What to Bring

When customers book a trip with us, they ask us, “What should we bring?”. Being well-prepared will make your excursion all the more enjoyable. As you would expect, we provide all of the rods as well as any bait that we might need.

Some Suggestions on What to Bring:

  • For Comfort and Safety:
  • Seasickness Prevention:
    • If you’re prone to motion sickness or new to boating, take Dramamine before the trip. It’s most effective when taken proactively.
  • Sun Protection:
    • Sunscreen: Apply sunscreen before boarding and wash your hands to avoid contaminating fishing gear. Even on cloudy days, the sun is intense on the water.
    • Sunglasses: Polarized sunglasses are essential to reduce glare.
    • Hat: A hat provides additional sun protection and reduces glare.
  • Appropriate Clothing:
    • Layers: Bring a sweatshirt or windbreaker, as offshore temperatures can be significantly cooler than onshore.
    • Raingear: Pack a raincoat or water-resistant outerwear in case of rain, as trips typically continue regardless of weather.
    • Footwear: Wear rubber-soled shoes like sneakers. Open-toe shoes are not recommended.
  • Optional:
    • Gloves: Fishing gloves can protect your hands.
  • Food and Beverages:
  • Cooler: A small cooler for your food and drinks.
  • Snacks: Bring your preferred snacks. (The captain enjoys Doritos, but fresh fruit is a great option!)
  • Water: Pack plenty of water to stay hydrated. Canned adult beverages are permitted.
  • Capture the Memories:
  • Camera/Phone: Bring a camera or cell phone to capture your experience! We encourage you to share your photos with us and on social media.

What Not to Bring & Important Guidelines:

  • Illegal Substances:
    • No drugs of any kind are permitted on board. This includes marijuana, regardless of medical card status. Federal law prohibits marijuana on vessels in federally patrolled waters.
  • Hard Liquor:
    • Please refrain from bringing hard liquor. Beer is acceptable. Intoxication poses a safety hazard to both passengers and crew.
  • Valuable Clothing:
    • Avoid wearing expensive clothing. Fishing activities can be messy, and stains from fish blood, oils, and other substances are common.
  • Open-Toe Footwear:
    • Closed-toe shoes, such as sneakers or deck shoes, are required. Open-toe sandals and flip-flops are hazardous due to potential injuries from lures and fish.
  • Personal Fishing Equipment:
    • We recommend using our provided fishing equipment. We are not responsible for damage to personal gear brought onboard.
  • Spray-On Sunscreen:
    • Please do not bring spray-on sunscreens. Ocean breezes cause them to spread, making surfaces slippery and reducing their effectiveness. Lotion sunscreen is preferred and should be applied before boarding.
  • Bananas:
    • Please refrain from bringing bananas. Their scent can transfer to fishing gear, deterring fish. Additionally, they are considered bad luck in fishing superstitions.

Your expectations:

The more information that we have about your expectations, the better we can plan and prepare for your trip.

  • Is this your first time on a fishing charter?
  • Are you bringing any children along? What are their ages?
  • Is there a particular fish you would like to try to catch? Fluke, Scup, Bluefish, Striper, or Black Sea Bass. Please keep in mind that some fish may require a longer trip.
  • Do you want to keep the fish that you catch, or would you rather just have fun and release your catch?
  • Would you rather fish inshore (closer to land) or offshore? If you’re not used to being on the water, you might want to ask for an inshore trip. This keeps us a little closer to land, and it gets us fishing all that much faster. Inshore trips can target fish like Black Sea Bass, Fluke, Tautog, and Scup.

When you arrive at the marina:

  • Please park in the upper parking lot designated for Shanty customers. You’ll find it on the right-hand side of the driveway coming into the marina.
  • Please arrive at least 15 minutes before your departure time. We want you to get the full value for your money.
  • If you’re going to be late for your departure time, please call us at 508-284-8511. We will do what we can to extend your trip time, but we might have another trip scheduled after you. If that is the case, then we can’t add on any additional time.
  • Make your way down to the marina and come around the right-hand side of the Shanty restaurant facing the water. We are located on dock #3 in slip #328.
  • If you’re lost in the marina, please call us at 508-284-8511, and we will come to find you in the parking lot.