By Alexandra Stark
Some say that money cannot buy happiness, but it sure can buy a lot of other things.
Money can buy boats, fishing rods and the biggest curved flat screen available. When, you might ask, does anyone have enough money to squander on such frivolous items? After several months on the boat, of course!
By Captain Scott “Fraz” Murie
What is life like after being the “Big Skipper?”
What do captains do when they want to quit traveling and spending many months each year away from home? Well, I have observed that many captains who have been at the helm for 20 or 30 years, have changed careers so they can stay at home and do things they never had the time to do as a traveling captain. Things that may seem simple to people in other professions— like spending time with family and friends, personal travel, and attending some sporting events—are sometimes not possible for traveling captains.
By Peter B. Wright
Most amateur anglers and crews would be much better off not using dredges or multiple teasers, even though many of the top professional teams pull them most of the time. Teams that consistently win tournaments almost always have expert professional captains and deck hands. These crews have skills and abilities that most amateurs will never develop. Amateur crews who pull multiple teasers and dredges may have forgotten one basic truth. Teasers and dredges do not catch fish – at best they can only help attract them. Baits and lures with hooks, however, can and do catch fish.
By Dale Wills
Most of today’s captains earned their shot at the helm only after spending years working under the watchful eyes of veteran skippers. Each of those mentors had certain techniques and practices that were passed down to the younger generation, things that formed the foundation of their careers as professional mariners. So what are some of the individual practices, habits and distinctions that are being passed down by the veteran captains today to the future captains of tomorrow? [Read more…]
By Alexandra Stark
If there is one thing about fishing that is for sure, it’s that not everything will always go your way—even if you are the best captain, crewman or angler in the world. But what if the thing that goes south on you happens on the biggest of stages, with millions of dollars on the line? What do you do if you are the guy who missed the gaff shot on a world record blue? How about if you’re the guy that San Cocho’s the biggest white marlin you’ve ever seen in the White Marlin Open?
By Captain Kevin Deerman
I’m certain the glaring reason that many of us chose this profession was for the opportunity to fish and travel to new and different locations. Though we must always be ready to deal with unexpected obstacles, fishing and traveling should be the easiest and most welcomed qualities of the job.
By Captain Kevin Deerman
Running a sportfishing operation is a great way to make a living doing what we love to do. As captains, we get to fish and travel to new places, making many new friends along the way. As glamorous as this may sound, it also comes with many sacrifices. It can be tough on relationships whether it be with wives or girlfriends or family and friends. We spend a lot of time away from home, and even when we are home, we have no set 9-5 days or weekends off. For anyone out there thinking of pursuing a career as a sportfishing captain, here are a few things that may be helpful to know as you plan your future.
By Jan Fogt
After talking to owners and captains about the best way to ask for a raise, we came away with this startling conclusion: most captains rely on their boss’s goodwill to provide cost of living and merit raises even though such raises usually are negotiated upfront in the business world.
Considering the majority of big game captains today manage hard assets costing well over a million dollars we think being a licensed sportfishing captain should be considered a professional occupation. Yet few captains and owners see the owner-crew relationship quite that way.
By Jan Fogt
When it comes to pleasing the boss, all the usual applies. Like keeping the boat clean and well maintained, keeping meticulous maintenance records, reigning in any bad behavior on the part of the crew, being prepared for travel and trips, tournaments, etc. In other words, when it comes to the boat, the secret to longevity on the job would seem to be to keep the boss’s life as hassle free as possible while watching out for the bottom line. As most captains will attest, if you can manage all of the above while taking care of fishing, you’ve got a job for life.
Photo courtesy Matthew Spivey
By Capt. Scott “Fraz” Murie
Everything that has to do with our business takes a great deal of maintenance. In order to keep our boats, tackle and equipment running the way they should, we perform maintenance. When we do that maintenance, we think nothing of the cost. We just want the best product for that particular job at that time.
As crew, we spend countless hours doing upkeep on our boats. Maintaining all the systems is a never-ending process. Think about it—from engine room maintenance and pumps, to interiors, metal, fiberglass, skiffs, davits, paint, from stem to stern, the maintenance never stops. But that’s a good thing because that’s what we do. The fact that boats need constant attention keeps us employed, and we enjoy our work.
A boat that is properly maintained will hold its value and last for many years and be very dependable. On the other hand, the boat with no maintenance stays broken down, is undependable, unreliable and is pretty much worthless. Now to my point…
The US Coast Guard has been cracking down on captains in recent years. They are holding back licenses and renewals because of numerous health conditions. Areas of Coast Guard concern include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart problems, sleeping disorders and vision just to name a few.
As crews, we are always on the go! This is especially true for traveling crews and tournament fishing crews! We get very little sleep while underway, eat whatever the sea conditions dictate (and most of that is junk food). Some of us smoke too much and maybe ingest a little too much alcohol!
I believe it’s very important that we do the proper maintenance on our own bodies. Everyone needs to get checkups and do some preventative maintenance on our own bodies. With today’s technology and advancements in medicine, we can often reverse such things as high blood pressure or high cholesterol. No one thinks twice about maintaining our boats or what it cost, so I’m telling you to take time to maintain your health.
You young guys are “bulletproof”— or so you think. Some of us older guys have learned this the hard way and we need to think healthier, too. I see guys my age (and even younger) who are broken down with health issues that might have been preventable. If only they would have done the maintenance required, just as they would have done on their boat! I did it by changing my diet and losing some weight. I reversed some health issues that I was facing with a simple change of diet.
Take the time for yourself and get some maintenance done so you can remain dependable and reliable. You are more valuable than any boat. Don’t wait until it’s too late! Hold your value and last many years. Don’t be broken down and undependable! Do the maintenance on your own body and keep yourself in top running and working order. When you hit that 60 plus mark, you’ll be glad you did!
– That’s my two-minute warning. Fraz
Do you have any comments or questions for us? We’d love to hear from you.
