Help
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers for anglers and captains.
For anglers
Is there a fee to use Unreel Charters?
No. Searching, reading listings and contacting captains is free for anglers, and we add no booking fee to any trip.
How do I book a charter?
Contact the captain directly from their listing by phone or with the message form. Some captains also have a Book Now button that goes to their own booking page. Each captain handles their own booking, deposit and scheduling. We are a directory, not a booking middleman.
Are captains verified?
Many are. A listing can show a USCG Verified Captain badge (checked with the Coast Guard National Maritime Center), a Verified Vessel badge (matched to Coast Guard vessel records), a State License on Record badge where the state publishes its roster, and Insurance on File when the captain has uploaded a current certificate. Each badge has limits, and no badge is a guarantee, so it is always reasonable to ask a captain for their license number before you book. How we verify captains →
Do I need an account?
No account is needed to search or contact a captain. A free angler account, with sign-in by an emailed link and no password, lets you save charters to compare later and leave reviews of your trips.
Why do many listings not have reviews yet?
Unreel Charters is new, and reviews come from anglers after real trips. The number grows every week. If you fished with a captain you found here, a review helps the next angler.
What if I need to cancel a trip?
Cancellation and weather policies are set by each captain, and many captains post theirs on their listing. Ask before you pay a deposit and get the answer in writing. What to ask before paying a deposit →
How is Unreel Charters different from other charter booking sites?
Many booking sites take a percentage of every trip they book. We take none, from the captain or from you. You talk to the captain directly, and search is built around the fish you want to catch, so you can start with redfish or tuna instead of a map.
Something on a listing is wrong. How do I report it?
Tell us on the contact page: outdated details, a dead website, a boat that is no longer running, or anything that looks off. We review every report. Contact us →
For captains
Who created my listing? I never signed up.
Listings start from publicly available business information so anglers can find captains in one place. You can claim yours for free to correct it and add photos, trips and rates, or ask us to take it down.
How do I list or claim my charter?
Use the claim page. If your business is already listed, find it and claim it; if not, create a new listing. A basic listing is free. If your email or phone number is already on the listing, the claim usually approves itself in a minute. Claim or create your listing →
Do you take a cut of my bookings?
No. We never take a commission. The basic listing is free, and the optional plans are flat fees: Pro is $49 a month or $490 a year with a 30-day free trial, and Featured is $99 a month or $990 a year. What you book is what you keep. Compare plans →
How do I get the verified badges?
After you claim your listing, add your Coast Guard credential from your dashboard and we verify it with the National Maritime Center; your reference number is never shown. You can also upload your certificate of insurance. Vessel and state license badges are matched from public records automatically where available. What each badge means →
How do I get my listing taken down?
Reply to any email from us with the word "remove", or send a request through the contact page, and we will take the listing down and stop emailing you. Contact us →
Still have a question? Email support@unreelcharters.com or use the contact page.