Party/Charter Boat Captains

[LotsobitesBB]

I feel bad and worry for all of our party and charter boat captains. The longer this goes (and I fear the worst), the worse it is going to get for them in an already tough industry. Personally, I reached out to the captain of a boat I fish a bunch of times annually and got his address and paid an "April" fare. It would be great if others that are able to, do the same. At the same time, I understand not all can with unemployment through the roof, furloughs becoming more and more common and all small business owners effected with the loss of business so please do not blast me with responses, I get it. But if you are lucky enough to be able to, please consider. I am currently lucky enough to be able to and do not expect anything in return and it to be forgotten when we all get back to being out on the water.

Thanks for listening and I hope everyone is as safe and healthy as possible.

btw, first time I got skunked on that boat and I feel good about it.

[dales529]

Great post and gesture to pay your April fare regardless of the opportunity to fish.
I am doing the same by sending deposits on my charter trips booked even though due to repeat yearly business the sponsor captains havent asked.
I know they can use it and even if we dont get out its money well spent so hopefully they are all still there when we do get out.

When all this clears we need a NJ fishing day where we all get out and pack these boats.

[tuna john]

golden eagle had sent an email with great deal I bought bunch of tickets. best way we can support them now

[dakota560]

Very thoughtful thread and in keeping with the true spirit of this site. Many people are hurting right now, some significantly more than others. Not sure if sponsors offer gift certificates but if they do now would be a good time to offer them and provide much needed short term relief in turn for future services or trips. Consider it the Recreational Angler Stimulus Plan for the many Party and For Hire owners who are there for us when we need them to feed our addiction. Would hate to see these boats fold up tent, they deserve better. Sounds to some degree like the same concept Tuna John mentioned with the Golden Eagle. Let the gift certificates be used for future trips so it puts some cash in the sponsor's pocket now when they need it to get them through the short term and buy time to stay afloat until this mess is behind us. Lot of people do this at Christmas, no reason we can't do it now.

Thoughts?

[shrimpman steve]

Great gesture, nuff said!

[Capt John]

Gentlemen and Fellow Anglers,

Gift Certificates.....what a great, great gesture that you are considering. Bravo and God bless all who do and even those of you who don't.

This has been a very tough couple of months for the entire recreational fishing industry....all of us. Bait/tackle shops, marina owners, party boats, charter boats and so on. Stripers flooding into Raitan Bay and boats are in storage racks...ughhh!

And as far as the SBA $10,000 grants being doled out....you can forget about that. (Just saw a report this morning that hedge fund managers scoffed up a lot of that money...are you kidding me? Who the hell is overseeing this massive amount of money?) We'll see in time if that's true or not...but the little guy get it up the a** again.

Even though the gov't waves a magic wand or flips a switch and says "OK , we're open now" doesn't ensure that the guy standing next to you on a head boat or open boat charter isn't a "asymptomatic live wire" transmitter of the virus. Without MASSIVE national testing, you'll never know if the guy standing next to you can kill you....very scary.

But getting back to gift certificates idea....a wonderful win/win situation for the saltwater recreational industry and the fishermen. (Ask if the G/C can be carried over to 2021 fishing season)

Many bait/tackle shops also offer them as well if you ask. But the main thrust is supporting your favorite captain....head boat or charter. A great way to say "thank you" for all those wonderful days on the water.

They ALL need your help now more than ever.

Use it this year or next, but call you favorite captain, thank him for his dedication and hard work and have your credit card ready.

Like I said before....everybody wins in the end.

Thanks Gerry for posting this message.