Hatteras Offshore Fun Fishin' Trips

[Sunburn]

That's a fact! I DOUBLE DOG DARE the following folks to let people know who they are and what boats they fish.

Sunburn
Deeepwater
dfisherman

Or just keep hiding behind the keyboard. Your choice.

And before you start taking shots at me, I have brought two groups to hatteras this year, one in March and one in May, and we went on a chartered boat both times.

What difference does it make what my boat name is, or even if I have a boat? I'm not the one soliciting on the internet and misleading people with a fake hailing port. The point is the difference between right and wrong. You’re obviously a tourist down there and that’s evident be cause you don't see the big picture! The business is their profession and they a right to defend it. Maybe you should open your mind as wide your keyboard mouth. 5000 posts, you have an opinion on everything. Leave it where it is, some of the charter fleet don't think what he is doing is right. Just like he has the right to post, they have a right to rebuttal.

[alexcraig]

He takes friends.He also joined the association when he got his big boat.He is no longer a member & does not solicit from a customer base off the internet.All you have to do Alex is retract your advertising and fish.I promise you it will be better for everyone.Just think if suddenly we had ten or more retired boat owners show up here all advertising on the internet to take people out fishing for expenses.......You can see how it upsets the guys who depend on fishing to pay their bills.

Afternoon dfishman,

I'm heading down to Hatteras on Thursday, 10/15 and plan on staying thru 10/25, depending on the weather.

If you'd like, I'll spring for dinner one evening and sit and listen to you make your case. You talk, I'll sit there and keep my mouth shut until you finish. Pick any restaurant in Hatteras that suits you.

Feel free to bring along Sunburn & Deeepwater, if you'd like.

I've got some old friends comin' down on 10/16 to fish on 10/17, so I'd prefer to do it 10/18 goin' forward.

I'll look forward to it. Let me know please.

PS Even though I'm not at the top of your "Hit Parade", if you like dogs keep a good thought for one of my wife's dogs, a Doberman name Silas who ate a pair of knotted up panty hose she makes up to play tug of war with him and the other pooches. The other 13 are Toy Manchester Terriers which look just like Dobermans except they don't get over 12 pounds (the Standard Manchester can go up to 25). They're an old English breed that was one of the primary breeds used to create the Doberman which is a much more recent breed.

Anyway, he wound up having to have a serious 'bout of surgery to include a small bowel resection.

He wasn't supposed to survive the night; however, some how he's still alive. We just got home from visiting him. The vets said it's touch & go right now and that he's got maybe a 20% chance of surviving at this point.

The poor pooch is only 3 years old and is in his prime. My wife has been beside herself for the last day while I've been trying to buck up and provide moral support.

If he's still alive by the time I get ready to head South, he'll probably be out of the woods.

[Deeepwater]

Alex, you are really missing the point here. You taking people on cut-rate "fun" fishing trips is taking money out of peoples pockets that could REALLY use it. Like to but there kids shoes and buy food, health insurance, ect, ect. Most full time fishermen are having a hard time with the economy and lack of buisness and I think what you are doing shows you have a lack of class and respect for these people. How do you think the fleet will treat you knowing that you are an extreme part timer. I bet no one calls you to a bite. And to anyone that disagrees with me, think about your job and if someone came up out of the blue and offerd the "same thing" for half the price and told you it was for fun and they diden't really need the money anyway. Sea Draggin, how would you feel if someone started advertising jigs half the cost of yours on this website?, and it was just for fun.

[bigg09]

deepwater, you are trying to compare competition to someone funfishing every now and again. instead of waisting your time bitching, spend some time advertising, posting fishing reports. look at the other successful guys on this board and others that offer advise and reports. It costs money to make money and you are going to make any waiting around for someone to just call. Do you have a family member that works at a restaurant, coffee shop, gas station with deli, hotel with a bar? take the man up and let him help out the economy. I think you all are just missing the point that most likely the guys he is taking fishing would not spend the money to go with you anyways. I think it is funny that you had to get a new login name with 3 posts to post this or just join. If you just joined this site, you will see that recs and charter guys work together alot on this site and in doing so, sometimes offer deals and cheap walk-ons to spark interest. like he said in his first post, he is only here for a short period. And BTW Alex, you might want to check that forcast before you head down this weekend not looking good !!!

I have never met, talked to or had Knowledge of Alex before this thread. it just behooves me how people feel they are entitled.

[Sea Draggin]

Sea Draggin, how would you feel if someone started advertising jigs half the cost of yours on this website?, and it was just for fun.

You obviously haven't looked around. I'm targeted everyday.

it just behooves me how people feel they are entitled.

Yeah, me too. How dare we fun fish.

To be honest, these folks are probably from Apex not Hatteras.

--------------------------

Let me tell you about Hatteras. I went in March and was one of the first this year to jig schoolie bluefins there. I put up a report that had people from all over the NE scrambling down there by the Suburban full. Let me teach you about the economics of fishing, because my one post generated a half dozen days that I know of, and probably a bunch more that I don't, just for jigging. Not to mention all the bottom trips. But hey, I'm just a tourist.

Later in May I did a video there of cobia's that had people from here to New Zealand going crazy.

You keyboard Ninja's keep on hiding behind alias screen names and starving......... and I'll keep on doing my thing.

[PurpleGold]

Hey, what's wrong with Apex??

That's where I grew up...

I've been considering tryin' to go on one of these trips with Alex if I can get my buddies together and we get some decent weather. If I wasn't gonna go with him we would trailer a CC up there like we usually do, can't afford a charter. I think the point has been well made that anybody coming to the island to spend money is a good thing for all...

[Drop Back]

Well I have been a lurker for a long time and never posted. I have read this thread from its inception. This one has been the hardest for me to watch. This is because I may ultimately be involved. You see I keep my boat in the Harbor every winter and have been doing so for last 11 years. If you stay that long Mr. Craig, I'll end up being your dock neighbor.

Let me start out by saying I understand both points of view, as I am a private boat owner and I respect the charter fleet down there. I myself understand the aspect of friends splitting costs to go fishing as I do it myself with friends.

I have been traveling to Hatteras Village since I was 13 years old, which makes it 34 years now. Hell, I even lived there for a year when I was a young dumb surfer. I developed friends down there over the years and was addicted to fishing. I grew to respect the Charter fishermen down there and wanted to emulate them. I was a novice and they were the masters. A wise close friend (charter captain) taught me every thing I know about offshore fishing. He never judged me because of where I came from or my lack of experience, he just did it out of the goodness of his heart. They are generous giving people down there. As I got older, I made enough money to purchase my own boat and I obtained my captains license. Since then I have been fortunate enough to run my boat out of the Harbor for many years now.

A guess what I'm getting at is, sure technically I could run charters if I wanted to, but it’s not my place. I know my place when I go down. In return there are many benefits for me. Like kind helpful friendly people. Guys that would give you wire for your rigger if one snapped and other parts that, lets face would be impossible to obtain down there without having to wait for a week. Their help is essential. These guys would give you the shirt off their back, get in trouble in the inlet, they wouldn't hesitate to tow you to safety (try that in the northeast or Fla). If you spend enough time down there you'll understand where these guys are coming from. They're good guys; heed what they are telling you. Pay your penance, make your way into the association with time (you have to be voted in) and they will welcome you with open arms. Don’t show up and expect to own the place. Better to have them working with you than against you.

[alexcraig]

And BTW Alex, you might want to check that forcast before you head down this weekend not looking good !!!

Thanks Bigg09,

I appreciate the 'heads-up'. Yup, I've been keepin' my eye on the long term forecast. I've been hopin' the weather would move through a bit more quickly than predicted; however, as time goes by it looks like I may need to delay my departure for a bit. Albeit, there's always some work that needs to be done on a boat. I may kill a few days knocking a few items off of my 'to do' list.

Thanks again.

[alexcraig]

Well I have been a lurker for a long time and never posted. I have read this thread from its inception. This one has been the hardest for me to watch. This is because I may ultimately be involved. You see I keep my boat in the Harbor every winter and have been doing so for last 11 years. If you stay that long Mr. Craig, I'll end up being your dock neighbor.

Let me start out by saying I understand both points of view, as I am a private boat owner and I respect the charter fleet down there. I myself understand the aspect of friends splitting costs to go fishing as I do it myself with friends.

I have been traveling to Hatteras Village since I was 13 years old, which makes it 34 years now. Hell, I even lived there for a year when I was a young dumb surfer. I developed friends down there over the years and was addicted to fishing. I grew to respect the Charter fishermen down there and wanted to emulate them. I was a novice and they were the masters. A wise close friend (charter captain) taught me every thing I know about offshore fishing. He never judged me because of where I came from or my lack of experience, he just did it out of the goodness of his heart. They are generous giving people down there. As I got older, I made enough money to purchase my own boat and I obtained my captains license. Since then I have been fortunate enough to run my boat out of the Harbor for many years now.

A guess what I'm getting at is, sure technically I could run charters if I wanted to, but it’s not my place. I know my place when I go down. In return there are many benefits for me. Like kind helpful friendly people. Guys that would give you wire for your rigger if one snapped and other parts that, lets face would be impossible to obtain down there without having to wait for a week. Their help is essential. These guys would give you the shirt off their back, get in trouble in the inlet, they wouldn't hesitate to tow you to safety (try that in the northeast or Fla). If you spend enough time down there you'll understand where these guys are coming from. They're good guys; heed what they are telling you. Pay your penance, make your way into the association with time (you have to be voted in) and they will welcome you with open arms. Don’t show up and expect to own the place. Better to have them working with you than against you.

Evening Drop Back,

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to pen your thoughtful post.

Further, I agree with just about everything you've said. In particular, as to the character of the individuals I've met.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been visiting and/or draggin' a boat down there since 1969, so I guess we pretty much started our acquaintance with the area around the same period.

I can't speak with any real authority about Florida, although I did get in the habit of trailing my old Sea Ray down to the keys about 6 times for 3 or 4 weeks in the winter back in 90's, leaving just before Xmas and returning North by the end of January. Also, the crew that did the work on my current Bertram in Stuart were akin to the Hatteras folk .... hard working, friendly and extremely helpful, going beyond the call of duty in many cases. Of course, that was just one crew, admitedly a limited sampling.

Maybe the problem is one of interpretation. I've never considered what I mainly do as chartering. Chartering to me is done by professional Captains who have to turn a profit. I've never had a season where I ran trips which put me in the black. Granted, there were a few times where I had people approach me when I had the Pacemaker down at the Landing who were interested in Chartering for the day, at most 6 in 3 years.

If I could afford it, I'd simply pay the entire freight out of my own pocket. But I'm just not worth that kinda money.

As an example, I'd keep the boat in the water year round; however, that would bust my budget. Long about 12/1, I'll put her up on the Hill at Scott's and put her back in the water around 4/1 of next year. That's what I can afford.

The heck of it is while some who've posted in this thread think I'm blowin' smoke in one fashion or another, I have no intention of competing with the full-time professionals by Chartering at this point. As I stated in this thread or perhaps another on thebassbarn, if bookings were through the roof, I could see maybe running 20 a year to help defray expenses after joing the Association. If they'd vote me in, I'd join now and pay the dues even though, I have not intention of chartering for profit at this point.

As my kid brother said, I'm no social butterflly. In the past, I've pretty much kept to myself, albeit there were a fair number of locals who got to know me, and with whom I got along just fine. Heck, I've probably put out more information about myself in this thread and the one on thebassbarn than i have in 10 years in an effort to allay concerns about me.

Obviously, there are some that don't know me that just don't believe me even though there are others who know I'm a stand-up guy.

To date, I've run one trip since I brought the boat North. I took the two guys and another friend of ours out for a day as a gesture of appreciation for their help. I paid for the trip out of my pocket.

While some simply don't believe me, I've tossed at least a half dozen leads to local Captains on crews I had set up after that because as someone else stated, I'm a fair weather fisherman. I've taken all the butt kickin's I need from the sea at this point.

I'm not interested in hurting anyone's income and I genuinly do not believe that I am. Bigg09 pretty much hit the nail on the head.

If I may I'll expound upon his points ....

From 1980 - 1990 my business did well. Towards the end of the 80's I had to tweak the business game plan a bit to adjust to the changing times. From 1990 to 2001, for a small business, we made money so fast at times, I couldn't count it (bear with a bit of hyperbole).

In 2001, the crap really hit the fan, and here's where I made the worst mistake of my business life because I'd gotten complacent and thought I knew all the answers with respect to the business.

For two years, I followed the same game plan that had worked in the 90's digging into my pocket month after month in the vain hope it would start working again. I foolishly neglected to adjust and innovate to accomodate the dramatic change in the economy. That mistake cost me the first Tempest. I finally wised up and made some big changes and while we never made the kind of money we did in the 90's, we did OK.

I don't know enough about the Charter Boat business to even begin to try and tell those are are having difficulties what they need to do to get if right.

But ..... I do know this much from very painful experience. If you keep doing the same thing over & over again when it isn't working and you expect a different result. Well, as the old saw goes, "that is the definition of insanity". If you don't start pushing some different buttons and innovate to adjust to the radical changes that have taken place, you just won't make it.

Well, enough of my bloviating. Time for me to get back to worrying about my dog.

[Drop Back]

Evening Drop Back,

I sincerely appreciate you taking the time to pen your thoughtful post.

Further, I agree with just about everything you've said. In particular, as to the character of the individuals I've met.

As I mentioned in a previous post, I've been visiting and/or draggin' a boat down there since 1969, so I guess we pretty much started our acquaintance with the area around the same period.

I can't speak with any real authority about Florida, although I did get in the habit of trailing my old Sea Ray down to the keys about 6 times for 3 or 4 weeks in the winter back in 90's, leaving just before Xmas and returning North by the end of January. Also, the crew that did the work on my current Bertram in Stuart were akin to the Hatteras folk .... hard working, friendly and extremely helpful, going beyond the call of duty in many cases. Of course, that was just one crew, admitedly a limited sampling.

Maybe the problem is one of interpretation. I've never considered what I mainly do as chartering. Chartering to me is done by professional Captains who have to turn a profit. I've never had a season where I ran trips which put me in the black. Granted, there were a few times where I had people approach me when I had the Pacemaker down at the Landing who were interested in Chartering for the day, at most 6 in 3 years.

If I could afford it, I'd simply pay the entire freight out of my own pocket. But I'm just not worth that kinda money.

As an example, I'd keep the boat in the water year round; however, that would bust my budget. Long about 12/1, I'll put her up on the Hill at Scott's and put her back in the water around 4/1 of next year. That's what I can afford.

The heck of it is while some who've posted in this thread think I'm blowin' smoke in one fashion or another, I have no intention of competing with the full-time professionals by Chartering at this point. As I stated in this thread or perhaps another on thebassbarn, if bookings were through the roof, I could see maybe running 20 a year to help defray expenses after joing the Association. If they'd vote me in, I'd join now and pay the dues even though, I have not intention of chartering for profit at this point.

As my kid brother said, I'm no social butterflly. In the past, I've pretty much kept to myself, albeit there were a fair number of locals who got to know me, and with whom I got along just fine. Heck, I've probably put out more information about myself in this thread and the one on thebassbarn than i have in 10 years in an effort to allay concerns about me.

Obviously, there are some that don't know me that just don't believe me even though there are others who know I'm a stand-up guy.

To date, I've run one trip since I brought the boat North. I took the two guys and another friend of ours out for a day as a gesture of appreciation for their help. I paid for the trip out of my pocket.

While some simply don't believe me, I've tossed at least a half dozen leads to local Captains on crews I had set up after that because as someone else stated, I'm a fair weather fisherman. I've taken all the butt kickin's I need from the sea at this point.

I'm not interested in hurting anyone's income and I genuinly do not believe that I am. Bigg09 pretty much hit the nail on the head.

If I may I'll expound upon his points ....

From 1980 - 1990 my business did well. Towards the end of the 80's I had to tweak the business game plan a bit to adjust to the changing times. From 1990 to 2001, for a small business, we made money so fast at times, I couldn't count it (bear with a bit of hyperbole).

In 2001, the crap really hit the fan, and here's where I made the worst mistake of my business life because I'd gotten complacent and thought I knew all the answers with respect to the business.

For two years, I followed the same game plan that had worked in the 90's digging into my pocket month after month in the vain hope it would start working again. I foolishly neglected to adjust and innovate to accomodate the dramatic change in the economy. That mistake cost me the first Tempest. I finally wised up and made some big changes and while we never made the kind of money we did in the 90's, we did OK.

I don't know enough about the Charter Boat business to even begin to try and tell those are are having difficulties what they need to do to get if right.

But ..... I do know this much from very painful experience. If you keep doing the same thing over & over again when it isn't working and you expect a different result. Well, as the old saw goes, "that is the definition of insanity". If you don't start pushing some different buttons and innovate to adjust to the radical changes that have taken place, you just won't make it.

Well, enough of my bloviating. Time for me to get back to worrying about my dog.

???????????????????

Hun.........................................?


Oh well I tried, guess you just can't understand or don't care about where they're comin from.

I'll have the Lurh's open in the Marina........................for the record I don't agree with what your doing either. See ya there I guess.