A group of guys (8-12) are going to Port A on July 8-10. Who would y'all recommend for taking us out on 12 hour trip?
We would prefer to stay away from a "party boat."
If party boat is our only option which is the best?

With a group that size I would assume your only choice is going to be a party boat. I'm not sure you can fit 8-12 guys plus crew on a private charter. I prefer 12 hr trips if on a party boat, Deep Sea Headquarters or Dolphin Docks would be my choices. You might need to get on the phone pretty quick though because those party boats fill up quick, especially weekend trips. I know Dolphin Docks had 12 hr trips on Wed and Sat in the past.

As far as party boats go, I have had good luck with Deep Sea Headquarters and would highly recommend them. I also fish with
Fishermans Wharf and would recommend them as well. I fished one time with Dolphin Docks and would not fish them again. Just one persons opinion.

Most private charter captains are only licensed for a group of 6...hence the name 6-Pack License from the Coast Guard.

Besides, there ain't no way I'd want to try to fish off of 30-40 boat with many guys. Way too limited.

So, your options are party boat or multiple private charters.

Try Dolphin Docks. Get Captain Tim on his boat...I think he captains Dolphin Express. but make sure it's a 12 hour trip or more. You might also ask Dolphin docks about a 24 hour trip. That way you can catch 2 limits and it's a good trip, been on it several times. Dolphin boats book quickly...if so try Deep Sea Headquarters and ask to fish onthe boat with Captain Marvin Horner.

Ok, so here is where we are at right now. Private charter was around $6,000 for our group...not gonna happen.
My buddy has fished on Dolphin Docks several times and that is his prefered party boat. Seems like that is the game plan. To fish on their Saturday trip.
Thanks for all the responces.

You could probably charter two private charters for about $1500/day each. With 6 men per boat you're looking at about $300 per man.

I would recommend that you tell anyone that has never done it before to start taking Dramamine a few days before the trip. Every one I've ever been on there are 10+ people sick the entire trip and don't ever even get to fish.

if going the party boat path, go with Deep Sea Headquarters. they put you on more fish...

Good advice!!
It works wonders for me. Drink much more water than beer to help out w/ the sea sickness and dehydration.

Amen on the dramamine!! I prefer the pills by the pound, the patches by the square yard, or even better, an entire undergarment formed from dramamine patches. You ain't been sick until you've been sick about 40 miles out...

Well we ended up fishing out of Deep Sea Headquarters on the Gulf Eagle. Good boat, good crew, and friendly captian.
Entire boat limited out on red snapper within 45 minutes of fishing. We caught good sized snapper too. In our 10 man group we averaged 6lb. My dad caught a 12lb+ snapper and I caught 2 around 8lb.
We went shark fishing after that. Sharks did not cooperate, but it was a fun trip.

Deep Sea Headquarters.Which ever boat Keith Schoolcraft is the Capt.on.Tons of experience.He'll put you guys on fish.