Prepare for your Virginia Beach Fishing Trip
Every Virginia Beach fishing charter service has their own way of informing customers about what is provided and what the customer needs to provide. We have chosen to step through a typical day in order to help future customers get an idea of what to expect. This is especially important to those who have never been on a fishing charter boat.
Okay, here’s how it works. You decide you want to go a Virginia Beach Fishing Trip and you get your crew together. Your crew can consist of 1 – 6 people. By the way, kids love to fish! Call us and discuss what kind of fish you wish to catch and what dates are available. We can also help with directions and accomodations if you will need to spend the night.
In order to hold a date, we require a deposit, so you will want to go ahead and get that in the mail. A couple of days before the trip, you’ll want to keep an eye on the weather. Our number one concern is your safety, and regardless of how well the fish are biting, dangerous weather equals no trip. In fact, we must say that the captain reserves the right to cancel the trip for any reason he deems necessary.
Okay, now that that is out of the way, and we have determined that the weather is going to be great, it’s time to get your stuff together. You need clothes. Okay, that’s a given, but seriously, remember that mornings are often cool even during the summer, so a light jacket may be in order even though the weather man is calling for 90F. That’s hot. May want shorts too. Chance of rain? You get the picture. Oh yeah, please do not wear black-bottom shoes. The mate will earn his money without having to scrub the deck all night. Deck or tennis shoes will be fine.
What else? Food and beverages! No glass please! We don’t provide drinks or food, so it would be a good idea to hit the store before you arrive. We also recommend that you bring pre-made sandwiches as opposed to trying to make them on the boat. We don’t really care either way, but experience says it can be a pain, not to mention a mess. Oh yeah, please don’t bring BANANAS! They are considered bad luck on a boat. Trust me, it’s true.
Don’t forget you will need coolers to carry your catch home. We will allow moderate levels of alcohol on board, but all forms of illegal drugs are absolutely prohibited… zero tolerance. Sunglasses, sunscreen and a hat are always a good idea. Anything else? Well, if you have a favorite rod and reel that you want to test out, bring it. Remember, this is your trip and we’ll cater to you. We have a CD player, so feel free to bring your favorite tunes.
Here is a recap of the things that we will provide:
- Friendly, safety conscious crew
- Top of the line tackle including Penn, Shimano and Fin-Nor
- All bait and lures
- All permits and licensing
- Coast Guard licensed captain
- Dedicated first mate (deck hand) who will show you the ropes
- Over 30 years combined experience in local waters
- An awesome day on the water at a very competitive price!
Now that you’re all ready and it’s the evening before your trip, better give the captain a call to make sure everything is go. We say yep and give you a time to be at the boat. Now is the time for anyone that may have a tendency to get motion sickness to look into Dramamine or the like. Also, keep in mind that it’s a proven fact that late night partying and early morning fishing don’t go hand in hand. For a great trip, try to get plenty of rest. Wake up!
It’s time to go. You arrive at the boat and you are greeted by the captain and mate. We help you get everything on board and get situated. As we putt out of the inlet, the mate will give you the run down… What we will be fishing for – How to work the toilet – Where the life jackets are, etc. We strongly encourage participation, so ask all the questions you want. Now we’re cruising! Please don’t forget to hold on and be cautious while we’re running, especially if it’s a little bumpy. We can’t blame the city for pot holes out there.
Finally we’re ready to fish! Pay close attention to hints and instructions from the captain and mate. We’ve been there before and we’ve seen all the common mistakes. We really want you to catch plenty of fish. Alright, you’ve caught a ton of fish and you have kept some for the freezer. Time to head in. We cruise back to the inlet and back the boat into her parking place. We will help you unload all your gear and fish. We’ll settle up on the tab and chat about when you would like to fish again and what you would like to fish for. Please remember that the mate works for tips and 15-20% is customary.
Oh yeah, pictures! Must have lots of pictures, so bring your camera. Well, it was a productive, fun-filled day and everyone is ready to head home. Don’t you wish you could stay and clean the boat? Until next time, tight lines! Don’t forget to look for your picture on the web site!