Help Me Help You

[gofshn]

just trying to get a laugh from you shane!
i have never heard a bad word about you on the water, well, maybe i have heard this..."that damn Shane has hooked up again. he is always getting the slobs, damnit what are we doing different than him?"

[Bog Monster]

I like it when the mate(s) on the boat I normally fish on have involved me in trying to spot the bite. Teaching me about their pattern and what to look for. When the mate ignores me, its not so fun...But I'm married to that mate too, so it maybe a bit personal there.

Will be chartering a boat in Costa Rica in March. I hope to learn how to hook my own fish. Something I would not attempt here in OC because of the lack of time I get to spend out on the water and the mediocre bite. The fishing trip is part of my honeymoon, and the requirement was to go somewhere with a good bite.

[Logan9581]

I always stop and remind myself in the morning (especially on those mornings when I know it is going to be rough, or when fishing has been slow) that people do this for fun. They might only get to go once a year, and this is it, today. Put on the happy face and keep it fun.

I think that is the best advice out there! That is how I keep the atmosphere onboard my boat. If you aren't having fun, then what the hell are you doing it for??

[gradywhite273]

Thanks for the info but you always wonder what can I do to take it up a notch.

shane, maybe this is a crazy idea, but us car dealers always are looking to take it up a notch. Maybe do a tshirt, a cool design, and give it to the charter customers only. as they leave the boat, it will make for a cool souvenior, or we take pics of customers with their car, in your case on the boat and send them a calender with their pic on it, i think my net cost is about 5 bucks


tim

[Sea Draggin]

I have thought about doing a shirt or something. There is always that one person that puts forth the iniative to check on the dates, get everyone together. They normally cut/pony up the deposit out of their account. It would be nice to recognize the main charter contacts with a little bump of some kind.

It doesn't have to be right then in front of everyone else, but I just think how a customer would feel if two weeks later a freebie shows up.

Shane, I'm not suggesting you do this, I'm just really thinking out loud more than anything.

As far me I just want flat seas, sunshine and snapping fish everytime I come aboard the S2N

[gofshn]

every trip on your boat jim has been a fun trip. just your personality makes the experience, whether a ton of fish is boated or not.

[Boatman1230]

I have to agree with everyone so far. It's all about having fun when your out there and learning a few things while your at it. I have been on boats where the captain slept half the day and the mate just complained about how hard he has it fishing every day (I wish I had that problem). I can tell you I will never set foot on that boat again nor will I recommend them to anyone. I think everyone knows that the mate makes the trip after all that is who the customers are around most of the day. Like others have already said, you can show the customers how the baits are rigged, let them put out and help check the baits from time to time or show them what to look for (birds, breaking fish, etc) to locate fish and get them involved in helping looking for these signs.

I can tell you that I have been on your boat and we had a slow day but everyone still had a great time. A few guys had not been on a trip before and enjoyed sitting on the flybridge and learning about the various electronics on the boat and how they are used while fishing. Rick was great and I think that many stories were swapped about fishing as well as other things. I definitely think that you guys have a top notch outfit and would gladly fish with you guys again.

Carl

[Deep C]

One thing we have done in the past on the island trips is try to make a tape or cd for them. This year I'll be doing that again... I'm actually filming some now. Showing the prep stuff that goes in and pumping them up. We'll do like some generic shooting of the island, fish being boxed or released then add in the stuff personalized for their particular leg of the trip.

[freebird2]

Man you ask & you shall recieve around here! Thanks for all the input from everyone the way I look at it is if you dont ask you will never know it never hurts to take it up a notch.