Frequently Asked Questions
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What do you need to do before your trip? Do Your Homework
You’re looking to have a great experience on the water by going on a charter trip. We want you to have the trip of a lifetime-every time. You may have been out on your own boat or a friend's boat and have seen how good the charter boats do and you just want to pick up a few fishing tips. Many of you may just be visiting and are looking for something fun and exciting to do.
The members of the Connecticut Charter and Party Boat Association are professionals. There are over 30 Charter boats in our organization and each Boat and Captain are exceptional in their own way!
Who should I hire? Be Smart - Hire a Professional
Doing some homework up front will go a long way in making sure that you have a great day on the water. There are several things to look for when choosing a Connecticut charter boat:
- The boat's captain should have a U.S. Coast Guard license.
- The boat should always be commercially documented.
- Boats that carry more than six passengers in one trip should have an annual certificate of inspection listing the maximum number of passengers it is allowed to carry.
- Make sure the boat is well-maintained.
- Ask for references, the captain should gladly recommend some folks who have been out on the water with them.
- Carry specialized insurance for their specific number of passengers.
I don’t know how to fish in the ocean? Inexperienced Anglers
It is very common in the inexperienced anglers on board. The Captain and mate of a Connecticut charter boat will school you on how to "play" a fish correctly, and how to bring it to the boat. There's nothing worse than having a nice big catch on the line, only to lose it when you're trying to reel it in. Your crew will help you return to the dock with quite a fish tale to tell!
Who can I ask about fishing conditions? Make Use of Your Captain and Crew's Experience
This is not your average trip out on the river with a rowboat and a box of worms. You're going charter fishing! The Captain of your boat will know his/her stuff. If you're a beginner, take the opportunity to find out about the variety of fish you'll be catching and the methods and tackle you'll be using. The most common methods of sportfishing are: light tackle casting, fly-fishing, trolling, drift fishing and fishing at anchor. The primary fishing season for the Connecticut charterboat fleet runs from mid May until late November, with several boats starting their seasons a little earlier and ending them a bit later.
Be sure to ask your Captain what's biting and what's not. You do not want to arrive at the boat anticipating a terrific flounder fishing trip, only to learn that the flounder fishing season had been closed two weeks prior. The size limitations, legal seasons and bag limits are all posted on the Connecticut DEP website.
While doing your research, Captains will offer their opinions and suggestions. Take this information very seriously. "Offshore" trips are more expensive than "Inshore" trips and you'll want to know exactly what to expect while onboard. Use the Captains knowledge and experience as a guide to planning your charter. A little bit of research can go a long way to ensuring you a trip of a lifetime!
Can we drink alcohol aboard? Have Fun and Be Safe
Check with the Captain about his alcohol policy as each boat's policy will be different. A good fishing experience also means not consuming too much alcohol. A passenger who drinks too much could not only spoil the trip for the group but could possibly be a danger to others as well as themselves.
What should I bring? Things to Bring
- Food and Beverages
- Hat
- Sunglasses- polarized, uv protected
- Sunscreen
- Sweatshirt
- Motion Sickness medicine - as directed
- Rain gear
- Camera