by Simon Wright

Created on: June 22, 2009   Last Updated: June 28, 2009

All forms of fishing are fun but nothing beats getting out on a boat, especially if the sun is shining. Charter fishing offers this opportunity and can involve thrilling deep sea excursions to wrecks or reefs, offering opportunities to catch exotic species and the tantalising prospect of landing a monster!

However, before embarking on a charter fishing trip, there are a number of things that it's important to be aware of. These include:

Do you have to charter the entire boat or can you just turn up on your own?

Some charter boats only accept bookings from groups. Therefore, you would have to get a group of friends together to cover the cost of the charter. On the other hand, during peak months, some charter boats have a regular slot when they go out and anyone can turn up, pay their individual fee, and get a place on the boat.

Do you have to book in advance?

To avoid disappointment it's always worth checking whether you need to book in advance or whether you can just turn up on the day.

What is the cost?

Prices vary considerably for charter trips, normally depending on the type of fishing that is catered for and the distance to the destination fishing zone. Charter boats that concentrate on fishing in the local bay for mackerel will tend to be much cheaper, for example, than boats that specialise in deep sea angling for large species such as tuna, conger eel or sharks!

Do you need to bring your own equipment?

Most charter boats will supply fishing rods, hooks and bait. However, it's worth checking this to avoid disappointment. Of course, you may prefer to use your own equipment, in which case it's worth checking whether the skipper has any restrictions that they require people to comply with. For example, line tangles can be a nightmare on crowded charter boats and if you turn up with a lighter weight than is being used by the rest of the boat, then you may increase the potential for tangles to occur. Some boat skippers also have restrictions on how many hooks you can have on your line.

What is the weather going to be like and what clothes should you bring?

The boat skipper will have tuned into the local weather forecasts and will make the decision on whether the boat sails. However, you should also check the forecasts to see whether it's likely to be cold or hot, wet or dry. This will influence the clothes that you bring and whether you need to bring waterproofs or sunscreen. Of course, though, it's always worth planning for changeable weather.

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