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Tips for Successful Family Deep Sea Fishing Deep
Sea Fishing - A Fun & Safe Family Outing
by Steven and Michael Perkins
Published on this site: April 18th, 2006 - See
more articles from this month
Sunshine, crashing waves and hands-on activities. These are
three things every kid loves. That's what makes deep sea fishing
the perfect family outing. Especially during summer months
when children can get bored, deep sea fishing makes for a
wonderful time of togetherness, education and excitement.
Before you venture onto any vessel, you'll want to run through
the checklist below. Taking time to prepare before launching
into the deep blue sea can ensure your trip will be a huge
success.
Safety
No outing can be truly fun for everyone unless it is also
safe. There are steps you can take to ensure you and your
family will have a day of adventure as well as safety.
Be sure to ask the captain of the boat about the following:
- Life Preservers - Make sure life preservers on
the boat are current. Preservers need to be within easy
reach. The boat should have a variety of life preservers
in different sizes to fit both adults and children.
- Coast Guard Inspection - You'll want a fishing
vessel that is big and seaworthy, and that has passed all
necessary inspections. Look for a U.S. Coast Guard safety
inspection sticker to be sure. Also check for a radio and
emergency beacon onboard.
- CPR - The crew aboard your deep-sea fishing boat
should be CPR and first aid trained.
- Sun Protection - The sun gets very intense over
water. In fact, you get 180% exposure to the sun while on
the water as opposed to on land. (100% direct sun exposure
plus 80% exposure from water reflection.) You'll want to
pack sunscreen as well as hats and sunglasses.
Fishing
Your fishing experience will be different depending on
which area of the U.S. you are in. Water temperature, local
weather and current surface temperatures can all play a role
in the success of your trip. While these elements may be out
of your control, there are other elements you need to verify before
casting off.
- Experience - Your captain and crew should have
plenty of experience fishing in the local waters. They should
be comfortable navigating the area and should be able to
find sweet spots where fish commonly gather.
- Equipment - The boat you choose to sail on should
be outfitted with the latest fish-finding electronics to
help ensure you get what you came for.
- Bait - Bait used while fishing should be indigenous
to the area. Fish can be finicky about what they will and
will not eat.
- Unwanted Transfer - Be sure to wash your hands
(or have the crew wash their hands) after applying sunscreen,
aftershave or other scented lotions. The smell (and taste)
can transfer to the bait causing the fish to stop biting
Kids
When deep sea fishing with kids, special considerations
come into play. Ask your crew about the following if you plan
to bring young children onboard.
- Family Friendly - Is this a family friendly ship?
Is language controlled? Are alcoholic beverages served?
Is smoking allowed?
- Stories - When the fish aren't biting, things
might become quiet. Will the crew tell stories about the
area, share educational information, teach knot tying or
allow kids to steer the boat?
- Naps - Is there a bench or cot where small children
can lie down if they get tired?
Everyone
To ensure the enjoyment of the trip for each family member,
you'll want to:
- Bring Plenty of Snacks and Drinks - Even though
the boat may provide chips or sodas, they may be limited
in their variety. Pack your child's favorite snacks and
juices plus plenty of water. You'll need to stay hydrated
while out in the sun.
- Get a Good Night's Sleep - Deep sea fishing is
an absolute blast! It can be tiring, however, especially
for younger children. Be sure to get a good night's sleep
before venturing out.
- Take Dramamine - If you are prone to seasickness,
or don't know if you will become seasick, take Dramamine
or Bonine the night before and the morning of your trip
just to be on the safe side.
- Bring Your Camera! This will be a day that memories
are made of. You'll want to capture every moment for your
photo albums. Be sure to bring plenty of film and/or an
extra battery.
When you've checked off everything on your list, you'll be
ready for a wonderful day filled with family fun and adventure.
With the right captain at the helm, your deep-sea fishing
journey will soon become a family tradition you'll look forward
to year after year.
Steven and Michael Perkins are co-captains of The Nor'easter,
a 42' vessel dedicated to deep sea fishing in Maine.
Visit http://www.noreasterfishing.com
today for pricing and details on scheduling family charter fishing tours in
Maine.
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