Mates fishing during charters. OPINION

[reefsquater]

I my mind I think if you pay for a fishing trip, you expect professionalism from the mates as well. Simply put, they should take care of everything they can, I like to see a mate taking the time to instruct a new angler, share ideas, and assist then maybe wetting a line. If they are looking for the bite, they should explain that, if they are fishing to add meat to the cooler, explain that as well.
If they are trying out new baits or rigs, tell and share that too.

Don't just assume everyone understands the logic behind them fishing. A couple words can go a long way.

Btw, I typically don't mind at all and rarely find them to be rude or unassisting.

[fishfinder]

It is rather that a mate is too busy to have time to fish at all on a 6 pack. There isn't that much to do especially if 2 or 3 of the guys are avid fishermen. Unless the charter has a problem with it, it's usually a good thing. The mates often help find what the fish are eating best, they add to the box, etc. However customers need to come first, and the good mates know how to balance this well.

[Life's A Beach]

6 pack charter = don't fish. the small boat is set on a certain piece of bottom; let the paying fares catch the fish. IF they're not catching, tell them what YOU would do IF you were fishing. Give a man a fish and he'll eat today; teach him HOW to fish and he'll eat forever! Only thing worse than mate/captain catching the big fish of a piece is when THEY roll said fish lmao

Bigger charter or party boat = fish IF everyone is self sustainable. If a newbie is on board, take time to give help/hints. If everyone is ok, fish. I personally like when the captain takes the time to explain EXACTLY what you're set up on and the best way to fish it........'toss out XYZ feet and bring your bait back to the ledge'. Example - Last season Kenny/Mimi told us we HAD to toss out and be over the ledge. We tossed out and still weren't catching. HE came down, tossed out 20' further than we were tossing and pulled back to the ledge...BAM BAM BAM.

MY opinions!

[Poppa Devil]

Went on a Strpier 6 pack years back trolling was slow day, rod goes down went to grab it mate yelled don't touch. He grabs the pole reels in half way then said you can take over. I said you hooked him you bring it in and stick it where the sun don't shine.Haven't been on a trolling charter since that time.

Originally Posted by Life's A Beach

Example - Last season Kenny/Mimi told us we HAD to toss out and be over the ledge. We tossed out and still weren't catching. HE came down, tossed out 20' further than we were tossing and pulled back to the ledge...BAM BAM BAM.

MY opinions!

I learned a ton about catching tog while fishing alongside Kenny and Chris. When I was completely new to blackfishing on their boat for my first time years ago, I learned what to do by watching them.

[capemaymartin]

As long as their catch ends up in someone else's bag and customers are tended to, the more lines in the water the better chances there will be more meat to take home. The Captain can always grab a net if needed...Mates work for tips (and a small pay); I certainly appreciate when they add to the meat as mates are usually better fishermen than the guy next to you...

[teddysclaw]

Like with anything else in business, you first should ask the customers what they want. On a 6-pack charter a client is essentially paying for two things. Service and Exclusive Fishing space. I pay a premium so that I have enough space to fish and not get mugged when I go on charters.

As mates, they should always talk to the customers and ensure that everyone is okay with him dropping down a line to fish along with them. Personally I don't like this, as the mate fishing takes up additional space and gives less space for the other 6 paying customers. I get everyon'es point about the mate being able to catch some meat and send customers home with fillets, but to be honest a lot of people I know go out to FISH, not catch. So the experience of letting your line down and hooking up with something and bringing it in is the reason I fish, not to go home with a bag full of fillets, although that's a nice little bonus.

And there is nothing more annoying to me than a mate fishing next to my little honey hole and dragging in fish that I could've had a chance to hook up into.

But as you can see on this board, it all depends on the individual charters, so I would just ask each charter what they want at the start of the trip. It's always better not to assume anything, and ask the customers what they want. Some of my friends like it when mates fish next to them, as it helps them learn the techniques as well as talk to the mate and get some pointers that way. To each his own.

In this day and age your main goal is to make sure the customer is going to come back, and ensuring that you don't annoy them starts with making sure you undersatnd their expectations and goals.

[mimivimate]

While every boat is different and mate. I personally fish môst of my customers I've taught to be self sufficient over the last 26 years. This has been on going controversy for years. There are many times I give people fish or let people reel in fish over the years that would not of been so without my fishing. I also believe that you have the choice to what boat you charter or go and how much you tip. There are circumstances in the summer where I can not fish but my first priority is the customer. Remember when your on a boat where the capt. And crew fish it also shows the passion they have for the sport,if a mate either was helping or just standing around waiting for the day too end it doesn't show that fishing is in his blood like
Mine. Happy fishing everyone!!

[Capt Sal]

Sometimes on a slow day little tricks work.This is a good way to keep a charter honest.Once a good bite develops the captain and mate are too busy to fish.Some of our charters are very good fisherman also and do not need much help.A few years ago we were in a mad dog bite along with the other charter boats,Derek ,Bounty Hunter and the rest of the boys.My charter asked me to get in on the action.I landed my top two bass on a plug both over 40lbs.I had a blast and so did the charter!We captains and mates love to fish but our man objective is to take care of the charter first.

[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.