Thoughts on Chartering...

When I decided to become a charter boat captain, I knew it would not be easy finding fish on a regular basis for my clients, especially in Santa Monica Bay! But it was the closest spot from where I lived, and it was closed to commercial fishing, NOT! I added the NOT! because although it is closed to commercial fishing, the commercial's sneak in there all the time at night and without running lights just have their way with the place.

I have called The F & G dept many times only to be told they have no wardens available at the moment. ( Get off your soap box Roy ).

Anyway I took many trips on 1/2 day, 3/4 day, and overnight boats for several years and kept records on where they fished, time of day, month year, where the tide was, weather conditions, ( wind, waves, clouds, water temps, air temps ) and any other info I could get. I got my SCUBA certificate and made many dives on the spots where I caught fish to see why they were there, and how they related to structure, during different, weather, wind and current conditions. I talked to as many fishermen as I could, and asked questions until they were tired of seeing me. I spent as much time as possible on the water putting all this info together, and always looking for reasons why fish were where they were, and what conditions they bit under. ( No matter what you learn about fish, they are great about throwing you a curve when you least expect it.)

LIFE LESSON # 7: PRIOR PREPARATION PREVENTS POOR PERFORMANCE!!!!!!!!!!!