96, just a suggestion, as a lot of good advice has been given to you so far.
Call Greg at DSH on Monday or ASAP if you have decided to go with them, at
800 705-3474 Explain the situation to them about travel from Iraq. If you can't make the call, have the wife call or email us at
too@outdoorstexas.com with the days you figure you'll be around and we'll try to set you up with DSH.
They'll try to do the best they can to get both of you on board. Usually DSH offers a half price ticket where you pay 1/2 the price for a second person to fish off of one persons bag limit of whatever is caught.
I'm confident if you are 100% going one day that week, they'll pencil you in over a few days as long as you call as soon as you know for sure which day it is, and cancel the other days. All you have to do is ask them, either you, your wife, or let us try. All they can do is say "yes" or "no".
As for DSH and emails, that has never been their best way of communicating, phone is the absolute best way to talk to them if not in Port Aransas. That's the way they operate, and it's understood once you get familiar with their operation. Hard if you're not able to call easily, but there are ways to get it done.
Open charters will be crowded, Tuesday-Thursday is best for space on open trips.
Wednesday overall the least crowded.
They'll sell beer and prepackaged sandwiches, and stuff.
8 hour trips will mostly catch kings, shark, and snapper, most snapper will be keeper(16") to 20" or so, most sharks will be Atlantic Sharpnose from 5-10 lb, and the Kings 8-15 lb. Just the averages, you might hook a smoker king, a 10-15+ lb snapper, or a big blacktip shark. Fairly good chance at Ling, maybe Dorado, and other fish as well.
You'll get your rod bent, just remember the snapper limit will be 2 if in federal waters, and one Atlantic Sharpnose shark. It won't take long if the fish are biting.
Had a buddy fish DSH on an 8 hour July 3rd, three drops, thee fish. 2 snapper, one shark. 30 lb's of fish before cleaning.
If you're open to it, I'd suggest a 12 hour if they offer it on an open boat. Chance to catch more fish, and maybe the tuna will be there.
Suggest you look at Bonine, instead of Dramamine. Most folks seem to handle Bonine better. I don't take anything, so this is from what I've heard.
You'll need a saltwater endorsement or SW license. Being military, your license is free with proof, but TPWD is not clear if military people who get the free licenses can upgrade free to fish SW or freshwater as needed. It should be free, IMO, but I don't set the regulations for licenses. Let us know if you have a license or not, and we'll try to find out what you'll need to do be in compliance.
Here is a link to lodging in Port Aransas, if you're staying during the week, lodging should be fairly easy to find, weekends better get it done ASAP.
http://www.portaransas.org/motel.html Thank you for your service from us at T.O.O. as others have said, we hope both of you have a great time. You
and your wife have earned it.
If you need any assistance, contact us at the above email, or call us at (210)215-3877, you or your wife.
Willie