Put the sport back in sportfishing.

[bigeasy]

I believe we should encourage more angler participation in charter fishing. There is a thrill to hooking and playing your own fish without aid from your buddies or the mate. Sometimes I see a man cranking, another man holding the rod, and another leveling the line after the mate has hooked the fish. It doesn't look good. There is a certain elegance in hooking the fish, playing it to the boat without assistance. I am going to try to emphasize this approach. It may not go over well as many are only interested in a full fish box.

What do others think?

[shoefish]

Good topic, and I couldn't agree more. As are most people on this site I am a fishaholic, so whenever I go on a trip it is always near the ocean, and I always book charters well ahead of time. I do this so that I can talk to the captain to find out how involved he allows his charters to be. Too many times I have been on a charter boat and have been instructed that when the rod goes off that I should jump in the chair and the mate will get the rod, set the hook, and put it in the gimball. Then all that is left to do is winch in a 10lb mahi with an 80. Hardly sport. I wish that more captains and crews would not only try to put you on fish, but give you some knowledge and understanding of how the whole process works. Sure you will miss fish from time to time, but that's how you learn.

[Double D]

I believe we should encourage more angler participation in charter fishing. There is a thrill to hooking and playing your own fish without aid from your buddies or the mate. Sometimes I see a man cranking, another man holding the rod, and another leveling the line after the mate has hooked the fish. It doesn't look good. There is a certain elegance in hooking the fish, playing it to the boat without assistance. I am going to try to emphasize this approach. It may not go over well as many are only interested in a full fish box.

What do others think?

Thats exactly what I look for when I book a charter. Could give a rats ass about fish in the box.

I think the more experienced fishermen will agree with your approach and gravitate towards your boat if you can truely offer the full experience. Nothing worse for me than just being the winder

[Deep C]

On my rig we take a very easy approach. I open up with the option... "Do you want to lose your own fish or do you want me to lose him for you?"

Since I usually run without a mate I much rather explain how to do things. If they want help I'm there to do it. If they want to try on their own. I give them the basics. Then I get those who are good , I let them have at it all the way (Unless something dangerous) . Even let them bill their own fish which they really love...

In the islands I let them make their own mistakes but that also gives a much stronger sense of accomplisment when they do it right. Day one there they get to see usually two or three styles of fishing. The next we add a couple styles to the micx. From there they dictate what they want to do...
A little testicular twisting adds some spice to the game as long as its done with a smile. I see a lot of "screamer" caps. I might bark once in a while or ***** about conditions but I like to leave that screaming crap for someone else. They're there to have a good time. A little needle like "Mr. Pasenger sir, if you make the cranky thing there go round and round the distance between us and that fish will get smaller... " sounds a whole lot better than "Reeeeeeeellllllll God Damnit!"

[JD5652]

I toally agree with you BigEasy. I would prefer to do as much as possible. If I lose the fish....BIG DEAL! You absolutely learn more from doing than watching and a 1000X more than reading.

[SeaBiscuit]

Excellent topic Dr. Cliff. Box full of meat is very important to many charter customers. It is equally important to many charter operators.
It is NOT what those of us who love the sport value most. Certainly not what keeps us coming back. Learning from the pros and becoming better ourselves means a lot more than freezer burned fish, or trophies on the wall.
I like your approach.
SeaBiscuit

[rich]

I agree completely with letting the customer do more of the work on the boat. I have been on many charter trips and fished with several different boats. The ones that I gravitate back to are the ones that let me get more into the action. I really do not care about winding in a fish ok well a little fish anyway. I rather have the mate show me the most effective way for him and let me help him after that. I do not wind in fish on my own boat if I can avoid it. I say go for it all the way. The only way I could see it being a problem is if you have a bunch of people that have no clue at all about what is going on and I am sure you have been in business long enough to know who that is when they step on your boat.

[tagnbrag]

I wont charter a boat here in Australia unless I am allowed to get involved in ALL aspects of the fishing. Rigging baits, lures, setting spreads, and even tagging fish if a freind is the angler.

People who sit around drinking beer all day or sleeping and then just want to get handed a hooked fish - shit me ! (Damn am I allowed to say that ?)

Captains, you need to educate the charterers about the ethics of sportfishing.

Cheers

Wayne

[fishskipper]

Hey Doc,
I agree also there should be a more hands on approach. Unfortunately, there are some that would rather be handed the rod and just come to drink two cases of beer. I'm certainly not going to give them control of my cockpit. But, on the other hand those that want to learn should be giving all the help and experience they can get. Its not all about a full box of meat. Its about a great day on the water, a true experience, an adventure. Sometimes I feel we are to competitive to think that your dock partner may have a better catch. Is it the number of fish on the dock or number of experiences that day that make your clients happy? I think as a captain you have to figure that out before you leave the dock. Ninety percent of my charters just want meat, the other ten are real fisherman and are there for the sport. I surely would like to see more sport put back into sportfishing.

Capt.Ron Deel/Little Jeannie sportfishing Inc.
www.obx-charters.com

[KEY-LIME-PIE]

SPORTFISH 1 has booked the KEY-LIME-PIE for tomorrow. Part of the deal for me not to bring my mate is to let him and his crew do all the work! OK! this wil work for me as long as safety is their main focus. I will try like hell to put them where the fish are and let them go to work.

My point here is all this was discussed before the trip was agreed upon. If our charters know what will be expected of them before we leave the dock, it will be a much better experience for the entire crew. Dan is an experienced offshore angler and he wants to fish. My job is to let him fish.

But also remember we are still responsible for their safe return!

Big you might be on to something here. I charter experienced anglers and their crews only, I take them out fishing, they pay me, they do all the work to include the final clean up, hmmmmmmm! sounds good to me!

Tom

But those of you who have fished with me know I'm relentless in the pit! God I love to fish!