I have a question about Puget Sound Sport Fishing charter. I was given a trip for two with that charter that was purchased from a Groupon. I looked up reviews online and there were some terrible reviews. Of course there always will be no matter what you look up, but there were a few that all had to do with the same issues with this company. The issue was people trying to book trips with the company using their Groupon. They reported not getting called back, no emails returned and overall rudeness of whoever they talked to when they finally did get a hold of someone.
My question is if anyone has used this charter and what they think about it. I don't want to waste my time getting frustrated trying to set up a trip if they are not reliable and will cause a hassle. I have read some great reviews about the company as well, but the negative reviews I saw really put me off. Any ideas, thoughts or comments that are helpful will be much appreciated.
- JustinK
Question about a charter
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Forum Post Guidelines: This Forum is rated “Family Friendly”. Civil discussions are encouraged and welcomed. Name calling, negative, harassing, or threatening comments will be removed and may result in suspension or IP Ban without notice. Please refer to the Terms of Service and Forum Guidelines post for more information. Thank you
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ncwflounderer
- Lieutenant
- Posts: 239
- Joined: Sun Sep 08, 2013 6:58 pm
Re: Question about a charter
call them and ask what they have to say for themselves, if you cant get a hold of them, and they don't call you back, you may have your answer. If they do answer you may be surprised by what they have to say.
Eat, sleep, fish
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dutchman2858
- Commander
- Posts: 322
- Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 6:31 am
- Location: Marysville
Re: Question about a charter
I bought the Groupon for a 1/2 day with PSSF last Spring. It took a couple phone calls to get through, but finally connected. We left out of Edmonds at about 7:00AM and there was a mom and her 10 yr old boy as the only other clients. With the short day, and the small crew we only went out front of Edmonds, but there was bait and fish present and we ended up with 2 keeper BM, and a couple small ones released for our trip. With what you have heard, I'd guess that whoever made the marketing decision to go with a Groupon Ad miscalculated the interest and they are probably getting slammed.
Should someone in the charter industry be rude to callers---an emphatic "NO." But from the single operator of a charter for 12 odd years (sometimes very "odd") who was known to yell and stomp on his hat toward the end of the halibut and salmon seasons in Kodiak, I can sympathize just a bit with the folks trying to run the boat everyday...then come home and trying to handle all the calls that have stacked up on the recorder. All the while wondering "What the Hell was the boss thinking?"
Should someone in the charter industry be rude to callers---an emphatic "NO." But from the single operator of a charter for 12 odd years (sometimes very "odd") who was known to yell and stomp on his hat toward the end of the halibut and salmon seasons in Kodiak, I can sympathize just a bit with the folks trying to run the boat everyday...then come home and trying to handle all the calls that have stacked up on the recorder. All the while wondering "What the Hell was the boss thinking?"
Re: Question about a charter
I'm sure they got slammed from the group on deal. They shouldn't be rude, or snippy, but if it's a small shop, a couple of calls to get hold of them may be in order. I know I'm answering emails, facebook, text messages and calls until I pass out at night, then it's 4 am wake up, to do it all over again. Arranging shuttles, bait, tying leaders, networking, repairing, hosing the boat, curing roe... An office lady is super expensive, it could be the owners wife or something fielding calls to help out. It's worth checking out a free trip is a free trip though, and I haven't personally heard anything bad about them.
Re: Question about a charter
Thank you for all the great responses. I thought there might be someone on here that has used the charter before. I'm glad it turned out to be a good time. Them being slammed seems the best reason for not returning calls, especially since the negative reviews reported their voice mail being full. I plan on checking them out hopefully for Chinook season. I'm excited to have the opportunity to check out a charter for the first time. I've been thinking about hiring a charter for about a year now but they are a bit out of my price range.
A separate question but still about the charters... Are you usually guaranteed to catch your target fish? I know of course there are always days where fish just aren't being caught, but they should have all the equipment to put fish in the boat, right? I'll have a blast either way, but you know, catching fish always makes the trip better!
A separate question but still about the charters... Are you usually guaranteed to catch your target fish? I know of course there are always days where fish just aren't being caught, but they should have all the equipment to put fish in the boat, right? I'll have a blast either way, but you know, catching fish always makes the trip better!
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dutchman2858
- Commander
- Posts: 322
- Joined: Sat Jun 26, 2010 6:31 am
- Location: Marysville
Re: Question about a charter
I was a pretty decent charter operator in Kodiak, but there were a few days when I couldn't have taken a $50 bill down to the seafoods dealer and bought a fish :-/ The same went for everyone else running a boat...it's just not something you advertise! My guarantee was that I would work my ass off to get you onto fish, and show you a good time while I was doing it.
Just like when you are out by yourself: the fishing is always great, but sometimes the catchin' ain't.
Just like when you are out by yourself: the fishing is always great, but sometimes the catchin' ain't.
Re: Question about a charter
Here's an update for this charter. I called them and got through right away. The guy was helpful and was able to book me just two weeks out for some blackmouth fishing. I'll be taking my brother with me on the 18th to see what they are all about! I'll post again after that for my review, and hopefully with a catch report as well!
Re: Question about a charter
I had a great experience with the charter. The captain was really helpful and full of information and didn't mind sharing it. The boat was clean and fully loaded with all the equipment you could need. It even had a toilet!. I would go out with these guys gain any time.
Re: Question about a charter
Cool, glad to hear it.