Sportsman Charters
Charter & Cancellation Policies
Last Updated: September 16, 2026
At Sportsman Charters, our goal is to provide every guest with a safe, enjoyable, and memorable experience on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Because boating, fishing, weather, and wildlife are inherently unpredictable, these policies are designed to provide clear expectations for our guests before and during their charter.
By booking a charter with Sportsman Charters, the person making the reservation acknowledges and agrees to these policies on behalf of themselves and all members of their party.
Deposits & Payment
A 20% deposit is required to reserve your charter date and time. Guests may choose to pay either the required deposit or the full charter amount at the time of booking.
The deposit is applied toward the total cost of the charter. Any remaining balance is due according to the payment arrangements provided by Sportsman Charters.
Guest Cancellations
Cancellations made at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time are eligible for a full refund of all amounts paid, including the deposit.
Cancellations made less than 24 hours before the scheduled departure time will result in forfeiture of the 20% deposit.
If a guest paid the charter in full and cancels less than 24 hours before departure, only the equivalent of the 20% deposit will be retained. Any amount paid above the required deposit will be refunded.
Rescheduling
Guests may reschedule their charter at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time, subject to availability.
Requests to reschedule less than 24 hours before departure will be handled at the discretion of Sportsman Charters and may result in forfeiture of the deposit.
Weather & Marine Conditions
Weather and marine conditions along Florida’s Gulf Coast can change quickly. The Captain has final authority in determining whether conditions are safe and appropriate for the charter.
Weather decisions may take into consideration wind, seas, thunderstorms, lightning, visibility, tides, marine advisories, and other conditions that could affect the safety of the vessel or passengers.
Rain, clouds, wind, or an unfavorable weather forecast alone do not necessarily mean a charter will be canceled. Guests should not cancel a charter based solely on a weather forecast unless Sportsman Charters has notified them that the trip has been canceled.
When practical, the Captain may modify the departure time, route, fishing location, destination, or planned activity to provide a safer and more enjoyable experience.
If Sportsman Charters cancels a charter before departure because the Captain determines weather or marine conditions are unsafe, guests may reschedule or receive a full refund of all amounts paid.
If a guest independently chooses to cancel because of anticipated weather when the Captain has not canceled the charter, the standard guest cancellation policy applies.
Weather-Related Early Termination
Conditions can occasionally deteriorate after a charter has already departed.
If the Captain determines that continuing the charter is unsafe because of unexpected weather or marine conditions, the Captain may shorten or terminate the trip.
Depending on the circumstances and the portion of the scheduled charter that was completed, Sportsman Charters may provide a prorated refund for the unused portion of the charter, a credit toward a future charter, or an opportunity to reschedule the unused portion.
Any refund, credit, or rescheduling accommodation resulting from a Captain-initiated early termination will be determined by Sportsman Charters based on the circumstances of the individual trip.
Weather or sea conditions that a guest finds uncomfortable do not necessarily constitute unsafe conditions. The Captain has final authority in determining whether conditions are safe to continue.
If a guest elects to end the charter early when the Captain has determined that conditions remain safe, the trip will be considered a guest-requested early termination and is not eligible for a refund, credit, or prorated adjustment.
Seasickness & Passenger Illness
Seasickness and motion sickness can occur even when weather and marine conditions are considered safe.
When practical, the Captain may offer reasonable alternatives, such as moving to calmer or more protected waters or modifying the planned activity.
If a guest requests to return to the dock early because of seasickness, illness, fatigue, discomfort, or another passenger-related reason, the charter will be considered completed and no refund, credit, or prorated adjustment will be provided for the unused portion of the trip.
The Captain also reserves the right to modify or terminate a charter if a passenger’s illness or condition creates a safety concern for that passenger, other guests, the Captain, or the vessel.
Charter Duration & Late Arrivals
The charter duration selected at booking represents the period reserved exclusively for your party.
Guests should arrive on time and ready for their scheduled departure. Late arrival by a guest does not extend the scheduled charter end time.
If a guest or charter party voluntarily requests to return to the dock before the scheduled end of the charter for personal reasons, the charter will be considered completed. Unused charter time is not refundable or prorated.
No-Shows
Guests who fail to arrive for their scheduled charter without prior notice will forfeit the 20% deposit.
If the charter was paid in full, any amount paid above the required 20% deposit will be refunded.
Fishing & Catch Disclaimer
Fishing is a wild, natural activity, and catching fish is never guaranteed.
Sportsman Charters will make every reasonable effort to provide guests with a productive and enjoyable fishing experience. The Captain will use professional judgment, local knowledge, current conditions, and available information when selecting fishing locations, target species, bait, tackle, and techniques.
Fishing success can be affected by weather, tides, currents, water temperature and clarity, seasonal fish movement, fishing pressure, fish behavior, regulations, and many other factors outside the control of Sportsman Charters.
Sportsman Charters does not guarantee:
- That any fish will be caught;
- A particular number of fish;
- A particular species of fish;
- Fish of a particular size;
- A legal-size or harvestable fish;
- That guests will be able to keep fish;
- That a particular fishing location will be available or productive; or
- That fishing conditions or results will be similar to previous charters, fishing reports, photographs, advertisements, or social-media posts.
The price of a fishing charter is for the reserved charter time, private use of the vessel, services of the Captain, fuel, fishing equipment, bait and tackle, applicable fishing licenses, preparation, and overall charter experience. Payment is not contingent upon catching fish.
The Captain may change fishing locations, target species, bait, techniques, or the planned itinerary during the charter based on conditions and professional judgment.
A slow fishing day, lack of a particular species, inability to harvest fish, or failure to catch fish does not constitute an incomplete charter and does not qualify for a refund, credit, or price adjustment.
Fishing Regulations & Harvest
All fishing activities are conducted in accordance with applicable state and federal fishing regulations.
Fishing seasons, species availability, size limits, bag limits, harvest restrictions, closed areas, and other regulations may change.
Booking a fishing charter does not guarantee that a particular species will be available to target or legally harvest on the date of the charter.
The Captain has final authority regarding whether a fish may legally and safely be retained.
Captain’s Authority & Passenger Safety
The Captain is responsible for the safe operation of the vessel and has final authority aboard the vessel regarding navigation, weather, sea conditions, fishing locations, destinations, passenger safety, and vessel operation.
Guests are required to follow reasonable safety instructions provided by the Captain.
The Captain reserves the right to modify, delay, shorten, or terminate a charter when necessary because of unsafe weather or marine conditions, mechanical concerns, medical situations, unsafe passenger behavior, or other circumstances that may affect the safety of the vessel or its passengers.
Unsafe, threatening, excessively intoxicated, illegal, or seriously disruptive behavior may result in immediate termination of the charter without refund or credit.
Trip Routes & Destinations
Specific fishing locations, sandbars, islands, waterfront destinations, routes, and other locations are not guaranteed.
Routes and destinations may be changed based on weather, tides, water depth, marine conditions, vessel traffic, closures, fishing conditions, safety considerations, or the Captain’s professional judgment.
Wildlife & Eco Tours
Florida’s Gulf Coast is home to dolphins, seabirds, marine life, and other wildlife. While wildlife is commonly encountered during our charters, wild animals are unpredictable and specific wildlife sightings are never guaranteed.
The absence of dolphins or other wildlife does not qualify a charter for a refund, credit, or price adjustment.
Additional Passengers
Unless otherwise stated for a specific charter, published charter rates include up to four passengers.
Groups of five or six passengers are subject to an additional $50 per person, with a maximum of six passengers.
If additional passenger charges were not selected during online booking, any applicable additional passenger charges will be added to the remaining charter balance.
Custom/Specialty Charters
Custom/Specialty Charters are designed for activities such as cruising, sightseeing, island hopping, sandbar visits, waterfront stops, and other customized recreational experiences.
Fishing is not included with a Custom/Specialty Charter. Guests wishing to fish should select one of our designated Fishing Charter options.
Guests with a particular destination or activity in mind are encouraged to contact Sportsman Charters before booking so we can help determine the appropriate charter.
Agreement to Policies
By booking a charter with Sportsman Charters, the person making the reservation acknowledges that they have reviewed and agree to these Charter & Cancellation Policies and accepts them on behalf of themselves and all members of their charter party.
Guests are responsible for reviewing these policies before their scheduled charter and contacting Sportsman Charters with any questions.
Questions About Our Charter Policies?
We want every guest to feel comfortable and informed before heading out on the water. If you have questions about our charter policies, weather conditions, cancellations, rescheduling, or your upcoming trip, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Sportsman Charters
📞 Call or Text: 727-243-8680
📧 Email: [email protected]
Meeting Location:
Ozona Shores Marina
137 Shore Dr
Palm Harbor, FL 34683