What to Pack for a Day on the Water

Preparing for a day on the water in Alaska can be a daunting task for some. In today’s blog post we are going to go over some key items that we recommend bringing to ensure a comfortable, fun, and memorable day!  

The weather in Alaska can be quite unpredictable, especially on the water. The best advice we can offer to our guests is any time you are planning for an excursion, come prepared with lots of layers.  One moment you may be overheating reeling up a fish and the next it may be cold & raining.  Sun protection is also key to an enjoyable day.  The midnight sun can be quite unforgiving, especially when on the water. 

We also recommend that you bring a light lunch and refreshments. Depending upon the type of charter you book, you may be spending anywhere from 4-8 hours out fishing, so some snacks & a sandwich are a good idea.  If preparing your own lunch sounds too complicated our office works with Captain’s Coffee, as a guest you are able to add a bagged lunch to your charter which will be delivered to the office the morning of your trip. A small backpack or day pack is nice to keep all of your belongings together & safe from the elements.

In Alaska, from spring to early fall, you can plan for temperatures ranging from 40-70 degrees on any given day.  These temperatures also may vary throughout the day considering the fact that your fishing charter will begin early in the morning.  Always keep in mind the possibility of the addition of wind and rain at any given moment, it is a good idea to come prepared with several lightweight layers, a base layer, mid layer, and an outer waterproof layer. This tactic is key so that you are able to peel off layers when you need to, but are also able to keep warm and dry if necessary.  Waterproof footwear with a rubber or non-slip sole is also a must, such as waterproof hiking boots or rubber boots such as Xtratufs.  Also known as the “Alaskan sneaker,” they are favored because not only are they waterproof but also provide an excellent grip on a wet deck.  Really, any waterproof shoes will do. The goal is to be dry and comfortable!

During the peak of the fishing season in Alaska one can expect up to 20 hours of daylight which can be exacerbated by the reflection of light off the water while fishing.  For this reason we would like to stress the importance of protecting exposed skin with sunscreen, a brimmed hat and polarized sunglasses.  A face stick style sunscreen is always nice for easy application while fishing and it is also easy to pack.  Polarized sunglasses in particular are ideal for protection from the sun and they also help with the sun’s reflection off the water. All the better for seeing your fish while reeling them up!  A hat not only serves to protect from the sun but will also help keep you warm and is always a fun style accessory. On cooler days, you may want to consider packing gloves, especially if you know that your fingers are prone to getting cold.

If you’re worried about getting seasick, we recommend having some helpful tools on hand to help you work through it! Popular motion sickness preventatives include Sea Bands, Dramamine, & Bonine (take care to follow the given instructions and keep in mind potential side effects.) Also, things as simple as water, ginger ale, gum, ginger candies or mints can be helpful too! 

Overall, our main goal is to make sure that your trip is fun & memorable. Besides wearing the right clothing to be comfortable, we would like everyone to keep in mind that for many this is a once in a lifetime experience! So, don’t forget your camera! During your trip feel free to snap photos throughout the day, and know that at the end of the fishing excursion you will be given the opportunity to take as many photos as you would like with your catch!  We love when our guests share their photos with us, so feel free to email your photos to our office staff at [email protected] or to tag us on social media. You will find Inlet Charters on Instagram (@inletcharters) & Facebook.  

Now that the thought of packing for a fishing charter is less overwhelming, we hope that you will book your fishing charter today with Inlet Charters! 

Packing List

• Layers 
• Raincoat 
• Waterproof footwear 
• Sunscreen
• Sunglasses
• Hat
• Gloves (optional)
• Lunch
• Water
• Camera
• Day Pack 
• Sea Band/Dramamine/Bonine/Gum/Mints

*We would also like guests to keep in mind that if you do not already own the recommended gear or are not wanting to pack all of these things to bring along, there are many local retailers who carry any range of gear which you may need right here in Homer!

Here are some of our favorite local retailers to gear up for any Alaskan adventure!