Frequently Asked Questions
The answers to some our most commonly asked questions...
What do I need to bring with me on the boat?
Wear close-toed shoes (no flip flops or sandals), bring a cooler if you'd like, snacks, drinks (no glass containers or hard alcohol), sunscreen, a hat, sweatshirt/raincoat, your camera, and your excitement!
Do you have food on the boat?
Yes, we have a galley with food available for purchase. We have hot dogs, burgers, snacks (chips/candy, etc) and soda, water, iced tea, coffee, and hot cocoa. You are welcome to bring a reasonable amount of canned beer on board (please no glass bottles!). No one will be permitted to become intoxicated while on the Black Hawk.
Do you accept credit cards?
Yes, we accept Visa, Mastercard, Discover, and American Express.
What's your address so we can put it in our GPS?
We don't really have an official address, since we're at a dock. However, people use 11 East Main Street, Niantic, CT, and that works just fine. Check out the directions if you need them.
If your GPS does not recognize 11 East Main Street, use the directions from our website. If you insist on using a GPS, use the address 133 Main Street, which will take you to Boats, Inc. Proceed about 200 yards, then just before you go over the Niantic River Bridge, take a left into Cini Memorial Park and the Black Hawk parking lot.
Do I need a saltwater fishing license?
No, the Black Hawk already has a license from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). You do not need a license to fish on our boat.
Can we keep the fish we catch?
Of course you can! As long as they're legal (size and season), once you catch the fish, they're yours to keep! Our mates can fillet and clean them for you for a nominal charge. If you don't want to keep your fish, let the mates know and they can release them unharmed. You can also have your fish filleted and donate the fillets to local soup kitchens and the Gemma E Moran food bank as part of our "Black Hawk and the Community" program.
Can the kids fish too?
Yes! We love to have kids on the boat! We have several "regulars" who are kids, and we love having them on board. There is no minimum age for fishing on the Black Hawk. Maybe they'll even get to honk the horn or win a free t-shirt!
What about tipping the mates?
As in any service industry, tipping is at your discretion. Standard gratuities for the mates are between 15-20% of the cost of your trip.
How can I save money on my trip? Do you have any coupons?
Join our email list, and coupons are emailed about every other week. You can also email Heather and ask how you can save money on a future or return fishing trip to the Black Hawk. And you can save money anytime, even without coupons, by participating in our Black Hawk and the Community program. You can also enter to win free fishing trips, given away weekly to one adult, and one adult & child- after all, what's better than free?
Can I charter the boat for my bachelor party/company outing/child's birthday?
We do offer private charters on board the Black Hawk II. Charter times are dependent upon our open sailing schedule. We require a minimum of 15 people for a day charter and 12 people for a night charter. Call or email for more info. Click the link below to download our policies for private charters. Do you do anything besides fishing?
We offer fireworks cruises, sunset cruises, and nature cruises. Schedules vary by season and are flexible for private charters. Again, call or email for more specific information.
