[FONT=Arial][SIZE=1] Hello everyone, my name is James Mathes. I am from Colorado (not really a typical Navy guy) who knows very little about any type of fishing besides fly fishing for rainbow trout in the colorado river, trolling in some of the small lakes we have, or standing on the bank drowning a worm. Don't get me wrong, I love fishing, and Colorado has plenty of it, but my ultimate dream is to be a charter boat captain; first here on the east coast, then in Alaska.

So I guess my question is, how do I get started? I'm planning on going to the Mariners school in Annapolis or Alexandria next spring to get my OUPV 6-pack liscense. But any liscense in the world isn't going to give me the real knowlegde and experience I need to be able to catch fish. I'm willing to work hard, and do whatever it takes to get the experience, but I'm not sure where to get started. I don't think a charter boat captain wants some random guy who knows very little about fishing here, comming and bugging them. But I can't think of any other way to get experience besides spending $1500 To charter a boat every weekend to learn. So I am open to any suggestions, or info. Thanks guys


James

Hey James I am in the same boat you are. My goal in life is to become a Charter Boat Captain. Last year I chartered a boat and started talking to the mate about it. He told me that I could go on trips with them at no charge if I helped him clean the boat after the trip. I was at the dock the next day and he started showing me how to rig baits. At one point he had to go to Flordia because of the hurricane so I was able to mate in his place for the few days while he was gone. Now I am fishing on multipule private boats and the charter boat. I learn new things everyday on the water. Most of charter captains can be rude at the docks but not all of them. Just try the same thing I did and remember those mates always have to clean the boats and would love help. You have to learn how to be a mate before you start running your own boat. If you have any questions just shoot me an e-mail. ryan.smith4@dover.af.mil

Just about every Charter Captain has 20 plus years on the water. Most have at least 5 years under their belts as a mate. What usally happens is the best mates are chosen by a "boat owner" to run his boat for him. The owner fishes once or twice a week and charters the rest of the time to off set expences. Learn to rig baits .... get a job as a mate .... meet as many boat owners as you can, and kiss as much butt as you can!

[FONT=Arial][SIZE=1] Thanks for the advice guys, I think I will hit some of the local docks and try to learn as much as I can. if you hear anyone needs a hand, or is willing to teach me a few things in exchange for free labor, my cell is (970) 201-1064 or email me at james.mathes@navy.mil

You have to have 360 Documented days on a boat,the trips must be atleast 4 hours long.Thats just to get the Captains liscense.To be able to catch fish on a regular basis and learn the patterns and cycles of each species of fish,learn the weather patterns and how it effects the fish,you really should Mate for a few years.Mates usually start out as Headboat mates and work their way into a 6 pack.If you are exceptional a Captain might be willing to hire you in the winter time and you could help him do all the dirty work at the boat yard then in turn he would agree to teach you how to fish during the season.Thats one way to get into it ,you have to love it because the pay aint that great and you work your ass off.

There's an old saying among charter captains, to the effect that if you're looking to make money, look somewhere else. Those boys don't make a lot of money. It's a labor of love. Down at Hatteras, an aquaintence of mine, Dary, runs the Tiderunner, a 27' custom built center console taking tourists on sound side trips. At $350 a half day, he pockets more money than any of the big boat captains at the dock (except maybe Spurgeon on the Miss Hatteras). The blue water is great, but the expenses are just too darned high to make any money, even with the shorter run to the stream.

Insurance,Feul prices,Maintenence and Baits.Terminal tackle is off the chain and to top it all off its weather dependent.

I would suggest you buy the boat now, it will take years to get everything in order and to make sure you are prepared for every situation. Get something nice. Get a slip at fisherman's wharf. Hire Mega Bite as your mate and take your friends out fishing. Donate a few trips to charity organizations like Hospice. All the while, learn how to fish, enjoy going fishing, take me fishing, and decide whether or not you really want that lifestyle. Good luck!

ok so here i go (don't take this to heart but its the truth)



i too would like to be a charter boat captain and here is what i think
seeing as your out of the navy this tells me that you are mid twenties or so and frankly i think it is a bit of a late start ( i am 15 and work at a marinia full time and go to school , also i have been saltwaterfishing for my hole life,. i already have my 360 documented days , have mated for people for 3 years as a substitute mate, clean fish, and rig baits on the side) and too telll you the truth catching trout is foriegn as compared to tuna and marlin fishin (shoot most rods we use way more than a brookie)(you could rig the trout like a hoo though)

this is just IMHO

Mid Twenties is still a kid from my perspective,I dont think its too late.If he has been in the Navy he might already know Rules of the road,Fire fighting,CPR and if he was on a small boat not a ship he could document some of his time.With the right Captain a green Mate might be even better than one who is experienced because he can be taylored to the Captains exact needs.Most Captains wont mess with a green guy but you might try with this approach.

WHAT DO YOU HAVE TO DOCUMENT A FISHING TRIP

Actually a Captains liscense has nothing to do with fishing, the documented time has to be in a vessel under 300 feet( or so)You have to have the captain sighn your log book.The Captains liscense makes sure you know how to run a boat and avoid collisions in 100`s of situations.but you dont learn squat about fishing.Thats where being a Mate comes into play.