If you are a new customer to Hatteras charter fishing, you might not be sure exactly how to prepare. We want to make you aware of some of the things we think should be considered by our customers while preparing for their charters. 

A.      Sea-Sickness: Probably the most important preparation is determining whether or not you might have a problem with motion sickness. Nothing will ruin a fun day on the water more quickly then finding out that you do get seasick. If you suffer from this particular inner ear affliction, an offshore fishing boat just seems to bring it out even if you have never gotten seasick before. In other words, if you have never been offshore fishing it is probably best not to take chances. Tell your family doctor of your trip and ask him or her about their suggestions. If this was a last minute idea you might want to ask a pharmacist for his thoughts on what is available over the counter. I prefer a medicine that is effective enough that it can be taken after you begin to feel the symptoms rather then something you have to take before you even leave the dock.

B.      Clothing:  The secret word here is “layer.” The water of the Gulf Stream warms the Outer Banks in all seasons. If you leave the dock on a chilly day, you might actually be surprised at how comfortable it is in the Gulf Stream. Try to plan your clothing by layering. Even on a hot sunny day don’t forget to bring along lightweight loose fitting long pants and long sleeve shirts that will protect you from the sun. Unless you are very familiar with spending long hours in the sun it is also a wise choice to bring a hat sufficient to protect your head. These things need to be planned because they sometimes need to be available during hectic times of great fishing action.

C.      Shoes: Please remember that virtually all boats have decks that are finished in a light colored fiberglass. Although some boats don’t discourage it, going barefoot is actually a terrible idea on any offshore boat. Captains do want their customers to wear sneakers that won’t scuff the finish. If available the best choice is a “boat shoe.”  Boat shoes with their squeegee type bottoms are designed to not slip easily on wet surfaces. Boat shoes are not a requirement or necessity but I have found that wearing my boat shoes daily really does come in handy on slick flooring that I run into every day.

D.     Sunglasses: Although you will find many articles and advice about which sunglasses to wear offshore one thing is for sure, you need sunglasses offshore. The sun reflecting off the water is like being attacked from a thousand different angles by the sun’s rays. The Gulf Stream tends to be very clear water and its depths are even more visible with good quality “polarized” sunglasses. Most fashion sunglasses are not polarized but they will help somewhat. However, if you have polarized sunglasses available, they are by far the better choice to help more fully enjoy your day offshore.

E.      Camera: There is going to lots of action with many opportunities for some great pictures but you need to beware that you will be bringing along your expensive camera at your own risk. Boats are wet and cameras are not friendly to getting wet. Boats can get very bumpy and good cameras don’t seem to like getting slammed on the floor. If you take along your high quality camera, you definitely need to take it in a protective travel case of some sort and keep it stored safely in the saloon until you are ready to use it.

F.       Sunscreen: This should go without saying but sunscreen is no longer a suggestion. It is an absolute necessity for most.

G.      Carrying Bag: The best way to keep this all organized is in a carrying bag of some sort like a gym or duffle bag which is large enough to transport and hold all of your possessions.

H.      Cooler/Food/Drink: All guests need to remember to bring along coolers with their food and drinks. We are not going to make suggestions about exactly what to bring. However, light sandwiches with pretzels and crackers can be good for an upset stomach and a cold clear soda can also be somewhat soothing. I have also found that ginger snaps can be effective for mildly upset motion sickness. 

Hopefully this will give you some idea of a few things to remember that will help make your charter the most enjoyable fishing experience of your life. If you have any questions that we might have missed please don’t hesitate to ask you captain.