The charter/party industry...

[reefsquater]

It's all clear now.


The party boats blame the charters for now having open boats which they didn't years ago. They are the best because they are on the water more then anyone.

The full time captain blames the part timers for coming into the business. They are the best because they are on the water almost as much as the party boat and have more range and smaller pieces they fish.

The part timers blame other part timers that don't offer as great a product as them. They are as good as the full time guy and they go the extra mile to put meat in the box.

The casual part timer considers himself as a good as any and just does it for the love of fishing.

The government blames it on overfishing, with the guys above clearly all taking way too many of this resource.

The conservatives blame the economy. No one is making money so prices need to be cheaper.



And the people who fish, last of all, don't care where the blame is. All of them just want a fair service at a reasonable price and find the option that fits them nicely.

[jenny lee sportfishing]

i must admit you are 100% correct. when the economy is struggling and prices are down/competitive the winner is the public. however, in all business generally speaking when you cut cost something is usually sacrificed. there most certainly are charter operations that really don't care or need to profit, but at the sake of integrity for the full time ones that do, i personally feel that running well under the industry is not a good practice. once again, i do realize that john q public is the benefactor of this practice.

[buckfin732]

So if a part time guy gets in the business to just cover expenses because he loves to fish is somehow a villen?Not everyone needs to make a ton of money and do it to be out on the water.Some guy do it to supplement there income and some guys do it for sole income.That's what makes this country great.The American Dream.A seat for every ass.The cheap Ass the frugal Ass the rich Ass and the dumb Ass.People will garvatate to what their pockets can afford.

[Flukinator]

Originally Posted by reefsquater

It's all clear now.


The party boats blame the charters for now having open boats which they didn't years ago. They are the best because they are on the water more then anyone.

The full time captain blames the part timers for coming into the business. They are the best because they are on the water almost as much as the party boat and have more range and smaller pieces they fish.

The part timers blame other part timers that don't offer as great a product as them. They are as good as the full time guy and they go the extra mile to put meat in the box.

The casual part timer considers himself as a good as any and just does it for the love of fishing.

The government blames it on overfishing, with the guys above clearly all taking way too many of this resource.

The conservatives blame the economy. No one is making money so prices need to be cheaper.



And the people who fish, last of all, don't care where the blame is. All of them just want a fair service at a reasonable price and find the option that fits them nicely.

Well-said. As I said on page 2, finger-pointing at each other isn't helping anyone. The fishing industry has enough stacked against it, and there are plenty of external issues to deal with.

And yes, you do get what you pay for. Paying less to go on a small boat with a captain who won't do too much to help you will work for some people (I don't mind this, as I often prefer to rig, cut bait, filet fish, etc. by myself), and won't for others. You pay a premium for premium service. I don't think people booking charters are oblivious to this fact! John Q. Public who fishes once or twice a year is going to go for the premium service because he can't do that stuff himself. Capt. Cheapo is likely going to take out customers who know what they're doign and just want a boat to fish on. In that way, everyone still gets what they want. I don't see how this hurts the industry more than ridiculous regulations and closed seasons.

[Fin Reaper]

Because of the way things are (economy, Sandy, fishing regs) Captains and Fishermen are being forced to make decisions that they previously didn't have to make. I only have so much disposable income so raising the price means I fish less, BUT I would rather fish less and have a higher quality trip than save a few bucks and deal with low quality bait and fishing areas based on fuel consumption rather than were the fish are. IMHO, the Walmart mentality is infanitly more distructive. You do get what you pay for.

John Ruskin said “There is nothing in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper, and he who considers price only is that man's lawful prey.”

[Pete]

There are just far too many variables here to give the right answer. There are boats with many amenities heat / ac, bigger faster engines, larger cockpits, shaded area, etc. etc. In the end though it is about catching fish. The better captains always manage to find them, even in the worst conditions. That is not to say they haven't ever returned to port with the donut. A one price minimum fits all just doesn't make sense. I have fished on boats with all the creature comforts, and the captain and crew did everything but wipe my arse. And, other boats where the fuel burned was at a minimum and the mate was more occupied with his I-phone rather than the fares. I prefer to do most of the heavy lifting myself, baiting, tying rigs, hook removal etc. But, not everyone does. There are many boats that I plunk down the higher end fare to, because they are worth it. And, others that I'd never sail with again. If I can experiment and find out firsthand who does it just as good for cheaper, lucky me. But, I have been burned as well. Cheaper can be just as good, sometimes even better. The guys who think (and I emphasize think) they are good at it, but aren't, won't be around very long at any price.

If there are guys doing this and losing money due to cheap fares, and no other reason, I say, shame on them. That just doesn't make sense.

[Gerry Zagorski]

Some good dialog here.... I would have bet big money this post was going to get ugly quick. Nice to see everyone is being level headed and civil. Hope I just didn't jinx myself

As far as I'm concerned water always seeks it's own level. That is to say in a free market ecomomy things take care of themselves. Boat owners and their patrons make their own choices and sooner or later there is a bottom and top established and most settle somewhere in the middle.

The guys at the top enjoy and likley deserve a premium, if not they won't have customers.... Guys at the bottom are looking for volume or maybe to establish themselves but if they don't charge enough, sooner or later it's a going out of business proposition.

[GDubya07]

I go based on experiance not so much the price. I am just lucky people let me on there boat

Go with whatever you can afford and what you are comfortable with.

There will always be a price war in any business

I like both party and charter boats and have personal favorites for all different reasons

GDubs-

[Capt Sal]

Compared to out of state NJ is way less $$$ to charter!

[Jay]

Originally Posted by Capt Sal Cathy Sea Charters

Compared to out of state NJ is way less $$$ to charter!

As much as I love fishing, that is why I can't see myself traveling out of state. By the time you calculate expenses you could take yourself and you spouse on a vacation to the Caribeaan. Just saying...