As a novice fisherwoman, I decided to book a deep sea fishing charter from Cape May, NJ. I have been deep sea fishing a few times when I was younger, but I found I had a different experience as an adult.
What to Expect
If you are expecting it to be like the Deadliest Catch, you will be disappointed. A day out deep sea fishing is a very relaxing experience sprinkled with anticipation and rewards of catching a fish—hopefully. Before you go, consider bringing:
Suntan lotion
Hat
Sunglasses
Hand sanitizer
Lunch
Beverages (alcohol – if allowed—for best results)
Camera
Coolers (for food, beverages and an ice chest)
When you arrive for your fishing charter, you may have to wait until the rest of your boat mates arrive. While you wait, take a nice walk and check out the time. Cape May, NJ is a cute town with beautiful and quaint neighborhoods.
About to set sail!
Most boats will have a snack and beverage area, so bring some cash if you did not pack a lunch. The amount of items for sale is limited, and usually, the cost is high. When I go on deep sea charters, I always pack a few coolers for beverages and lunch to keep the cost down.
Before you board the boat, you will meet the crew and get your gear for the trip. Once you get the okay to get on the boat, everyone will rush to a seat with plenty of room and far enough away from others. If the charter is busy, you may need to get friendly with your ship mates and feel a little bit like a sardine in a can.
The crew will go around the deck and make sure your gear is safely stowed, so you don’t get a hook in the eye. At this time, they will also hand you the bait and give you a few instructions. While you wait to get to your first fishing spot, just relax and enjoy the sun and ocean wind.
Once you get to the fishing grounds, get ready to drop your hook. This is when you want to bait your hook, so the bait will be attractive to the fish. Now, begin to fish when you get the okay from the boat captain.
Make sure you thoroughly cover your face and exposed skin with suntan lotion, because the sun will quickly toast you. The sea breeze will make the sun seem less intense, but you want to make sure you are covered up. For those with light hair, you may want to consider wearing a hat.
When you wait, you may feel a tug on the end of the line. Slowly reel it in until you feel a pull, then it is time to start reeling.
When we went out, we caught multiple baby sharks. Of course, we could not and did not want to keep them. However, we did give them a “good luck” kiss before tossing them back in. In the end, we did not catch a fish, but we still had a blast out on the sea.
Maybe you will have some luck with your catch. Once you reel in your prize, snap your photo and make sure you can keep the fish. Depending on the season and type of fish, you may have to throw it back in. Locate and call over a crew member as soon as possible to see if you have a catch. If not, promptly return this fish to the sea safely.
You caught a fish! Congratulations! Now what?
Well, hopefully, you planned on catching a fish and you are properly prepared. Most charters will fillet your fresh catch for a small fee or tip. So, again, make sure you bring some cash. You will also need something to carry the fish and transport it home.
What to Wear:
Wear layers. Depending on the time of the year and the wind, the weather on the ocean can vary. If you wear layers, you can bundle up as the boat rides out into the open sea. However, once you are still and standing in the summer sun, you may want to shed the layers and soak in the sun.
If you have boots or sneakers, you should wear them. One time, I saw a few women embark on a deep sea fishing charter in dresses and heels… if you don’t want to walk/move and do not want to actually participate in fishing, go right ahead. If you want to enjoy a trip fishing, wear sneakers so you can walk with sea legs.
Extra clothes. Once you get back on land, you may feel like your clothes are dirty and smell of fish. When you have an extra set of clothes, you can change and clean up for your ride home.
