What to Know Before Your First Offshore Fishing Charter

Published June 9th, 2025 by Tuna Tail Charters

Showing up unprepared ruins offshore fishing. The ocean off Gloucester doesn’t care if you’re new or experienced. You need to be ready before you step on the boat. Forget to plan, and you’ll pay for it all day. The difference between a good trip and a wasted one starts before you even leave the dock.

Early Starts Set the Tone

Offshore fishing doesn’t wait for late risers. The best action happens before most people finish their first cup of coffee. Boats leave the dock in the dark. Crews expect you to arrive 30 minutes before departure. Miss that window, and you scramble. No time for a safety talk. No chance to check your gear. The boat won’t wait. Most trips meet between 4:30 and 5:30 AM. Set your alarm. Lay out your clothes the night before. Double-check the meeting spot. Don’t trust your memory. Confirm the address and parking details. Weather can shift overnight. Check the forecast before you sleep. Bring motion sickness medication if you need it. Take it before you board, not after the boat starts rocking. The ocean doesn’t care about your stomach.

Arrive 30 minutes early, no exceptions
Know the exact meeting location
Prepare for a pre-dawn start
Check the weather before you leave home
Handle motion sickness before you step on board

Bluefin tuna fishing? The boat leaves before sunrise. Miss the start, and you miss the best shot at a trophy. Bluefin don’t wait for anyone.

Packing for Real Comfort

Forget the idea that you can tough it out. The ocean exposes every mistake. Wear the wrong shoes, and you slip. Skip the layers, and you freeze. Bring the wrong bag, and your gear gets soaked. The specialized fishing vessel covers rods, reels, and tackle. Everything else is on you. Non-marking rubber-soled shoes grip the deck and keep the captain happy. Layered clothing keeps you warm when the wind picks up. Offshore air bites harder than it does on land. A waterproof jacket blocks spray and rain. Polarized sunglasses cut glare and help you spot fish. Sunscreen and a hat protect your skin. A camera or phone in a waterproof case captures the moment without killing your device. A small cooler keeps your drinks cold and your snacks dry. Skip the big cooler, deck space is tight.

Non-marking rubber-soled shoes
Layered clothing for changing conditions
Waterproof jacket or rain gear
Polarized sunglasses
Sunscreen and a hat
Camera or phone in a waterproof case
Small cooler for drinks and snacks

Pack smart. Leave the extras at home. The boat isn’t a storage locker. Every item you bring should earn its place.

Safety Isn’t Optional

Charter crews run tight ships. They handle the lines, set the hooks, and gaff the fish. But safety is everyone’s job. Listen to the crew. They walk you through emergency procedures before the boat leaves the dock. Pay attention. Know where the life jackets are. Learn how to use the radio. Don’t tune out when they talk about hazards. The ocean changes fast. Fog rolls in. Swells build. The crew keeps you updated, but you need to stay alert. Don’t wander off or ignore instructions. The charter fishing team has seen it all. Trust their experience. We want you to catch fish and get home safe.

Listen to the safety briefing, every word matters
Know where the life jackets and safety gear are stored
Stay in communication with the crew
Follow instructions without hesitation

Safety isn’t a formality. It’s the difference between a good story and a bad headline.

Distance and Fish Change Everything

Offshore trips cover serious ground. Some days, the boat runs 15 miles out. Other days, you chase fish 40 miles from shore. Summer bluefin tuna feed 20 miles or more offshore. Cod and haddock grounds sit closer, but still far from land. The captain checks the latest reports and weather before every trip. Fish move. Weather shifts. The plan changes. You might run farther than you expect. Bring enough food and water for a long day. Don’t count on a quick ride home. The ocean sets the schedule, not the clock. Target species drive every decision. Some days, you chase tuna. Other days, you drop lines for haddock or cod. Ask the crew what’s biting. They know where to go and what to expect.

Trips can run 15-40 miles offshore
Bluefin tuna often feed far from land
Cod and haddock grounds are closer but still offshore
Weather and fish movement set the day’s plan

Don’t expect a set routine. Offshore fishing rewards flexibility and patience. The best catches go to those who adapt. At Tuna Tail Charters, we take pride in reading the conditions and putting you on the fish, no matter how far we have to run.