Looking to catch on as a mate

[Hunter Group'r]

Hello, first time post, long time viewer of this great site

I'm in the process of closing, after 10 years, my residential home building business.

Relocating from Newtown, PA to the Florida Keys, should be there by December 15, 2007.

Does anyone know of a mates position in the Keys that may be available?

I have no professional time as a mate however, I believe with my background in business/interacting with clients along with my work ethic, that it will be a smooth transition.

Boating background:

Currently own a 35-foot CABO flybridge that I'm in the process of selling in the next couple of weeks. Other boats that I/family have owned 32-foot Ocean flybridge, 27-foot Phoenix & a 25-foot Mako CC.

Tournaments:
2004, 2006 & 2007 South Jersey shark tournament
2006 (4th Place) & 2007 Key West Drambuie blue marlin tournament


2003 to the present, fishing out of Barnegat, NJ, Hudson Canyons & south for tuna & swordfish
2007 fished Costa Rica for sails

Business backgound:
1998 to the present: owner of residential home building company
1994 - 1998: Regional sales manager for a Denver, CO company
1990 - 1994: Sales manager for a Metro NewYork company


Honesty, dependable, organizational skills, attention to detail & cleanliness are my biggest attributes (non smoker & no drugs)

Currently studying for my Coast Guard OUPV liscense

Full resume' & references available upon request

Thank you in advance, if anyone can help with this

Regards,
Stan

[relentless]

Stan,

It sounds like your lack of mating experience would not be a problem with a solid fishing background and a great career. Your resume speaks volume of hard work adn integrity and I wish you the best of luck.

Dave

[Hunter Group'r]

Thanks Dave for the encouragement

[floridadeckie]

your best bet in getting a job down there is to actually contact the captains to see if there are any openings. seeing that I work in islamorada over the summers, I can tell you there are a few important things to have as a keys deckie
1) know how to mix various types of chum for various quarry and baitfish, i.e. soft chum balls, sticky oats, proper bag height, etc.
2) be able to throw at least a 10' cast net consistently. sometimes you only get one shot at the bait school, make it count
3) BE ON TIME. some captains are nice enough to give you a couple days that you are late to the boat, others will fire you on the spot, the first time
4) learn fast. each captain has their own style, and if you cant catch the routine or adapt to his style, you'll never make it.
5) give 110% every day. you've got to REALLY love fishing to make it as a charter mate.

good luck. on the good boats, you can look at making around 800-1100 dollars a week in tips, not including the captains pay

[Hunter Group'r]

Floridadeckie,

Thank you for the advice, heading down for a long weekend to start kicking around the docks .

[floridadeckie]

sorry, I forgot to add that you WILL NOT get a ride unless you are enrolled in a drug testing program