Guests holding a catch after a charter trip

Guest preparation

What to expect on your charter

A clearer guide to check-in, clothing, onboard fishing, policies, and a good day on the water.

Check-in and comfort

The current R&R guide says a captain or guide confirms check-in by email and calls the evening before with last-minute guidance and a morning contact number. It describes check-in through the office on the south side of Skyline Marina, complimentary coffee and bottled water, and free secure parking directly in front. The public restroom credential is intentionally not reproduced.

What R&R provides

The source says boats carry rods, reels, and tackle; cabins are enclosed; and rain gear/boots in adult S–XL are available in limited quantities when requested at booking. It asks guests to bring clothing, footwear, food, drink, hats, sunglasses, gloves, sunscreen, and other personal-comfort items. Coolers are permitted.

Policies that protect the day

The current guide states alcohol is limited to morning trips departing by 9 AM, marijuana/smoking is not permitted, and captain safety decisions control the trip. These are retained source details; the owner must confirm the current policy and enforcement language before a live release.

Fishing methods, motion sickness & retention

The source explains that salmon trolling uses downriggers and rod holders: crew set gear, guests watch for bites, and fish are rotated among the group. It encourages susceptible guests to take Dramamine the night before. It gives historical salmon, halibut, and lingcod limit/size examples; those are not current legal advice and must be confirmed with the captain and official Washington regulations before each trip.

Tipping & fish handling

The current page says cleaning, filleting, and bagging are complimentary, optional processing should be discussed before cleaning starts, and an average captain tip is $20–$30 per client, cash preferred with card tipping available. Services and customary amounts require owner confirmation before live publication.

At the dock

The established guide describes cleaning, filleting, and bagging at the end of a trip, with optional processing discussed separately. Tell the captain what you need before fish handling begins.

Complete currently published guest-guide topics

Current-site content retained for review: this text summarizes or preserves material observed on the existing public website. It is included in the isolated preview so the owner can approve, revise, retain, redirect, or retire it before any production use.

During the reservation process, we will answer your questions and help you pick the trip and time that works best for you. After you book, you will receive an email confirmation detailing the date/time/and place you and your party are expected to show. The evening before your trip, you will receive a call from your captain/guide with last-minute guidance and a morning contact number.
Puget Sound trips use an easy-to-find office for check-in. The current page describes a captain/guide greeting, a clean, warm, comfortable office, complimentary coffee and bottled water, and plenty of free and secure parking directly in front of the office. The restroom access credential is intentionally excluded from this public preview.
We carry a variety of rods, reels, and tackle, so you don’t need to bring anything. Both boats include enclosed cabins where you can relax and get out of the weather. Bring clothing, footwear, hats, sunglasses, gloves, food, beverages, sunscreen, and anything else you think you may need. Coolers are permitted.
The current page says alcohol possession/consumption is not allowed except on morning trips defined as trips departing by 9 AM. It says guests who arrive under the influence may be turned away as a no-show, and that the captain may end a charter early at their discretion with no refund. It also states that smoking or marijuana consumption is not permitted on the boats. These policies require owner confirmation before live release.
Ocean conditions are often calm among the San Juan Islands but can be rougher while transiting or fishing the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The source strongly encourages guests susceptible to seasickness to take Dramamine the night before; it says morning-of use is often less effective and can cause drowsiness. Confirm individual medical decisions with a qualified professional.
Salmon fishing in the region is done by trolling using downriggers and rod holders. Guests do not hold a rod while waiting for a bite. The captain/guide sets the gear, explains a bite, and guests watch the rod and take it when a bite occurs. The source says fish are rotated so everyone has a chance to reel one in.
The current page gives historical salmon retention examples: state regulations require release of wild chinook and fish under 22 inches, and limits vary by State-set rules and month. It also gives historical halibut and lingcod limits and size examples. These are source-retained historical operational details only—not live legal fishing advice. Current regulations must be confirmed with the captain and official state sources before every trip.
For halibut, the current page describes anchoring in roughly 150–180 feet of Strait water, baiting hooks, and placing each guest’s rod in a holder until a bite. For lingcod, it describes each client actively jigging in 20–120 feet using 2–8 oz jigs. The source says the captain/guide identifies which fish can be kept.
At the dock, the current page says the crew will clean, fillet, and bag the catch at no extra charge and can discuss vacuum-packing/freezing before cleaning begins. It also says an average captain tip is $20–$30 for each client, cash preferred, with credit-card tipping available. Services, fees, and tip practices require owner confirmation before live release.

Review current trip details before you book.

Seasonal fishing regulations and operational policies are subject to change. Use the established booking route for live availability, or call R&R Charters with questions.

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