With airline ticket prices continuing to peak all around the world, some Americans are starting to consider vacation plans a little bit closer to home. Recent studies show that most major airlines have a major problem: about two-thirds of all airline tray tables tested positive for viruses and bacteria. Airlines are skipping cleaning protocols in order to move more passengers from Point A to Point B, but Point C just might be the hospital.
So why travel at all? Experts say that we still need to take our vacation time for good mental and physical health; Americans make news all over the world because we never seem to take all of our vacation days. Some countries abroad guarantee their workers as many as six to eight weeks off every year, so why are we falling behind at having fun?
Sometimes, the best adventures are close to home. Instead of flying, why not take a train or simply drive to your next vacation adventure? Major coastal cities are more than willing to accommodate travelers, and many offer special ticket prices and local travel specials. In the last decade, the rise of sports fishing as a hobby has thousands of anglers planning expensive trips to foreign countries, but the best fishing could still be found much closer to home.
More than 50 million Americans take fishing trips each year, and although older anglers still outnumber younger sport fishing enthusiasts, more than 10 million young people report that they go fishing on a regular basis. The market for sports fishing tour and charter boat rental is expanding, and seasoned captains want American anglers to realize that they can find exhilarating fishing adventures close to home.
While halibut, rockfish, and yellowtail are generally available year-round off the west coast of the United States, marlin and tuna — and mako shark — can be caught just a few months per year. Taking the time to have an in-depth conversation with sports fishing charter captains and making sure to plan trips well in advance can help guarantee a memorable fishing adventure. There are more than 25 million Americans who hold a valid fishing license, and people who book a San Diego fishing tour, for example, will want to make sure their licenses are current before venturing out on a fishing charter day trip.
Younger anglers may also enjoy going out for a day of dolphin or whale watching: both coasts of the United States have a long history of whaling, and one of the best parts about turning your vacation into a “stay-cation” is having the opportunity to explore American history. Taking children on their first sports fishing day tour? Hit the natural history museum first to learn about whales, and then let kids get their sea legs and take some pictures of whales themselves.
But not all sports charter fishing boats — or captains — are created alike. What you want to look for is an experienced captain who can make anglers of all ages feel welcomed and happy. You want to make sure that the captain has current license and inspection information available for the boat, and you definitely want to make sure that you come prepared. Sunscreen, warm layers, and motion sickness pills if you need them. Actually, experienced captains recommend taking motion sickness pills the night before you go out on the water.
Some families like to go camping, while others stick to libraries and museums. Sports fishing is becoming one of the most popular adventure trips for new and experienced anglers, but how far do you really want to travel to have fun? The San Diego sports fishing community actually hosts competitive day tournaments for young anglers, and offers in-depth seminars, casting competitions, and even knot-tying races. Looking to avoid major delays at international airlines? You may want to spend your next vacation exploring a bit more of America.