How to book a trip

Booking a fishing trip on Here2Fish is simple and straightforward. This guide will walk you through the entire booking process, explain the different booking modes, and help you find the perfect fishing experience.

Overview

Here2Fish offers two booking modes to suit different fishing preferences:

• DIY Mode: Rent and operate the vessel yourself
• Fishing Buddy Mode: Fish with the vessel owner as your guide

Both modes offer unique experiences, and you can choose based on your preferences and experience level.

Before You Start

Prerequisites

• ✅ Here2Fish account created
• ✅ Profile set up (at minimum, display name and photo)
• ✅ Payment method added (for deposits and payments)

Important Booking Rules

• Bookings must be made at least 24 hours in advance
• Minimum booking duration is 2 hours
• Maximum booking duration is 8 hours per day
• Operating hours are 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
• All bookings require a deposit (20% for DIY, 10% for Fishing Buddy)

Step-by-Step Booking Process

Step 1: Find a Vessel

Using the Map View:

1. Open the Find tab (bottom navigation)
2. Browse vessels on the interactive map
3. Tap on any vessel marker to see basic details
4. Tap “View Details” to see full vessel information

Using Search:

1. Use the search bar to find vessels by:
   • Location (city, state, or region)
   • Vessel type
   • Features or amenities
2. Filter results by:
   • Price range
   • Capacity
   • Rating
   • Availability

View Vessel Details:

• Photos and specifications
• Owner information and rating
• Available booking modes
• Pricing for each mode
• Reviews from other fishers
• Cancellation policy

Step 2: Choose Your Booking Mode

When viewing a vessel, you’ll see which booking modes are available. Select the mode that best fits your needs:

DIY Mode (Self-Guided)

What it is:

• You rent the entire vessel
• You operate the boat yourself
• No guide or captain provided
• Complete independence and privacy

Best for:

• Experienced boaters with navigation skills
• Groups who want the vessel to themselves
• Fishers who know the local waters
• Those who prefer flexibility and independence

Requirements:

• Valid boating license (where required)
• Experience operating similar vessels
• Insurance may be required (varies by vessel)
• Driver verification may be needed

Pricing:

• Charged per hour for the entire vessel
• Example: $50/hour × 4 hours = $200 base price
• Price covers the whole vessel regardless of group size
• Additional fees may apply (launch fees, retrieval fees, insurance)

Additional Fees (DIY Mode Only):

• Launch Fee: Fixed amount for launching the vessel
• Retrieval Fee: Fixed amount for retrieving the vessel
• Young Driver Fee: Additional fee if primary driver is under 25
• Insurance Fee: Optional insurance coverage for vessel damage protection

Fishing Buddy Mode (Guided)

What it is:

• Book individual seats on a guided fishing trip
• Vessel owner operates the boat and acts as your guide
• Learn from an experienced local angler
• Meet other fishers and make new friends

Best for:

• Beginners learning to fish
• Anglers wanting to learn local spots
• Solo fishers looking for company
• Those who prefer a guided experience

Requirements:

• No boating license needed (owner operates the vessel)
• Suitable for all experience levels
• Fishing license may be required (check local regulations)

Pricing:

• Charged per seat
• Example: $75/seat × 2 seats = $150 base price
• Each person pays for their seat
• Owner’s seat is reserved (not included in booking)

Capacity:

• Available seats = Vessel capacity – 1 (one seat reserved for owner/guide)
• Example: 6-person vessel = 5 available seats for booking

Step 3: Select Date and Time

1. Tap “Book Now” on the vessel details page
2. Choose your preferred date:
   • Calendar shows available dates
   • Dates must be at least 24 hours in advance
   • Unavailable dates are grayed out
3. Select your time slot:
   • DIY Mode: Choose start time and duration (2-8 hours)
     • Minimum: 2 hours
     • Maximum: 8 hours per day
     • Operating hours: 6:00 AM – 6:00 PM
   • Fishing Buddy Mode: Select from available time slots
     • Pre-set trip durations offered by the owner
     • Times when the owner is available to guide
4. View availability:
   • Visual timeline shows booked vs. available times
   • Real-time availability checking
   • See when other bookings are scheduled

Step 4: Add Guests (Fishing Buddy Mode Only)

For DIY Mode:

• Guest count is automatically set to 1 (you’re renting the whole vessel)
• You can bring up to the vessel’s maximum capacity
• Skip directly to summary

For Fishing Buddy Mode:

1. Select number of seats needed (you + guests)
2. Enter guest information:
   • Full name for each guest
   • Age (for capacity calculations)
   • Fishing license information (if required)

Guest Rules:

• Cannot exceed available seats for Fishing Buddy mode
• Cannot exceed vessel capacity for DIY mode
• Primary booker must be 18+ years old
• Children under 5 don’t count against capacity but must be declared

Step 5: Review Booking Summary

Before confirming, review:

Booking Details:

• Vessel name and owner
• Selected date and time
• Duration and guest count
• Booking mode selected

Pricing Breakdown:

• Base Price:
  • DIY: Hourly rate × duration
  • Fishing Buddy: Price per seat × number of seats
• Additional Fees (DIY Mode only):
  • Launch fee (if applicable)
  • Retrieval fee (if applicable)
  • Young driver fee (if applicable)
  • Insurance fee (if selected)
• Booking Fee: $1.99 fixed fee (paid by fisher)
• Platform Fee: 5% (paid by vessel owner, shown for transparency)
• Subtotal: Sum of all charges
• Deposit:
  • DIY Mode: 20% of total
  • Fishing Buddy Mode: 10% of total
• Balance Due: Remaining amount (paid 24 hours before trip)

Policies:

• Cancellation Policy: Review refund terms
• Vessel Rules: Owner-specific rules and requirements
• Insurance Requirements: What’s covered and what’s not

Step 6: Make Payment

1. Add Payment Method (if not already saved):
   • Credit or debit card
   • Digital wallets (Apple Pay, Google Pay)
   • Card information is securely stored by Stripe
2. Pay Deposit:
   • Deposit is charged immediately to secure your booking
   • Booking fee ($1.99) is included with deposit
   • Confirmation is sent via email and in-app notification
3. Payment Timeline:
   • Deposit: Paid now (required to confirm booking)
   • Balance Due: Automatically charged 24 hours before trip start
   • Late Bookings: If booking is less than 24 hours away, full payment is required immediately

Step 7: Booking Confirmation

After payment:

1. Booking Status: Changes to “Confirmed”
2. Confirmation Code: Unique code sent to you
3. Notifications: Email and in-app confirmation
4. Owner Notification: Vessel owner is notified of your booking
5. Booking Details: Appears in your “Trips” tab

Understanding Booking Statuses

Your booking will go through different statuses:

• Pending: Awaiting deposit payment
• Confirmed: Deposit paid, trip is scheduled
• Paid: Full payment completed (24 hours before trip)
• Completed: Trip has finished
• Cancelled: Booking was cancelled (refunds apply based on policy)
• No Show: You didn’t arrive for the trip

Payment Details

Deposit Requirements:

• DIY Mode: 20% of total booking cost
• Fishing Buddy Mode: 10% of total booking cost
• Booking Fee: $1.99 (always included with deposit)

Payment Schedule:

• At Booking: Deposit + $1.99 booking fee
• 24 Hours Before Trip: Remaining balance automatically charged
• Less Than 24 Hours: Full payment required immediately

Refund Policy:

• More than 48 hours notice: 100% refund of deposit
• 24-48 hours notice: 50% refund of deposit
• Less than 24 hours notice: No refund
• Owner cancellation: 100% refund plus 10% rebooking credit

Managing Your Bookings

View Your Bookings:

1. Open the Trips tab (bottom navigation)
2. See all your bookings (upcoming, past, and cancelled)
3. Filter by status or role (as fisher or vessel owner)

Booking Details:

• View full booking information
• Contact the vessel owner
• Modify booking (if allowed)
• Cancel booking (if within policy)
• Add payment method or update payment info

Before Your Trip:

• 48 Hours Before: Reminder notification sent
• 24 Hours Before: Full payment processed automatically
• Day Of: Final confirmation and trip details

After Your Trip:

• Leave a Review: Rate the vessel and owner (1-5 stars)
• Share Photos: Upload photos from your trip
• Tips: Optionally tip the vessel owner

Booking Tips

For Best Results:

• ✅ Book at least 3-7 days in advance for popular vessels
• ✅ Read vessel descriptions and owner profiles carefully
• ✅ Check reviews from other fishers
• ✅ Message the owner with questions before booking
• ✅ Confirm all details match your expectations
• ✅ Arrive on time for your booking

Choosing the Right Mode:

• Choose DIY Mode if:
  • You have boating experience
  • You want complete independence
  • You know the local waters
  • You have a group that fits the vessel capacity
• Choose Fishing Buddy Mode if:
  • You’re a beginner or want to learn
  • You want guidance on local fishing spots
  • You enjoy fishing with others
  • You prefer not to operate the vessel

Understanding Pricing:

• DIY Mode pricing is per hour for the whole vessel
• Fishing Buddy Mode pricing is per seat
• Additional fees (launch, retrieval, insurance) only apply to DIY mode
• Platform fees are paid by the vessel owner (shown for transparency)
• Deposits are percentages of the total cost

Troubleshooting

“Vessel not available”

• Solution: Try a different date or time
• Check if the vessel supports your desired booking mode
• Contact the owner to ask about availability

“Booking failed”

• Solution:
  • Check your internet connection
  • Verify payment method is valid
  • Ensure you have sufficient funds
  • Try again or contact support

“Can’t select date”

• Solution:
  • Ensure date is at least 24 hours away
  • Check operating hours (6 AM – 6 PM)
  • Verify date isn’t already booked

“Payment declined”

• Solution:
  • Check card details are correct
  • Verify sufficient funds or credit limit
  • Try a different payment method
  • Contact your bank if issue persists

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I cancel my booking?

Yes, you can cancel from the booking details page. Refund amount depends on when you cancel (see refund policy above).

Can I modify my booking?

Modifications depend on availability and owner policies. Contact the vessel owner through the app’s messaging system to request changes.

What if the owner cancels?

You’ll receive a 100% refund plus a 10% credit toward your next booking.

Do I need a fishing license?

Fishing license requirements vary by location. Check local regulations. Vessel owners may require proof of license.

Can I bring my own gear?

Most vessels allow you to bring your own gear. Check vessel details or ask the owner before your trip.

What should I bring?

• Valid ID
• Fishing license (if required)
• Appropriate clothing for weather
• Sun protection
• Food and drinks (unless provided)
• Your own tackle (optional, check with owner)

Becoming a Vessel Owner (Dual Role)

As a fisher, you can also become a vessel owner and earn money by sharing your boat! Here’s how:

Why Become a Vessel Owner?

• Earn Money: Make income from your vessel when you’re not using it
• Connect with Anglers: Share your passion for fishing with others
• Build Community: Help others discover great fishing experiences
• Dual Benefits: Book trips as a fisher AND earn as an owner

How to Register Your Vessel:

1. Navigate to Vessel Owner Section:
   • Go to Profile > Vessel Owner
   • Or access through the vessel owner dashboard
2. Register Your Vessel:
   • Follow the vessel registration process
   • Provide vessel details, photos, and specifications
   • Set your pricing for DIY and/or Fishing Buddy modes
   • Submit for verification
3. Set Up Payments:
   • Complete Stripe Connect onboarding
   • Link your bank account to receive payments
   • Payments processed automatically after bookings
4. Start Accepting Bookings:
   • Once verified, your vessel appears in search results
   • Receive booking requests from fishers
   • Accept or decline requests
   • Earn money from completed trips

Managing Your Vessels:

• Edit Vessel Details: Update photos, descriptions, pricing anytime
• Manage Availability: Block dates when vessel is unavailable
• View Bookings: See all booking requests and confirmed trips
• Track Earnings: Monitor your income from vessel rentals
• Respond to Reviews: Engage with fishers who book your vessel

Benefits of Being Both:

• Switch between roles seamlessly
• Book trips as a fisher on other vessels
• Earn money from your own vessel
• Experience both sides of the platform
• Build a complete fishing community presence