Tournament Charter Responsibilities

[Squidnation]

Same way on our boat Franky, but I know of a captain that had this problem this past summer. I was looking at the WMO site this day and saw them as fishing and I knew I had seen him on the dock early in the day. I gave him a call and he was up to Harbor Island in a New York minute...pleading his case.

I have seen this one as well but it was a private boat operation. Capt thought owner and owner thought captain. Nothing like watching someone leave at 10:15am for the 100line

[WAHOONBOX]

Box,

I agree new line is a must. Part of the reason for charging the extra day and a half is to cover line costs, loss of potential charter days, added fuel burn to run to the bite (when necessary)double mullet dredges (as oppposed to artificial dredges) etc etc etc.

VERY COOL THERE DUDE!

Be clear on who is calling in or submitting lay day forms.

THERE ARE A LOT OF SAD FOLKS EVERY TOURNY!

on my boat, I take the responsibility of the lay day forms and choosing when we are going to lay. I don't trust anyone else with the lay day forms, too easy to have a few too many and forget. No excuses when they are in my hands.

GREAT REPLY HERE FRANKY!!

[WAHOONBOX]

5. Here is a huge one. Not because we have been screwed but I have seen people get screwed both ways on this one. WHO SIGNS UP FOR THE TOURNAMENT? The captain or the charter?


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THIS COULD BE DETERMINED IN A MEETING WELL IN ADVANCE WITH A WRITTEN CONTRACT....IF THE CHARTER CLIENT DOESN'T LIKE WHAT HE SEES....THEN I SUGGEST WALK AWAY......AND SAME GOES FOR THE BOAT


THIS IS THE IMPORTANCE OF WORKING OUT THE AGREEMENT WELL IN ADVANCE...AND MONIES PUT IN PROPER PLACE

THE CHARTER CLIENTS WANTS THEIR NAME ON THE ENTRY FORM FOR GLORY IF THEY WIN

AND THE CHARTER BOAT/CAPTAIN WANTS THEIRS IN HIGHLIGHT CENTER STAGE......


I WANT TO REPEAT WHAT I HAVE SAID EARLIER.......IF A CHARTER CLIENT WANTS HIS HIRED BOAT CREW TO BE AT EASE...RELAXED.....AND FREE FROM WORRY......THEN I STRONGLY SUGGEST SETTLING THE MONEY ISSUES ....(CASH IN HAND ) .....ENOUGH IN ADVANCE SO CREW WILL NOT FRET WHETHER IT WILL HAPPEN

PERSONALLY ...THIS HAS BEEN THE MOST DIFFICULT MENTAL PART OF TOURNYS FOR ME.......COLLECTING!



MECHANICAL PROBLEMS ON A CHARTER BOAT.......I HAVE BEEN IN THIS SITUATION BEFORE AS A MATE AND NOT A BOAT OWNER......THE CLIENT SHOULD NOT SUFFER $$ LOSES IN THIS SITUATION

AGAIN....DISCUSS THIS ISSUE IN WRITING

[anthony]

Be clear on who is calling in or submitting lay day forms.

That should always be the Captain's responsibility, IMO.

[frankypettolina]

Another thing I was not clear about. I do everything in writing before I accept a deposit for a tournament. I have an agreement that must be read and signed by every angler and returned with the deposit check.

This talks about the percentage split, lay day decisions, the decision to boat a fish, and sportsmanship. Most tourneys have a sportsmanshjip rule somewhere in the rules, and most people don't realize it, but it also applies to behavior at the tournament functions. For example, several years ago during the WMO a fish was almost disqualified because the Cappy got hammered at the Reel Inn and caused a ruckus and got into a fight. I explain to my guys up front that we don't make asses of ourselves at the weigh ins or at the bar at the marina where the weigh ins take place or at the awards banquet. (BTW always thank the way master and the dock hands at the weigh station-even if your fish didn't make it- it is a thankless job and some gratitude should be shown)

I have the pre tourney agreement which is signed, and I have another one worded the same only now instead of prospective clients, the names are listed as anglers, and this must be signed before we leave the first day.

As far as cancellations go, I require a 50% deposit which is fully refundable with 30 days notice, and partially refundable with less notice IF I rebook the tourney. If something goes wrong on our end, or if there is an act of God that prevents us from fishing it is fully refunded, no questions asked.

Tourneys are alot of fun and excitement, but I take them very seriously, and am only interested in anglers that take them seriously. I have declined numerous groups, or told some groups I would not have them back. We have fun, and I am not a screamer or anything like that, but this is a business, and tournaments are part of how I earn my living. If you are looking to come in to town get plastered and make a half assed attempt at fishing, there are plenty of boats to do it on, mine is not one of them. Snow Ranger on this site has headed up my Tuna Tourney Charter for the past couple of years, and he and I have become good friends from our experiences together, so yes we do have fun, and i have even been a little blitzed with him and his boys (and his beautiful Fiancee ), but we save it for when the tourney is over. When it is fishing time we are out to win it!!

[budwiller]

for you charter captains. Do you prefer a smaller crew of experienced fishermen for tournaments? I was just wondering. I have talked with some of my friends that are mates and they said they would rather fish a tourny with a crew of about three. But to most people, I figure you would want to minimize personal expense and fill the boat with six.

So I guess this would really be a question for private Captains or owners since you really "select" your crew and are not chartered, plus you are personally invested in the entry levels as well.

[catchemup]

Yes six anglers will cut down on individual expenses, but add a mate and second mate the cockpit can get crowded. Four anglers is a good number. As mentioned above, there is quite a bit of money on the line. Everyone should work as a team and know what to do when fish are hooked up. Clearing lines, dredges, teasers, working the chair etc. Anglers who want to sleep and wait for rods to go off aren't helping the team. The more eyes watching the bait the better chance of seeing fish coming into the spread or if more than one getting the multiple hookups.