Tackle
1- The name Options says it all! We fish a wide variety of species in a multitude of conditions.
2 - A week before the trip ask your charter master for tackle recommendations.
Typical Island Recommendations:
3 - Rods/Reels: 1 heavy dropper loop rig, 2 heavy slider/leadhead/donkey rigs, 1 medium halibut drift rig
4 - Line: Braid from 50# to 100# (we primarily fish 65# and 80# braid). Fluorocarbon from 20# to 80# (we primarily fish with 50# to 80#).
5 - Hooks: A variety of squid hooks from 4/0 to 8/0, i.e. Gamakatsu Octopus 4x Strong (we primarily fish 8/0 for Seabass & Yellowtail and 4/0 for halibut).
6 - Sinkers: Depending on depth and current, we advise each angler bring a 4oz, 8oz, 10oz, 12,oz, and 16oz sinker. (we primarily fish with 10oz & 16oz sinkers).
7 - Lures: White flukes, white hookup baits, Squidtrex 170g, Tady yo-yo iron,
Typical Offshore Recommendations:
8 - Rods/Reels: 2 medium to heavy flyline rigs, 1 heavy knife jig rig, 1 jig stick.
9 - Line: 50# to 100# braid. 20# - #80# fluorocarbon. 200# - 400# mono on pre-crimped knife jigs.
10 - Hooks: #4 to 5/0 circle hooks (depending on bait).
11 - Lures: Knife jigs, surface and yo-yo irons, Colt snipers, poppers, trolling lures.
Clothing & Misc Gear
1 - Expect to fish at any given time, so come prepared with both warm/cool clothing as well as weather gear.
2 - Bring a headlamp for fishing at night, you'll thank us later!
3 - Bring your own pillows and blankets. The boat does not have laundry facilities available during trip turnovers.
4 - Don't forget any medications you need.
5 - Remember: Glasses, keys, wallet, phone, and phone charger.
Food & Beverage
1 - Bring your own food and drinks. Please no glass beer bottles! Thank you.
2 - Options has a refrigerator/freezer and full galley for you to prepare your meals.
3 - There are cooking utensils, cups, and dinnerware on the boat.
4 - Feeding the crew is appreciated but not expected.
Arrival & Parking
1 - Park at the City lot located at Pierpoint Landing 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802.
2 - Overnight parking requires a permit. Please contact your charter master to arrange for the permitting.
3 - If you arrive early, please be patient and wait for crew member direction before unloading any of your gear.
4 - Once directed, passengers will load their dock carts and proceed down the dock to the boat.
5 - The crew will assist you in boarding.
6 - Bulky items like ice chests and personal carts are to be left in your vehicle after unloading.
Fish Handling
1 - We bleed and ice your fish promptly after they hit the deck.
2 - On our way back to port we put all your fish on the deck for photograph time, then we get busy filleting.
3- All fillets are portioned into species specific bags and divided evenly between passengers.
4 - At the dock each passenger will transfer their bag(s) of fillets along with any leftover ice to their personal ice chests.
After Your Trip
1 - On our way back to the dock it is recommended passengers slowly and deliberately pack up their gear.
2 - After unloading at the dock, please make one more search of the boat for any of your personal property.
Tipping Etiquette
1 - Our crew works hard to make your trip all that it can be; much like that of full service restaurant staff, but for 24 hours per day, under much more challenging conditions.
2 - If you feel your crew has provided excellent service, standard tipping is 20% of your trips total cost.
*NOTE: If your trip was purchased at a discount, or less than 6 passengers showed up, please base your tips on the full price.