What to bring on a fishing charter: the complete checklist

Most charters include the boat, rods, reels, tackle, bait and — on licensed boats — your fishing license. What you bring is about staying comfortable, dry and safe for four to twelve hours on the water. Use this list, then check your booking for anything the captain asks you to bring or leave at home.

The essentials

• Photo ID (and your booking confirmation)
• Cash for the crew tip — 15–20% of the trip price is customary
• Sunscreen (reef-safe if you can) and lip balm with SPF
• Polarised sunglasses on a strap — they cut glare and help you spot fish
• A hat that won’t blow off
• Water and snacks, unless the trip includes them

Clothing

Dress in light layers. Mornings on the water are cooler than on land, and the wind picks up offshore.

• Quick-dry long sleeves or a sun shirt
• A light rain jacket — even on sunny days, for spray
• Non-marking, closed-toe shoes with grip (no black soles, no heels)
• A spare dry shirt and socks in a bag

Seasickness

If you’ve never been offshore, plan for it. Over-the-counter tablets work best taken the night before and again in the morning — ask a pharmacist which suits you. Eat a light breakfast, stay hydrated, avoid alcohol the night before, and look at the horizon rather than your phone.

Tip: inshore and bay trips run in calmer water. If anyone in your group is unsure, start with a half-day inshore trip before booking a full day offshore.

Bringing your catch home

• A cooler with ice in your car, or a soft cooler bag
• Zip bags for fillets — many crews clean the catch for a small fee or tip
• Check local rules on size and bag limits; the crew will keep you legal on board

What to leave behind

• Bananas — a long-standing superstition on many boats (really)
• Hard-sided luggage and glass bottles
• Your own rods, unless the captain says it’s fine

Quick checklist

1. ID, booking, cash for tips
2. Sunscreen, sunglasses, hat
3. Layers + rain jacket
4. Grippy non-marking shoes
5. Seasickness tablets (taken early)
6. Water, snacks
7. Cooler for the ride home