How to Become a Fishing Charter Captain

Do you want to experience the ultimate adventure of a lifetime day in and day out as a career? Have you ever dreamed of fishing in the open waters and discovering the beauty of the ocean or large water body repeatedly and being able to share your love of the water, nature and the species that swim within it? If you want to dedicate your career to being on the water all the time, showing people how to catch fish, getting as much joy and excitement seeing others catch fish that you locate for them, then a career as a fishing guide Captain might be your calling. In exchange for all of that Captain’s days are long, generally starting well before your charter starts and ending long after your charter ended but there’s something special in being in the open water and getting your guests on fish that many would be unable to reach without your assistance and guidance. Delivering a lifetime memory to your guests is not an opportunity that many career choices provide. Below I’ll go over some of the key aspects of a captain.

General Knowledge and Equipment

A captain is a trained and experienced professional who specializes in taking anglers out on their charter vessels and guiding them throughout their fishing experience. They possess vast knowledge about all the best fishing spots, techniques, reading tides and have the expertise to find the best bait and tackle for the season. Not only do they provide a secure and safe environment, but they also keep you informed on the necessary safety precautions and regulations for boating during your angling journey. Plus, they will ensure that you and your party get the most out of your day out on the water.  They must know the skill level of the clients they are taking out.  Do they need fishing gear or have their own? Most people will use the gear on the ship so you must be well supplied.

Fishing Captain Licensing 

Fishing Charter Captains hold a USCG Captain’s license by enduring many hours on a boat at sea, studying for and successfully completing the appropriate USCG examination (the most popular being the OUPV or 6-Pack license). "Many hours at sea" varies by the type of Captain’s license that you are pursuing, generally speaking, the larger the tonnage the more hours are required. There is also a total sea time in combination with 90-day recency requirement. Applicant must also be in good health and in reasonable physical condition as extensive health forms must be signed off by the Captain’s doctor. Captains are required to submit a drug test confirmed by their doctor at the time of application as well. Prior to receiving their USCG Captain’s license, Fishing Charter Captains will also go through a background check & are required to have a TWIC Card (Transportation Worker Identification Credential). All of the above requirements ensure that a licensed Captain is experienced to the extent that they can provide a safe trip for paying customers. Many Captains also hold additional certifications, like CPR, to safely address emergency situations that may occur while guests are aboard their vessels.

Fishing Captain Expertise 

Fishing Captains are able to prepare the boat for the environment and the species, set up the rods and reels, tie appropriate flies and lures, and assist with casting and catching. Generally, all equipment is provided for you by the charter captain. They have been awake long before the start of your early morning charter prepping the gear for the type of day they anticipate. Fishing charter captains can also provide helpful tactics on how to locate and catch fish, so that you have a more successful fishing experience. They provide valuable knowledge on the types of gear, lure, and baits to use, as well as what methods are best for locating particular types of fish. Through countless hours on the water, they will have developed the knowledge and “eye” for identifying signs of fish. It could be anything from slight surface disturbance, bird activity, tidal times and levels or many more. This depth of knowledge is incredibly valuable when guests are paying for an experience that includes trying to catch fish. Furthermore, a Captain’s expertise in hooking, playing and landing fish is extremely important in many cases as not all guests have caught or even fished for many of the species that they are targeting on their charters.  Charter fishing can take you out to a variety of locations and to different types of species. For instance, a successful fishing guide can locate popular sportfish such as largemouth bass, salmon, walleye, striped bass, redfish and even the sought-after permit. They also have extensive knowledge on additional offshore species such as marlin, tuna, and sailfish. Regardless of the type of fish you are looking to catch, the right fishing charter Captain can help you find the perfect spot. As a result, if you truly want the best chance and opportunity of catching fish, a particular fish species, like striped bass, or a personal best then hiring a fishing charter captain is the best option. 

Communication 

Apart from the high success rate associated with hiring a fishing charter Captain, anglers also benefit from the wealth of knowledge and experience offered. Captains offer tips and tricks for catching fish, casting techniques, as well as detecting bites. Fishing charter trips are like fishing lessons with the sole focus of instructing anglers on techniques that will help them become better anglers. In addition, charter Captains educate anglers about local regulations and conservation efforts. 

Additionally, a fishing charter Captain should also be aware of the environmental conditions surrounding the body of water or coastal waters they are fishing in. Changes in temperature, barometric pressure, tides, wind speeds, currents and more can all have an impact on the fish populations and their behavior. By monitoring these conditions, an experienced fishing Captain can make informed decisions on the best times and locations to fish, as well as ensure their guests are fishing in the safest situation available. This emphasis on environmental monitoring not only promotes safe fishing practices but also helps to protect the natural resources and ecosystems that are vital to the sport. Captains are often actively involved in a variety of activities supporting environmental conservation of all kinds, from cleaning the world’s oceans to researching fish populations and many efforts in between. Often, during slower times of a trip or while scouting for signs of fish Captains will discuss the importance of wildlife preservation, ways to contribute to keeping our waters and all species thriving and how to reduce the stresses of the environment.

Fishing charter Captains remind or, in some cases, instruct an angler to observe safety while fishing, which is a significant factor for any outdoor activity especially those around water like fishing. Captains oftentimes operate in large water fully exposed where the weather, swells, currents and more can change in an instant. Captains know the waters and currents, have navigational equipment and ensure that their clients are always as safe as possible while fishing. Many experienced Captains have undergone advanced training on water-related safety, with competencies in first aid, lifesaving techniques, and CPR beyond the USCG-required certifications. 

Captain's Public Image

Part of being a fishing Captain is marketing your fishing charter business to the demographic that you prefer as guests. Having an up-to-date online presence is crucial and a good captain will have current photos and videos of guests, reviews with pictures or videos and easy-to-understand trip descriptions. A website from a reputable Captain-focused company like Guidesly is an effective way to build your brand for free. A quality and experienced fishing charter captain should be able to provide competent information on specialty fishing trips, as well as help customize trips according to a guest's needs and preferences when possible. 

If you're looking for the ultimate career that marries your passion for the open water, your fishing expertise and helping others share those experiences with you, a fishing charter Captain may be the best choice you'll ever make! Knowing that a substantial amount of work will be necessary to not only receive your Captain's license but to build a thriving business where you can experience your passion on a regular basis.