When it comes to shopping online, folks click “add to cart” more often than they change their underwear these days. And what does it get them? An electric wine opener, maybe. The latest TikTok trend product. Or a lawn dethatching rake they’ll never use.
But when it comes to pulling the trigger on the adventure of a lifetime? They dither. They waffle. They hang back and stew on it. This is not a third marriage, for the love of Pete. It’s charter fishing in Sportsman’s Paradise!
We’re talking about spectacular scenery. We’re talking awesome food and even better people. We’ve got wahoo out the wazoo. So the only reason we can think that people hit “pause” on their charter fishing plans, is that they genuinely don’t know what to expect—and that can be overwhelming.
Well we have good news: If you don’t know what to expect on a fishing charter, you’re reading the right blog. Here are our answers to the top six questions we get from people who are still on the fence.
“I’ve never booked before. What’s the first step?”
Start with your expectations for the trip. Do you want to relax and think long thoughts or experience a thrill a minute? Are you after easy catches for the kids or something macho enough to stuff and hang in your office? Is this a special outing for Mother’s Day or a bachelor party?
Charter captains like to customize trips, and they’re very good at it. That is, provided you give them something to go on. Before you reach out, jot down your goals and preferences.
“How long is a typical charter fishing trip?”
That’s an excellent question with a short, easy answer: It depends on the kind of fishing you want to do! The location you’re fishing in and the type of fish you’re chasing will determine how long you’ll be on the water:
Inshore Fishing – Half Day to 8 Hours
This type of fishing is exactly what it sounds like — fishing near the coastline or even far inland. There’s a fine time to be had in our streams, rivers, marshes, bays and bayous. They are largely freshwater habitats, and they’re teeming with popular species like redfish, speckled trout, flounder, catfish, black drum, bass and sac-au-lait.
Most inshore destinations take between 10 and 30 minutes to get to. To make a day of it, plan on six to eight hours including travel. Half-day excursions are available, too.
Offshore Fishing – 8 Hours to 12 Hours
Of course, the big game fish like yellowfin, blue marlin, swordfish and wahoo hang out in deeper water farther from shore. Traveling to hot spots might take two or three hours each way, so a full day can last up to 12 hours. Adventurous types often book 24-hour trips, and true adrenaline junkies make a weekend of it.
It’s better to leave yourself plenty of time than to cut yourself short. You don’t want to miss an out-of-the-way shipwreck or haunted oil rig. Fish love them, and our captains know where they are.
“What should I bring? Do I need gear for a charter fishing trip?”
Yes, you do, but your captain has probably beaten you to the punch. Before you shell out for fancy-schmancy equipment, ask your captain what’s provided.
Most boats have rods, reels and tackle for every kind of fishing. Captains stock live bait and can even tell you which fish fall for which bait. They keep life jackets, first-aid items and seasickness pills; captains are thoughtful that way. Some even provide amenities like water bottles or ice for your catch.
If you want to fish with your granddad’s favorite rod, by all means, bring it. Otherwise, you could probably fit what you need into a small tote or backpack:
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
A camera
Binoculars
Bug spray
A spare pair of dry socks
A waterproof bag (for your ID, your fishing license, cash for tipping, and a ham sandwich or two)
Finally, grab a small, lightweight cooler for your fish. If there’s anything else you’re unsure about, just ask.
"What should I wear?"
The most common question after what to bring on a charter fishing trip is what to wear on one. Weather and tides are wildly unpredictable, especially the farther you get from shore. Even captains with years of experience will tell you to prepare for anything.
The best policy is to pack light layers. Bring stuff you can easily peel off or put on. A flannel shirt is all well and good before sunrise, but by high noon on the open water, you could be sweltering — unless you peel down to the lightweight T-shirt you wore underneath.
It works the other way too; a nice, clear day can turn ugly if you forget a windbreaker or rain poncho. Wear sturdy, skid-proof shoes meant for water recreation.
Remember that UV rays can do harm even on cloudy days. Wear sunproof fabrics or long sleeves. Pick up sunglasses designed for fishing — they’ll protect your eyes and help you outwit the fish taunting you from underwater.
Whatever you do, wear a hat that covers your head, your whole face and your neck. (You’ll thank us later.)
"Do I need a license for charter fishing?"
Of course you do. It gets wild out here, but that doesn’t mean this is the wild west! Any fishing activity in Louisiana requires a license. However, the state also offers 3-day charter passes. These passes are perfect for anglers who plan to fish no more than two separate 3-day trips in a calendar year. Oh, and did we mention they save you money too?
You can learn more about your options here.
If you still have questions, reach out to your charter captain for details on exactly what you need. When they’re not cleaning fish or demonstrating complicated knots, they stay current on all the rules and regs to keep your trip sailing smoothly.
"How do I find a captain?"
Our website makes it easy to find the right captain for your trip. First, check your preferences from a handful of filters. Next, read some captains’ profiles. On each, you’ll see orange icons that tell you how to reach the captain. When the captain answers, fire away.
Louisiana charter captains are experienced and smart. They love answering questions, and they live to show folks a good time.
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