The sportfishing captain job market...

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I am ok here in puerto rico, but am definitely look elsewhere for a better situation. I guess the economy is affecting every facet of our lives right now and getting worse. Two years ago I averaged 2 offers a month just from inthebite.com. Now I have to apply and there are only 5 postings, and only 2 are from the states. The rest are africa and samoa et. al. I love doing what I do, but I am really starting to question my career choice if fuel continues to rise. I see my friends on the gulf coast struggle to stay booked at rediculously low prices. I have checked out the job board here and it is pretty slim on captains jobs. It is disturbing to say the least.
Mike

[iguana1]

Mike

Shame to hear that. You are a great captain/fisherman and a stand up guy. Sorry to hear PR is not working out for you.

Maybe time to find a private owner of an 80 footer who just needs it fished all over the world. That might be more your speed. Too bad I'm 20-30M short or I would hire you in a second.

[Capt. Brian Daley]

I am ok here in puerto rico, but am definitely look elsewhere for a better situation. I guess the economy is affecting every facet of our lives right now and getting worse. Two years ago I averaged 2 offers a month just from inthebite.com. Now I have to apply and there are only 5 postings, and only 2 are from the states. The rest are africa and samoa et. al. I love doing what I do, but I am really starting to question my career choice if fuel continues to rise. I see my friends on the gulf coast struggle to stay booked at rediculously low prices. I have checked out the job board here and it is pretty slim on captains jobs. It is disturbing to say the least.
Mike

iTS SUCKS AND I'AM RIGHT THERE WITH YA

[Capt_John]

That's the reason why I took this job where I'm at now. I saw what was coming and had to leave. Boat owners are going the cheap route on everything and I can't blame them. You have to remember that private boats aren't a neccesity, they're a toy. When times get hard, the boat is the first thing to go. This is the only "sport" you can do professionally for 10 years or more and not be a millionaire. If sportfishing had bleachers and could sell tickets, we'd be rich.

[Captain Michael Buffington]

Mike

Shame to hear that. You are a great captain/fisherman and a stand up guy. Sorry to hear PR is not working out for you.

Maybe time to find a private owner of an 80 footer who just needs it fished all over the world. That might be more your speed. Too bad I'm 20-30M short or I would hire you in a second.

I enjoyed fishing with you as well. You find that fella with the 80' and I will work you in for free my friend any time you want!
Mike

[Captain Michael Buffington]

That's the reason why I took this job where I'm at now. I saw what was coming and had to leave. Boat owners are going the cheap route on everything and I can't blame them. You have to remember that private boats aren't a neccesity, they're a toy. When times get hard, the boat is the first thing to go. This is the only "sport" you can do professionally for 10 years or more and not be a millionaire. If sportfishing had bleachers and could sell tickets, we'd be rich.

Thats a good point John, but just think how cool the highlight reels would be!
Mike

[tom s]

Mike,keep your powder dry untill after the election.Hoping things will change for the better.The money guys I deal with feel it will.Also my boys want to go back and fish with you again!Tom

[Captain Michael Buffington]

I filled the pathfinder with fuel today and a hundred bucks was only half a tank, my friend running big boats right now are hurting to say the least. As for Pat and John, you raised two great guys and I would be happy fishing with those two brothers any day. Tell Pat the diawas are still holding up under pressure and I still say the drags are better than my stellas any day. The last two days I have been all diawa and avet. Freakin 700 dollar coffee grinders that have sticky drags piss me off!
Look forward to round three with the boys!
Mike

[whowantstoknow]

That's the reason why I took this job where I'm at now. I saw what was coming and had to leave. Boat owners are going the cheap route on everything and I can't blame them. You have to remember that private boats aren't a neccesity, they're a toy. When times get hard, the boat is the first thing to go. This is the only "sport" you can do professionally for 10 years or more and not be a millionaire. If sportfishing had bleachers and could sell tickets, we'd be rich.

John,

I agree...and believe that the field is being narrowed down..ive seen sale after sale. Many of my old buddies (ecspecially in SC who worked in the private circut) are seeing their bosses lay em up....its sad. A couple family members got some sweet deals in costa, venezula, and part of that deal was #years realted salaried jobs. my ex brother inlaw has a job that he cant be fired from until the grandchildren are old enough to rid the company of the boats....but on the off seasons he doesnt sit pretty, he has to find work or do work on his bosses ranch to make money...The field is being narrowed down significantly.....and its effecting everyone in the industry.

In my area of work ive been questioned about the number of boats we are seeing going to other companies, being sold, laid up..almost on a daily basis.....one thig we are defin seeing is the move to smaller boats...alot of our clients are buying smaller CC that can still get the job done but be more efficient and affordable!

Another huge thing we are seeing is the amount of people shopping. We are constantly remarketing our client(this is standard for us every couple of years) to find the best price for their needs.

I feel for you guys, its sad to see it becoming so hard to enjoy an amazing sport and make a living off of it. Many of the people i knew involved have had to find other ways to make a living and support themselves! We are all hoping this turns around and changes soon....I look through the broker mags at least once a day and see 4-5 boats being sold that i was docked next to, fished with, friends of....

Im throwing a toast out there to the industry turning around fast, and you guys get the jobs/salaries you deserve!

Raquel

[Capt_John]

The weird thing about this situations is that even though jobs are few and far between, the boat builders can't build them fast enough. Boat builders have waiting lists.