[Striper4life]

If I were to tell you I was 14, have fished since I was 4, fish out of a kayak, troll off my carolina skiff, am very experienced with boats, rigging, and baiting, fish over 250 days of the year for everything that swims ie; redfish, speckled trout, flounder, seabass, striper, bluefish, shark, tarpon, basicly everything. Would you hire me for a mate on weekends during the school year and weekdays and weekends during the summer as a mate. I can do anything you want and will clean the deck down after the trip?

[franklinjk]

Don't know if thats legal. The whole child labor laws, being under 16, plus having the reliability of someone under 18 on their deck might be something the captain doesn't want to get into.

Thats just my .02

[Striper4life]

Don't know if thats legal. The whole child labor laws, being under 16, plus having the reliability of someone under 18 on their deck might be something the captain doesn't want to get into.

Thats just my .02

thats what I thought someone would say nothing personal about it. I just knew there would most likely be a reason for me not to have more fun

[jimbob]

You have your whole life to work enjoy it while you can next thing you know you will wake up married with 2 kids and wonder were your youth went

[Striper4life]

You have your whole life to work enjoy it while you can next thing you know you will wake up married with 2 kids and wonder were your youth went

my youth is fishing jimbob its my life I go all the time everyday in the fall and spring and summer. I just would rather get a job to get pocket change in something I love rather than get a job a mcdonalds

[SALTY LADY]

I know a young man that was 17 when he started mating on a deadrise out of Deltaville. He is now 21 & still doing it. He loves it. I'm sure someone would let you mate for them You may need a work permit. Just check the rules.

It sure beats "Would you like fries with that?"

Either way, it's good to get a job asap. Keeps ya outta trouble.

Good Luck!!
Cheryl.

[1st Mate]

Unless its family related, im agreeing with everyone else. I started mating on a headboat when I was 16 and I am now 19. I'll tell you, when you turn 16, a headboat is a good way to start. Why? Because if you mate on a headboat, you can mate on any other boat you want to. You will find out why once you step on one. It may not seem like a lot of work but trust me, you will learn and know how to work on every part known to man in that boat. And working in the bildges, I would bring clothes that you wont ever where again. Its a fun job, lots of work, and lots of hours. I was the guy running triple shifts from 6:30am till 12:00am that night. And then having to be at the boat again at 4:30am. Like I said, hard work, but is well worth the pay. Headboats are always looking for mates and im sure it wont be hard getting on one. Good luck to you with whatever you decide to do.

1st Mate on Ocean Eagle

-Chris

[Striper4life]

Unless its family related, im agreeing with everyone else. I starting mating on a boat when I was 16 and I am now 19. I'll tell you, when you turn 16, a headboat is a good way to start. Why? Because if you mate on a headboat, you can mate on any other boat you want to. You will find out why once you step on one. It may not seem like a lot of work but trust me, you will learn and know how to work on every part known to man in that boat. And working in the bildges, I would bring clothes that you wont ever where again. Its a fun job, lots of work, and lots of hours. I was the guy running triple shifts from 6:30am till 12:00am that night. And then having to be at the boat again at 4:30am. Like I said, hard work, but is well worth the pay. Headboats are always looking for mates and im sure it wont be hard getting on one. Good luck to you with whatever you decide to do.

1st Mate on Ocean Eagle

-Chris

So I should just try to do a headboat Ill probly head to lynnhaven docks for that. Or would ruddee be better and I did here tips are GREAT on headboats

[1st Mate]

I would first start off with Rudee inlets headboat fleet. If nothing there, then move on to the Lynnhaven fleet. Just have to be patient, there are plenty of oppurtunities to become a mate. Right place at the right time. Also, im going to give you a website address for Ocean Eagle, the boat I worked on! They are going to be needing help this year. The boat begins in may and ends the last day of December. It would be a good summer job for you and a good way to earn some good money. These guys always need the help. Kyle and I worked that boat all year together busting @ss, we did it but the extra help was needed. The website is www.hamptonroadscharter.com Email the owner Captain Howard Wainwright and see what he says. Im sure he can get you a spot on the boat. The Captain that runs the boat daily is Captain Will. These Captains are great guys and I have learned alot from them. Email them or call 757-868-3474, its worth a shot!

[Striper4life]

I would first start off with Rudee inlets headboat fleet. If nothing there, then move on to the Lynnhaven fleet. Just have to be patient, there are plenty of oppurtunities to become a mate. Right place at the right time. Also, im going to give you a website address for Ocean Eagle, the boat I worked on! They are going to be needing help this year. The boat begins in may and ends the last day of December. It would be a good summer job for you and a good way to earn some good money. These guys always need the help. Kyle and I worked that boat all year together busting @ss, we did it but the extra help was needed. The website is www.hamptonroadscharter.com Email the owner Captain Howard Wainwright and see what he says. Im sure he can get you a spot on the boat. The Captain that runs the boat daily is Captain Will. These Captains are great guys and I have learned alot from them. Email them or call 757-868-3474, its worth a shot!

Dang I would take your advise but hamptons a bit to far away for a daily thing from virginia beach.

[Marlin Maniac]

Chris I remember when you were right where Striper is now, looking for a way to get started. Glad to see you stuck with it. Striper, I don't think you'll find anyone to take you on before you turn 16. The good news is that with the return of the stripers, boats that would have been laid up by October are still running in January now. Longer fishing seasons mean more work for enterprising young men like Chris and yourself. Good luck and let us know how it works out!

[fish on]

I started a lawn service for myself at the age of 13, ran it till I was 18 and probably made 25k during those 5 years. 1972-77 started with 3 lawns and ended up doing 14 a month at $45.00 a pop, and never worried about LABOR LAWS. I was also working full time at K-Mart as then "Hardware Manager" when K-Mart had seperate departments run by a lead manager at a whopping rate of $3.24 an hour, man I was making as much as my old man between the lawns, and the job, I was pulling in $325.00 a week in 1975 at today's comparable rate that works out to about $1,100.00 a week..

I look at it this way, work for free and what ever tips you get that is your pay (wink WINK) I fished as you have and by the age of 17 was also offered a full time job as a "Guide" at Loxahatchee Game Reserve in south Florida, but my parents were against that type of future for me so I went into the Navy instead. Huh? I say do what you want too, be your own decision maker, it's folks like you and me that create a better world to live in. Have fun working for your tips. Good Luck

[tater]

Fish-on we need more people with your attitude, I agree with you completely, find something you enjoy and love to do and stick with it