What is expected.....

[dunn6253]

Going on my first charter trip this Thursday, can't wait for it. My question to you charter captains, mates, and people who charter other boats is what is expected of me? Do I just sit there and let the mates do all the work? Can I help put the spread out? Can I help crank in lines and check baits/check for weeds? Looking for some input here guys. Thanks for the help.

[DropinBack]

If you want to help just ask, most mates will let you help out and be active if you want to be...
If you want to sit back and relax and not "work" then thats usually ok too...

[reel fool]

Discuss this with your crew. It's their boat, they will tell you how they work with their clients. And in the future, ask these questions of your charter b4 booking the trip. You might not like the answers, so you find a boat that will work with your requests. That's why Baskin Robbins makes 31 flavors, right.

feeding your crew will put them in a better mood too

home cooked fried chicken is one of my favorites. when I worked on the Muff Diver in Ocean City, Capt. Joe had a regular client who owned a chicken ranch in slower Delaware. He would bring about 4-6 chickens, freshly killed & cooked the day b4. was better than frozen chicken from Safeway like fresh fish is better than VanDeKamps.

[WAHOONBOX]

TWO COOL ANSWERS ABOUT FROM TWO COOL MATES....
TALK TO YOUR MATE WAY BEFORE LINES IN....IF HE IS PRO HE SHOULD BE WILLING TO LET YOU GET INVOLVED TO A DEGREE

MY SUGGESTION IS PICK A ROD.....IF YOU WERE FISHING WITH ME I'D TELL YOU TO TAKE THE PLANER ROD IN OCTOBER OR THE LEFT LONG IN MARCH....BUT UP YOUR WAY.......UHHHH.....LEFT LONG....AND FOCUS ON THAT ROD.....


IF YOU ARE NOT CERTAIN TO THE MECHANICS OF THAT PARTICULAR BRAND OF REEL, ASK.....

LEADERING AND GAFFING IS USUALLY UP TO CAPT TO DECIDE IF YOU CAN DO IT....SOME INSURANCE PROGRAM MAY PROHIBIT THIS

I AM HAPPY FOR YOU BRO ON YOUR FIRST TRIP COMING UP.
I WAS NOT AWARE OF THIS OR I WOULD HAVE BROUGHT YOU DOWN TO JERSEY FOR A COUPLE DAYS

IF YOU WANT ME TO SHIP YOU A PIT TEE WITH SPALATTERDOTS PERM'D IN...I WILL SO YOU WILL LOOK DA PART


GOOD LUCK AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE STORY!

[dunn6253]

Thanks for the input guys, I just can't wait to go! Ill be sure to talk everything over with the mates and captain before hand so I don't get in the way or anything. And I will be rocking my SFC.com shirt, hopefully I will get some spalatterdots permed in, or I might have to come on down to NC to do it. Will be posting up the report when I get back, definetly with pics and hopefully some video also.

One last question guys, is there such a thing as asking too much on a charter? Does it depend on different captains and crews and such? If you couldn't tell I can go on and on and on....... I don't want to piss off the crew by any means. Thanks guys.

[ncbillfisher]

You just have to ask. Everybody is different some mates like to have control over the pit and some don't care at all. Just see how your mate is, ask questions if you don't know. Gaffing fish we always start out with the mate gaff'n so they get in the boat, then once we have a good catch we will let the charter try if the ask. You can always help out by, gett'n the rigger clips down for the mate(if they pop out). Bait cooler duty, rigged and non rigged baits, anything so the mate doesn't have to go inside to get. Clear'n rods,(outriggers) but down crank them up to the clips, leave the baits just barley in the water. You can dig rigs out of the dead fish too. Don't forget the chicken!!!!!!!!!

[RWW]

I am not a mate but been on a few charters. Food for everyone always sets a good mood. Ask the mate before or on the way out what you can help with, in my experience most are more willing to let you/show you if you offer to help, rather then you ask if you can set any of the spread. I have also found that being outside on the run out and staying outside waiting for the bite shows you are serious verses staying inside waiting for the bite. In my humble opinion these guys are pros at not only fishing but judging the party as to what kind of day it will be for them... make sure it will be a good day for them and in my experience they will bust their butt to make sure you have a great day.
Best of luck looking forward to the report - Rob

[reel fool]

I am not a mate but...I play one on TV- Rob

sorry, couldn't resist

[floridadeckie]

when I was working in islamorada, I made it a point to keep all the clients involved in the action. whether it was showing them how to rig a ballyhoo, tie a bimini or double uni, or having them wind lines in. it makes my job a little easier and makes them feel like they are part of the crew too. some guests just wanna sit back and be catered to, and thats fine. but I made it a point at the beginning of every trip to tell all the clients that while i was the 1st mate, they were all the 2nd mate. it made for a consistently happy crew, and a fun ride by all. and I never had a single client that walked away without learning something new

[WAHOONBOX]

........MANY TIMES A CLIENT WANTED TO HELP AND HE WOULD PICK UP A SPENT LEADER THAT HEAD A MESSED UP BALLYHOO ON IT....THEY WOULD "ATTEMPT" TO COIL THE LEADER TRYING TO HELP BUT WHEN THEYB HANDED IT TO ME....IT TOOK ME TWICE AS LONG TO RE-DO THE MESS

REMEMBER TO ALSO REMOVE THE BALLYHOO HEAD (LEFT-OVERS) IF YOU REALLY WISH TO SPEED UP THE MATE-HELP PROCESS AND HE CAN RE-RIG

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