Trips booked with Oilfield Outkasts Charters include:
WHAT TIME DO I NEED TO BE THERE AND WHERE DO I GET ON THE BOAT?
You only need to be about 15-20 minutes early to find the boat, put your stuff on it, sign a waiver, make a pit stop, and have us check your fishing license.
Our charters depart from the address above. It's a bright green building. You might not think you're in the right place, but you are! Park where there’s an open spot and walk down to the dock. We don't drive the boat into the parking lot to get you. If you don’t see one of our boats tied up to the dock, we’ll be there soon. Have a seat and enjoy the atmosphere.
Our Captains and crew wear shirts with our Oilfield Outkasts Charters logo, their name on the back, and OUTKAST down the sleeve. Don't be shy. Find any one of us and let us know you're there and ready to go.
SHOULD I TIP THE CAPTAIN AND CREW?
Tipping is customary in the fishing charter business. The general rule of thumb is 20% or more of the price you paid for your charter if the crew did a good job.
If your crew includes a First Mate (aka Deckhand), their pay is made up entirely of tips. Your charter payment pays for the boat, fuel, bait, tackle, fish cleaning, the Captain and their knowledge and training. Very simply put, the Captain is there to drive the boat, take you to the fishing spots, put the boat over fish, and keep you safe. Your Captain will also ensure that if the boat is boarded by the Coast Guard or your catch is inspected by the Game Warden, that the boat and your catch meet the rules and regulations to avoid negative consequences.
Your deckhand is assisting your catching by doing things like baiting your hook, dropping or casting your line properly, hooking the fish if you aren't able to, teaching you what to do and how to do it, boating your fish, making sure you are fishing safely, keeping the boat clean and free of safety hazards while you're fishing, and much more. If there isn't a First Mate, the Captain is doing both jobs! We might make fishing look easy because we love it so much, but it's hard work y'all! Please expect to tip your deckhand so that they don't work for free. If paying your trip balance with a card, you can add a tip to it if you didn't bring cash.
How do you know if the crew did a good job? While we really don't like the cliche statement "fishing is not always catching", it's true. To determine if the crew earned a tip more than 20%, ask yourself these questions:
Did your deckhand work hard for you?
Did the Captain move the boat multiple times to find fish?
Did the Captain and deckhand try different fishing methods?
Did the crew go out of their way to make the trip fun even when the fish weren't biting?
WHAT DO I NEED TO BRING?
Sunscreen - the sun over the Gulf of Mexico is not your average sun. It shines on you from above and it reflects off the water.
Drinks - bring your own cooler. Alcohol is welcome in moderation. **NO GLASS CONTAINERS PLEASE**
Snacks – we don’t plan to give you time to eat, but fighting fish works up a thirst and sometimes an appetite. Full day trips should consider bringing lunch.
A fishing license is required for anyone 17 or older, Texas resident or nonresident, unless they meet criteria established by TPWD.
We recommend that you buy your licenses in person, and wait until close to your trip to purchase. There are several places in the area to buy them... Academy, Walmart, HEB, Kroger, and two locations within a mile of where we pick you up. Be sure that you have a Saltwater Endorsement or an All Water license with a Red Drum tag. You'll also want to get the Bonus Red Drum tag. These must be paper licenses because if you keep a Red Drum, the tag from your license must be attached to the fish.
Those who are not required to have a license should still get an "Exempt Angler" tag for Red Drum, and a Bonus Tag as well.
***If you are planning to buy a one-day license, we recommend that you wait until the day before or the day of your trip, just in case the weather changes and your trip is rescheduled.***
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE PRICE OF THE CHARTER?
Fuel
Rods and reels
Bait and lures
Fish cleaning and packaging - if you have any special requests please let us know when we return to the dock.
WHAT SHOULD I WEAR?
Besides plenty of sunscreen for any body parts not covered by clothing, you’ll want to be comfortable. You may get wet and/or bloody; so wear something that can get messy. We recommend a long sleeve shirt to protect your arms from the sun and the mess. Shorts and any shoes other than boots are fine. During the summer, wear lightweight clothing, a hat or a visor, and bring a cooling towel or bandana. During the Fall, Winter, and Spring, wear layers. The ride out and back can be cold, but when we’re stopped and in the sun, it might get warm.
WILL I GET SEASICK?
Anyone can get seasick. If you know that you are prone to motion sickness, please don’t forget to prepare. If you aren’t sure if you’ll get seasick, there are lots of options out there. The most popular are over-the-counter drugs like Dramamine and Bonine. There are patches that are prescribed by your doctor. You can also try wristbands. Whatever you choose to use, please follow the directions and start the treatment at least the day before, if possible. There isn’t much that can be done to alleviate seasickness once it starts, except getting off the boat. Also, having a greasy meal and/or drinking excessive alcohol the night before might make your trip less fun than you’d like. Although, we do allow free chum if you want to provide it!
IS THERE A BATHROOM ON THE BOAT?
All of the boats have a camp potty. But honestly, there isn't a need for too much modesty on the water - the fish don't care, and neither do we. Unless you have a special need for a potty, or are more modest than we are, it's more of a "hey everyone, turn your head" kind of environment. But we will do whatever necessary to meet your potty needs. Let us know if you have a potty concern.
WHAT IF THE WEATHER IS TOO BAD TO GO FISHING?
Mother Nature doesn't always do what we'd like her to do, so it's best to be flexible on the date/time of your trip. We do our best to inform you approximately 2 days in advance of bad weather, and give you the option to reschedule. If the weather turns bad with no notice, we'll still give you a rescheduling option. We understand that not everyone has the ability to reschedule, and we will gladly refund your deposit if the trip is canceled due to weather.
We will fish in the rain as long as there isn't lightning. At the first sign of lightning, the trip will be shut down for safety. Unless the forecast shows dangerous conditions, we will delay canceling your trip if you'd like to wait out the weather for a window suitable for fishing. We can only do this if other trips before or after yours have been rescheduled or are also waiting on the weather to change. While we're glad to do this, if you request that chance and then decide not to fish, we will keep your deposit if you decide to cancel and not reschedule.
We watch the weather very closely. If the seas are rough, but fishable, we will call you and give you the option to reschedule or fish. If you think that your group is up for the challenge of rough seas, and the boat leaves the dock, you will be charged full price for your charter if you decide to turn the boat around.
Because of the impossibility of controlling the weather, you may want to consider waiting until closer to your trip date to purchase your fishing license if you're planning to purchase a one-day license. There are two places, less than a mile from the dock, to buy a license.
We ask that you provide us with a cell phone number (if you haven't already) in the event that we need to contact you, up to the morning of your trip, with critical weather updates. If for any reason your phone number changes, or if you lose or forget your phone while here, please call us with an alternate number to reach you.
SHOULD I PAY IN ADVANCE OF MY TRIP? WHAT PAYMENT METHODS ARE ACCEPTABLE?
Paying in advance is not necessary. We've held your trip with your deposit and the balance can be paid at the dock. While we gladly accept cash because it's king, all major credit and debit cards are also accepted at the time of your trip.
CAN I BUY A SHIRT OR HAT LIKE THE CREW WEARS?
If you'd like a souvenir from your trip that doesn't get eaten, we do offer limited apparel for sale. We sell shirts, hats, and sometimes other souvenirs. You can order through our website before your trip and we'll have it ready for you on the day of your trip. We also keep some on hand for sale.
Hopefully we’ve answered all the questions you may have, but if not, call, text, DM, email us. We love to talk to our customers before and after their trips.