putting a crew together

[jawz12]

putting together a crew,has got to be the toughest thing ever all year long,everyone says the same thing "hey,when you're fishin',let me know,i wanna go" - then it's time to call "i gotta cut the grass" - "i gotta walk the dog" - "i gotta vacum the carpets" - "i gotta rub my wife's feet" - the excuses never end...the best happened a week ago - i put up a post on a different board - i had a guy who's a charter capt contact me - "i wanna go" ! was his reply - i explained,it's gonna be about $200 - no problem was his reply - "i'll call you back in 10mins,gotta talk to the wife"...about 15mins later,he texts me "i'm not a late nite person" ? i explained we were pulling out @ 11pm - this was a guy who charters ? i call him,he explains"i don't like fishing @ nite" - a charter capt,who doesn't fish or run @ nite ? ? ?
running the bertram this season,i need at least a 3 man crew - i allways have 1 guy,gettin' another is where the battle begins...
anybody else run into this ?

[Breakin Loose]

Jaws, I run in to this just about every week. I just got my own boat 2 year ago and prior to that I would get out all the time. Now it is the same excuses you are hearing all the time..... I am always felxible and have a group of guys that I can count on periotically but when it comes down to it I have the same exact issues. Where are you fishing out of?

[craigwill201]

Go alone. Just because you can't find a crew?? I have been doing it for 25 years. When your ticket is pulled no matter where you are you are going. No one to entertain, no one pissing and moaning "we didn't catch any" . I have to be home at 3pm because my wife is cooking chicken n dumplins. I have heard all the **** and its usually more work for me when I take someone. Then there is the problem that will you let a stranger run your boat while you catch one?? Nope.
Craig

[Breakin Loose]

Craig, well put. Last time I went out with me and my dad when caught a nice white marlin and worked all day without worry about other opinions. It just gets expensive with fuel being close to the price of gold.......

[jawz12]

i thought it was just me - glad to see,it's not just me...people facinate me,especially the "charter captain" that contacted me...it's gotta be the toughest thing,just trying to put a few guys together...

[Double D]

Anybody that has an offshore boat runs into this on a weekly basis. I have learned alot about human nature and integrity.

I have found the most reliable crew are those that have their own boat, they know what you have to go through to put a trip together and appreciate the effort.

Some of the other "issues" that make my blood boil:

Time challenged - "Is the boat leaving at 4 or should I be there at 4?"

Late comers - I give them a 10 minute grace period, then they get left and not invited back. if I can drag my carcass out of bed 2 hours before you do to rig and cut bait, you can certainly show up on time.

Schedule changers - "can we go sunday instead?"

Lame crew adders - "Can I bring my sisters nephew and his cousin in law? They have never fished in salt water."

Communication challenged - While way off the beach - "I really need to be home by 3"

Overpackers - No lie, I once had a guy try to get on the boat with a pup tent sticking out of his backpack. Didn't have time to take it out (we made time right then and there, rather uncerimoniously)

Phone callers - while everyone else is cleaning the boat.

Unfortunately, I could go on

[craigwill201]

Lame crew adders - "Can I bring my sisters nephew and his cousin in law?

This one pisses me off the most. You are kind enough to invite them and they start inviting every one that they know. Yeh I spend all this money to pay/support my boat to take strangers fishing. NOOO. Ok here is a good one. Normally I am a kind and friendly person. The other day there were "dock walkers" that I started shooting the S$%^ with. With in 3 minutes they thought they were going offshore with me. NOT. He proceeded to tell me his friend that he "invited" ONLY took Pain killers and drank beer and his wife only smoked "a little" weed. WOW
Craig