Prepare before leaving the dock

Anglers planning a charter fishing trip offshore, especially their first, should prepare in order to have an enjoyable experience.

Here are a few tips for being on the ocean for hours:

• Get a good night’s sleep before the trip and avoid excess consumption of alcohol the previous day and night. If one is prone to motion sickness, alcohol and lack of sleep can be aggravating factors on a boat — and by then it will be too late to remedy the situation.

• Eat a light breakfast and take anti-sea sickness pills 30 minutes before the boat pulls away from the dock to give the medication time to get into one’s system.

• Bring enough food and beverages in a cooler to last the trip.

• Bring a cooler to transport fish. Anglers may want to keep a cooler in their vehicle to bring to the boat, then load and ice down fish.

• Wear appropriate clothing. During June, that normally would be shorts and T-shirts. Rubber-soled tennis shoes or shoes with gripped bottoms will help maintain footing on a rolling deck.

• Bring a light rainsuit to avoid ocean spray or unexpected showers.

• Carry cameras in sturdy, water-repellent cases if you take photographs.

• Polarized sunglasses will help vision.

• A hat or cap and plenty of sunscreen — at least 30-factor — will prevent sun and wind burn.