Most Charters Out of Business

[Rhodekill]

Talked to a buddy today. Charters in OI and HI figure most will be broke in the next 2 years.

Rising fuel prices. Less people, family's that will pay 1600 to fish for 1 day.

I hate to see it.

[Capt. kapoc]

all that will be left are the ones with owners or deep pockets.......i belive that everything will come around less charters will lead to making up with more commercial fishing we'll see what happens and hope for the best. Hell i just wanna sit at the fishing center and see exactly the people that cna afford the new prices cause i gotta get me one of those jobs LOL

[pitch bait]

Its a shame but I think it is going to be like a Virus spreading from port to port up and down the coast.

[gradywhite273]

this economy keeps up, it will be alot more than charter boats going broke.

[Foul Hooked]

I really hate to think what these fuel prices will do to some charter operators. I have my own boat, but I still like to get out on a charter 5 or 6 times a year to learn new tricks. I will probably cut back on tourney's this year, but try to fish just as much. I will still book 3 days down in Mexico with a Pirates Cove captain, and may try a couple of inshore trips with some guys as well. Charter fishing seems to be a tough business. The economy gets a cold and the charters guys get the flu.

[scotishfisherman]

I was in a business where everything I couldn't control was going out so I got out several years back and just one example of the many things I had in common with sport fishing was fuel and I was burning 4-5000 gals a month in diesel fuel then at about $1.48/gal or approx $7-8000 dollars a month at todays price of $4.25/gal (or more) $23k/month or an annual difference of approx $95k/yr when I got out vs. $275,000,000.00 presently or an approximately $175,000.00/yr increase!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now a charter tries to fish I would imagine at least 100-125 days per year with travel south in Florida area and you do your own math and I'm sure that the math alone will challenge any charter operator even at $1600/trip just on fuel you add up the rest and be honest. If you got in on your own money get out now before it's to late and you can walk to europe on used sport fishing charter boats! I think other than those who are wealthy beyond owning the boat not caring what fuel is $ wise will remain and that's not many charter boats. Do the math and I mean,bait,ice,dockage,service,haul outs,service,engine rebuilds etc...etc...etc... I'm very sad and concerned because fishing is still hard work and now there's nothing left for a wage!

[Tsukiji]

Not only the fuel but the American dollar sucks. My Uncles from Wisconsin and I usually take a fly in fishing trip in Ontario Canada to a remote Cabin for one week. None of us a wealthy. We save all year for this trip. When i first went about seven years ago it was $650 American each now its over $1000. This year I talked them into going to the Outerbanks and charter three boats and a cottage for the price we would pay for Canada.

Butch

[Deep C]

Its already crumbling down here and we don't even have to run anywhere. Fuel is one thing but dockage has doubled and insurance has trippled in the last two years too. Now add to that hotels doubling and fuel so dog gone expensive that John Q Public can't even afford to drive his family for say Jersey to Flordia. Retirees who thought they had enogh now having to go back and bag groceries to just make end meet won't be slinging big bucks for charters any time soon.
Last year I saw the start. I posted about a sudden almost freakish wave of no shows. "Oh we didn't get down for this reason or that..." I didn't want to insult them by saying "bullshit" . I could tell they were stretched for cash. These weren't strangers either. Regulars that I have had for years and years. Guys who love to fish. Even our sell out Bahamas trips this year felt a draw back. Enough of a reduction that its not worth me even taking the run...
I posted elsewhere that our prime docks charters are two thirds down. For a private owned operation thats poverty or even a close the shop level... Regulations getting stricter aren't helping...
When I was a kid, charter fishing was a sport reserved for the wealthy. The common man rode the party boats... Yesterday is fast approaching.
On a bright note though... This is a cycle... Have seen it before and will see it again. Only the very strongest and most dedicated will survive. Theres another thread about a food of new guys trying to get in the game to offset their expenses. They're in for a rude awakening...
My prayers are with us all that some how we all come out of this round in tact....

[Caveman Sportfishing]

Do not honestly know how all this is going to play out with fuel issues. I do not think anybody really knows how bad it will be or if things might get somewhat better possibly in the future. Either way I am taking a more positive approach even though I do believe it going to be a tough year for many in all aspects of life and not just those involved making a living in the fishing industry. Every region of the East Coast has unique variables that have a direct bearing on their customer base but we all are facing the same rising costs regardless of what port we fish out of. Even with this issue my gut feeling is it will not be quite as bad as almost everyone I know is predicting so I am taking the high road and trying to keep a positive outlook even though most see things differently. I am sure it will be a tough year for almost all of us in the fishing business but long term I think things will work out for most of us as it is America and we will rebound like this country has so many times before. I am old enough to have known my grandparents that all came over from Europe thru Ellis Island and the stories they told me on what they had to endure plus the great depression makes this current situation not look so horribly bad to me, We will survive and I am trying to stay positive that better days are coming sometime in the not to far future. I still wonder if there should be changes that allow charter boats to carry 7 or 8 passengers instead of 6 as it could help defray the costs some even though I personally do not favor this as I feel 6 is crowded enough but it might be a answer to help our industry during these difficult times.

[matey1]

with the impending ban on driving on the bveach you are going to see even less tourists come to the islands of the obx. i usually have my place for my week booked by now but am waiting to see what the NPS does with this proposed ban and lawsuit. not only do we hit the beach but we usually spend at least one day on some sort of charter trip. can't dothat if i am not there. all you locals need to get involved and not only call your local and national representation but support the organisations that arwe fighting for these rights. the no driving on the beach is going to affect more than just the surf fishing industry.