I have been a boat owner for almost 30 years and fish my local waters a lot, mostly for salmon. My first few seasons were a constant struggle to catch fish, and the turning point was going to Barclay Sound with a local guide. He grew up there and had obscene amount of local knowledge, and I was eager to absorb as much as possible. I used his methods in my home waters and gradually became more successful at catching. I continued going with the same guide for several years and we became very good friends. Many things I learned from him cannot be put into words.
I then started doing self guided 5 day trips to floating lodge at Hippa Island. Last count I've been there 13 times. I learned a huge amount from the fish master on those trips and had some memorable salmon fishing as well as halibut and ling.
After spending 100g's on a new boat in 2007 I could not justify those spendy lodge trips anymore, but still continue doing local charters. Most recently a long time friend and 6 pak charter was my local choice. He fishes the coast from April thru August. Ling cod, halibut, and salmon. He is very fishy and is always the guy that everyone wants his hot numbers(lat/lon). He has even pointed the way for me when I was in my own boat. I would have struggled that year without his help, cause we caught our kings with 350-490 feet of cable, and normally I don't go beyond 250 to find fish.
Nowadays I do all my fishing from my boat. I am now considered one of the "local knowledge" guys, and enjoy sharing to help other who are frustrated by seeing other boats loaded with fish back at the ramp.
Without all the expert knowledge I absorbed from all those years of chartering, I'd likely still be struggling. I don't admit to being an expert, that's not what it's about for me. I just strive for consistency, cause nobody likes getting skunked no matter where you're fishing !!
Ted
Offshore fishing can be tricky, unless you have the good numbers !!
My charter friend wont offer his best spots, but his secondary hot spots are good enough for me !!
You earned your highliner stripes Ted! There's no substitute for time on the water, and there's no better way to steepen the learning curve than to put in the time with guys who have developed their methods and strategies over thousands of hours.
"Sharing is caring..." (AT said this to me on the SOA)
Thanks Ted.
Steve
Quote from: swill88 on November 11, 2018, 02:55:26 AM
"Sharing is caring..." (AT said this to me on the SOA)
Thanks Ted.
Steve
Was there alcohol involved? ;D
Quote from: alantani on November 11, 2018, 04:37:11 AM
Quote from: swill88 on November 11, 2018, 02:55:26 AM
"Sharing is caring..." (AT said this to me on the SOA)
Thanks Ted.
Steve
Was there alcohol involved? ;D
No Alan... You were as sober as a true liberal.
I must pass this on to Joy. ;D
Quote from: swill88 on November 11, 2018, 05:27:38 AM
No Alan... You were as sober as a true liberal.
Now that is laugh out loud rip in the pants funny. Not heard that before.
Quote from: Rivverrat on November 11, 2018, 03:50:33 PM
Quote from: swill88 on November 11, 2018, 05:27:38 AM
No Alan... You were as sober as a true liberal.
Now that is laugh out loud rip in the pants funny. Not heard that before.
X2!
Thinkin bout it, I don't think I've ever figured out hardly anything about fishing completely on my own. There's been a fair amount a trial n error, but it's been coupled with stuff showen to me, or written by others. In the beginning, as about a 5yr. old, I was unusually fascinated with the whole thing and took to it almost instinctually, and could never get enough of the new things to try out. Somethin about huntin those edible critters that I couldn't see...
Man Ted, for an ocean caught King(female, right?), that puppy's fat!
Quote from: Maxed Out on November 11, 2018, 12:37:37 AM
Without all the expert knowledge I absorbed from all those years of chartering, I'd likely still be struggling. I don't admit to being an expert, that's not what it's about for me. I just strive for consistency, cause nobody likes getting skunked no matter where you're fishing !!
Ted
i dunno, sounds pretty expert to me!!!!!! ;D
Same here Ted. When I owned my own boat I would get skunked a lot of the time. I found out I was fishing too deep or too shallow. I learned to read the fish finder and even then I would get skunked. I never did figure out what I was doing wrong but all of a sudden I started catching fish doing the same the things when I would get skunked. Go figure. Dominick
Great job man,,,,that's a big one ;D
truth spoken! I want a slab of that halibut ;D
Cool, but that flounder aint even legal in the sound in NC. It has to have a gator laig hanging out of its mouth fore we can keep one. The laig is just gravy. And I mean that literally. Simmered down with bacon grease and flour poured over top offa flounda bisset and grits. We use a whole chikkn on a circle hook cut out of a Caderact hubcap with a Sawzall for bait. Works great.
Ya'll weren't sure if I MIGHT actually be serious til I capitalized Sawzall like the proper noun it is :)
However....now I'm thinkin....
Quote from: thorhammer on November 12, 2018, 01:30:16 AM
Cool, but that flounder aint even legal in the sound in NC. It has to have a gator laig hanging out of its mouth fore we can keep one. The laig is just gravy. And I mean that literally. Simmered down with bacon grease and flour poured over top offa flounda bisset and grits. We use a whole chikkn on a circle hook cut out of a Caderact hubcap with a Sawzall for bait. Works great.
Ya'll weren't sure if I MIGHT actually be serious til I capitalized Sawzall like the proper noun it is :)
However....now I'm thinkin....
You mean drinkin... ;D ;D Dominick
If I see further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.
I always enjoy gazing at the pile of slabs as we motor back in. This charter captain is known for finding better grade of fish than most the fleet.
Quote from: Maxed Out on November 14, 2018, 03:03:41 AM
I always enjoy gazing at the pile of slabs as we motor back in.
Those are one of my favorite fish to eat...love 'em! 8)
Thanks for showing us your ideas about experienced Charter Skippers, Ted —
However, I think a true professional as yourself — keeps getting keener by observing others — both about what to do — and what not to do.
We learn from both camps.
Best,
Fred
Quote from: foakes on November 14, 2018, 04:23:46 PM
Thanks for showing us your ideas about experienced Charter Skippers, Ted —
However, I think a true professional as yourself — keeps getting keener by observing others — both about what to do — and what not to do.
We learn from both camps.
Best,
Fred
It is always a humbling experience to come back home empty handed when there is fish being caught by others I know.
I felt so ashamed one day, I had asked my brother and his friend "big Steve" to hold up their fish for a picture. They musta thought I was going nuts. I repeated my request to hold up the fish we should have caught....They laughed and held their prized invisible catch for the day.
I was able to redeem myself the next Saturday and this time the fish were not invisible. To this day the invisible fish pic is one of my favorites and always reminds me that catching fish is never a sure thing, but I will never give up trying !!
Ted
Ted its the same here in the Gulf of Mexico. If you don't have good numbers you ain't catching. A lot is learned on technique also. Ive pulled up to a well known Snapper spot where they weren't catching and started loading the boat. They were all bottom fishing. We were fishing on top with spinning reels and light tackle. Chum and they will come..!!
Another benefit of charter fishing is you get to pose with the big fish even if someone else caught it ;D ;D
It's always a bonus when it's my fish and my cleaning table in that picture. ;) ;)
Nice slab Mr Measor ;)
Woooozer!!!....caught on a reel with one of your handles I hope!!!
Brett
That's a beauty, Ted!!!
To mr. Ted. Your Salmon is a prize that 90 % or more folks will never catch. You are the man. We just keep rebooking.
Charter fishing is the best.... no fuss... keep going... keep spending.. they fix the boat.. if you have the money they have the time...
i,m green with envy.... just wish i had a job!!!!! 8) thanks for sharing your experiences, we are here to learn.