How many people can I bring? 

We are licensed for 6 passengers. We can take 6 on all non-fishing trips. Many of the fishing trips are limited have an additional charge for a 5th person. This is to prevent tangles and enhance the experience of everyone onboard. If you have a larger group and are interested in chartering two or more boats, with enough lead time, I can usually find another boat to split the trip with.

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What should I wear? 

Maine's ocean waters are cold. As a result, it's usually significantly cooler outside of the harbor, for this reason bringing extra layers is a good idea. Also, the deck of the Rita B. is wet on most fishing trips, rubber boots or sandals are strongly recommended! 

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Where are you located? 

We tie up in Portland and can either pick anglers up at the Portland Water Taxi dock, located between Flat Bread Pizza and The Casco Bay Ferry Terminal. (Approximately 70 Commercial Street) This dock is next to where the Portland Fire Boat ties up. Portland has limited parking, so most of the time we prefer to pick people up at the South Portland boat ramp at Bug Light Park. Detailed maps are located in our Contact Us page.

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Do I need to worry about sea sickness? 

We strongly recommend medications such as Dramamine, Bonine or by doctor’s prescription Scopolamine patches.  If you’ve been out on boats before in lots of different weather conditions and are comfortable, then you’ll probably be just fine, but if you’re at all unsure, it’s better safe than sorry!

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Is there a bathroom on board?

Yes, a bathroom on a boat is called a head, and we have one. It’s not the most luxurious, so using the facilities on shore for #2 before the boat leaves is the best plan.

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Should I give the captain/crew a tip? If so, how much? 

Yes! If you feel that he worked hard to contribute to making your trip successful, then by all means a tip of 15-20% is greatly appreciated.

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What are the current year's fishing regulations?

Here are links to the Maine regulations for recreational fishing for groundfish, sharks,  mackerel, and striped bass. 

 

Is the price per person?  

No, The Rita B. operates as a charter boat, which means you charter the boat for the trip that you'd like. A party boat, or head boat operates differently, where passengers pay for individual tickets, "by the head," and share the trip with others. On the Rita B. we offer strictly private trips and can focus on tailoring each trip to meet your needs and expectations.  If your group is much larger than 6 people, Maine's best party boat, the Bunny Clark specialize in larger groups, and can likely accommodate you. All of our prices are for each trip, although some trips have a limit to the number of anglers, that's to ensure that the fishing experience isn't hampered by tangles and frustration.

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I don't have a Paypal account, can I still pay online? 

Yes! Paypal will accept ant major credit or debit cards.  

 

Do children need to be supervised on board?

Yes. Parents must join kids on all trips. 

 

Is food included?

No, unfortunately, our talents are limited to fishing and operating the boat, so anything you’d like to eat or drink, you’ll have to bring. Oversized coolers should be left ashore to allow for as much legroom as possible.

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Can I keep the fish I catch?

You are welcome to keep any legal fish caught aboard the Rita B. Although we release Mako and Thresher Sharks due to their declining abundance. I also encourage the release of legal sized striped bass, if they're healthy. 

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Will you filet our fish?

I will filet your fish and pack them in gallon ziplock bags, however I strongly recommend repacking into smaller portion sizes and vacuum sealing prior to freezing.

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Will see whales on our trip?

Humpback, Finback, and Minke whales are all common visitors to the same offshore ledges we fish. The truth is, we see whales more often than not on our full day, off shore trips. Harbor seals, harbor porpoises, Atlantic white-sided dolphins, ocean sunfish, as well as rare seabirds can all be seen while fishing aboard the Rita B. We love sharing all of the wildlife with our passengers.

 

Do I need to buy a fishing license? 

No, a fishing license is not required for saltwater trips, you are covered by the boat's license. 

 

Can we bring alcoholic beverages? 

Yes, beer and wine are allowed, but not hard alcohol. Intoxication will not be tolerated and the captain reserves the right to terminate any trip without refund if this becomes a problem.

 

Can I smoke on the boat?

No, The Rita B. is a smoke free boat. Vaping is tolerated (barely) outside of the cabin only.

 

Why do I need to make a deposit?

We require a $200 deposit on Trips over $500, and a $100 deposit on the rest, because when we commit to going fishing with you on a given day, that means we’re going to be telling other people that they can’t. You can make a deposit on our Book/Pay For Your Trip page.

 

If I cancel a trip, do I get the deposit back? 

If you cancel 7 days or more before your scheduled trip date, your deposit will be refunded. Less than one week from your trip date it will only be refunded if the captain cancels the trip due to weather or mechanical problems. We will honor your deposit if you’re able to reschedule for another fishing date, even if it’s next season.

 

What happens if it’s supposed to rain?

Rain doesn’t affect the fish, so it doesn’t affect whether or not we go fishing. When it comes to weather, we pay more attention to wind and wave forecasts. If it’s too rough to go fishing, then we’ll reschedule and try again. If we can’t reschedule, your deposit will be refunded.

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What if I want to fish in the winter? 

Fortunately Ed offers guided ice fishing trips in the winter,  Maine offers some incredible outdoor opportunities in the winter, too!