Looking to start chartering soon. Need boat info etc.

[FreeBird Sportfishing]

Thank you guys. Ive decided to stick with the detailing business. I havent been busy with that. Allot of calls.. but no actual business except for a few last month. Hopefully in the winter/ spring Ill get some business. THEN when i have alot of funds i will do selective chartering. I am on a mission in life to own my own business doing something I love!!

[The Reel Deal]

I recently started my charter business. I got a great deal on an Everglades 250cc with twin Suzuki 175 motors. It was a 2007 boat that was part of a dealers inventry when it went bankrupt. The bankruptcy was concluded in 2010 and Everglades got the boat back. It was put in inventory and I bought it for $80K with a trailer. It's got all warranties. I put about $15K in electronics, and another $10K in tackle.

We will run out 30-40mi with no problem to fish. Not a big deal. 4 anglers and a captain is comfortable. The boat has a 9'3" beam and has a lot of volume for a 25' boat.

The biggest expense will be in marketing and advertising. Getting your name out and finding your market. It's tough. Making money in this economy is next to impossible. We have had one charter in 3 mo. But our website isn't up yet and that will be our main marketing tool.

I have the cash reserve to carry this business for 2 years without a single customer. Praying that won't happen! We catch fish and have a really fantastic crew. We will catch on someday. If not.... we had a good time trying.

[FreeBird Sportfishing]

Thats a nice ride Reel Deal, I wish you all the luck in your business. All the charters ive worked for, they start from the bottom ADVERTISE and now we are running a trip almost everyday. Two summers ago we ran a trip everysingle day. We advertised on a local NJ fishing forums, open boat, charters, special "deep water" trips etc. Soon enough youll have the website and advertisements. Its kind of like my detailing business. Im just waiting for it to grow. Not alot of business now, but I hope I get flogged one day with boats, by word of mouth. Itll happen to you also!!

[The Reel Deal]

I honestly appreciate your kind words. The issue I have is that Sebastian FL has fantastic fishing but there is no money or tourism here. The Orando vacationers go to Port Canaveral which is 30 min closer than Sebastian. I have a lot of work to do in order to get them to make the extra 20 min drive down here.

It's unfortunate we have this great location as we have our own inlet but don't have the clientel. Each inlet has it's own fishing fleet except ours. Who knows maybe I'm the first of many. OR I'm the one who has to learn the hard way and there is a reason no one has charter boats here. We have a few but nothing on the level I'm doing it.

We had over 40 blackfin tuna boated in 2 hours the other day. If I could only get people to realize I'm here!!!!

[hotshot1]

Reel Deel just keep posting all your trips on as many sites as you can

[The Reel Deal]

I have noticed internet forums are a double edge sword. Sometimes things can go smoothly and other times people want to try and tear your business apart post by post. Also many message boards frown on promoting your business without compensation which I can understand. But I just don't have the money to as of now to pay to be a sponsor. Thanks for your suggestion. I appreciate it.

[turbocc]

go to school get a degree fish arn't going anywhere...hopefully

[scattered_grass]

I have noticed internet forums are a double edge sword. Sometimes things can go smoothly and other times people want to try and tear your business apart post by post. Also many message boards frown on promoting your business without compensation which I can understand. But I just don't have the money to as of now to pay to be a sponsor. Thanks for your suggestion. I appreciate it.

I don't know about the whole forum thing either..some people excessively post and become subject to ridicule...also become "internet captains". If the economy ever turns around, your fishing will speak for itself.

[The Reel Deal]

I don't know about the whole forum thing either..some people excessively post and become subject to ridicule...also become "internet captains". If the economy ever turns around, your fishing will speak for itself.

I agree about the fishing. We know how to do that. We boated over 40 black fin tuna and albacore the other day. We had been slow trolling live baits for about 1/2 hour and then I decided to change things up and troll tuna feathers and we ended up wth over 40 fish in 2 hours. Triple and quadruple screaming reels time after time. The people had enough after 2 hours. It was a lot of fun!

[FreeBird Sportfishing]

I agree about the fishing. We know how to do that. We boated over 40 black fin tuna and albacore the other day. We had been slow trolling live boat for about 1/2 hour and then I decided to change things up and toll tuna feathers and we ended up wth over 40 fish in 2 hours. Triple and quadruple screaming reels time after time. The people had enough after 2 hours. It was a lot of fun!

Thats awesome, those types of trips are excellent for customer feedback/ repeats!
Theres alot of idiots out there, they start with me on the other forums trying to advertise my detailing business, Just gotta shrug them off.