Reel Coquina Fishing Charter Checklist: What to Bring

For our deep-sea and inshore fishing charters in St. Petersburg, bring sun protection, weather-ready clothing, non-slip shoes, food, drinks in non-glass containers, a phone or camera, and cash for gratuity. We supply the fishing license, rods, reels, tackle, bait, safety equipment, ice, cooler space, instruction, and fish cleaning for legal catch.

Our trips depart from O'Neill's Marina in south St. Petersburg. Plan to arrive about 15 minutes before departure and follow the parking and dock instructions sent after booking.

What Should You Bring on a St. Pete Deep-Sea Fishing Charter?

Pack these personal items:

Broad-spectrum sunscreen
Polarized sunglasses with a retainer
Hat that fits securely
Lightweight, quick-dry clothing
Light rain jacket or windbreaker
Non-slip, rubber-soled shoes
Water and other drinks in cans or plastic containers
Snacks or a meal sized for your trip
Towel
Phone or camera in a waterproof case
Small dry bag for keys, wallet, and medication
Cash for the customary crew gratuity
Motion-sickness medication only if it is safe for you and taken as directed

Leave these items at home or in the vehicle:

Glass bottles or containers
Hard-soled dress shoes or high heels
Large bags that take up deck space
Expensive jewelry and loose valuables
Personal fishing gear unless we approve it in advance
A large transport cooler, unless we ask you to bring it aboard

Call us at 404-438-8732 with a packing question, or compare current fishing trip options before you reserve.

Reel Coquina’s Orion 29 center console boat running offshore for a St. Pete fishing charter.

Where Do Our Charters Depart?

We meet you at O'Neill's Marina, 6701 Sunshine Skyway Lane South, St. Petersburg, Florida 33711. The marina is near I-275 and the Sunshine Skyway, with direct access toward Tampa Bay and the Gulf.

Arrive about 15 minutes before the confirmed departure time. That gives your group time to meet us, load personal items, hear the safety briefing, and review the fishing plan without cutting into the trip.

Parking and the exact dock location are confirmed after booking. Use the final instructions we send rather than guessing the slip from an online map. Our contact and marina page has the current meet-up address and directions.

What Do We Supply?

We supply the fishing equipment and operating essentials, including:

Florida charter fishing license coverage for paying guests
Rods and reels
Tackle and rigs
Bait
Life jackets and required safety equipment
Ice and onboard cooler space
Instruction for beginners and experienced anglers
Fish cleaning and filleting for legal catch

You do not need to buy a separate recreational saltwater license when fishing as a covered passenger on a properly licensed charter vessel. FWC confirms that the charter license covers authorized paying passengers.

We also handle boat position, rigging, current regulations, and the fishing plan. Review our offshore charter details if you are deciding between a short reef trip and a longer run into the Gulf.

What Should You Wear Offshore?

For warm weather, wear a lightweight long-sleeve shirt, quick-dry shorts or pants, a secure hat, and rubber-soled shoes. For winter mornings, add a warm layer and a wind-resistant outer layer that can come off as the day warms.

Closed-toe deck shoes or sneakers with good grip are the simplest choice. Avoid hard soles, smooth bottoms, and footwear that can slide on a wet deck. Keep a towel and a dry shirt in a small bag if the forecast calls for spray or rain.

What Food and Drinks Can You Bring?

Bring your own water, snacks, and meals. A four-hour trip may only require a snack and water, while a full day calls for more food and fluids. Choose food that is easy to eat between stops.

You may bring alcohol, but glass is not allowed on the boat. Use cans or plastic containers and drink responsibly around moving decks, hooks, and fishing gear. We confirm the no-glass rule on our current policy page.

We provide ice and cooler space. Ask before bringing a large personal cooler aboard, since open deck space matters. A transport cooler for cleaned fish can usually stay in the vehicle until the boat returns.

How Should You Prepare for Seasickness?

Prepare before the boat leaves. Eat a light meal, drink water, sleep well, and avoid arriving with a hangover. If you are prone to motion sickness, speak with a doctor or pharmacist about an option that is appropriate for you.

The CDC's motion-sickness guidance says preventive medication works best when taken before motion exposure. These medicines can cause drowsiness and have contraindications, so follow the label and medical advice. Parents should be especially careful with medication for children.

On the boat, keep your eyes on the horizon, limit reading and phone use, stay in fresh air, and tell us early if you start to feel unwell. Our seasickness prevention guide provides more trip-specific preparation tips.

What Happens if the Weather Is Bad?

We make the final offshore weather decision based on safety and fishing conditions. A rain icon on a phone does not automatically cancel a trip, and a calm-looking morning at the dock does not guarantee comfortable water farther offshore.

If unsafe weather prevents the trip, we will work to reschedule it or refund your deposit. Keep your phone available before departure, since we may need to confirm timing, adjust the plan, or make a weather call.

For non-weather cancellations, the current policy says the deposit is refundable up to two weeks before the trip. A cancellation within 24 hours of departure incurs a charge equal to 50 percent of the trip price. Policies can change, so review the terms when booking and contact us as soon as your plans change.

Which Trip and Boat Should Your Group Choose?

Our offshore trips range from four to ten hours. We use the Orion 29 for four, six, eight, and ten-hour charters. We offer the 37-foot Sea Vee for six-hour and seasonal full-day trips, with fuel charged separately.

A four-hour trip is the smallest time commitment. Six hours allows more flexibility, while eight and ten-hour trips provide more range.

Our current offshore listing allows up to four fishing guests on either offshore vessel. Capacity can depend on the boat, license, and whether every guest will fish. Groups larger than four should contact us before booking so we can confirm the correct vessel and legal passenger setup.

How Much Should You Tip Our Crew?

Gratuity is not included. Our current pricing page lists a 20 percent cash gratuity as customary.

Preparation, bait, rigging, instruction, boat cleanup, and fish cleaning are all part of our crew's day. Bring cash so your group is not looking for an ATM after the trip.

What Should You Do the Day Before the Charter?

Run through this final check:

Confirm departure time, marina address, parking instructions, and boat
Check that we have the correct phone number for your group
Confirm group size and tell us about children or mobility needs
Pack food and non-glass drinks
Charge phones and cameras
Put clothing, valuables, and medication in a small dry bag
Prepare motion-sickness medication only as directed
Set aside cash for gratuity
Leave a transport cooler in the vehicle if you plan to take fish home
Get a full night's sleep and arrive 15 minutes early

St. Pete Deep-Sea Fishing Charter FAQ

Do I Need to Bring Fishing Gear?

No. We supply rods, reels, tackle, rigs, and bait. Bring personal gear only after confirming it with us.

Do I Need a Florida Fishing License?

No separate recreational saltwater license is required for a paying guest covered by our charter license.

Can I Bring Beer or Other Alcohol?

Yes. Alcohol is allowed, but glass containers are not. Bring cans or plastic and drink responsibly.

Is Food Included?

No. Bring your own water, snacks, and meal based on the trip length. We supply ice and cooler space.

Should I Bring a Cooler?

Ask before bringing a cooler aboard. We provide onboard ice and cooler space. A separate cooler for cleaned fish can stay in the vehicle until the trip ends.

Can Children Go Deep-Sea Fishing?

Yes, but the right trip depends on age, comfort offshore, weather, and attention span. Share the children's ages before booking so we can recommend a suitable trip length.

How Many Guests Can Fish?

Our current offshore listing allows up to four fishing guests on each offshore vessel. Contact us before booking a larger or mixed fishing and non-fishing group.

Will You Clean Our Fish?

Yes. We clean and fillet legal catch. Harvest still depends on current seasons, sizes, bag limits, and what you catch.

What Time Should We Arrive?

Arrive about 15 minutes before the confirmed departure time. Use the parking and dock instructions we send after booking.

Plan Your St. Pete Deep-Sea Fishing Charter

Send us your preferred date, group size, ages, offshore experience, and desired trip length. Mention any mobility needs, motion-sickness concerns, or target species so we can confirm the boat, time, weather plan, and parking instructions.

The Bottom Line

You do not need to bring fishing equipment for one of our deep-sea charters. Pack for your own comfort: sun protection, secure clothing, non-slip shoes, food, non-glass drinks, a small dry bag, and cash for gratuity. Arrive at O'Neill's Marina about 15 minutes early and follow the final dock instructions.

Text or call us at 404-438-8732 with your date and group size, or check current trip options.