Go Away

After trying to avoid it for many weeks now I feel as though the time has come for me to chime in on the people taking up space in every major city of the country. I really fought myself on this post because quite frankly these idiots don't deserve my, or anyone else's attention for that matter. Like most everything going on in this country right now, you either support the cause of these folks or you simply don't. For those of you who haven't noticed by now, I do not support them one bit. Many will say that I am against them because of my rather conservative views on life and in all honesty my decision to turn the other cheek to the occupiers came not from politics but from one small gift which I have possessed from childhood: COMMON SENSE.

The thing which really perplexes me about this whole situation is just how easy it was for people to give up on their purpose and simply join "the movement." I come from a small coastal town in which most of the residents are employed in a tourist related business and have about four months to earn profits which will sustain them for the year. While this area is somewhat desolate in the winter time one thing which I have learned in my years here is the sense of community which we all find within each other when we band together. It can be argued that this is exactly what the occupiers are doing in cities like New York, Miami and Seattle however the truth is quite the opposite. A sense of community is helping a neighbor carry in groceries, lending a hammer and nails to the guy down the street or volunteering on your local first aid squad or fire company. Communities are not built from tent cities filled with illness, drug use, rape and an overall uselessly insane lifestyle. Referring back to my original point on how this all just happened... Many who read this blog go to school, some work and the majority of you probably do or have done both. How these people could just up and leave their lives is beyond me but I guess that is due in part to the fact that they probably didn't have a life to begin with. I have no problem stopping to help a neighbor, but leaving my daily responsibilities for an undefined purpose is just childish.

With the holiday season approaching it will be interesting to see if they take a winter recess. Maybe a secret Santa is in order?... Gifts like shampoo, clean clothes and a job would be much appreciated for these fiends. Oh wait, they don't have running water so nix the first idea.

The real losers in this battle are the business owners in lower Manhattan and places alike who have done nothing but actually create jobs and try to turn a profit yet their business will now suffer. Who would want to travel to these areas and see these people? The smell is foul, the attitude is sour and quite frankly I don't think anyone gives a damn anymore. While I'll be the first to admit that we have problems in this country the anger is not being directed to the right places. Go check out the White House, SEC and Federal Reserve and tell me where the real crime is.

So my message to the flea baggers is as follows: Go home. Your families miss you, you need to work, sitting on your ass won't get you a job and to be honest no one besides those who watch MSNBC really give a damn about anything you do. Take your drug use, rape and other horrific practices back to your caves and remain there forever. Simply put, go away.

Capt. ~P

What a Show

Well, it's here. That special time of year again. Boat show season! Every year the best (and worst) gather in Fort Lauderdale, Florida to begin the journey up and down the east coast placing on display their newest creations. Last Thursday I headed to the prime time preview which is the first day of the show where industry professionals are given a preview of what lies ahead in the days to come. I really enjoy this particular day because it gives novices the ability to walk amongst some of the biggest names in the boating and sportfishing industries. We all know how nervous we were walking up to our favorite baseball players asking for their autographs when we were kids and let me tell you approaching those individuals is no different as your age grows. Their were a lot of highlights at this years show and unfortunately their were some low points as well but I am happy to report that I can see strengths in the industry where fisherman and boatbuilders alike needed serious improvements.

For those of you out there who have not been fortunate enough to make it to the show yet let me give you a lay of the land. The Convention Center in Fort Lauderdale is essentially the headquarters to the show and after paying an off site vendor to park you'll be able to get tickets right at the front door. Personally I recommend purchasing your tickets online since they are usually a few bucks cheaper and it allows you to bypass the sometimes overbearing line at Will Call. Upon entering the Convention Center you'll be smack dab in the middle of a field of fiberglass hulls and vendors galore. My first stop was over to the Yellowfin Yachts display where they had a handful of beautiful center consoles on display including a special project which was labeled "Texas State Police" and was sporting a paint job which would command the attention of anyone who saw her from land, sea or air. After purchasing my camouflage visor hat I headed to meet Captain Skipper Gentry for lunch where we discussed his plans for the winter, his new boat as well as plans to fish in the near future. Skipper is a new friend of mine but let me tell you the name of his boat "Carolina Gentleman" is a true testament to his personality. Walking back to the Guy Harvey Outpost display at the show I shook hands with a few other folks and headed to look at some boats. With the price of your ticket comes a free (after ticket price) shuttle ride over to Bahia Mar marina on the beachfront in Fort Lauderdale.

Upon arrival you can again browse one of several air conditioned enclosed tents with hundreds of vendors. Several of the highlights again include Guy Harvey's display (which he was seen at this weekend), The Billfish Foundation, Abaco Beach Resort and countless others. However, I made my way past these displays and headed for the in water boat show. Over the past year we've seen some great projects and developments in the industry such as the completion of Jarrett Bay Boatworks Jeff Burton Project and Paul Spencer's new 57 footer with pod drives. Of course its also rather interesting to see the larger mega yachts of several hundred feet with submarines and tiki bars located in their aft sections and seeing these vessels I was once again reminded that hard work can pay off. Some other creative new designs were transom live wells with a waterfall like discharge....and surfboards mounted atop the bridge cap. Again hats off to Viking and their impressive displays of just about every size of boat which their New Jersey based plant manufactures.

After working in the industry and spending much time studying the ups and downs of our aquatic world you train your eyes to look at certain things. Being that our economic times are still strenuous I was not shocked to see discounts on various products, yet what I was shocked to see was the amount of these discounts. Boats at show prices selling for ten, twenty or thirty thousand dollar discounts were a shock but were a realistic sign of just how difficult it can be to sell a product which is a luxury. It was great to see everyone again this year and I'm looking forward to both the Miami and Palm Beach shows. This year's boat show seemed to have particular vibe about it which was indicative of a brilliant year to come.

See ya on the rip~ Capt. P

Beginnings and Endings

For those of us in the northeast this time of year triggers a bittersweet feeling in the pit of any anglers stomach. Many of us are excited about the fall striper and albacore run as these fish provide a great fight and meal after a short run in a boat or walk to the beach. Others begin calling their local marina to make preparations for their winter haul out and engine winterization. Another season has come and gone and while many see this as the end, the possibilities for winter fishing abroad are endless. While these trips can be costly I can tell you as someone who has been fortunate enough to fish south Florida the last two winters, the money is well spent for countless reasons.

One of the best things about heading down south is the close proximity to just about anywhere on the east coast. Most of the major airlines such as Spirit and Continental offer reasonable rates to fly from smaller class B type airports like Atlantic City Airport to Palm Beach International and are very accommodating to the needs of anglers who choose to bring a few specialized rods from their quiver. Another great feature of the south FL charter industry is that many of the local Captains will either be keeping their boats at a resort/marina, or will have a list of fine establishments for you to stay at. Now comes the decision of figuring out what exactly you want to catch which again can be determined by the Captain, however if you're looking to go offshore sailfish, mahi, snappers and other bottom fish will be your best bet. My personal interests lie with the phenominal billfishing which we experience here in "Sailfish Alley."

When I say phenomenal billfishing I MEAN it. In the prime of the season you could be looking at double digit releases if weather and skill level work hand in hand. While many think placing the shrink wrap on the boat for the winter means the end of the season, for us down south it is just getting started. I've been lucky enough to fish Florida in the winter and New Jersey in the summer, getting the best of both worlds. I highly recommend the trip down south. Not only will you see the magnificent tail-walking of snapping sailfish but you will also get a chance to put that snow shovel down and enjoy a sea breeze while sitting on the dock after a day on the water.

Check out Sailfish Resort and Marina in Palm Beach, Pirates Cove Marina and Resort in Stuart and Finest Kind Marina in Stuart for all of your needs.

Capt. P~

Buyer Beware!

Buyer Beware

I believe in giving credit where credit is due and for that I need to thank a salesman from a very large and well-known yacht sales organization based down here in the south Florida for giving me the literary sense to write this post. Last Wednesday I decided to swing by Sailfish Marina for lunch on my way from Miami to Stuart and let me take a brief moment to recommend the nachos for an appetizer followed by the red snapper, garlic mashed potatoes and vegetable melody. Now back to the topic at hand... As I sat and watched the yachts roll in I couldn’t help but eavesdrop on the table just over my shoulder. There sat a well-dressed couple with a gentleman who was talking a good line on what yacht the couple should purchase as their retirement investment. In all honesty I must say that the brokerage representative was truthful in most of his answers, more often then not this not the case.

Buying a boat is a big task regardless of the size yet the larger you go the number of things you need to factor into your purchase increases. More likely then not when you’re ready to buy you’ll need to contact a brokerage to help you secure your new ride and much like car dealers, yacht brokerages are in business to make money and will do what is necessary to make the sale (and a commission!) However, as previously mentioned they are a necessary evil and you best bring your common sense and bargaining skills when it comes time to crunch some numbers. But before we put you at the helm of your new toy, home and INVESTMENT, lets go over a few of the basics that you’ll need to consider.

§ What are you looking for? As someone who is currently in the process of trying to sell two boats I can tell you that the main thing I’ve learned is that people are mostly indecisive because they don’t know what they want. Boats of any size are built to serve two primary functions, which are fishing and cruising. Ask yourself what you want to do but find a boat which will allow you the comforts you want at the right price for you. Also keep in mind that some boats were designed to suit the needs of owners based on their geographic location hence “Carolina Flare” or “Florida Go Fast.”

§ Be prepared to spend more then you had planned- The best way I have ever heard boat ownership described is as follows: “Being a boat owner is like having a special needs child attached to your hip who needs specialized care and treatment yet at the end of the day you love it unconditionally.” Nice boats start in the low to mid six-figure range and really nice boats have no set price tag. Keep in mind that you get what you pay for and if you nickel and dime it on you initial purchase the boat will nickel and dime you forever. Look at it this way; if you’re going to spend $2,500,000 on a boat, what’s $2,700,000?

§ Get a second opinion-While we all want different things we all can usually miss something which we kick ourselves for later on down the road. Bring a friend along who has some experience at the helm and have them ask some tough questions of the broker. You’ll catch he or she off guard and you may very well catch them in a lie. Grab a friend with some mechanical sense since that is exactly what boats are, machines. Have him stick his head down in the engine room, get a look at the electrical panels and see if the electronics need to be updated. Also speak to some owner’s of the particular brand of boat you are looking to buy that the manufacturer does NOT reference you to. Nine times out of ten you’ll hear that people are satisfied but it doesn’t hurt to listen to their woes either. Remember, nothing in the world is perfect but if you see a guy holding a sign in front of a brokerage saying don’t buy model x from salesman y, he’s definitely worth having a cup of coffee with.

§ Do your homework!!! This is probably the most important thing you can do when you’re serious about buying. Check everything from how many coats of glass are applied, to how many hours are on the engines. Is their a reason the boat has been repowered three times in the last 5 years? (More like find a new boat) Also stop by every manufacturer you can to see the operation. Some of the best boat builders I’ve ever met have their operation based in a wooden shed in the builder’s backyard while some of the larger warehouse style operations can put out complete chop-shop boats that are sure to meet Davey Jones on the sea floor. As I’ve said numerous times no boat is perfect but trust me some boats just plain suck. If you look at the number of years a manufacturer has been in business, as with any company, it will tell you that as the years increase the manufacturer is probably doing something right. One extremely important thing to look at before singing the check is just how much this boat will cost you BEFORE you fire the engines up. Some of the larger boats I have dealings with can be five figures to insure, store and maintain. Is a professional crew necessary? Be sure that you have the resources as an owner to keep the boat in pristine shape for as long as you own her. This will not only turn the heads of those who walk down the dock but it will also increase your boat’s value should you ever decide to upgrade.

We’ve covered a few things in this post and I’m sure by now you’re ready to throw in the towel and say forget it right? WRONG! Like buying a house, buying a boat should be a new, fun experience despite the stresses that are involved. This is one process where the experienced boat owner holds the upper hand but keep in mind that we were all beginners at some point. Remember, in the end you are the one who has to push the throttles up and sign off on the expense log so do what is right for you and not the broker’s commission! Use common sense and be savvy with your negotiations. With those two last points I’m confident we’ll be seeing you at the marina in no time flat. ~

Signs of Seamanship: How to Pick the Right Charter Boat Captain.

Another year of school has come and gone and these past two weeks I found myself home in New Jersey spending some time with the family before the summer semester begins. Fishing is a seasonal thing in the North East and it seemed as though someone flipped a switch last week to allow schools of Bunker fish to flood the costal areas of our barrier islands, causing some of the larger predators to show up. People come from as far away as Philadelphia, New York State and even West Virginia to climb aboard head boats and charter boats at the Jersey Shore and try their luck for the very sought after Striped Bass. (Rockfish to my southern readers) As a mate of both commercial and recreational boats for the last decade I’ve come to learn a thing or two about what the difference is between a good charter Captain and a great charter Captain. I get a lot of phone calls from old friends and family asking me which boat to choose and with this post I hope to clear up a few of those questions which in turn, will point you to the right boat.

The first thing that we need to look at is you, the charter. One thing I can not stress enough is that no matter how experienced a Captain is, he can NOT make the fish bite, he can only present a variety of spreads, baits and tactics to attempt provoking the fish to strike. Lets start with some basic questions which you should ask yourself before selecting a boat. Begin by asking yourself the most important question: What are we looking to go fishing for? The answer to this question could not only save you time in picking a Captain, however it could also save you a substantial amount of money. If you’re looking for a species which can be caught on the inshore waters such as flounder or small bluefish and don’t have the maximum allotted amount of six people as per U.S. Coast Guard regulations, you could probably check into chartering a small center console boat for a fraction of the coast of the larger offshore fleet. Most Captains on the larger boat will do their best to diversify their operation for all types of fishing but if back bays are more to your liking then a small boats will not only potentially save you hundreds of dollars, however it could also provide you the opportunity to fish in areas where shallow water will not permit a vessel with a larger draft safe passage. If the angler is looking to chase the pelagics then you will need to ask a whole different set of questions which we will cover later in this article.

Once you figure out what type of charter it is you are looking for, next comes boat selection. This is where you need to do a bit of detective work and figure out who the man (or woman) for the job is. My best advice here is to actually go down to the docks and speak to the Captains or mates on the various boats. While I realize that current fuel prices may make this a bit of a challenge for clients distant from the marinas, it is well worth a day trip to the docks to see the operation first hand. One thing which I have come to notice in speaking to various clients on party boats over the years is that they were all drawn by one thing: the website and how well put together it was. In the age of digital marketing there is no doubt that cyber space can capture an audience with fancy snapshots of beautifully detailed boats or even better photos of the one that didn’t get away. Yet looks can be deceiving and as you will find many of the nicest looking boats on the internet can be quite the opposite once you show up on the morning of your several thousand dollar fishing trip.

As you walk along the docks take note of several things. As with any good business practice the people who I am drawn to as a customer are the people who greet me with a smile and treat me with respect. Personality of the crew is a huge factor as to weather or not I’ll step foot on a boat regardless if it’s a charter or just some buddies going to wack a few sails for fun. If the fishing is slow and the release flags aren’t going up as quickly as you’d hoped, you certainly want to be able to leave with a smile and memories which you will hold for a lifetime. Many first time charters tend to miss the fulfillment that a seasoned angler can get from a day on the water without a bite. Remember, this isn’t the BBC, WMO or Mid-Atlantic $500k with tons of money on the line. This is a fun day for the photo album. MAKE YOUR OWN GOOD TIME! If you are strolling the docks looking at the boats trust me, the good Captains and mates who want your business will talk to you. Be drawn by the personality and reputation of the crew, not by the fighting lady yellow color of the hull. Here are a few other things to keep in mind:

· Seaworthiness of the vessel- This is ABSOLUTELY the most important thing that anyone must consider before setting foot on a boat. Inquire about the safety equipment of the boat and the experience of the crew. Are they an operation from out-of-town or have they been chartering from that inlet for twenty years? Keep in mind that the U.S. Coast Guard mandates that charters be kept to six passengers or less only. Unless you are chartering a larger head boat the Captain should not be willing to take more then 6 passengers and if he does keep right on moving to the next boat. Anyone who is willing to risk his or her license in order to make a buck shouldn’t have a license in the first place. Also note what amenities the boat provides such as a head (or bathroom), heating and air conditioning and enough seating to give your legs a rest.

· Ask about what will happen on the trip- While this may sound general it is essential to know that you can trust your crew. Be honest with the crew about your level of experience so they can tailor the tackle as well as their patience towards you and your group. I’ve seen many charters book a trip saying that they have fished for years, get on the boat and within five minutes of lines in the crew is ready to use the charter as bait. No one will look down upon you for admitting to being a novice. In fact, when people come on my boat I sometimes prefer that they are inexperienced so I can train them to my liking. Remember, these crews are professionals and will do whatever it takes (within reason) to make sure you become a repeat customer. Questions about fish cleaning and packing, time of departure and return as well as what to bring and price should be included in this round of interrogation.

· Check out the tackle- If you are a first time charter this is probably the least important of your questions. However, if you’re looking to charter a boat for the World Sailfish Championship this could be the difference between points on the board and long faces when checks are distributed. Also keep in mind that the knowledge which these crews have ascertained about fishing is invaluable. They have will have the proper pound test as well as the right about of drag set on each reel. Trust their judgment. Some of the best crews out there will even invite you onto the boat at the dock to take a look at the tackle before mention of a charter is even uttered.

· Reputation- Reputation is the biggest selling point for me if I have to charter a boat however; it can also be the hardest thing to weed through. If a boat has customers who have been with them for numerous years, the chances are that said boat would give you a great time and keep you coming back year after year. At the same time I cannot urge enough how much common sense plays into this section of choosing a boat. If you’re Captain is promising you a giant Bluefin Tuna and there have not been any Bluefin brought into that inlet in the last ten years, what are the odds that you will change that dry spell? I have more respect for the operation who can say “Look, the sailfishing hasn’t been on fire but the mahi and blackfin are here thick. I’m not saying we can’t go sailfishing, all I’m saying is I’d rather be honest and see you spend your money on something I can almost guarantee we’ll have a shot at catching.” Versus a Captain who will promise to catch you jaws with Quint still in his belly.

The last piece of advice I can give you is something that will go a long way with the crew. While most charters are anywhere from $1200 to $3400 (with some in NJ charging as much as $5600) please keep in mind that this is someone’s livelihood and as expensive as that may sound think about the reality of what you’re doing. Mates work for tips on these boats and the proper amount is the same as any restaurant, 20% of the price of the charter. The gratuity is not included in the price of the trip and there is no law which prevents you from giving more if the deckhand really tried to make your day enjoyable. Another key thing to remember is that these boats are someone else’s property and they would like it treated with respect. Slamming a $3000 fishing outfit onto the deck of a boat because you missed the hook up on a blue marlin isn’t appreciated and will probably make your trip shorter and more expensive then it was originally. With that being said here is the final piece of advice before I send you sailing. HAVE FUN! Remember, the crew is there to work for your enjoyment but it is you who has to walk away with a smile on your face. Now go catch one no matter what!!!

See you on the rip~

Captain Pat