10 (ok 20) Hints To Improve Your Day With A Guide...

[Capt Josh]

Squidnation got me laughing with his post about what kind of charter fishing client you might be...great post Squid!!!

I thought i'd dig up this list i prepared a few years ago to help some of you charter clients out there know what we expect as captains and crews...enjoy!



1.) It's preferrable to show up in the morning with coffee and donuts in hand when you meet your guide...double cream and sugar in the coffee, and make sure there's a good assortment of donuts...sometimes bagels and muffins are nice.

2.) When calling to book your charter it's benificial to both pay in full and tip in advance...this ensures quality performance when you arrive.

3.) Always be on time...and regardless of what time your captain shows up DO NOT point out that he is late...thank him instead for his promptness and offer to wipe down the greasy footprints you just brought onboard from the fuel dock. (Note: this would be a good time to hand over the coffee and donuts)

4.) Comment on how good the boat looks, how prepared the equipment is and how awesome the electronics are...regardless if there are any.

5.) Bring beer...and smokes.

6.) And lunch...but DEFINITELY DO NOT bring sandwiches...most captains are absolutely sick of them. An assortment of meats and cheeses, or cold chicken and ribs are usually welcome.

7.) Do not expect chipperness before 9 in the morning.

8.) Realize that it's best not to ask more than 3 questions.

9.) Don't touch anything.

10.) It's best not to tell stories about past fishing experiences you had with other captains...especially if those stories are relating to catching fish when you are currently not.

11.) Remember to offer to clean the boat when you get back...your captain will refuse the offer but do it anyway...trust me...he will appreciate it.

12.) Better yet demand that he go and have a beer and a few appetizers at the pub while you clean the fish and polish the boat...he will refuse, of course...but make him do it...it'll seem awkward at first but you'll both get used to it in time.

13.) Take your guide out for dinner after the days fishing...he likes rum and cokes and rack of lamb so it's best to just order for him...because he'll be away from the table flirting with the waitresses.

14.) Don't bring anyone you don't really know well on a fishing trip...unless you reserved them, over the phone...with a credit card...in which case bring two.

15.) Do bring some snazzy new hooks and lures and flourocarbon line from Berkley in the following incriments: 80, 100, 130, 150, 180 and 200.

16.) Don't yell over at other boats and ask them how they are doing...especially when you are not catching fish...and you know they are.

17.) Under any circumstances DO NOT ask your captain if you can go try somewhere else.

18.) Do not use the bathroom facilities on the boat.

19.) If you notice that anything is broken or in need of maintenance/repair DO NOT point these items out.

20.) And finally...never, EVER...utter the phrase..."WELL I GUESS THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT FISHING AND NOT CATCHING!"

[whitey]

Admin, can we get a sticky on this post? It's a classic!!!! LMAO

[Wireman]

Your best work yet Josh!

[Squidnation]

Where do I send my deposit, er I mean my payment in full. Btw Josh you forgot about how anyone that starts the "here fishy fishy" chant promptly gets to walk the plank

[gottaflylee]

How did I miss this...priceless...
I loved it this year when one of the charters came on the bridge came up and TOLD me that we were going to slow and we needed to pick up speed...we were doing 7.5 knots at the time pulling ballyhoo...deep breath,1...2...3...4...5...

[captcl]

Capt. Josh! That's great!!!!!!!If only customers like that existed!!

[Capt. Brian Daley]

One word (PERFECT) thanks Josh

Cheers mate

[MissEmmaCharters]

Or how about the one's that are always saying things like, well the magazine's said to do it this way or that way?

[hubris 1]

of charter captain's on here so don't take this personally. but all the reason's above are exactly why i HATE charter fishing. i refuse to do it anymore. now i'm no angel and really don't play the role well but i've sure seen my share of jackass capt's. how about that one in costa rica billy? dean, i think. so fat that there was only one trip to the tower. he needed an elevator. oh, and he also took a pee up there. please let us know next time! thank you. was that salt spray? and the guy in the key's nice boat and way to really take care of it. why don't i just bend over here and give you my money! so dont get me wrong....i'm sure there are great guy's out there charter fishing. but like any business it's about the customer.....not just making fun of them. on a job once the customer i was building an addition for knew we were talking about her. she left a baby monitor in the room and sat outside listening to all the sub's talk about her. last time i let that happen. it's not an easy business i know but remember this, if they knew what they were doing they would buy their own boat. it comes with the territory. i think capt's do themselves a real disservice by making fun of the charter. it would be real simple to turn it around. jmho.

[intruder]

Squidnation got me laughing with his post about what kind of charter fishing client you might be...great post Squid!!!

I thought i'd dig up this list i prepared a few years ago to help some of you charter clients out there know what we expect as captains and crews...enjoy!



1.) It's preferrable to show up in the morning with coffee and donuts in hand when you meet your guide...double cream and sugar in the coffee, and make sure there's a good assortment of donuts...sometimes bagels and muffins are nice.

2.) When calling to book your charter it's benificial to both pay in full and tip in advance...this ensures quality performance when you arrive.

3.) Always be on time...and regardless of what time your captain shows up DO NOT point out that he is late...thank him instead for his promptness and offer to wipe down the greasy footprints you just brought onboard from the fuel dock. (Note: this would be a good time to hand over the coffee and donuts)

4.) Comment on how good the boat looks, how prepared the equipment is and how awesome the electronics are...regardless if there are any.

5.) Bring beer...and smokes.

6.) And lunch...but DEFINITELY DO NOT bring sandwiches...most captains are absolutely sick of them. An assortment of meats and cheeses, or cold chicken and ribs are usually welcome.

7.) Do not expect chipperness before 9 in the morning.

8.) Realize that it's best not to ask more than 3 questions.

9.) Don't touch anything.

10.) It's best not to tell stories about past fishing experiences you had with other captains...especially if those stories are relating to catching fish when you are currently not.

11.) Remember to offer to clean the boat when you get back...your captain will refuse the offer but do it anyway...trust me...he will appreciate it.

12.) Better yet demand that he go and have a beer and a few appetizers at the pub while you clean the fish and polish the boat...he will refuse, of course...but make him do it...it'll seem awkward at first but you'll both get used to it in time.

13.) Take your guide out for dinner after the days fishing...he likes rum and cokes and rack of lamb so it's best to just order for him...because he'll be away from the table flirting with the waitresses.

14.) Don't bring anyone you don't really know well on a fishing trip...unless you reserved them, over the phone...with a credit card...in which case bring two.

15.) Do bring some snazzy new hooks and lures and flourocarbon line from Berkley in the following incriments: 80, 100, 130, 150, 180 and 200.

16.) Don't yell over at other boats and ask them how they are doing...especially when you are not catching fish...and you know they are.

17.) Under any circumstances DO NOT ask your captain if you can go try somewhere else.

18.) Do not use the bathroom facilities on the boat.

19.) If you notice that anything is broken or in need of maintenance/repair DO NOT point these items out.

20.) And finally...never, EVER...utter the phrase..."WELL I GUESS THAT'S WHY THEY CALL IT FISHING AND NOT CATCHING!"

You really need to run some charters to realize how funny this is!