7 Common Courtesies All Hilton Head Fishing Charters Ask Their Customers to Observe

While always “following the rules” can get a bit dull in some areas of life, there are certain common courtesies that anglers need to keep in mind when on a fishing charter.

The charter boat captain has a myriad of laws and regulations he needs to follow. For anglers, any official rules are rather minimal.

However, that doesn’t mean you can just come on board and do as you please…you wouldn’t go into a restaurant and start pounding your fists on the table, right?

Aside from the safety of you, your family and their crew, a fishing charter’s first priority is for you to have fun.

Observing the following courtesies when scheduling and taking your trip will ensure you have a memorable time out on the water.

• Respect the captain’s boat, his instructions and his decisions – Even though you’re paying for the captain’s time and the use of his boat, you must respect his property and instructions. If the weather is looking bad for example, the captain may decide to get back to shore. If this occurs, you need to respect his decision and work with him on a partial refund or rescheduling.

• Be on time for departure – Like anyone else, the captain’s time is valuable. You don’t like it if someone is running extremely late on you, right? Besides, the later you are leaving the dock or ramp, the less time you will have for fishing. In this case, there will be no refund for a shortened trip. Respect the captain’s schedule and get the most out of your day by showing up on time. If something comes up the night before or on the morning of your trip, call the captain and let him know.

• Final payment + gratuity due at the end of your trip – Most fishing charters in Hilton Head and throughout the industry require a 50% deposit up front then the remaining part after completion of your trip. The easiest way is to ask the captain to charge your credit card. Regardless of payment method (i.e. cash, check, credit card), be prepared to pay the amount due at the conclusion of your trip. Tipping is optional, but if the captain and his crew did an exceptional job, a 15-20% gratuity like you would give a restaurant server is standard.

• Non-Marking Shoes – Don’t wear your rough work boots on the boat. The boat’s surface is white and can easily be scuffed up by a sturdy sole. Instead, wear non-marking shoes if possible to keep the boat’s deck looking pretty. It’s okay if you don’t think about this before your trip though. If you’re wearing sneakers or some other shoe that may leave a mark, just make sure you walk carefully, which you should be doing anyway.

• No spray sunscreen – Sunscreen is vitally important when fishing offshore. The open water actually magnifies the effect of thr sun’s UV rays, so you want to make sure you’re adequately protected via a hat, clothing and sunscreen. However, spray sunscreens are easily blown around, which can get quite annoying for the captain, his crew and other patrons. Make sure your sunscreen is a gel or liquid that you spread on your skin.

• Keep alcohol to a minimum and no illegal drugs – Most fishing charters are okay with their customers bringing some beer or other libations, but we ask that you drink responsibly. If the captain feels you’re drinking too much and pose a hazard, he’ll be forced to cut the trip the short. Also, while marijuana is more acceptable these days, it is still illegal in most places, including Hilton Head. Don’t put the captain or his boat in a difficult position by bringing marijuana or some other illegal drug on board. 

  

  Image courtesy of Gualberto 107 via FreeDigitalPhotos.net

• Keep your cool – Like we said in the intro, the goal is to have fun! However, that doesn’t mean there won’t be a few hiccups along the way. Your line may get twisted off or you may lose a fish you’re trying to boat. If something like this occurs, maintain your cool and remember that every fisherman deals with these little issues. Whatever you do, do NOT slam the fishing rod! If you find yourself getting frustrated, set your pole down and take a few minutes. Usually our urge to yell or slam something will pass quickly.

Again, these common courtesies are simply requests from fishing charters throughout the world. If you don’t observe them though, the captain does reserve the right to refuse service.

Remember, you don’t need to be on your total P’s and Q’s while out on a fishing charter. Just keep calm and follow any instructions from the captain and behave like you would anywhere else.

Capt. Shannon O’Quinn of Carolina Fishing Adventures offers inshore and nearshore charters to families and small groups – fishing experience is not required, just a desire to have fun! 

To learn more about Captain O’Quinn’s Hilton Head fishing charters or to schedule your trip, go to CarolinaFishingAdventures.com or contact us today.