When booking a charter fishing trip a few key initial thoughts are: “What are the best places for fishing near me?” or “Who is the best for charter fishing in Milwaukee?” (or any city you happen to live near, i.e. Racine, Kenosha, Port Washington, etc.) What a lot of people forget is that there are a few tips and tricks that can contribute to a successful fishing trip as well. Listed below are just a few to consider.
Remember, confidence is key! You should always have confidence in your cast, bait and Captain. Be confident that you will catch fish and you will be amazed at the outcome.
Always be prepared. You never know what the day will bring, so preparing for any possible event is always best. The more prepared you are, the better the outcome!
Remember to keep your hands clean! Fish have a great sense of smell and any foreign scents on your bait or lure can turn them off.
Safety First! Always be aware of your surroundings (ropes, nets, poles, coolers, hooks, people, etc.). Also, a life jacket is always a good idea! You can be assured that we have all of the U.S. Coast Guard-approved safety equipment.
Just like people, fish also have “hangouts”. Some popular locations to find fish are around inlets & outlets (water is cooler in these areas and more hospitable for fish) and near sunken objects (trees, branches, man-made fish habitats). These are areas where fish have cover and feel safe. Fish also like weeds, so be sure to look for weed beds. Of course, our captains have years of experience fishing in Lake Michigan, so they have there own sweet spots for catching fish also!
Your Captain will know the fishing laws, but it is always best to familiarize yourself as well. Also, don’t forget your fishing license and any stamps you may need.
Take it slow. Even after a great cast, you still need to slow down and wait. Patience is truly a virtue when it comes to fishing! Pay attention to the details. And, don’t be in a hurry to move from one spot to the next, you never know when a fish may bite!
One of the pros’ best tips is to always wear sunglasses. You never know where hooks can end up, and sunglasses are extra protection!
Stay quiet, fish can hear extremely well. It’s also been proven that fish can communicate with each other to find each other or hunt. They also can tell the difference between people & boat noise from food.
Finally, remember to clean up your space when you leave. Take EVERYTHING with you (wrappers, bottles, containers, hooks, etc.). Being respectful of the places you fish, the people you fish with, the captain & boat is the single most important thing you can do.
No matter how many fish you catch on your charter fishing trip, remember the whole point is to have fun, make memories and spend time in nature. For your next adventure be sure to book a trip with the experienced captains at Jack’s Charter Service!