Party Boat Seahorse

[laketrout]

Dakota, I couldn't have said it better....

[TAB95]

If you step back and take a serious look at this industry you will quickly come to the realization that this recreational fleet "downsizing" will continue. You can argue about the culprit but I think it is the deadly combination.

Restrictive and unjustified legislature

Stretches of terrible fishing

Declining interest in younger people

[RussH]

I'm 35 and I often notice that I'm one of the youngest people on the boat. I very rarely see the grandfather with the 6 or 7 year old teaching him the ropes. Or the kid yelling for the net for no reason because he's excited he caught a sea robin. That's on us. Much of the rest of it is definitely on the regulation side of the industry and the commercial draggers.

And on top of ALL of that it's not a cheap hobby and party boats are for the lower to middle class angler. But think about it, a day out is at least 100 bucks. You've got 60-65 for the fair, another 10-20 for the mate, tackle say 5-15 dollars, gas and tolls depending on where you come from. I know I can't afford to go nearly as often as I used to and I didn't even go more than twice a month back then. ALL of that even doesn't include the gear you need to have. Sure you can rent a rod for 5 bucks. But if you are a hobbyist you're not going to rely on rod rentals. So another 100-500 for a rod/reel per species you want to target?

It's a tough situation, but at least the boats that survive SHOULD be the very best boats.

[arat]

Rumor is that the boat failed coast Guard inspection and it would have cost an arm and a leg to fix it up. Better off just to close up I guess

[Capt Joe]

Sect De. Bay has at least one "rogue" in its ranks as most know.

btw, have you checked the latest "yellow sheets"? Getting crowded in there.

[the1jonc]

This is sad news. Another boat from the fleet is gone.



And to top it off this personally impacts me. I have a certificate for a free trip that I won't get to use.