Some people think catching fish is the most important part of a fishing trip. That’s wrong. We’re here to tell you that great service is the number one way to get return customers.
By analysing reviews of FishingBooker charters, we’ve seen that, time and again, service is even more important than fishing. Of course people want to catch that trophy fish but, for the vast majority of people, the atmosphere during the trip is what really makes the difference.
While this is especially valid for families and less experienced anglers, pro fishermen want to have a great time too. It’s not just about being nice and attentive to your guests, but also about planning your trip carefully and introducing them to the specifics of your boat.
Plan Your Trip
Many customers that come aboard may be first-time anglers. Their expectations may differ from reality, and this can cause issues. A great way to make sure your customers are happy from the beginning is to communicate with them what to expect. Reach out when you receive a booking and ask about their previous experience.
This is a two-way street, as you can know how to prepare your trip and your customers will know what to expect. Make sure to ask them what they would like to target, but also make them aware of what’s biting.
In addition to that, you should also have everything ready for when your customers are on board. Newcomers may not want to spend time looking for bait, or it could be a great way to start the trip! Check with them what they want, and you’ll be on your way to providing a successful trip.
Safety Onboard
The first thing you should do when customers set foot on your boat is show them all the safety features. This is especially true when children come along. The kids probably don’t care too much, but their parents will feel like you take their child’s safety seriously. So when they step aboard, show people where the life jackets, fire extinguishers, and first aid box are.
Then, make sure they’re aware of the particularities of your boat. Your boat might have a pretty low side, for instance. If you make people aware of this and show them where and how to stand when they’re reeling in a fish, it can make a big difference to their experience.
Showing each party member how they can fight fish most successfully and most comfortably on your boat can make them instantly at ease.
Know How to Handle Families
Families are the motor of most successful fishing charter businesses. They’re usually not very demanding when it comes to what they want to catch, and are just looking for a great few hours on the water.
Happy kids mean happy parents, as they’ll be able to relax and focus on fishing instead of babysitting. So, it’s very important to make sure the kids have a great time. That doesn’t mean you have to be amazing with kids – it’s already great if you just involve them. For instance, you can teach them to tie a few different knots, or show them how the fish finder works (adults usually love that too!).
You should also try to have some drinks and snacks available for all members of the family. Another tip is to have some beers available for the dads. Dads don’t necessarily feel comfortable bringing a six pack aboard when they’re with their family. But when the captain offers them a beer, that’s usually fine for all on board!
Memories for a Lifetime
Many customers can be afraid to bring their good cameras onboard, so always make sure you have one – even a good phone camera! You should also know when and how to take photos, as it will make families remember their trip. They may even see the photo a few months later and think to book again.
The best pictures will include customers holding their catch with a highlight of the local scenery in the background. So, if you run fishing charters out of a bigger city, you should snap your clients holding their catch in front of the city’s skyline.
If you’re in a less urban setting, a unique natural feature of the area will work well. In any case, make sure the background instantly reminds your guests of where they fished and with whom. Meanwhile, the foreground should show them smiling and holding fish.
Bingo! They’re in the Bag
If you apply all of these tips, you’ll definitely make your customers as happy as they can be. Even just using a few of these tactics will help improve anglers’ experience tremendously. They’ll cherish their memories and come fish with you again the next time they are in town – and tell everyone they know that they should go fish with you when they visit your area!
For more tips on how to give your customers the best fishing experience possible, head over to our Captain’s Corner!
