Through the Eyes of a Charter Captain

When you think of a boat captain, you might think of Captain Ahab, Jack Sparrow or Quint from “Jaws.” You might imagine a life of intrigue, mysterious wealth and countless romantic affairs. You would probably be wrong.

Because of their winning personalities, you might equate fishing captains with museum docents, say, or tour guides on trolleys. That would be a mistake, too. Docents and tour guides don’t wrestle 80-pound tunas for 20 days straight. The only thing more demanding (and scarier) than being a charter captain is being a maid of honor.

Ask any captain, and they’ll probably tell you that there’s no such thing as a “typical” day. Because life on the water changes constantly. But there are a few constants at play, day in and day out. For example, if you’re a charter captain…

You’re up hours before sunrise.

You’re scarfing eggs and coffee in the dark while listening to the fishing and weather reports. Depending on what you accomplished before hitting the sack at 8 p.m. the night before, you might fuel up your boat or stock live wells with fresh bait. You give your vessel a thorough inspection for safety and seaworthiness. 

You might have to make a minor, last-minute repair — you do major repairs and routine maintenance in your “free time.” Meanwhile, as you do your chores, you obsessively check for weather updates.

You meticulously plan for every excursion.

Each trip is customized. Is this a first-time outing for a family or a combination fishing trip/bachelor party? Does your next client want to win a trophy or just catch some decent crappie for supper?

If you’re a good captain, you’ve asked questions like these far ahead of time. That way, you can pinpoint the spots where your clients’ favorite fish are lurking. You map routes and stock fishing gear and sundries accordingly. You sometimes take the long way to show off pretty scenery or interesting historical sites. You plan each voyage with unique passengers in mind.

You think of everything.

Speaking of gear and sundries, you must assume that vacationers and novices have no idea what they’re doing. Therefore, you stock your boat in anticipation of their every need. For instance, the guy determined to hook a giant bluefin needs a saltwater jigging rod. It is not likely that he will bring one. 

You figure the overstretched mother of four will forget the sunscreen, rain ponchos or seasickness remedy. Dads always forget the binoculars, so you keep a spare pair to lend out. You stock water bottles, bug spray and all kinds of things people don’t think of. These niceties go a long way to reduce stress on the trip (and save marriages).

You’re a wellspring of information for all ages.

During lulls on the water, you share angling records, fishing tips and gumbo recipes. With serious sportsmen, you talk about baits and techniques. Kids like learning that bananas and whistling are bad luck on boats. Vacationers want to know where the shipwrecks are. Everyone loves a good ghost story. 

Unlike the tales you hear on trolley tours, which are notoriously made up, your big fish stories are the gospel truth. If you run out of things to talk about, you teach passengers how to clean fish, tie fancy knots or sing traditional seafaring songs. All captains are terrific singers.

You never stop learning and honing your skills.

When it comes to finding fish, charter captains seem to have uncanny instincts. Maybe so, but instincts don’t just fall from the sky and into the boat. Instincts are largely developed through years of study and experience.

Between trips, when you’re not checking the weather (and you’re always checking the weather), you try to learn something new. You bone up on the latest navigational technology or the best new rods and reels. You practice casting methods you’ve never tried. You read about conservation efforts and sustainability. You study tidal patterns or make sure that your certifications are up to date. You keep a detailed log of the day’s activities. It never hurts to brush up on local history and legendary anglers.

So, where’s the reward?

No one argues that being a charter captain is hard work. Days are long; mind you, the boat has to be thoroughly cleaned, restocked and inspected after every outing. During peak season, it’s tough to catch up on Netflix or rustle up a dinner date. You typically roll into bed while it’s still light out — that is, after you check the weather forecast one more time.

All that said, there is great reward.

You find reward in a stunning sunrise breaking over the water. You find reward in quietly prepping your boat as the birds wake up. It’s in watching a father and son celebrate their first catch. It’s in laughing with a grandma who can’t bait a hook to save her life. Mostly, the reward is in knowing that you help folks make great memories.

To some captains, piloting a boat is a calling. Others describe it as an addiction. In any case, if you’re a charter captain, you can’t imagine doing anything else.

Book a Trip

Your customized adventure awaits! Check out profiles to find an experienced charter captain today.