If You Drop a Charter Rod Overboard?

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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

[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]

Originally Posted by 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.

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]

Originally Posted by 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 !

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.