Mates fishing during charters. OPINION

[PAMonger]

There are certain types of fisheries where it helps if the capt/mate can get a feel for what's going on by wetting a line. For example, in fall when bottom-fishing, I've been on charters where we were using porgy rigs on a wreck and it was slow so the capt dropped a tog rig to see if perhaps we'd do better with tog on that spot.

Or with how finicky the tog bite can be from day-to-day, he can show the charter if it's the 3 taps and set bite or the wait until you get slammed bite or whatever that day.

I also believe that same theory applies for fluke fishing and striper fishing, especially when you are talking chunking for stripers, since some days they mouth it and others they inhale.

I would rather be on a charter or PB that gives maximum effort and produces less fish than a guy who doesn't care and parks over the motherlode. I just love to learn and feel like I learn something every day on the water.