Weekend estuary and bay fishing charters

Locals and holidaymakers, families, friends celebrating something, visiting tourists and small corporate groups.

A set fee per person or per boat per trip, plus extras like bait, packed lunches or fish filleting. Bookings come from your website, social media, local tackle shops and accommodation providers.

• Confident boat handling and local water knowledge
• Patient and friendly with beginners
• Safety awareness and staying calm
• Basic marketing and managing bookings

• Carrying paying passengers is usually treated as commercial vessel operation, so check AMSA national requirements for vessel survey, certification and crew qualifications
• Check whether your state or territory requires a fishing charter or tour operator licence or authority, and any conditions on where you can fish
• Public liability and commercial vessel insurance, and make sure the policy covers paying passengers
• Weather and tide cancellations can cause lost income, so set a clear cancellation policy
• Check bag limits, size limits and marine park zones, as customers' breaches can reflect on you

Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the boat, survey and certification needs, tackle and insurance. Check commercial vessel requirements early, as they can affect what boat suits you.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how many trips you run and your group sizes. Weather and tide cancellations can cause lost income, so a clear cancellation policy helps.

Carrying paying passengers is usually treated as commercial vessel operation, so check AMSA requirements for survey, certification and crew qualifications. Also check state or territory charter licences, fishing limits and marine park zones, and that insurance covers paying passengers.