I will be in Surfside in mid June and was thinking about doing a 12 hour party boat trip out of Galveston. Do many people bring their own rod(s) on the 12 hour trips?

I have done several 4 hour trips which are pretty much hit or miss. I have seen some people bring their own rods on the 4 hour trips but because they are using different pound test line and weights, they tend to get tangled more with the person fishing to their left or right since their bait drifts different then everyone else's bait.

I always bring my own rods, reels, etc.

I always brought my own gear. But those of us that did fished different from the standard drop to the bottom and pull it up guys around us. Trick is to be able to cast away from the side of the boat and let your bait swim/flutter down with minimal weight. I was never a big fan of snapper (Don't shoot) and wanted to target kings and ling. If you have a rig for it cigar minnows work good for kings and hardheads with the fins snipped work good for ling. Just my $.02.

Just did 12 hour trip yesterday out of Galveston. There were several people who brought their own tackle and bait . We just used the tackle on the boat.

You can bring your stuff or use theirs. If your going to do several trips a year then investing in your own gear would be a good idea as some of the head boats gear gets abused. But in my opinion if your just going to do a trip here and there then save the money and use the boats gear.

Thanks. I was coming to the conclusion that I was going to use their gear and see what others bring and how they fish it. If I buy offshore gear now, I wouldn't know what to get other than a Penn Senator reel and 6' boat rod.

It's a costly addiction lol !!
But nothing better than dropping a 3-5 pound live bait in to the depths and hold on for life lol

Once you get salt in your veins then it's impossible to get it out

You going out on the New Buccaneer?

Lots of good used reels out there just be sure they have been cleaned every trip, the Senators are bullet proof and not expensive last forever with care. I use Senators and Avet, never a problem yet and dad's Senators were all bought in 1959 and look almost new still, will be using them again next month. A 6/0 Senator is a great all around boat reel just maintain it and not expensive, get the USA made.

I have not booked anything yet. I have not decided between Galveston Party Boats and Williams Party Boats. I will be going on a weekday. Williams Party Boats is $10 cheaper but they don't allow small ice chests of drink and food. Since they are priced pretty much the same, is one any better than the other for 12 hour trips?

I wouldn't fish Williams if it was free. GPB all the way.

One would have to be able to put their "fish politics" aside to fish with Williams wouldn't they David?

I don't remember asking you.

Williams can and does catch fish but they drive the boats S-L-O-W. Most people on here prefer Galveston Party Boats but you will catch fish on both.

I don't remember you asking anything, come to think of it.
but thanks for playing, smartass