If You Drop a Charter Rod Overboard?

[Flukemeister1]

I have never seen this question addressed before. What is expected if you are fishing on a charter boat and you drop the rod and reel overboard? Do you pay for the reel? Is it just part of doing business for the captain? I know if I was the fare I would be buying a new rod for the boat.

[Inishmore3]

I would think if you dropped it overboard, you now own it. It would be the right thing to do and pay the captain for the rod you lost.

Once on the CA III out of Barnegat Light a guy dropped his own rod and reel in the drink. The boat felt bad for him and gave him a boat rod to use at no charge. He won the pool and gave it all to the mates. Kind of weird day for that guy.

[billfish16]

I have never seen this question addressed before. What is expected if you are fishing on a charter boat and you drop the rod and reel overboard? Do you pay for the reel? Is it just part of doing business for the captain? I know if I was the fare I would be buying a new rod for the boat.

Like most I believe, even if the Capt and/or owner insisted that replacement/reimbursement was not necessary I would hold myself accountable and replace it.

Also I do not ever remember using a charter boats equipment other than when on vacation far from home.

[Capt Sal]

Like most I believe, even if the Capt and/or owner insisted that replacement/reimbursement was not necessary I would hold myself accountable and replace it.

Also I do not ever remember using a charter boats equipment other than when on vacation far from home.
Exactly!!!! If i gave a customer a Stella reel and a Lomis rod and they dropped it overboard?Sir, you owe me $1200 dollars lol. I supply good equipment but you can't put out super expensive equipment.If you are an avid angler you should always bring your own equipment.:)

[paulyfish]

Like most I believe, even if the Capt and/or owner insisted that replacement/reimbursement was not necessary I would hold myself accountable and replace it.

Also I do not ever remember using a charter boats equipment other than when on vacation far from home.


This happened once when I first started doing charters 14yrs ago.. my sports hands were cold and wet and oops.. we tried and tried to snag the rig but the current and conditions were just not in our favor. He apologized and gladly paid for the expensive rod and reel, and remains a great client to this day!
Paul

[Chico]

I am currently in SW Fla. and have done several charters with Capt. Joe Miller, so far this "winter" 4 outfits went overboard, the three that belonged to the captain had to be paid for by the person who lost them. The privately owned gear that was lost was the most expensive, and was lost after a tangle was undone, and the rig was tossed back into the water, an Amberjack immediately took the bait and took off, ripping the rod and reel right out of the angler's hands!!!

[codbuster]

I would think if you dropped it overboard, you now own it. It would be the right thing to do and pay the captain for the rod you lost.

Once on the CA III out of Barnegat Light a guy dropped his own rod and reel in the drink. The boat felt bad for him and gave him a boat rod to use at no charge. He won the pool and gave it all to the mates. Kind of weird day for that guy.
Best pb in the world!!!! Gina and Will and the crew!! Can't beat um!!!!!!!!

[SaltLife1980]

Accidents happen.. Last season we had a guy drop a rod.. he felt so bad that he paid for it.. But it happens..

[slammer]

From what Ive seen on charter and party boats you loose it you pay foy it.

[chrislars]

most boats i have been on tell people when they teach them how to use the rental rods, before they begin fishing, that if u drop it, you bought it! passengers cant expect boats to foot the cost of people dropping rods.:confused:

[Inishmore3]

When I wrote my reply I was thinking of the the 30 year old Penn Long Beach Rods on the Party Boats. I've never been on a charter in NJ. Went on one in Delaware but I always use my own. I am left handed so I have always used my own gear. I did not think if you went on Canyon Runner and dropped one of their expensive rods and reels. I gues you would have to make a payment deal. Again, after I saw some of the replies, I was not thinking of the real expensive stuff that a boat like Canyon Runner or other charter boats use. I only say Canyon Runner because I was spoken to and seen their gear. I am sure other charters use the same kind of gear.

[tropics]

I think I read a few contracts for Charters that state if you use their set ups and lose one it, has to be paid for.
IMHO any charter using top of the line equipment should have that written in.
I personally would own up to paying,if I dropped one.

[Kenny O]

of course you PAY!

[Fin Reaper]

I can't remember which boat I saw it on but there was a sign posted $90.00 to replace lost rods...I can remember thinking it was more than a fair price and if you drop one over you shouldnt be surprised you have to pay to replace it.

[fishcounter]

I did it once on a charter. Had my own gear and was rigged for live line, but we hit a spot with readings and no bunker. Grabbed a boat rod that was rigged with a heavy soft bait on a spinner. One cast and I didn't have the bail all the way open and it closed after about 20ft of line was cast. Anyway, ripped the rod out of my hands and down to the bottom she went.

Paid the captain, didn't even thin about not paying.

[Canyon Runner]

When I wrote my reply I was thinking of the the 30 year old Penn Long Beach Rods on the Party Boats. I've never been on a charter in NJ. Went on one in Delaware but I always use my own. I am left handed so I have always used my own gear. I did not think if you went on Canyon Runner and dropped one of their expensive rods and reels. I gues you would have to make a payment deal. Again, after I saw some of the replies, I was not thinking of the real expensive stuff that a boat like Canyon Runner or other charter boats use. I only say Canyon Runner because I was spoken to and seen their gear. I am sure other charters use the same kind of gear.


Funny string.

Let's see - I've had 2 - 50VSW with custom rods dropped over and 1 16VSX with a custom rod in just the last 3-4 years. That's about $3500 - $4000 in value (the 50 rods had wind-on guides).

Not one of the 3 guys offered to pay anything.

I didn't ask them to pay and honestly if they offered to pay we wouldn't make them because they were amatuers and accidents happen.

But not offering to pay means I've banned them from the boat.

[Solemate]

Dont quite understand why you would ban them. Did you think they might do it again or did it on purpose. You said if offered you would not have made them pay. How would you do that? But your boat your rules.

[lunkertaker]

PAY

In the unlikely event that me or my crew happened to "drop" a boat rod, we would offer to compensate if we had any future intention of repeating the Charter in the future...just saying

[Capt. Debbie]

BIZARRE QUESTION.

In general if you BARROW someone else's stuff and destroy it. Why would you ever think if OK to walk away without paying for their property you just ruined?

Is this a trick question?

[Jay]

BIZARRE QUESTION.

In general if you BARROW someone else's stuff and destroy it. Why would you ever think if OK to walk away without paying for their property you just ruined?

Is this a trick question?

I was thinking the same thing. Someone borrows my rod, it goes overboard. You better believe you will be replacing it......:D I think, the same goes for any Party boat or Charter.

[joeya78]

I guess the rule is you drop.....you better get out your wallet, at least for half of it anyway.

[Jowics159]

Let me take this question one step further

What if you break the rod fighting a fish? Do you own it?

[chrislars]

Let me take this question one step further

What if you break the rod fighting a fish? Do you own it?

That I would say is the boats problem for not having better or newer equipment. Generally its not the anglers fault (or a huge fish) that breaks the gear, but just poor maintenance or cheap gear.

[frugalfisherman]

The only honorable thing to do is to dive in after it.

[SaltLife1980]

Let me take this question one step further

What if you break the rod fighting a fish? Do you own it?


You break a pole while fighting a fish.. As long as you were using the rod and reel correctly then its not your fault..

and chrislars.. i disagree.. I have seen brand new robs snap when people try to lift a big fish and swing them into the boat.... Nothing to do with crappy stuff..

[Captain Rich]

That I would say is the boats problem for not having better or newer equipment. Generally its not the anglers fault (or a huge fish) that breaks the gear, but just poor maintenance or cheap gear.


"just poor maintenance or cheap gear".
Whoa !!!!!!!! Years ago I had a muscle bound muscle brained angler try to get his snagged line free of a wreck. Instead of jigging the tip gently, he put all of his back and arms into bending the rod to lift the wreck off of the bottom. Of course my graphite rod couldn't take the abuse and snapped mid rod. Poor maintenance ? cheap gear ? not hardly.....poor understanding of fishing ? Yes. Then upon docking he ran off of the boat while his group was doing photos, never offered to make good on the rod, and the boss of his company, who arranged the charter never offered either !

[Ol Pedro]

That I would say is the boats problem for not having better or newer equipment. Generally its not the anglers fault (or a huge fish) that breaks the gear, but just poor maintenance or cheap gear.
We are not so much talking about broken gear we are talking lost gear . But since you brought it up party boats have to go with what gives them the best bang for the buck . Something that is sturdy and can take a beating . Novice/inexperianced Anglers tend to trash rental rods . Penn 60's/Senators and glass rods are good for this job . Would you want your Accurate/Seeker rented out on a crowded Bluefish boat 100 times a year to someone who doesn't know which way the reel faces ? We try to service our reels/refill before every trip . I loaned out my Bogan/Penn 505 four times last Bluefish Season only to have the anti reverse broken once , and the reel backlashed so bad two other times that I had to respool after the trip . ONE TIME it came back in usable condition at the end of the trip . When the reel broke the person offered to have it fixed . I declined and fixed it myself . He is still welcome to use my stuff .

[Jay]

@ Chrislars, talking from experience here, it's not the pole. It's the Angler who is fishing with the pole. I had a dogfish on my pole and grabbed the pole mid-way and it snapped right in half. Why, because grabbed the pole where I shouldn't. Don't blame the boats gear. Most of the rental rods are heavy sticks. Just my two cents. :D ;)

[italianfisherman]

You break a pole while fighting a fish.. As long as you were using the rod and reel correctly then its not your fault..

and chrislars.. i disagree.. I have seen brand new robs snap when people try to lift a big fish and swing them into the boat.... Nothing to do with crappy stuff..
agree..

[italianfisherman]

@ Chrislars, talking from experience here, it's not the pole. It's the Angler who is fishing with the pole. I had a dogfish on my pole and grabbed the pole mid-way and it snapped right in half. Why, because grabbed the pole where I shouldn't. Don't blame the boats gear. Most of the rental rods are heavy sticks. Just my two cents. :D ;)
i have dun that myself.

[AJFISH13]

We are not so much talking about broken gear we are talking lost gear . But since you brought it up party boats have to go with what gives them the best bang for the buck . Something that is sturdy and can take a beating . Novice/inexperianced Anglers tend to trash rental rods . Penn 60's/Senators and glass rods are good for this job . Would you want your Accurate/Seeker rented out on a crowded Bluefish boat 100 times a year to someone who doesn't know which way the reel faces ? We try to service our reels/refill before every trip . I loaned out my Bogan/Penn 505 four times last Bluefish Season only to have the anti reverse broken once , and the reel backlashed so bad two other times that I had to respool after the trip . ONE TIME it came back in usable condition at the end of the trip . When the reel broke the person offered to have it fixed . I declined and fixed it myself . He is still welcome to use my stuff .

X2. But on the subject of replacing damaged rods, yes I would offer to pay for it in a heartbeat. If it was a high end outfit, Id setup a payment plan no problem. I wouldnt feel right if I didnt pay for another outfit.

[Flukemeister1]

BIZARRE QUESTION.

In general if you BARROW someone else's stuff and destroy it. Why would you ever think if OK to walk away without paying for their property you just ruined?

Is this a trick question?


No just an etiquette question. I completely agree with you and that's why I hate borrowing other people's stuff.

[007Hookem]

The only honorable thing to do is to dive in after it.

I second that.....there is great honor in diving over the rail. If not the skipper's respect, definitely his attention.

[reefsquater]

If you drop anything and break or lose it you should pay for it, shouldn't be any question or thought.

Sad part is, so many people today will blame others and not own up or pay for their mistakes, it is a big part of the reason we are where we are as a nation.

[blynch]

and chrislars.. i disagree.. I have seen brand new robs snap when people try to lift a big fish and swing them into the boat.... Nothing to do with crappy stuff..


Any party boat that I've ever been on discourages people from doing this except when the fish is tiny. Rods snap, hooks pull out, green fish go crazy... If the boat says wait for a gaff, and you still swing away, I would think it would be on you...

[devildogski]

Here one for you all I have been on a head boat before where the mate dropped my setup over board trying to deal with a tangle....think they offered to pay me back? nope not even a free trip from that party boat so I think unless u sign something saying if you loose it you pay for if hell NO

[SaltLife1980]

Any party boat that I've ever been on discourages people from doing this except when the fish is tiny. Rods snap, hooks pull out, green fish go crazy... If the boat says wait for a gaff, and you still swing away, I would think it would be on you...


When you are catching blue fish and not keeping them.. I will not gaff the fish... Unless its a 20+ pound beast.. Why kill it.. Swing them over the rail.. and throw em back.. Duck or Bleed style.. Have seen some monsters swung over the rails with no problems.. and of course you get jigs and hooks popping out but its all part of the game..

[Pennsy Guy]

I have, upon occassion, given my rod with a fish(tuna) on to an angler who hasn't, nearing the trip's end, had a fish or even a runoff--only thing I ever said was "don't drop it overboard"...so far, so good...they've gotten a fish and I got my outfit back--once it was the pool fish....On the other hand, I've caused a spinning rod to drop out of an overhead storage while switching outfits...needless to say, the reel stem broke...asked around until I found the owner to pay him, he wouldn't take any payment...that still bothers me.....I can't conceive of not paying--or offering to pay for gear I've broken or lost overboard...
I know on one PB, the charge on "lost" gear is right on there in black & white and I'm sure it's not the only one that has it listed...

[blynch]

When you are catching blue fish and not keeping them.. I will not gaff the fish... Unless its a 20+ pound beast.. Why kill it.. Swing them over the rail.. and throw em back.. Duck or Bleed style.. Have seen some monsters swung over the rails with no problems.. and of course you get jigs and hooks popping out but its all part of the game..


I'm with ya 100%... why kill what you dont want, I'd risk a jig going flying to save a fish any day... all I'm saying is, if someone snaps one of the boat's sticks doing that after they specifically told him not to, it's kinda tough to say its not the fisherman's responsibility...

[retax1]

In hemmingway's "to have and have not" a customer lays a rod [stupidly] across his lap . when a marlin hits the rod is lost . Capt Morgan [Humphry Bogart in the movie ] charges for the rod and the customer agrees to pay . In the movie The customer tries to skip town . Bogie gets him and gets paid . In the book he gets away ......... A few years ago a rod fell from the rod holder of a certain boat while i was putting it up . As a gesture of good will I offered to replace it . the charter wanted cash . twice what it in fact cost me to replace the exact ugly stick baitrunner combo . I gave him a new replacement set up in the hope of maintaing 'good will' . He was still sore . Boggie would have been proud .

[retax1]

A charter customer leaves a rod [stupidly] on his lap and loses it when a marlin hits in Hemmingway's "to have and have not" . Captain Harry Morgan charges the customer the retail cost to replace new of the rod and reel but does not charege for the line . The customer agrees to pay . In the movie Capt Harry Morgan [Humphry Bogard] catches the thief and gets paid . In the book he gets away . A few years ago i was taking my rod from a holder. it accidently caught a boat road and the boat rod went in . I apologized to the capt and offered to replace the set up . First he tried to keep my black hole stella combo [retail $1000from Mr Kilsong] then demanded $600 for his set up . In the intrest of good will i offered to and eventually replaced the exact set up that had been lost -- an ugly stick and shimano baitrunner from a well respected shop close to the boat in question at retail for less than $300. He thanked me and promised me a free trip some time in the future . So much for good will . Every time i have called him since then he has been "full " . If you read this Capt- I'm still waiting for that free trip you said I could have the next time you had only four or five people but were going to sail anyway .

[chrislars]

@ Chrislars, talking from experience here, it's not the pole. It's the Angler who is fishing with the pole. I had a dogfish on my pole and grabbed the pole mid-way and it snapped right in half. Why, because grabbed the pole where I shouldn't. Don't blame the boats gear. Most of the rental rods are heavy sticks. Just my two cents. :D ;)

i totally agree with what you all are saying about anglers breaking gear because they don't know how to use it. Now, on a smaller charter, I would expect the crew though to either help swing a fish or if someone is snagged on the bottom, to take over the rod. Granted, anglers do crazy things before crew can get to them and if the angler is misusing the gear, then yes, they owe the boat.

I guess I was thinking more in line with older party boat gear that has seen a lot of wear and tear and if something like that breaks through normal use, then it would be the boats expense. I was just thinking in those terms rather than the angler over using the gear beyond its limits :D

[aduma1107]

there is usually a sign up stating rod rental replacement fee is....... One boat I usually fish inshore tuna with, lose there outfit pay 1000.00 bucks. Posted on form you fill out and in cabin. If it were not posted I would still pay what it's worth. It's the right thing to do.

[jmurr711]

I can't remember which boat I saw it on but there was a sign posted $90.00 to replace lost rods...I can remember thinking it was more than a fair price and if you drop one over you shouldnt be surprised you have to pay to replace it.

I have come across that too just do not remember what boats, & I feel if you drop it you buy it, Charter or PB & even if it is not a rule of the charter or PB to pay for lost equipment, if you do not offer your a d!ck

[Taxman]

I've snagged dropped poles on 2 seperate occasions and didn't even get a free beer as thanks

[catsmeow]

For my two cents from what the charter boats why don't they take out insurance on their equipment and factor it into the prices they charge and paying full price for heavily used equipment is just not fair. Like the guy who had a mate on a party boat lose his gear no reimbursment at all. Would a charter boat reimburse me if they lost my equipment ? I doubt it !

[Capt Sal]

For my two cents from what the charter boats why don't they take out insurance on their equipment and factor it into the prices they charge and paying full price for heavily used equipment is just not fair. Like the guy who had a mate on a party boat lose his gear no reimbursment at all. Would a charter boat reimburse me if they lost my equipment ? I doubt it !
Now that is funny.They won't give ins. on lost equip.Factor in lost equipment into the tremendous price we charge?We barely make a living.A mate losing a customers rod is 1 in a million.That is why we use decent but not super expensive rods and reels.You can bring a broken rod back but one that went overboard is gone for ever.By your own equipment if you are a real fisherman and if you go once a year don't loose the charter or PB boat rod.If the rod breaks the reel is satill there.That is on the charter or pb,but not overboard!

[scanman5]

Rod goes over, it is the angler's fault, the angler pays for it. Rod/equipment breaks during the fight/snag, the angler shouldn't pay, the captain/mait should have educated the angler in the proper technique.