Gulf reflection doubles your sun — pack for it before anything else.
Bring sunscreen, polarized sunglasses, a hat, non-marking shoes, drinks in a soft cooler, seasickness meds, and cash for a 15–20% tip — the boat provides everything else. On a licensed Sarasota charter the rods, tackle, bait, ice, and even your fishing license are included. This page is the full packing list, what to wear by season, and the two mistakes (glass and bananas) that get you side-eyed at the dock.
Booking questions — price, trip type, which boat — are covered in how to choose a fishing charter and charter prices 2026.
What should I bring on a fishing charter?
| Item | Why |
|---|---|
| Reef-safe sunscreen, SPF 30+ | Gulf reflection doubles exposure; reapply every 2 hours |
| Polarized sunglasses | Cuts glare; lets you see fish, bottom, and bait |
| Brimmed hat | Sun and flying hooks |
| Long-sleeve sun shirt | Cooler than bare skin by mid-morning |
| Non-marking shoes or strapped sandals | Black soles scuff decks; flip-flops slide |
| Water + drinks, soft cooler | No glass on any boat; most captains allow beer |
| Snacks or lunch | 6+ hour trips especially |
| Motion-sickness meds | Taken the night before, not at the dock |
| Cash | Tip: 15–20% of trip price |
| Zip-top bag or dry bag | Phone, keys, wallet |
| Light rain jacket | Summer squalls build fast; also the winter wind layer |
What you don’t need: rods, reels, tackle, bait, ice, or a fishing license — clients on a licensed charter are covered under the operator’s license, per FWC saltwater licensing rules. Fish cleaning and bagging of legal catch is included on most private boats.
What should I wear on a fishing charter?
Summer (May–October): shorts, long-sleeve sun shirt, hat, sunglasses, deck shoes or sandals with a heel strap. It will be 88–91°F and the sun is the hazard, not the temperature.
Winter (November–April): the water is 20 degrees cooler than the beach parking lot at 7 a.m. Long pants, a fleece, and a windbreaker for the morning run; you’ll be in a t-shirt by 11. Check the morning marine forecast for your trip on the NWS Tampa Bay marine page — wind, not rain, is what changes plans.
Offshore, any season: closed-toe shoes. An 8-hour trip standing on a moving deck punishes bare feet.
What should I NOT bring on a charter?
- Glass. Universal boat rule.
- Bananas. The superstition is real enough that some captains enforce it. Don’t test it on tarpon day.
- Hard coolers. Deck space is tight; the boat’s fish box holds your catch, and your soft cooler holds your drinks. Bring a big cooler in the truck for the fillets.
- Your own rods — unless the captain invites it. Charter tackle is matched to the fishery.
- Spray-on sunscreen applied on deck. It aerosolizes onto the deck and makes fiberglass a skating rink. Apply before boarding or spray over the side.
How do I avoid getting seasick?
- Medicate early. Dramamine or Bonine the night before, again an hour before departure. Once you’re sick, pills don’t come back.
- Book inshore if you’re susceptible. Sarasota Bay and the ICW are protected, flat water — you cannot get meaningfully seasick on a bay trip. The charter comparison is in how to choose a charter.
- On the boat: eyes on the horizon, stay midship where motion is least, keep light food in your stomach, skip the cabin.
- Red tide aggravates it — airborne irritation on rough days makes queasiness worse. Check conditions at Mote’s Beach Conditions Reporting System and our red tide guide before an offshore day.
Prone to it? Book the bay — protected water barely moves.
How much do you tip a charter captain?
15–20% of the trip price, cash. On boats with a mate, the tip primarily goes to the mate — they rig baits, net fish, and clean your catch, and often work for tips. Head-boat mates: 15–20% of your fare; the Flying Fish Fleet suggests 20%. Owner-operators with no mate: 15–20% still customary. Tip for effort, not fish count.
What extra should I bring for kids?
Life jackets are aboard by law (Coast Guard requirement, all sizes on inspected vessels), but call ahead for infant sizes. Add: more snacks than you think, a towel, motion meds dosed for children, and a backup activity for the run out. Full family playbook: kids and family fishing in Sarasota.
FAQ
Do I need a fishing license on a charter?
No. Everyone aboard a licensed charter is covered, including kids. Fishing on your own afterward is different: anyone 16+ needs a license, even from shore — see the Florida fishing license guide.
Can I bring alcohol?
Most captains allow beer in cans, no glass, no hard liquor. Ask when you book. The captain can and will end a trip over a drunk passenger.
What happens to the fish I catch?
Legal fish are cleaned and bagged on most private charters — bring a cooler with ice for the drive home. Regulations set what’s legal, and they change mid-year; verify current rules before you fish at the FWC saltwater regulations page. Want it cooked instead? Several local restaurants will cook your catch — list in eat your catch.
Should I bring my own bait or lures?
No. Live bait is included and the captain’s bait is fresher than anything you can buy on the way. If you’re a lure angler, say so when booking — book a guide who advertises artificial trips.
What if the weather looks bad?
The captain calls it, usually the evening before. Your deposit should roll or refund on their cancellation — get the policy in writing. An inshore trip often survives a forecast that kills an offshore one.
Related: price every trip type in Sarasota charter prices 2026, vet the boat with how to choose a fishing charter, find one in the captains directory, or go budget with party boat fishing.
