Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Welcome to our FAQ page! These are the most common questions we receive from people planning to book a fishing trip in the greater Seattle area. Since we want every guest to feel fully prepared and confident before stepping on board, we’ve answered the most important questions here. However, if you don’t see your question listed, please feel free to contact us directly—we’re always happy to help.
What Should I Bring?
While we supply all fishing gear, bait, and tackle, you’ll still need to bring a few essentials. Most importantly, don’t forget your fishing license and catch card. Additionally, we recommend packing something to eat and drink.
Besides that, other useful items include:
- Sunglasses (preferably polarized)
- Sunscreen
- Warm clothing
- Camera or binoculars
- A great attitude!
After all, being comfortable will make your trip much more enjoyable.
What Should I Wear?
Generally speaking, it’s best to dress in layers. That way, you can add or remove clothing as the weather changes throughout the day. Even though it might be sunny in the morning, conditions can shift quickly. Since we’re in the Pacific Northwest, rain is always a possibility, so we strongly suggest bringing rain gear—especially if rain appears in the forecast.
For saltwater trips, the cabin is covered and heated, allowing you to stay dry and warm. On the other hand, the bass boat is open, so you’ll absolutely want a rain jacket if showers are expected.
Read more about “What to Wear”.
Do We Fish In Bad Weather?
Yes, in most cases, we do fish in rainy or windy weather. However, your safety comes first. Our Puget Sound vessel has a heated cabin to keep you comfortable. For bass trips, where the boat is open, rain gear becomes essential.
If conditions become unsafe, the captain will decide whether to cancel or reschedule the trip. We’ll always aim to work with your schedule when rebooking.
What is Included With The Trip?
We focus on providing a top-tier experience, whether you’re a seasoned angler or trying fishing for the first time. With every trip, you receive:
- A clean, safe, and licensed boat
- All rods, reels, bait, and tackle
- Expert instruction and hands-on help
- Fish cleaning, filleting, and bagging at the end of the trip
Furthermore, the Puget Sound boat features a heated cabin and an enclosed marine restroom. Meanwhile, the bass boat does not have a bathroom onboard, but we do plan regular stops if needed.
Keep in mind, we are licensed to carry up to six passengers on our main boat. The bass boat accommodates fewer due to its open design and purpose.
You will fish with a hands on approach using the best methods for catching fish in Puget Sound and our local lakes.
Still Have Questions?
We hope this FAQ has been helpful! Nevertheless, if you still have questions or need more details, we encourage you to reach out. Whether by phone, email, or text, we’ll get back to you quickly with the information you need.
For more answers, scroll down and expand additional questions listed below.
Let’s make your next fishing trip unforgettable—from preparation to the final catch!
FAQ
FAQ
We have an entire page that will answer your questions. Check out the Transportation page now.
If you have booked the boat for a private charter we might be able adjust the departure times to suit your needs, it depends on whether a trip has been booked after your trip. Either way, your trip conformation will have the departure time listed.
Bass trips last 7 hours.
When we fish the lake, we typically start fishing almost right away.
We want kids to be successful and have a good time. If you are unsure which type of trip is good for them to experience, give us a call first.
If you have booked a private charter of at least 4 anglers, you can expect to have only your party on the boat.
Our bass boat carry a max of 2 passengers.
Lakes - With bass fishing trip, you are casting and retrieving all day.
Types of Licenses to Buy Online from WDFW.
Buy Your License Online Now.
Sometimes, we can have you on the water the same day you call.
By making a reservation you are agreeing to our cancellation policy. We prefer cash or credit card for final payment. We will accept all major credit cards.
Reservations are required; and a credit card is required in order to guarantee you a seat for your fishing trip.
If you must cancel you are required to give us at least 14 days notice for a full deposit refund. If you notify us between within the 14 days before the trip you will be lose your deposit.
We do not keep bass. Bass fishing is a catch and release fishery only.
Unlike some areas around the US and abroad, the boat does not keep fish.
If you want to ship your fish home, please know it can be very expensive. As an example, it can cost as much as $150.00 to send 10 lbs of frozen fish. If this is something you want to do, we can assist you.
Properly licensed guides and charters will have the following;
1. Appropriate WDFW guide or charter license (Salmon Charter, Food Fish, or Game Fish License) Not only is there a sticker on the vessel, but they also have a card which matches the sticker.
2. Insurance. The state of Washington requires a 300k insurance policy to be licensed. We carry 1.5 Million in coverage.
3. US Coast Guard License & TWIC card. Many of the waterways we fish, are considered "Navigable". That means your guide or charter captain must maintain a valid US Coast Guard License with a minimum of an OUPV rating and a TWIC card. This must be renewed every 5 years. Any fishing in saltwater requires the operator have a USCG license. Other common rivers that require this license are; Snohomish, Skagit, Cowlitz, Columbia rivers.
Captain Doug holds a valid USCG Masters License with an endorsement in towing, in addition to a TWIC card, as well as all state licenses.
It is important to point out, Washington State has some awesome rivers and lakes that are not navigable and do not require the guide have a USCG license. Examples, are; Skykomish, Yakima, Methow, Klickitat rivers and countless lakes.
Use a trusted web search engine to find your guide or charter for the area you want to fish. Properly licensed guides and charters will put a great deal of effort into their website and marketing. They will try to be as informative as possible on their website.
Sometimes, the guide or charter may be rated on a travel website, like Trip Advisor. This is a great indication they are a legitimate business. However, not all guides and charters have their business listed on these travel websites. We suggest you do not use that as your main decision.
Similar Prices. Properly licensed guides and charters rates for trips will be similar to others in the area they operate. It is possible you will find a properly licensed charter that charges less than other charters. Why? These charters are running inspected vessels, which allows them to carry more than 6 passengers. They work hard to max out the passengers, thus they can charge less, depending on the type of trip.
If you show up to fish with a guide or charter and they say, "If anyone asks, we are just fishing as friends." This should be a warning they are operating illegally.
Washington State Guide's Association.
The Charterboat Association of Puget Sound.
Fishing guides in Washington State may hold one or both of the following licenses; Foodfish or Gamefish. The Foodfish license allows the guide to guide for Salmon in freshwater. The Gamefish license allows the guide to guide for Steelhead, Trout, Bass, etc. (essentially any fish) in freshwater that is not salmon.
Charter operators in Washington State hold a Salmon Charter license, which allows them to fish for any species in saltwater areas of Western Washington and some limited freshwater rivers and lakes.
As an example, a Salmon Charter license would be required to fish in Puget Sound, and any ocean waters. The Salmon Charter license would also be required to fish Buoy 10 on the Columbia River, if the charter picked up the customers in Washington State. (ie. Chinook, Illwaco) Salmon Charter license are also required to fish for Salmon in Lake Washington.
There is also a non-salmon charter license that a few charters hold. They are allowed to fish in the saltwater for all species except Salmon and Tuna. There are not too many companies who hold only this license by itself.
The guide or charter knows and understands the rules of where they may operate. But this explains why each has a different designation.
We provide both Guide and Charter services and we hold all of the aforementioned licenses, except the non-salmon charter license.
In 2007, I started Ridge to River Outdoors, LLC and we offered sport fishing trips for several Western Washington rivers and waterfowl trips in the north Puget Sound. We stopped offering waterfowl trips in 2014 and began the process of moving to the saltwater to offer salmon and bottom fishing trips. Since we no longer provide waterfowl trips, creating 365 Charters just made sense.
Because we have created such a strong business and brand with Ridge to River Outdoors, we decided to keep it.
