The Skippers always right?

[Afishionado]

1#It (everything that is) is always the skippers fault (well it's his boat innit!)

 

2#Even when you know the skipper has anchored off the mark it is not polite to tell him.

 

3#Bring your own bait . Skippers can not be relied upon to let you have anything but 4 times refrozen mackerel

 

4#Never sugest moving to a better spot. It hurts their already frigile pride.

 

5#Be ready with your compliments for them finding the LSD hot spot of the century.

 

6#Do not mention that when you crewed for XXXX two days earlier, what a stonking day you had with them. ( it's the pride thing again)

 

7#Their boat is handy, compact, easy to launch, or even bijou. Never 'smaller' than XXXX's boat which has 'proper seats'.

 

8#As you will inevitably catch more and larger fish than the skipper, it is unpolite to point this out to him at 15 minute intervals. And NEVER sugest that he tries to rig his terminal takle like you do (even though you were shown the rig by Matt Hayes when you crewed for him).

 

9#Be patient and understanding when skipper dicks about trying to get the boat off the trailer on a falling tide.

 

10#Be even more patient and understanding when their dicking about has caused them to end up with the boat high and dry 20ft from the trailer with an hour to go untill dead low.

 

11#Always remember to arrive at the slip in your own car. NEVER accept a lift in the skippers car. This means that when the dick head has finished up as in #10 above, you can bugger off home to a warm cuppa whilst tit head waits for the tide.

 

12 Skippers actually like you to try up-tiding with your 6ft Ugly Stick even though they let out the odd squeek as the lead, and size 0/6 baitholder flashes past their eyes at 2" distance. (They have always wanted to try it themselves but lack the sheer guts that you have.)

 

13# Never offer to chip in with the fuel costs. Skippers are a touchy breed and will only think you are patronising them.

 

 

I am sure those of us who crew will have other little pearls of wisdom to pass on to the newcomer to crewing, and I for one would love to hear them.

 

 

Mad Mike

 

PS I am availablr to crew next week end ...............................Any one?

[Coddy]

I off fishing in the Gulf of Mexico just off Sarasota in Florida next week-end want a trip Mike?

 

I will change a few rules however,

 

1. The biggest fish will will always be mine (I am the skipper after all)

 

2. You must pay your own air fare, I am not THAT rich!

 

3. Crew must ALWAYS make the drinks. (more time for the skipper to fish of course)

 

4. If I go to sleep no waking me up to tell me you have ANOTHER fish!

 

Otherwise you can crew for me anytime I am down your way

 

Regards

 

Coddy

[Afishionado]

Coddy excidedly gushes.......... off fishing in the Gulf of Mexico just off Sarasota in Florida next week-end want a trip Mike

 

 

I was there last year Coddy. It's bloody brilliant man!! You can bare boat hire small dorys (like the Dell Quay thingies with 40HP O/B's ) to fish the intercostal waterways but your not allowed out to the sea proper. Or you can get a skippered charter (very expensive but you can often share the cost with a couple of other guys)

Never leave your rod unatended! I put mine down for a second and WHAM!! a fish struck and a brand new rod and reel wwnt whoosh over the side.

 

You must get a visitors licence (you can usualy buy one in a K-Mart) The licencing is very strictly enforced and policed. Most of the fishing you can do yourself from small hire boats will be in what the Ynks call 'a pass', which is where the intercoastal waterway opens to the Gulf. Anchor and fish downtide with shrimp which the boat hire dudes will have and rent an air pumped tank to hold them in.

 

A deep sea charter will take you to an artificial reef or deliberately sunken ship to create a rod only fishing zone. Expect Bonito (like mackerel but they run 10 to 20lb) Barracuda. Hammer Head shark, and fish they call Permit which fight like fury.

 

Have a GREAT time and have a full breakfast of fried eggs waffles butter, bacon and maple syrup for me (Go to any of the 'Dennys chain)

 

 

Mad MIke

 

PS EVERYTHING fishing tackle wise is incredably cheap! There are specialist Sports stores as big as a Tesco supermarket and also fabulous sports areas in Walmarts. Well worth buying stuff to bring home.