Skunked on a Charter? - CBAngler.com - Chesapeake Bay Angler

Skip · #1 08-23-2011, 05:00 PM

I personally have been on two bay charters that produced a skunk.

One was early spring - no one was catching - other in fall , no idea why but few fish caught that day by any one.

Other trip was at Cape Charles but captain warned us it might be a skunk due to cold water temps in December. Being fishermen - we went. Captain gave it 100% - even ran out into ocean but no fish.

I've fished in Kona , Hawaii - 4 days straight - no fish. We were gunning for monster marlin and went all or nothing.

Fished all day - until dark , in Florida - only one hit that did not hook up.

Trust me - no charter captain anywhere wants to draw a blank for his customers - but it can happen to the best of the best.

If you want fish - go to a super market. If you want a fun day on the water - charter the boat and hope fish bite.

Mikie · #2 08-23-2011, 06:44 PM

You don't necessarily have to be a good fisherman to start a charter business. You just need your CG license and the State license. If you can't put your clients onto fish or at least a good time, you won't be in business for very long. Seems to have been quite a few on TF who have gone by the wayside for those very reasons.

Bend-Lure · #3 08-24-2011, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skip

If you want fish - go to a super market. If you want a fun day on the water - charter the boat and hope fish bite.

Hell - if anyone wants to go out for a day with no expectation of catching fish, they could just go out with me on my boat.

Spot77 · #4 08-26-2011, 07:24 AM

Never skunked on a charter thanl God. I usually take clients out once or twice a year and we've always had great days catching.

I always book south of the bridge though. While that's no guaruntee of catching, it seems to improve the odds over fishing north of the bridge, especially this year.

Bend-Lure · #5 08-29-2011, 08:41 AM

Our trip this morning was canceled. Looking to re-schedule for a day in a couple weeks. I guess the concensus is that Irene will have driven all the mackerel out of the area.

Spot77 · #6 08-30-2011, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bend-Lure

Our trip this morning was canceled. Looking to re-schedule for a day in a couple weeks. I guess the concensus is that Irene will have driven all the mackerel out of the area.

I would guess there was still a lot of garbage in the water too. Dangerous for the boat and expensive lures.

The color in my creek is getting back to normal so that's a good sign. Looks like we're going to try some late afternoon fishing today.

Bend-Lure · #7 09-14-2011, 09:49 AM

So we finally did our rescheduled charter out of Ches Beach. The water was chocolate milk at best. We hit a few trees on the way out. Tons of debris in the water. We actually caught fish though. Probably 30 15" rockfish, 2 keeper rock, one spanish about 20", and a dozen blues from 8" - 16". Fun day on the water, great weather.

reds · #8 09-14-2011, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bend-Lure

So we finally did our rescheduled charter out of Ches Beach. The water was chocolate milk at best. We hit a few trees on the way out. Tons of debris in the water. We actually caught fish though. Probably 30 15" rockfish, 2 keeper rock, one spanish about 20", and a dozen blues from 8" - 16". Fun day on the water, great weather.

I've canceled all my charters for 2 weeks. Not worth it to me. New wheel is $1500. Shaft $1500. Some insurance companies won't pay if the Coast Guard has issued a warning of debris.