What to bring on a fishing charter (and what to leave)

People overpack for this. The boat has the fishing handled — all tackle, bait, licenses, ice, and a crew that does this every day. You need:

• —Sunscreen. The non-negotiable. Reapply; the water reflects.
• —A hat and polarized sunglasses. You'll see fish you wouldn't otherwise.
• —A light jacket. Mornings on the run out can be cool, even in summer.
• —Whatever you want to drink. Beer, sodas, water — bring it aboard, there's cooler space.
• —Motion sickness pills, if you're prone. Take them the night before and the morning of. Once you're green it's too late.

Leave: heavy coolers (there's ice aboard), your own rods (ours are rigged for these fish), and expectations of a schedule — the fish don't read itineraries.

Everything else — food, ceviche from the morning's catch, the stories — is the crew's department. Book the boat, bring the sunscreen.