What happens on a fishing charter is simpler than most first-timers expect. You meet the captain at the dock, get a short briefing, ride out to the fishing grounds, fish with the crew's help, and come back with your catch. Here is the whole day in order, so nothing surprises you.
Before the trip: questions to settle with the captain
Most of the work happens before you step on the boat. Contact the captain directly and get clear answers on a few things:
- Trip type and target fish. Inshore, nearshore, offshore and freshwater days fish very differently. Tell him what you want to catch and let him say what is realistic for the season.
- Price and what it covers. Ask if rods, tackle, bait, ice and fish cleaning are included. Ask whether a fishing license is covered or whether you need to buy your own.
- Who is coming. Tell him how many people, their ages, and whether anyone has never fished. Boats have passenger limits. On Unreel Charters listings, the median maximum is 6 passengers for inshore and offshore boats, 4 for freshwater guides and 3 for fly fishing guides. Your captain's own number may differ.
- Deposit and weather. Ask how the deposit works and what happens if the weather cancels the trip.
- Meeting spot. Get the exact dock or ramp, where to park, and what to bring.
A good captain answers these without fuss. If you can't get a straight answer, that tells you something too. You can search charters by location and species and message captains directly. Unreel is a free directory. It doesn't handle bookings or payments, so you settle all of this with the captain.
Meeting at the dock
Show up where and when the captain told you. Bring what he asked for, and not much more. Soft-sided bags and a small cooler are easier on a boat than hard luggage.
The captain, and often a mate, will greet you and help you aboard. This is a good time to mention anything he should know: someone who gets seasick, a bad back, a young child who is nervous around water. He has heard it all before and would rather know now.
If you are prone to seasickness, sort out what works for you before the day, and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure. Don't try something new for the first time on the boat.
The captain's briefing
Before the boat leaves the dock, most captains go over the basics. Expect to hear:
- Where the life jackets are and how safety gear works.
- Where to sit and stand while the boat is moving.
- Where the head (the marine bathroom) is and how to use it.
- How the day will go, and what you are likely to fish for.
Listen to this part even if you have been on boats before. Every vessel is a little different, and the captain's rules on his own boat are the ones that count.
The run out to the fishing grounds
This is the part that varies most by trip type. On an inshore trip, the run may be short, through bays, creeks, flats or along the shoreline. Inshore days tend to be calmer, with more casting and more action in shallower water.
If you are wondering what happens on a deep sea fishing trip, the run out is the biggest difference. An offshore trip means a longer ride to deeper water, more open sea, and bigger fish. Bring layers, sun protection and a plan for the ride. The mate may rig lines or prepare bait while the boat is moving.
If you are still deciding between the two, our guide to inshore versus offshore fishing lays out the differences.
Fishing: who baits, who reels
This is the part first-timers worry about most, and it is the easiest. On most charters:
- The crew sets up. The captain or mate rigs the rods, picks the bait or lures, and decides where to fish.
- The crew baits the hook. If you don't want to touch bait, say so. Most mates are happy to do it. If you do want to learn, they will show you.
- You drop the line and wait. The captain or mate will tell you when to start, how deep to fish, and what a bite feels like.
- You do the reeling. When a fish takes the bait, the crew tells you when to set the hook and how to keep tension. Expect coaching the whole way. They will step in and help if a fish is too much for you.
- The crew handles the fish at the boat. Netting, gaffing and unhooking are the crew's job. Let them do it.
You don't need experience. You do need to listen, follow directions and take turns. On boats with several anglers, the crew usually rotates who is up when a fish bites. If kids are aboard, ask the captain how he runs the rotation.
Some days are fast and some are slow. A good captain moves spots, changes bait and keeps trying. No honest captain can promise you fish, and he will tell you that up front.
Keeping or releasing fish
Not every fish you catch can be kept. Each state sets its own seasons, size limits and bag limits by species, and the rules can change. Your captain knows what is legal on your day and will tell you which fish go in the cooler and which go back.
Two things help:
- Ask before the trip whether you plan to take fish home, so the captain can plan the day around it.
- Trust his call on the boat. If he says a fish goes back, it goes back. Rules and enforcement are real, and the captain's license is on the line too.
For more on this, read our post on whether families can keep the fish they catch. You can also check the fishing calendar to see what is in season where you are going.
Catch and release is a normal part of a charter day, and many anglers enjoy it. You still get the fight and the photo.
The ride back and cleaning the catch
When the trip winds down, the captain heads for the dock. This is a good time to rest, drink water and take photos. Ask the crew to snap a group picture with your best fish.
At the dock, the mate or captain will usually clean the fish you are keeping. Some include this, some do it for a tip, and some send you to a local cleaning station. Ask when you book so you aren't guessing. Bring a cooler with ice, or ask where to get bags and ice nearby.
Check your gear before you leave the boat: phones, hats, sunglasses, jackets.
Settling up
Payment is between you and the captain. Many take a deposit when you book and the balance at the dock, but terms differ. Ask how he wants to be paid so you are not caught without cash or the right card.
Tipping is common when the crew worked hard for you, and the captain or mate will not be offended if you ask what is usual in that area. Tip based on how your day went and what you can afford.
Tips for a first time fishing charter
- Pick the trip to fit the group. A calm inshore trip is often easier for kids and beginners than a long offshore run. Tell the captain who is coming.
- Ask questions early. Everything above is easier to fix before the day than during it.
- Dress for the water. Non-marking, flat-soled shoes, sun protection and layers go a long way.
- Listen to the crew. They do this every day and know the water.
- Keep expectations honest. You may catch a lot, or only a little. A good day on the water is more than the fish count.
If you want a second, shorter checklist, our guide on what to expect on a first charter covers the basics.
What is a fishing charter like, in short?
It is a guided day on the water. You bring yourself, the captain brings the boat, the know-how and usually most of the gear. You pay for his time, boat and local knowledge, and in return you fish where the fish are, with someone who helps you do it right.
Ready to find one? Search the directory by state and species, then message a captain with your questions.