What kind of clothing do I need to bring?
The weather on the water can go from being very cold in the early morning hours to very warm during the day. You should be prepared for different weather conditions. Dress in layers and bring a jacket and/or sweatshirt. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for the day time. Also, your clothes may get wet and dirty from fishing so make sure you bring something dry and comfortable to change into for dinner and bedtime.

What about bedding?
The Reward provides clean bedding for you to sleep with. If you have a favorite blanket or pillow, feel free to bring it along.

Where can I get cleaned up?
There are two showers on the boat and we provide hotel soap and towels for your convenience. Just don’t forget any other toiletries you may want.

What if I have special dietary needs?
No Problem! Just let us know prior to the trip and we will be happy to accommodate you.

I don’t know if I get seasick…should I bring a motion sickness medication just in case?
Yes. However, if you think there is a chance you may get sick, take the medication before you get on the boat. Don’t wait until you get sick to take medication. It doesn’t work if it never makes it to your stomach.

What is the best motion sickness medication?
There are so many to choose from. Your local supermarket should carry Dramamine and other medications. I would recommend the non drowsy formula if you go with the over the counter medication. Otherwise, you can go to your regular physician and tell him that you are going on a boat and are concerned about motion sickness. He will most likely prescribe you a patch that sticks behind your ear to wear throughout the trip. The patch seems to be a very popular treatment.

What kind of fishing equipment should I bring?
The Reward is very well equipped with fishing equipment. We are happy to provide you with any rods or tackle you may need throughout the trip. If you are an avid angler and have a garage full of gear, bring your favorite outfits and we will put them to good use. Just don’t bring the whole garage! The Reward has a line winder on board so if your reel needs some new mono we will be happy to put fresh line on it for a nominal fee.  25lb to 50lb outfits are suitable for offshore fishing and 15lb to 30lb for local fishing. Check the daily reports section of our website before your trip to see what we‘ve been catching.

I heard the Reward not only provides soda and water but beer as well. Is that true?
Absolutely! We provide Budweiser and Coors Light for drinkers who are of age. We carry only enough beer that we feel is safe to consume on the water. We don’t need our passengers falling overboard! If you would like something other than what we provide, you are welcome to bring your own or contact us before your trip and we will try to accommodate you.

Can we bring ice chests?
You are welcome to bring a small ice chest but please make sure it does not leak. The captain does not want ice chests on deck while we are fishing, so they will be going inside the salon on the carpet.   

What do we do with the fish we catch?
The crew of the Reward will filet and clean your catch for you at no additional charge. The filets will then be packaged into ziplock bags. It is recommended that you rinse and dry your fish thoroughly before freezing. You may also consider separating the fish into smaller portions so that you will only be defrosting the amount you need when its time to cook the fish. Vacuum sealing is the best way to ensure that you will have fresh fish anytime you want it. If you do not own a vacuum sealer, you can pick one up (they are becoming quite affordable) or hire a fish processor to do it for you.

Five Star Fish Processing (www.fivestarfishprocessing.com) can handle all of your fish processing and package and ship your fish to you. Five Star can be contacted at 619-299-9996. Their shop is located at 3826 Sherman Street, San Diego, CA 92110. We are happy to transport your fish to them on any of our overnight or longer trips, but please just be sure to let us know you would like to have your fish processed, before your trip, so that we can make arrangements and let them know we're coming.

What if we don’t want to take any fish home?
You are always welcome to catch and release but be sure to notify the captain before departure. You don’t want to wait until the fish hold is overflowing with fish to inform the captain that you don’t want any of it. As much as we love fish, we do not always have a place to send it in the short time we have between trips.

Is it customary to tip the crew and how is that done?
Gratuity is typically a significant part of the crew’s income in the sportfishing industry. The gratuities are divided equally between the captain and crew. It is usually easiest to determine the gratuity as a percentage of the total trip price, similar to how you would tip at a restaurant and based on the level of customer service you experience on your trip. If at any time you experience anything other than great customer service, please don’t hesitate to inform us. We always encourage suggestions on how we can improve and make the Reward the best charter boat out there!

Does the Reward provide both California and Mexican fishing licenses?
Yes! However, if you already possess a fishing license please bring it and notify the captain before departure. Please be aware of the new Mexican Visa requirements.

When should I arrive for my trip?
For local trips, please arrive at least 30 minutes prior to your departure time. For overnight and multi-day trips, it is a better idea to arrive at least 60 minutes prior to your departure time. We typically need the entire night for traveling to our fishing destinations, so leaving late could sometimes make it difficult to get to the fishing grounds by morning. Also, if the captain arrives early from the preceding trip, he may sometimes want to depart early to get a head start. There are picnic tables in front of the landing where you and your group can have beverages and snacks while waiting to board the Reward.  You may notice the crew rushing to clean, fuel, and restock the Reward for your trip. Therefore, we ask that you please do not attempt to load your luggage or board the vessel until you are asked to do so.

If we need hotel accommodations, are there any discounts for being a Reward Sportfishing customer?
Yes! If you need a hotel while you are here in San Diego, The Dana on Mission Bay can accommodate you. You can see them on the web at www.thedana.com or call them at (619) 222-6440. Just tell them to apply the corporate discount for Reward Sportfishing when you make your reservation.  

Can I bring illegal drugs and/or firearms onboard the vessel?
No, the Reward maintains a zero tolerance policy. We do not allow ANY illegal drugs/substances and/or firearms/explosives onboard the vessel at ANY time.

How does the fuel surcharge work?
Please be aware that there may be a fuel surcharge due to any substantial increase in fuel prices. Surcharges will only be applied to the Full Day Offshore Trips and any of the Overnight & Multi-day trips. The amount of the surcharge will be determined at the end of your trip and is based on the actual amount of fuel burned at the current fuel price. The captain will give you an estimate of the surcharge amount prior to departure.

If at any time you have any other questions or requests, please contact us any time! See you soon!