Charter Fishing & Sailing Vacation Tips

 

Fishing Charter Tips


  • Be prepared to have a good time. Whether you hook a fish or not, this is your vacation, leave any excess baggage at home and enjoy yourself.
  • Book your date well in advance. Weekend dates especially fill up fast.
  • Generally a deposit is required to book a vacation date. Expect between $100-$250 to book a charter fishing boat.
  • Be sure you make your party size known. Each boat has a certain capacity, and your price can depend on it.
  • Make sure to discuss what will be provided by the fishing charter, and what you are required or should bring. For example:

 

What usually is provided:

  • A First Mate
  • Fishing Rods
  • Bait
  • Tackle
  • Electronics - can include: auto-pilot, depth finders, GPS, radar, color sonar, digital compass, electric downriggers, outriggers,  etc.
  • Required safety equipment
  • Fishing advice and guidance

 

Sometimes provided:

  • Fish filleting and bagging
  • Cooler and Ice - to keep your catches fresh
  • Fishing licenses (sometimes sold through the charter, sometimes you will need to purchase on your own)

 

What you should consider bringing if not provided:

  • Any of the above
  • Fishing license and trout stamps for the state you will be docking out of. A trout stamp isn't required on 24 hour licenses or for persons age 65 & over.
  • Cooler - to bring your fish home in
  • Warm clothing and rain gear - the weather and conditions on Lake Superior can change suddenly and rapidly, even in the middle of July. You can always remove excess clothing/gear.
  • Soft shoes - you may be standing on a boat for long periods of time. Open-toed shoes aren't recommended due to wandering hooks.
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and/or a hat/visor - Protect yourself from the sun, you may be getting a lot of it
  • Food and drink - bring enough to feed and refresh yourselves for at least the time period you'll be out in open water.
  • Camera or Video Recorder - be sure to catch your vacation memories.
  • Motion sickness medication such as Dramamine® or Bonine®.

 

Finally, tip the boating crew after the fishing trip. On average a 10-15% tip for a job well done. The crew should provide information, advice, guidance and assistance. Don't tip based on how many fish you catch, but on how much effort the boating crew puts in to assist you. If you feel the crew has done poorly tip less or not at all, but be sure to notify the captain or charter owner.

 

If you've had a good vacation experience recommend the fishing charter to friends and family who may be interested.

 

 

 

Sailing Charter Tips

 

  • As above, be prepared to enjoy yourself. Vacations are for leaving your worries/troubles at home. A poor mindset can spoil a good trip.
  • Be sure to be clear about whether you are looking for sailing instruction or if you are just wanting a sailing tour. These are obviously very different things and may be priced differently.
  • Book your date well in advance. Weekend dates especially fill up fast.
  • A deposit may be required to book a vacation date, but less likely so for sailing charters.
  • Be sure the charter is well-informed of your party size. Each boat has a certain capacity, and each charter may have a limited amount of instructors/captains and again your price can depend on it.
  • Make sure to discuss what to bring for the trip. Some basic things may not be provided. For example:

 

What usually is provided:

  • Required safety equipment
  • Sailing advice and guidance (or instruction)

 

Sometimes provided:

  • A compass or navigation equipment - just in case

 

What you should consider bringing if not provided:

  • Any of the above
  • Rain gear and/or warm clothing  - Lake Superior's weather conditions can change suddenly and swiftly, even in the middle of the summer. You can always remove excess clothing/gear.
  • Soft shoes - depending on the type of sailing and vessel, you may be standing on a sailing boat for long periods of time.
  • Sunglasses, sunscreen and/or a hat/visor - Protect yourself from the sun, you may be getting a lot of it
  • Food and drink - bring enough to feed and refresh yourselves for at least the time period you'll be out sailing.
  • Camera or Video Recorder - be sure to catch your sailing vacation memories.
  • Especially if you get motion sickness medication, bring medication such as Dramamine® or Bonine®.

 

If your sailing experience was an enjoyable one, recommend the sailing charter to friends and family who may be interested.