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Family Fishing Charter Checklist: What to Pack, Plan, and Ask Before You Go

A day-before checklist for families booking their first fishing charter. Print it, run through it the night before, and you’ll board the boat with everything covered.

What to Pack

Bring these for every person in your group. Items marked with a note vary by charter. Confirm at booking.

  • Sunscreen. Reef-safe SPF 30 or higher; some captains restrict chemical sunscreens, ask when booking
  • Hat with a full brim. A baseball cap works; a wide-brim hat is better for kids
  • Polarized sunglasses with UV protection. Reduces glare off the water and eye strain
  • Non-slip, closed-toe shoes. Most captains require them; flip-flops are a deck hazard
  • Light layers or a windbreaker. Mornings on the water are cold even in summer; bring one per person
  • Motion sickness medication. If anyone in your group is prone, take it the night before, not the morning of
  • Snacks for kids. Some charters provide light snacks or lunch on full-day trips; verify at booking
  • Reusable water bottles. Most charters provide bottled water; personal bottles make hydration easier
  • Camera or phone in a waterproof bag or case. Spray and splashing happen on any trip
  • Valid ID for all adults. Some marinas require ID at check-in
  • Cash for tip. 15 to 20% of the trip cost is standard; captains and mates rarely have card readers on board
  • Prescription medications. If anyone takes daily medication, bring it; trips run 4 to 10 hours
  • Small first-aid essentials. Band-aids, antacid, hand sanitizer; most boats have basic first aid but personal backups help

Optional:

  • Bug spray for estuary or backcountry trips. Mosquitoes can be heavy in mangrove and backwater areas
  • Seasickness bands (Sea-Bands). Acupressure wristbands; low-risk but some people find them helpful alongside medication
  • Cooler for keeping your catch. Many charters provide ice and bags; confirm before bringing your own
  • Light rain jacket. Afternoon storms develop quickly in Florida from June through September

What to Ask Before Booking

Ask these questions before you pay the deposit. A good captain answers them directly.

  • Is the vessel Coast Guard licensed and insured?
  • Are guests covered under your charter fishing license for saltwater species?
  • What trip type is best for kids under [your child’s age]. Inshore, nearshore, or offshore?
  • Is the trip entirely in protected water (bay/estuary/flats), or does it go offshore?
  • What is the minimum age you take on your boat?
  • How do you handle cancellations if weather makes the trip unsafe?
  • Do you clean and fillet fish we keep. And is there an extra charge?
  • What is your tipping policy? (Some charters bundle gratuity; most don’t)
  • Does the trip include any food or drinks beyond water?
  • How many other parties will be on the boat? (Private vs shared)
  • What time does the trip depart and return?
  • Is there shade or a covered area on the boat for kids?
  • What do you do if someone gets seasick?

Day-Of Checklist

Run through this the morning of the trip, before you leave for the marina.

  • Apply sunscreen before boarding. It takes 15 to 20 minutes to absorb; applying it on the boat in full sun is too late
  • Give kids motion sickness medication if using. It must be taken before boarding, not after symptoms start
  • Confirm you have tip cash. ATMs at marinas charge high fees; get cash the night before
  • Charge your phone and camera
  • Review the departure time and marina address. Fishing charters leave on schedule; late arrivals can mean a missed trip
  • Arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled departure time
  • Dress everyone in their full sun kit before arriving. Hat, sunglasses, light layers
  • Eat a light breakfast. An empty stomach increases nausea risk; avoid heavy or greasy food
  • Hydrate before and during the trip. Seasickness and heat both worsen with dehydration
  • Leave fragile or expensive gear in the car. Saltwater and phone screens are a bad combination without a case

One Week Before the Trip

These items are easier to handle in advance than the night before:

  • Confirm departure time and marina address with the charter operator
  • Check the long-range weather forecast for the trip date. If conditions look bad, contact the operator to discuss options
  • Buy seasickness medication at your regular pharmacy (cheaper than marina pharmacies)
  • Get cash for the tip from your bank. Marina ATMs charge high fees
  • Buy reef-safe sunscreen if you don’t already have it. Chemical sunscreens are restricted on some reef-area trips
  • Charge any waterproof phone cases or cameras you plan to bring
  • Make sure everyone has closed-toe shoes with grip soles packed. No flip-flops on most boats
  • Review the cancellation policy one more time so you know the cutoff

Common Mistakes Families Make

Arriving late. Charters leave on schedule. A 7am departure means the boat leaves at 7am whether you’re there or not. Arrive 15 minutes early. Build in traffic time for tourist areas.

Not applying sunscreen before the boat. Sunscreen takes 15 to 20 minutes to absorb. Apply at the hotel, not on the dock. On the boat, you’re already in direct sun and reflected UV off the water.

Bringing heavy breakfast to eat on the boat. Heavy, greasy food increases nausea risk. Light breakfast at the hotel. Crackers and fruit on the boat.

Forgetting motion sickness medication until the morning. The night-before dose is the important one. By the morning, it needs to already be in the system. See how to avoid seasickness on a fishing charter.

Skipping the tip. The mate worked for your family for 4 hours. 15 to 20% of the trip cost in cash is the standard. See how much to tip a charter captain.

Booking a shared boat with young kids. On a shared boat, you can’t leave early if a child gets sick or bored. Private charters let the captain adjust for your family. See private vs. party boat fishing.

Choosing offshore for a first family trip. Offshore means longer transit in open water, higher seasickness risk, and longer gaps between bites. Start inshore. See what is inshore fishing.

Plan Your Trip

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