For Boat Owners
Fill the empty seats on your boat
Heading out with open seats? Post your trip on MyFishingBuds and match with vetted anglers near you who fish your style. Split fuel, bait, and ice so the day costs less — and never launch shorthanded again. You choose who comes aboard.
Free forever · 14 days of Pro included · You approve every angler
In short
How do you find people to fish on your boat?
Post the trip on a fishing-buddy app like MyFishingBuds — the date, launch spot, target species, and how many seats are open. Anglers near you who match your style ask to join; you review their profile and ratings and pick your crew. It costs nothing to post, everyone chips in for the day's fuel and bait, and you stay in full control of who boards your boat.
How it works
Date, launch ramp, what you're chasing, and how many seats are open. Takes a minute.
See each angler's style, experience, and post-trip ratings. Message inside the app, then approve the ones you want.
Agree on fuel, bait, and ice up front. Everyone chips in fairly — the boat costs you less and nobody's surprised at the ramp.
What's fair to split — and what isn't
The unwritten rule of sharing a boat is simple: split the consumables, not the boat. Fuel, bait, ice, and ramp or launch fees get divided among everyone aboard. You don't charge for the boat itself, your time, or wear and tear — that's the difference between cost-sharing with partners and running a charter.
Charging for a seat at a profit can make you a for-hire operation, which in the U.S. requires a Coast Guard captain's license and an inspected vessel. MyFishingBuds is built for splitting shared costs among fishing partners — not for selling charter seats. New to the etiquette? Read split-charter etiquette and the guide to finding a boat owner to fish with.
Vet before you launch
Bring a stranger aboard with confidence
Every angler has a profile with their fishing style, experience, and post-trip ratings from other members, and you message inside the app before you commit — so you're never approving a blank name. Many verify their phone number for a ✓ Verified badge, which keeps bots and throwaway accounts off the water.
For a first trip: meet at the ramp in daylight, keep it short, and file a float plan and share it with someone on shore so a person you trust knows where you're launching and when you're due back.
Boat-owner FAQ
How do I find people to fish on my boat?
Post the trip on MyFishingBuds — date, launch spot, target species, and open seats. Anglers near you who match your style ask to join; you review profiles and ratings and pick who comes. Free to post, and you keep full control of your boat.
What's fair to split on a trip?
Split the day's consumables — fuel, bait, ice, and ramp fees. You don't charge for the boat, your time, or wear and tear. Agree on the split before you leave the dock.
Is it legal to charge people to fish on my boat?
Sharing actual trip costs with anglers you invite is normal cost-sharing. Charging for a seat at a profit can make you a for-hire operation that needs a Coast Guard captain's license and an inspected vessel. MyFishingBuds is for cost-sharing among partners, not selling charter seats.
How do I know a stranger is safe to bring aboard?
Check their profile, experience, and post-trip ratings, and message in-app first. Many verify their phone for a trust badge. For a first trip, meet at the ramp in daylight, keep it short, and file a float plan you share with someone on shore.
Does it cost anything to post a trip?
No — posting trips and matching is free forever, and new accounts get 14 days of Pro. Works on iOS, Android, and the web with one login.
Never launch shorthanded again
Post your next trip, fill the empty seats with anglers who match your style, and split the day's costs. Free forever — 14 days of Pro on the house.
Post a trip free →