Guide
Planning a Group or Corporate Fishing Charter
For up to six people, one private six-pack charter is usually the simplest choice. For bigger groups, you can book several boats out of the same marina or charter a larger inspected boat or party boat for the whole group.
Limits
How many people fit on a fishing charter
The number of people a charter can take is set by Coast Guard rules, not just by how big the boat looks. There are two main types of charter boat in the US:
- Six-pack boats. Most charter boats are uninspected vessels run by a captain with an OUPV license, often called a six-pack license. These boats can carry up to six paying passengers, plus the captain and crew.
- Inspected vessels. To carry more than six paying passengers, a boat generally needs to be inspected by the Coast Guard. Each inspected boat has a Certificate of Inspection that states the maximum number of passengers, and it is run by a captain with a Master license.
Just because a boat can legally carry six does not mean six is comfortable. On a small bay boat, a flats skiff or a drift boat, the captain may suggest two to four anglers so everyone has room to cast and fight fish. Always ask how many people the captain recommends for the type of fishing you are doing, not just the legal maximum.
Options
Your options by group size
Here is how most groups end up booking, depending on headcount:
| Group size | Common setup | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| 2 to 6 people | One private six-pack charter | Simplest to plan. Ask how many anglers the boat fishes comfortably. |
| 7 to about 12 people | Two six-pack boats, or one larger inspected boat | Two boats give more rail space and a friendly competition. |
| Larger groups | Several boats from one fleet, or a private party boat charter | A party boat keeps everyone together on one deck. |
Splitting a big group across smaller boats usually means more fishing per person and more attention from the crew. Keeping everyone on one big boat is better for socializing, and for groups where some people care more about the day out than the fishing. To see how private and shared trips compare, read private vs shared fishing charters.
Fleets
Running several boats at once
Many charter towns have captains who work together or run several boats from the same dock, which makes booking a multi-boat outing straightforward. A few tips:
- Book through one point of contact. Ask one captain or booking office to arrange all the boats, so departure times, meeting spots and payments stay in sync.
- Match people to boats. Put keen anglers together and beginners or families together. You can even send one boat offshore and another inshore if interests differ.
- Agree on a plan for the catch. Decide ahead of time whether fish will be pooled, split by boat or released.
- Make it a game. Small prizes for the first fish, the biggest fish or the most unusual catch are a fun way to tie the boats together. Keep it friendly and let the captains fish legally and safely.
- Meet up after. Plan a dinner or gathering on shore so everyone can swap stories.
Big groups
Party boats for big groups
For large groups – company outings, family reunions, clubs and wedding parties – a party boat (also called a head boat) is often the easiest answer. These are bigger inspected boats built to carry many anglers, usually with a crew of deckhands who bait hooks, untangle lines and help land fish.
On a regular party boat trip you buy individual tickets and fish alongside the public. Many party boats can also be chartered privately for a group, so you have the whole boat to yourselves. Larger party boats often have a restroom, shade, seating and sometimes a galley with food and drinks for sale.
The fishing is usually bottom fishing or drift fishing, which is easy for beginners and works well for mixed groups. Learn more in our party boat fishing guide.
Food and drink
Food, drinks and comfort
Ask the captain about food and drink before you plan anything. Policies vary a lot from boat to boat:
- Bringing your own: most charters let you bring a cooler of food and drinks. Many ask for soft coolers and no glass bottles.
- Alcohol: some boats allow a few beers, some do not allow alcohol at all. Ask, and keep it moderate – the captain can end a trip for unsafe behavior.
- Catering: some operators can arrange lunch or snacks for groups, especially on party boats and corporate trips.
- Bathrooms: many small charter boats have no restroom. For a big or mixed group, this alone can be a reason to choose a larger boat.
Share a packing list with everyone in the group ahead of time. Our what to bring on a fishing charter guide is an easy one to forward.
Timeline
A planning timeline for group and corporate trips
Group trips take more lead time than a regular charter, because you may need several boats on the same day. In busy seasons and on weekends, booking a few months ahead is common. A simple timeline:
- Early: pick the town, date and type of trip. Get a rough headcount and contact captains to check availability for that number of people.
- Once you have a plan: confirm boats, pay deposits and get the weather and cancellation policy in writing. Compare costs with our charter prices by town.
- A few weeks out: lock in the final headcount, collect any information the captain needs and check whether each angler needs a fishing license – rules vary by state.
- The week before: send everyone the meeting time, parking details, packing list and seasickness tips.
- The day before: check the forecast and stay in touch with the captain. Weather can still change the plan.
For corporate trips, ask up front about invoices, any waivers the captain requires and how crew tips will be handled, so nobody is caught short at the dock.
Questions
Quick answers
What is a six-pack fishing charter?
A six-pack charter is a boat run by a captain with a Coast Guard OUPV license, often called a six-pack license. It allows the captain to carry up to six paying passengers on an uninspected boat. Most private fishing charters in the US work this way, which is why many trip prices are quoted for up to six people.
How do I book a fishing charter for more than six people?
You have two main options. You can book two or more six-pack boats from the same marina and fish as a fleet, or you can book a larger Coast Guard inspected boat, such as a party boat, that is allowed to carry more passengers. Ask the captain or booking office which setup they recommend for your group size.
Do I need to tip the crew on a group charter?
Tipping the mate or deckhands is customary on most US charters, and that does not change for groups. For corporate trips, it is easiest to have one person handle tips for each boat at the end of the day. See our fishing charter tipping guide for what is typical.
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