Would a Long Line Charter Interest You?

[trymyluck]

Hi All
I'd give it a go if it was reasonably priced, but if it was the same as a standard charter then i know which way i'd go.

[Noelm]

I would reckon a better approach might be to offer a chance at catching a Broadbill, not too many get a shot on rod and reel, but as these guys know where they are likely to be, have the Boat and skills to do it, then MAYBE a few days charter, linked with some "normal" fishing might be more profitable than longlining at the moment, I reckon lots would go for that!

[trueblue]

Was not thinking that people would pay to WORK more along the lines of going for a different experience. Maybe some people would like to see a 12 or 15ft shark up close or a massive tuna. They maybe as hands on as they like if they want to grab the line after unclipped and man handle a 15ft shark to the boat it’s up to them or sit back and take a few pics. Then during the day anchor up on some reef and catch a few fish and at the end of the trip take a feed home. The boat I am on is not like many commercial boats it is clean and decked out for comfort as it doubles as a fishing charter boat for short trips and 1 week charters.
Here is a bit of a run down as we operate with a 3 man crew.
3-5pm Bait and gear prepared
5-7pm Line goes out
7-11pm Line soaks down time dinner, DVD etc
11pm-2am Line up
2-3am Line back down if lean on 1st
3-7am Line soaks sleep
7-10am Line up
10am-3 or 4pm Find Reef Eat Fish Sleep
So you will find it’s not the hard grind as some boats. As I suggested it’s only a thought and it may not suit some seasoned fishermen maybe along the lines of the City Slickers movie. All feedback is greatly appreciated.
Mark

that makes it a different cup of tea.

You would really have to sell it as an 'experience' thing, ie, tag along, watch what happens, experience the longlining activities and various catches, get some great photos, etc, etc.

I reckon that if you try and fit line fishing in during the day for the customer, it would turn into a shit fight, because that would be the crews sleep time, and the customer might want to be fishing.

if you leave it at the 'experience' thing, with line fishing permitted during the day but no significant effort by the crew to be expected, it may well work out ok.

You would probably have to keep it fairly cheap initially to gauge the public interest. Ie, $80 per head per night (cover meals and a bit of cash for the skipper)

cheers

Mick

[GBC]

The rule used to be 'only licensed (assistant master fisherman etc) people on deck during procesing operations'. Any other time they were allowed on the floor. I suppose you've gotten around this with the dual operations (pro/charter) stuff?
I'd be interested in a tucker trip - never been on a longliner.

[nickstock]

After working on a Long line boat and making a tidy living, the 15 hour days that are required are not something that I would pay much for.

If meals were provided you may get some punters if it is less than say 100 bucks per head per night.

Something that you have in your favour is the short time period that you spend at sea. We used to spend between 23-28 days at sea each trip which soon became tiring.

For the sake of your boss's business, I would advise him to choose his clients wisely. If a greenie came on a trip with you, I dare say the media would have a field day on their return with some of the practices that can take place out at sea. Not all longline boats (but all the boats I worked on did) do it but the idea of seeing dead birds on a regular basis and finning sharks may not appeal to everyone.

Nick