How Much Do Fishing Charter Captains Make in Florida?

Overview of Charter Boat Captain Salaries

  • The average Charter Boat Captain salary in Florida is $89,841 as of September 25, 2023, with salary ranges varying based on different factors.

  • Successful captains possess technical and interpersonal skills for their job.

Deep Sea Fishing Charters

  • Private deep sea fishing charters usually cost $150-$225 per hour and require a 4-6 hour minimum.

  • Best deep sea fishing techniques involve trolling natural or artificial baits.

  • Fishing charters are available in 4, 6, or 8-hour intervals.

Factors Affecting Captain Salaries

  • Location significantly impacts captain salaries.

  • Captains in popular tourist or high fishing activity areas may earn more.

  • Customer demand for chartered trips also plays a significant role in income.

Captain Salary Information

  • Salary ranges for captains are $13,742-$362,208, with a median of $66,260.

Summary of Fishing Guide Salaries

  • Fishing guide salaries in Florida range from $13,742-$362,208, with a median of $66,260.

  • Top earners make over $362,208, with location, experience, and demand impacting pay.

Yacht Captain and Cruise Ship Captain Salaries

  • Yacht captain pay reflects license, yacht size, and experience, with luxury yacht captains commanding six-figures.

  • Cruise ship captains average $96,000 annually, varying by experience and ship size.

Becoming a Captain

  • Becoming a captain requires decades of training, certification, and logged hours.

Profit and Regulations

  • Well-run fishing charter businesses earn about a 25% profit, equating to around $34,300 annual profit after paying the captain.

  • Recreational licenses are not needed for chartered fishing trips, and FWC licenses cover passengers.

  • Certain fishing regulations must be followed, such as the immediate release of shoal bass caught in specific areas.

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