Booking your first fishing charter is exciting, and it is normal to have questions. What should you pack? Do you need a license? How much do you tip the captain? Here is a simple guide from the crew at Big Fin Charters in Fernandina Beach, based on what our first time guests ask us most.
What is included on a Big Fin Charters trip
Most of the gear is taken care of. Every trip with us includes:
- Fishing licenses for everyone on board
- Rods, reels and tackle
- Live bait and lures
- Cleaning and filleting your catch at the end of the trip
Other charters may work differently, so it is always worth asking before you book.
What to bring on a fishing charter
- Snacks and drinks. Bring water and something to eat, especially on longer trips. A small soft cooler is easier to handle on a boat than a large hard one.
- Sun protection. Sunscreen, a hat and polarized sunglasses. Polarized lenses cut the glare off the water and help you see fish near the surface.
- Layers. Mornings on the water can be cool and breezy, even when the afternoon is hot. A light rain jacket is a good idea most of the year.
- The right shoes. Wear closed toe shoes or sandals with good grip and light colored soles. Decks get wet and slippery.
- A cooler with ice in your car. We clean your fish at the dock, so a cooler waiting in the car makes it easy to get your fillets home fresh.
- A phone or camera in a waterproof case or zip bag, for the photo with your catch.
- Cash or a card for the balance and tip. If you paid a deposit online, the balance is paid to the captain on the day of your trip.
What to leave at home
- Your own fishing gear, unless you have a favorite rod you really want to use (ask first)
- Glass bottles, which can break on a moving boat
- Bags with hard frames that are tough to store on board
What to expect on the day
Arrive a little early. Our boats leave from the downtown Fernandina Beach waterfront on South Front Street. Plan to arrive 15 minutes before your start time so you have time to park and meet the captain.
The captain does the hard parts. Your captain picks the spots, rigs the rods and handles the bait. Beginners are always welcome, and we will show you how to cast, set the hook and reel.
Plans can change with the weather. Your captain has the final say on where you fish and whether conditions are safe. If wind or storms move in, the plan may change for your safety.
You keep your catch. Legal fish that are in season can be kept, and we clean and fillet them for you when you get back to the dock.
Worried about seasickness?
If you are prone to motion sickness, start with an inshore trip or a jetty trip, which stay in calmer, protected water. Get a good night of sleep, eat a light breakfast and stay hydrated. If you plan to take motion sickness medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist which one is right for you and when to take it, since most work best taken before you get on the boat.
How much should you tip a fishing charter captain?
Tipping is never required, but it is a common custom on fishing charters, and it goes to the people who worked hard to put you on fish. Many anglers tip 15 to 20 percent of the trip price for a good day, and more for an outstanding one. If there is a first mate on board, the tip is usually shared between the captain and the mate. Cash is easiest.
Keep in mind that a slow fishing day is not always the captain’s fault. Weather and fish both have minds of their own. Effort, safety and a good attitude are worth rewarding.
Choosing the right first trip
- Kids or a tight schedule: a 2 to 4 hour inshore trip
- A little bit of everything: our half day jetty fishing charter, our most popular trip
- Bigger fish and a longer day: an offshore trip from 6 to 10 hours
Compare our two boats and current rates on our boats and captains page, book online, or call Captain Michael at (904) 753-3848 with any questions.