What To Expect On The Day
Every trip is slightly different: the boat, the skipper and the exact ground fished depend on the port, the tide and the weather on the day, but the shape of the day is usally the same. Here's what to expect.
The day at a glance
- Boarding: early, usually around 07:30, at a meeting point near the harbour you'll be sent in advance.
- Departure: by 08:00 at the latest. Boats leave on time to catch the tide, so punctuality matters.
- On the water: roughly 8 hours of fishing, with the skipper moving between marks through the day to keep the group catching fish.
- Return: boats are back in port arround 16:30.
On the way to the first mark, there's usually a spot of mackerel feathering to catch bait for the day, a gentle warm-up before the serious fishing starts.
What's provided
- All fishing equipment: rods, reels, tackle and bait
- Full instruction from the skipper, whether you've never held a rod or you fish every weekend
- Tea and coffee on board
- All safety equipment (life jackets, ring, and a fully equipped, licensed boat)
What to bring
Food and drink (not provided):
- Breakfast and lunch
- Plenty to drink; it's thirsty work out on the water
Clothing and kit:
- Waterproofs
- Suncream and a sun hat
- Seasickness tablets, if you're prone
- Flat shoes or boots suitable for a boat deck
- A warm layer; it's noticeably cooler on the water than on land
- A dry bag or waterproof phone pouch, and a lanyard for your phone so it doesn't go over the side
Good to know
- No experience needed. If you haven't fished before, the skipper and other business owners on board will show you exactly what to do.
- The skipper is in charge, at all times, regardless of the situation. That's standard on any chartered boat, and it's there for everyone's safety.
- No sea angling licence is required for recreational sea fishing anywhere in the UK.
- Mobile signal is generally available with most networks, so you're reachable if you need to be.
- Let us know in advance of any dietary needs, mobility considerations, or medical conditions the skipper should be aware of.
- Weather calls are made the evening before, typically around 19:00. If conditions look unworkable, we'll confirm whether the trip is on, postponed, or rescheduled. See our terms and booking conditions for how refunds and postponements work.
- Be on time. The boat can't wait for late arrivals once the tide window opens.
- Respect the fish. Most fish are returned swiftly to the sea, some after a quick photo. We encourage you to only keep fish to eat that are injured or are very common, like mackerel, pollock, or bream. This keeps a healthy stock of fish locally.
Still deciding?
Check who can join, see the fish you could catch, or head straight to upcoming trips.
