The charter/party industry...

[damnyankee]

I'm bringing PBR this week, Kev. And free market = you can charge what you want and provide whatever service you want. If it affects others' business in an industry, well, it's supposed to. Like natural selection, those that adapt will thrive and those that don't will die off. On the demand side, customers are free to choose whatever price/service they want. I've been with Tommy for three years, following him from 3 boats. Every time I've been on another charter, it reminds me why I fish with Tommy around 35 times a year. As Capt. Kevin said, other charters provide free lead, a mate to tie your rigs and unsnag you, and whatever else. But I don't want those things, and when I go on those charters I tell the mate so. I still pay my full fare, and tip, but I didn't get the service I paid for by my own choice. That being said, I choose to fish with Tommy predominantly, because he is not charging for those things. I supply my own lead, tackle, gulp, etc. and I am my own mate. And that allows for a lower fare. Mind you, I'm not cheap, I just enjoy doing those things for myself. Which brings me back to my original point of it's my choice in a free market.

[Chico]

When I first began hiring charter capts I did go with some of the lower priced charters. The boats were smaller, they did not use a mate, and were relatively speaking kinda new to the charter business. Today some of them are among the high priced charters. They were able to attract new fishermen to the charter concept with their lower prices and build up a clientele that was loyal and over the years their clients saw that it was worth the extra $$ to stick with their charter captains. If I would not have found that Capt. in Key Largo who would take two of us offshore all day for $550. in 1999, or the Capt. in Sw Fla. that would run open boats to fish offshore for $150. per man. I would never have even gone on a charter boat!! I would still be fishing with the partyboats, I would never have known what I was missing. The same goes for the partyboats. I personally, am loyal to a particular sponsor boat out of Pt Pleasant Beach, they have ALWAYS exceeded or met my expectations. Friends always ask me to try other boats, I just can't see why?? I know what I am getting with my first choice, and don't mind paying more for what I see as a great value and a positive experience. Let's go fishing!!!