New deposit information:
$250 deposit required by March 14th, 2008 to be with T.O.O.
Balance of payment due:October 18th, 2008 balance has to be paid by 30 days before the trip departs.
These changes have been made by U.E. to facilitate making this charter happen on the Big E.
U.E. is being conservative as new owners of the Big E on scheduling private charters that do not have the full payment ready as in this case with the TFF tuna trips. This is completely understandable and we recognize that they have to feel confident that a private charter through this method of organizing a private charter will result in a booked trip.
T.O.O. asked U.E. for a modification of the deposit time frame and amount due and U.E. was willing to make changes to accommodate the fine people of the TFF. Now it is our turn to show U.E. the seriousness of the TFF group to fish the Big E. Folks must get on the ball and get a deposit in with T.O.O. by March 14th, 2008. If Paypal is a preferred method to make the deposit payment please make a payment of $260 to cover the Paypal fee.
This deposit and final payment option for the TFF Seite Tuna charter can not be made any better, and we can not and will not ask U.E. for any more changes.
So lets get the checks or Paypal payment taken care right away, before March 14th, 2008.
Below is the the updated information on the proposed TFF "Siete Tuna" or Tuna VII with the Big E.

Hi folks, T.O.O., with the approval of JP, has reserved the charter boat The "Big E" owned by Underwater Expeditons for the Seventh Annual TFF Tuna charter aka TFF Tuna Tango.
The information of the charter is as follows.
Boat: The "Big E"
Location: Freeport, Texas
Dates: Friday-Sunday Nov.21st-23rd, 2008
Departure time: 11 am
Return Time: 3 pm
Moon phase: moving into new moon
Load Limit: 39 fishermen
Cost: Price is total cost per angler. Fuel surcharge will only occur if fuel cost is above $3.20 per gallon.
39: $667
38: $685
37: $703
36: $722
35: $743

TFF Tuna Tango will take up to 39 paid fishermen.
Deposit per person: $250 based on 37 paid fishermen
Balance of payment will be based on the total number of paid fisherman, minus the $250 deposit. That amount will be determined after the deposit has been sent to U.E. The $250 is based on the required deposit by U.E. for this charter.

Important: The following information is the requirements from Underwater Expedition for this charter. Please read and consider the information before committing to the charter.
Deposit due: $250 to T.O.O. by March 14th, 2008

Balance of charter cost due: In T.O.O. possesion by October 18th, 2008

Note: If full charter balance is not in the possesion of U.E. by the October 18th, 2008 deadline, the charter will be cancelled by T.O.O. U.E.'s policy on this charter states that if a cancellation notice is not received 30 days before the charter departure date, the deposit is forfeited or the charter will be rescheduled, and the reserved dates will be opened to the public. This is a change in U.E.'s deposit and cancellation requirement, not T.O.O.'s. This is a very fair policy.
It must be understood that anyone committing to the TFF Tuna VII must be able to meet the deposit and final balance deadline without exception based on U.E's requirements.
If a fishermen pays for a deposit but does not pay the balance of the cost for that spot by he October 18th, 2008 their spot will be opened up to the TFF public. You will lose your deposit if a replacement can not be found.
Any fishermen that buys a spot or spot on the TFF Tuna Tango, is required to pay the full amount based on at least 35 people going. If a fishermen has bought a spot and needs to sell that spot or spots before the charter departs, it is that person's responsibilty to find a buyer for that spot. T.O.O. will assist in finding a buyer for any spot needing to be sold, but the financial situation is ultimately the orginal buyers responsibility.
By sending in a deposit to T.O.O. you agree to the above stipulations to be a part of the TFF Seite Tuna Big E charter.
Please post if you are interested in joining the TFF Tuna Tango for 2008. If you do join, please make sure you can meet the deadlines for deposit and final payment. We can not have any late payments at all.
Our mailing address:
T.O.O.
1403 W.Oak Estates Dr.
San Antonio, Texas 78260

The Big E will be captained by Captain Frank as in the past, with almost all folks in their places as before with Captain Elliott's.
If there are any question or anything not clear on the above information, please do not hesitate to contact us at (210)215-3877 or by email at too@outdoorstexas.com
PM's will not be seen anywhere as fast as email or a phone call.
Let the joining begin for the TFF Tuna Tango.
So post up if interested and get the deposit in to us without delay.

3-10-08 commit list
TFF Seite Tuna

1. NTF
2. radicus
3. SpecialK
4. SpecialK
5. Magarita Mojo
6. Walleye
7. lite-liner
8. Fathom
9. Ichobahn(tenative)
10. Bazztex
11. Bazztex
12. Gigabite
13. Gigabite
14. KerryNeal
15. KerryNeal
16. TxGrizzly
17. Gimmedeal
18. Gimmedeal
19. Beyoung
20. Kil Song (deposit sent, tentative depending on another trip)
21. Jureal
22. Bretabaker
23. Gman
24. Anthony K
25. DaveC
26. MarlinF
27. Tony Baker
28. Bighead
29. Bighead
30. fins
31. DBG
32. Formula4fish
33. snagged
34. STxfisherman
35. fishead
36. Gigabite
37. Gigabite

Not to cloud up the information post any more than it is, but we are excited that U.E. was open to making the changes on payment. Now folks need to take care of their end of the charter process.
Lets get is done, this is the best deal on a 52 hour Big E charter out there.

I'm in! Put me down for one spot!


I agree with you Willie, this deposit system if very good and reasonable.

We just need to make sure it happens since they've accomodated us and changed their policy.

Come on guys, step up and sign up. If you haven't fished off the Big E before, this is the cadillac of fishing boats in the gulf. We are lucky to have her here, so let's make sure she stays here.

BTW: Can we see if we can get Chris Newman on board as a cook as a 36th spot at no extra if we fill up the 35 spots?

I'm in, glad they changed the deposit policy!

MB, if we can get 35 committed to make the trip happen then we can deal with Chris going as a cook. We've compted him on several trips for cooking and everyone has been impressed with his cooking skills.
We will be happy to discuss it with Chris, and I'm sure he'll be willing to listen, but let's get the charter filled first.
As I mentioned, you can't beat this deal, U.E. has really worked to make things happen. I have been impressed with their willingness to work with us and the TFF as well as the TBB 08 folks.
Our preliminary cost for food has been estimated around $30-$35 per person and will include steak one night.
We would really try our best to keep the cost at $35 or less for food, we've been able to keep food costs at $30 or so per person for TBB 06 and TBB 07 and really think we can do the same for Seite Tuna for 2008. You know how food prices have gone up for the last couple of years, so hopefully we can keep costs the same this time as well, if folks want food served on board.
I will say that TBB 06, TBB 07, GEM 07 folks liked not having to drag food in chests on board and deal with all that stuff.
Wait until the Big E gets the galley done with stove refrig, etc, then we can really do some cooking stuff.
But lets get the charter filled, again this is a great deal, as long as folks get the $250 in to us by March 14th, 2008 they can relax and worry about the balance months down the road. We'll keep everyone informed and if we have to our TFF enforcer SkeeterRonnie will apply some muscle if needed.

well ok let me run the #'s and see what sticks! i might have to go rob a bank but i will let you know shortly Willie. Its nice to see that U.E. are willing to work with outside organizers to make the trips happen...

Skeeter is your muscle? HAHA he dont scare me unless he has a spinning rod with a popper on it! then be afraid, very afraid!!!

Count Dad and I in for 2 spots!
We are ready to tuna tango again!

Hey,
. As far as the trip. I am in for me. I am going to again offer up the use of the Margarita Machine for margarita's and frozen lemonade's if enough want me to bring it. I will supply machine, mix, cups and straws. Will be looking for donations for tekillme for the Rita's, Now I gotta buy some OTI Poppers!


SO ADD ME TO THE LIST!
Joe

I am in. Nice job on getting the deposit issue solved, John.

-Pat

Ok I'm in
Deposit forthcoming
-B

I'm in plus one of my boys.

Robert

Brother Willie.. Add 2 more.

We're ready and I'll let Greg K know as well!

I'm glad they understand We are serious and will make good on it!

Thanks for all your help in getting the details hammered out!

Bazz

I'm in + 1. Headed out on the Big E tomorrow but will send deposit when I return net week!

Louis

Willie....

Like I said in my email it wasn't so much the deposit and cancellation constraints that were interfering for me as much as the dates. I am already on a charter with John on the Pelican for December 3. Not being as hardy as Fred "gimmedeal" Spencer and some others here I find it tough to come in from one trip and then head out on another.

But don't count me out.


Bobby

Joe,

Of course we will take you up on the offer of the margarita machines! Those were awesome on Cinco!

K Im in and may have a few more tagging along. Willie I'll get ck in mail manana..
k

Done Deal,

The Margarita Machine will be there. Come on folks, lets make this happen.

Joe

i am gonna be out on the next few. gotta make babies with the wife.... couple years of that, and I should be back...

Got one more, San and if our trip to Venice this weekend gets cancelled I should have one more guy. I'll wait till Monday on those guys and then overnite checks to Too then.

Kerry

Hey Skeeter,

There will be more top water tuna for the rest of us. Man you made me tired watching you throw that topwater on the last trip. You didnt stop and it paid off for ya. You made short order on those tuna. Maybe you can squeeze a trip in. Enjoyed fishing with ya on the last trip. I think you redeemed yourself from the prior trip. I don't think anyone will mess with ya after the last performance. Great job and hope to fish with ya again soon.

Joe

Dang, Ronnie, how long does it take? I accomplished that in about 15 minutes each time!

15 minutes!! You trying to kill me!!! Man- you must run marathons!!! 2 minutes and I am asleep!

confidence Joe, thats all you need. Captain Kieth asked me why I was gonna throw topwater... I told him politely... I HATE chunking.. he said "thats whats gonna work".... I told him I know it will work, but I get bored too easy.... and I put on a dark colored popper(dark colors are easier for the fish to target at night).... and went to town... I probably had 10-12 blowup on it that didnt hook up... so I had my own little secret going in my corner

Now that we've got SKR's Planned Parenthood calendar mapped out along with knowing his stamina level, let's get back to the proposed TFF Seite Tuna charter for 2008.
We are at 15 stating they are in and one possible.
1. NTF
2. radicus
3. SpecialK
4. SpecialK
5. Magarita Mojo
6. Walleye
7. lite-liner
8. FWM0103
9. FWM0103
10. Bazztex
11. Bazztex
12. Gigabite
13. Gigabite
14. KerryNeal
15. KerryNeal
16. TxGrizzly
17. Gimmedeal
18. Gimmedeal
19. Beyoung
20. Kil Song (deposit sent,tentative depending on another trip)

20 for this charter is better, but we expected to be into the standby stage by now.
A spot on an open 52 hour charter on the Big E with U.E. cost $650 per person.
At 39 paid spots the cost per person is $667 or $17 more than a open charter per person cost, that is a great deal, especially if considering everyone will be on the same page and know or have knowledge of each other as well as have being able to work together instead of a "everyone for themselves" attitude. Thast is very important on a big charter trip in our opinion.
We're not sure why more folks are not committing to the trip. Is it the short deposit payment time? The reserved dates of November 21st-23rd? Overall cost?
This does concern us and has us wondering why we're not seeing more commitments.
We got until March 14th to be able to tell U.E. yes or no on this charter.
One other option would be to move the charter to Nov. 1st-3rd, which would be a Saturday-Monday trip as to not interfere with Halloween for those with kids.
If this date change would work for everyone and allows others to commit, we will ask U.E. if we can move the charter to that date time frame.
If the issue is payment, and if any folks looking at this charter need to pay in installmnts, then contact us and we can work something out. If we can go to U.E. with 35 committed folks, they'll work with us, but if we have 15-20 committed only then we don't have anything to offer to them.
We have to have a fianicial commitment from everyone, that's just good business.
So let's get going if folks want to commit to the best deal on a 52 private charter on the Big E.
One last thing, we are holding one spot for a special guest. That is why we are basing the cost up to 39 people, and not 40.

any word on Fuel surcharge?

Cost: Price is total cost per angler. Fuel surcharge will only occur if fuel cost is above $3.20 per gallon.

I'm gonna go. It's scheduled for the best time of the Texas YF season. Me +1 and I'll send Willie a check tonight. Next fall you'll be wishin you threw your name in.

Fred

how many gallons of fuel does the Big E hold? anybody
know? nevermind. went to gulfcraft's website.
6745 usg
fuel consumption @ cruise- 110gph
cruise speed 24 knots/28.8 mph, avg 20 in good seas
150 miles +/- to redhawk/boudreaux
Best average I can come up with for the trip is 3000-3500g.
does this sound right?
if it does, and diesel hits, say, 3.80 by then......
$0.60x 3500= $2100>39= $53.84 per angler for a fuel surcharge.
sounds totally do-able to me! that is, if my calculations are right.....
I'm not trying to stir the pot, just pointing out that unless
Diesel hits $4.00+ @ the dock, the fuel surcharge is nothing but chump change.
Let's get some people on this boat! I cancelled 2 other trips to do this one!
tight lines
-Brian

Willie,
i will send a check in the mail tonight. i shouldnt but i guess i will...i hate this hobby by the way...

Considering....

I REALLY want to, but it is still awfully close to the last trip to be telling wifey that I'm going to pony up more money for the next one. We'll see how well I can negotiate.

Got it on gimmedeal at 2 people and Txgrizzly added to the trip.
We talked to U.E. in early Feb. and they did not mention a fuel surcharge then.
We talked to them again late Feb. and were told that diesel went from $2.86 or so to $3.06 in that time.
Could be wrong, but believe that they do not pay or are refunded the state and federal tax on fuel. Comes to about .40 cents a gallon if both are refunded or omitted from there cost.
Plan on paying a fuel surcharge, if you ae paying $3.50 at the pump, you know the cost U.E is paying as well minus a bit in taxes. No one likes it, it affect all of us but it has to be paid down the line and the fishermen are the consumers that ultimately pay the final price.
Who knows what the cost will be for diesel in November, but in the past a fuel surcharge on the Big E was a straight cost which was divided up equally among everyone.
Got to agree with Gimme, October/November is usuall the best time for Y-fins along the Texa coast, hope it is the case this year.
Hope we can get more to commit, it is a great price for a private charter, at a great time to fish on a fantastic boat and a fantastic captain and crew.

FB, in all seriousness to your comment, if I remember you are set rig wise right? Discuss with the wife the $250 is all that is needed to be paid for 6 months. The balance would be due in late October, so you'll have plenty of time there. Hope that helps.
Or you can have the boss call us and we can discuss the benefits to her of you doing this charter.
Can we put you down as "in" and expect a deposit?

heres how I was doing it.. just send it, then in a couple months- say " you remember I have the offshore trip in November, right?".... she says "you never said that".. you say "yes I did, that night we were all at the mall shopping... you just nodded your head!" LOL!!

I used that on thelast 4 offshore trips.
I have deal going... What ever the trip costs, I let her blow that much on whatever she wants. Seems pretty fair. I am just gladshe doesnt want to see my reciepts for fishing gear. I only shw her the check for the deposit

I send a check from my business checking account.....lol

Checks in the mail for one spot.

I wish the trip is in early November I am on the waiting list of 10 day trip out of San Diego starting Nov. 15. Besides the weather in early Nov is more reliable.
I sent a deposit to T.O.O. just in case I can join the trip.

check is in the mail

Willie,

Put down me and Marlin Frederick for sure, possibly +1 I will let you know for sure on that one when I send in the deposit this week. Thanks!

Good to have you back, Dave. Finally!
see you in Nov.
-B

Hi folks, we've added 6 people to the TFF Seite Tuna charter. We are at 29 and have edited the first post to show the current list.
We have two and maybe three people that are very strong posssibles, so we may be up to 32 real quick here.
If we get to 35, we'll nail down this charter and then those going can discuss the charter via Seite Tuna email about options.
However, if the group wants to commit at 30 or so, we can do that as well. Up to the group.
Things are looking good.

Willie, put me down for one spot. I will have the check in the mail tommorow.

Scott "Bellyup"

Willie,

Add Dick Fischer the list, only I will MAIL A DEPOSIT :-)

Willie, Add me to the list as well, deposit is in the mail tomorrow, and I do mean "MAIL". LOL!

Scott, that's reminds me of the time Minnows mentioned he was bringing a "Viagra 50" on one of the GEM trips!!

This will be a great trip, perfect weather predicted!!

Tom - DBG

Willie,
Put me down.
Scott, when did you change?

Jerry,

I registered as Fins long time ago when I thought maybe I shouldn't use the same handle everywhere for security reasons. Too lazy to change since.

Willie,

Count me in.....

Richard

Oh....I forgot to mention.... Seven in Spanish is Siete...not Seite.

I'll take one spot if any are left.

I am pretty surethat puts us at 35...
WHoooo HOOOOo!!!