that it would be to rough offshore due to the south west winds that was occuring at the time of your trip. I offered to cancel the trip at no charge due to weather or we could bottom fish in the area of the Skyway Bridge out to Egmont Key and the edges of the shipping channel. All of which we did. I did state we would be bottom... More