Posted by I will never forget the year we skipped the frantic kitchen chaos and spent Thanksgiving on a boat. The air was crisp, the water was like glass, and my uncle nearly fell overboard trying to land what turned out to be a thoroughly unimpressive flounder. We still talk about it every single year. That trip, three years ago now, did something remarkable. It stripped away the stress of hosting and the commercial noise, and gave us back a holiday filled with genuine laughter and connection. We went out hoping to catch fish, but what we really reeled in was a new family tradition. If you are feeling that familiar dread about another crowded, stressful Thanksgiving, let me suggest an alternative: a Thanksgiving fishing trip. I promise you, it is worth it.
You might be wondering, “Thanksgiving? Is that even a good time to fish?” Believe it or not, November is a secret gem for anglers. The summer crowds have vanished, which means you get your pick of the best spots without the elbow-to-elbow competition. The weather is often perfectly pleasant, no more sweltering in the summer heat which is a blessing when you have little kids or grandparents in tow. And for many species, this is a prime feeding time. Your chances of landing a real trophy, or at least something you can proudly call “dinner,” are surprisingly high. Imagine a Thanksgiving where the centerpiece is not just a turkey, but a story-filled catch you landed together as a family. This unique blend of adventure and tradition creates memories that last far longer than any leftover pie. Now, the big question: where do you even go for a Thanksgiving fishing adventure? Location is everything. For a classic coastal experience, places like Myrtle Beach are fantastic in November. The waters are teeming with redfish, speckled trout, and flounder.
I have a soft spot for the history and the fishing in Plymouth, Massachusetts. There is something deeply meaningful about casting a line near where the first Thanksgiving itself unfolded. The striped bass and bluefish there in November are an angler’s dream. If freshwater is more your style, you can not go wrong with a lake like Lake Shelbyville in Illinois. It becomes a crappie hotspot around the holiday, and those fish are not only fun to catch but delicious to eat. For something truly different, the California Delta offers a wild mix. You could be fighting a massive striped bass one minute and a prehistoric-looking white sturgeon the next. And for families with young kids or absolute beginners, look into programs like the one in Little Rock, Arkansas. They stock local ponds with thousands of rainbow trout, making it almost impossible not to get a bite, which is a surefire way to hook a new angler for life. Alright, so you are sold on the idea. How do you make it actually happen without it turning into a disaster movie? First, you need to decide on your style. Are you a “do-it-yourself” crew with your own gear, or would you rather leave the hard work to a pro? For our first big trip, we hired a charter boat, and it was the best decision we could have made. The guide knew exactly where the fish were hiding, provided all the equipment, and taught my city-slicker cousin how to cast without hooking anyone’s ear.
That local knowledge is pure gold and turns a potentially frustrating day into a guaranteed success. If you are more experienced, fishing from a pier or a rented skiff can be a more flexible and budget-friendly adventure. You also have to be real about your crew. My seven-year-old niece is not going to last eight hours on a rocking boat. Plan for short, sweet outings or pick a spot where there are other things to do, like exploring a beach. Teenagers might need a little nudge to look up from their screens, but the thrill of a big fight with a fish usually does the trick. For older family members, comfort is key; a stable, larger charter boat is a much better bet than a tiny, tippy jon boat. The goal is fun, not an endurance test. Packing is another thing I learned the hard way.
On our first trip, I forgot a waterproof jacket and spent the afternoon shivering. Now, I live by layers. The weather can change in a heartbeat out on the water. Even on a cloudy day, the sun reflecting off the surface can give you a nasty burn, so do not forget sunscreen and polarized sunglasses. And if you are going it alone, for goodness’ sake, get your fishing licenses sorted online beforehand. Nothing kills the vibe faster than a run-in with a game warden. Let us talk about safety, because it is not very fun but it is non-negotiable. Life jackets are not a suggestion; they are a must, especially for the kids. Always, and I mean always, check the weather forecast. If it looks sketchy, reschedule. It is not worth the risk. Bring more water and snacks than you think you will need, and make sure someone on land knows your plan. This is another area where a good charter captain provides priceless peace of mind. When you are out there, the fishing itself can take many forms. For our coastal Thanksgiving fishing, we found that simple live shrimp worked wonders. In freshwater, you can never go wrong with a minnow.
But honestly, the specific technique matters less than the patience you cultivate. The quiet moments between bites are where the magic happens. That is when you hear stories from your dad about his childhood, or you see your daughter’s face light up at a passing dolphin. Those are the catches of the day, every single time. And what about the fish you do land? Many charters will clean and fillet your catch for you. We have even taken ours to a local restaurant that cooked it up for us right there. Let me tell you, eating a fish you caught yourself on Thanksgiving Day tastes like victory. It forges a connection to your food and the natural world that is incredibly powerful, especially for kids. In the end, this is about so much more than fishing. It is about trading a perfectly set table for a sunrise over the water. It is about replacing the noise of football games with the sound of laughter carrying across the waves. A Thanksgiving fishing trip gives you the space to actually be together, to be grateful for the simple, messy, hilarious adventure of being a family. And is not that what the holiday is truly all about?
References
FishingBooker. (2025). 9 best Thanksgiving fishing locations in the US. https://fishingbooker.com/blog/thanksgiving-fishing-locations/
GuideTime. (2025). Best spots to book a family Thanksgiving trip. https://info.guidetimebooking.com/guidetime-blog/best-spots-to-book-a-family-thanksgiving-trip
Major League Fishing. (2022). How to plan a Thanksgiving fishing trip. https://majorleaguefishing.com/archives/2016-11-23-how-to-plan-a-thanksgiving-fishing-trip/
Take Me Fishing. (2024). Family fishing weekend ideas and trips. https://www.takemefishing.org/how-to-fish/when-to-fish/family-fishing-weekend-ideas/
Sport Fishing Magazine. (2023). Top family fishing destinations. https://www.sportfishingmag.com/top-family-fishing-destinations/