MATE FINALLY WOKE UP/MATURED

[Baywolf]

I got to thinking recently about a post I made shortly after I started mating and have been pondering it for the last few days. I was eager enthusiastic, wanted to kill and thought what hit the deck was mine or from my doing. I rigged the bait, picked the color or lure, made it swim just right to get the fish to bite. The capt just drove the boat around and the fish would come to my delightful offerings. I am here to confess my sins and ignorance. I have had the chance to fish with several different Capts. this past year and it was an eye opener. There are many things that come into play. A mate rigs the baits does the gear the way the capt wants it. THATS THEIR JOB to do it the way the Capt wants it, no matter how wrong you think it is or you don't agree with it. I've been fortunate enough to fish with a couple capts that said the pit is yours, I don't care what you pull and have had great catches. Wasn't by my doing in large but by theirs. I learned a lot this past year by traveling. Things I have never done and I learned the Capts way but it didn't stop me from asking other Capts how they did the same thing, a lot were forth coming. I've fished with Capts that I could rig a Hot Dog to swim and they could get the fish to bite. I have fished with Capts that ran aground getting out of their own marina, I didn't fish with him anymore. Shane displayed a great amount of patients with me when I first started, we had a few good years. I was able to pick up some other gigs which as much as I hated it, it was a good thing. Fishing with different Capts especially when you go from a boat that is catching fish to a boat that isn't. You learn that it isn't you, it could be the boat doesn't draw fish or the capt missed the read on the shot or he is just out to lunch. Having your ticket doesn't make you a charter boat Capt and to take folks for a 10 hr boat ride and hope for the best and take their money at the end of the day. I've fished with about 10 different Capts in the past 5 yrs and there is only 3, that we don't need to say a word to all day cause........ I KNOW, THEY KNOW, AND WE KNOW, that's the way it should be. They are on the bridge, they hear things I don't on the radio, they can read the water from up there better than I can in the pit. There are 2 things that make me mad........1 is I look up and the capt is sitting and not paying attention feet on the dash cruising, what are we on a boat ride? and #2............... THERE HE IS, WHAT, WHERE, I'VE GOT 9 LINES OUT. Sorry.....here's #3, I am just putting the long rigger back out WITH THE CLICKER ON SO HE CAN HEAR IT, AND IN THE MIDDLE OF THE SPREAD HE MAKES A HARD TURN, thanks man. On our way back in yesterday one of the guys from the party made the comment. It makes a big difference in how much fun we have on the water when the Capt and mate get along really well and work together as a team. People want to fish with folks they are comfortable with. Most understand some days you get them and some you don't, that,s fishing. If you can consistently have good catches and a great team you have got something. I heard a Capt say once, " I want to be the best Capt on the waterfront". In my opinion the best capt is the one that leaves the dock the most. What we as mates do in the pit is important but the Capt is the man.

God I love this job!

[Foul Hook'd]

Right ON Brother!!!!!!!!!!!!

Foul Hook'd

[SeaBiscuit]

Great post Rick!
Just like with any profession, there is no substitute for experience. With experience comes wisdom. The rest falls in place.....
SeaBiscuit

[gottaflylee]

Well Rick, I will say it again..."it takes 2 to tango" You can have the best Capt. in the fleet and a mate that could care less or the best mate in the fleet and a Capt. that could care less and your days will suck.

It takes the Capt. and the mate to work together, have a chemistry, and things will click. When Warren and I stopped fishing together, little words were spoken between us as we both knew each others thoughts. when I was running the "Bite Me" for Lou and Marty was in the pit, I knew that he knew what was going on, I did not tell him what to put out, didn't have to, just as the day we slaughtered the Tunas, that crew knew what to do.

When the Capt. and Mate jell, all on the boat will have a great day...

[clt_capt]

Any way you skin it, Offshore fishing is a team event. It definitely takes a team to be successful - but it sure doesn't hurt to have a captain that thinks like a fish and a mate with the killer look in his eye.

[teddyp]

Here is some advice to Mates and captains. BE NICE. You're in the service industry. I've seen charters get off boats with the fish box stuffed and they say they will never go on the boat again. People are paying so much money to go on these trip, they should have a good time. Make it fun, have some laughs get a little crazy. The mate should be very good at what he does but don't be all serious, teach the charter a few things along the way. I've fished with one of the best captains in the world and the best thing he would do is call out where the fish was in a calm voice well ahead of the fish hitting the bait. There is never yelling or stomping of feet. Have fun when you do it.

[Wound Up James]

Here is some advice to Mates and captains. BE NICE. You're in the service industry. I've seen charters get off boats with the fish box stuffed and they say they will never go on the boat again. People are paying so much money to go on these trip, they should have a good time. Make it fun, have some laughs get a little crazy. The mate should be very good at what he does but don't be all serious, teach the charter a few things along the way. I've fished with one of the best captains in the world and the best thing he would do is call out where the fish was in a calm voice well ahead of the fish hitting the bait. There is never yelling or stomping of feet. Have fun when you do it.

Well said Teddyp....

[freebird2]

I think we all learn better things with time.

[WAHOONBOX]

WITHOUT A DOUBT....THE BEST ADVICE EVER GIVEN TO ALL CAPTAINS AND MATES AROUND THE WORLD....

IT IS A TEAM EFFORT...AND ONE MUST LEAD.


YEP......YOU HAVE JUST CROSSED THE FIRST HURDLE IN THIS INDUSTRY.

AS WILEM DeFOE SAID IN ONE OF MY ALL-TIME FAVORITE COMBAT FLICKS PLATOON..."THE WORM HAS DEFINITELY TURNED FOR YOU ....."

WELL RICK.....THE WORM HAS TURNED....CONGRATS....YOUR DAY IS NEAR....YOU WILL...I REPEAT....& TRUST ME ON THIS ONE...YOU WILL PICK UP A RIDE ....A RIDE THAT WILL WORK FOR YOU AND CAPTAIN ALIKE....

A TEAM....A TEAM SO TIGHT SO GLUED TOGETHER YOU WILL MAKE ELMER'S JEALOUS

[Squidnation]

What an incredible post Rick. I charter quite a bit and have learned a hell of alot from different captains and mates. Comraderie between Capt and Mates makes for a wonderful day. Fortunetly I have learned that when the comraderie is not their I just take that opportunity to make fun of both the captain and mate. 1 of 2 things happen. They get really pissed or realize that they need to lighten up. Don't get pissed - that just encourages us to be even more stupid. Fishing is fun and finding a team that is fun is a huge bonus. Last week I fished with one of my best friends who had a major googan on the boat as a guest mate. I made sure to tell him to never have him on the boat with us again.

You Rick are a pleasure to fish with (even if you wouldn't let me run my spreader bars on the flat lines). Learning that it is a team effort just made you a much better mate. Keep on learning and I look forward to being a guest in the pit with you again soon.