Fishing partners

[Firstlight]

I have a boat and find there are times I want to fish but dont want to go out alone. Likewise I am sure there are folk that woudl love to go but dont know anyone with a boat that is going...Anyone know of a club or other way to let other know about space on my boat or theirs? Seem like we should have a bulletin board on this website. Please advise of clubs or suggestions.
Thanks

 

[Finished Business]

It has been mentioned many times and I think it's a good idea....someone just has to follow through with a structured thread where people can post want or availability.

There could be many downfalls to it though. If you don't get along with someone, a boat is probably the worst place to find that out. But so long as the person offering is very detailed in their criteria (costs, where, when...ect) then maybe it would work!

 

[profisher]

Check out Vancouver island Fishing Club (www.vifishingclub.com) We are just in the process of gathering names of those interested in this sort of arrangement.

 

[Big Green Machine]

I fish forum in Oregon has a sticky called 'Open Seats' and it has some guidelines for forum members to follow for both boater and rider. Explicitly states that it is not affiliated with the forum and measures are in place to not take business away from guides or replace what guides do.

 

[Cuba Libre]

First thing you can do is tell us where you are located Your profile seems to indicate you are from the Lower mainland-- Yes? No???

 

[albernifisher]

I'm allways stuck for fishing partners,friends can never make a commitment.The only 2 times I've taken people out from this site,everything has gone very smooth.It's allways kind of awkard at first being stuck out in a boat with someone you don't know.Last weekend I took out Burnsy and before that was osama when he first moved here. Osama and I hit it off right away,before I knew it he was hanging upside down,feet straight up in the air,off my kicker,pissed drunk and yelling HELP,HELP... LOL, but thats a story for another day

 

[Rockfish]

I have found that trading off trips with others who have boats is a good way to go as most will know how to fish and handle a boat. I keep my boat in dry storage during the winter and moored in the summer so it is nice to fish on friend’s boats in the winter and spring off Victoria and return the favor off Sooke in the summer and fall.

Since you both have boats the reciprocity, contribution balance is good and neither of you end up feeling like one of you is not pulling their weight contribution wise.

I don’t think you will have a problem getting someone without a boat wanting to go on this forum. I once had a fishing buddy cancel on me early one morning as he was not feeling well. Since I was really looking forward to going (prime time and conditions) I put a quick post up on this forum early in the morning and in 10 minutes had 2 different local guys wanting to go. Both of them are still friends and I still fish with them although one now has a 400 hp twin outboard boat of his own which I sometimes fish on and the other one was out with me today doing gel coat repairs.

You have got me thinking about things. There are many ways a fishing partner without a boat can contribute and help is worth more to me than a little token gas money.

I am getting older and have some challenging health issues including the back, which keeps me from doing a lot of the repairs and maintenance myself anymore and I am increasingly paying people to do the more challenging or heavy work.

It would be good to find an additional fishing partner without a boat or a lot of money but physically strong with a love of fishing and lots of experience with boat maintenance and repairs. Someone who can for example: prep and paint a boat bottom, remove and install a fully remote kicker, replace thu hulls and sea cocks, basic marine wiring, install a rebuild kit in a marine head, replace trailer brakes, change motor/leg oil , impellers and zincs, replace fuel lines, clean bilge pumps, small glass repairs, and haul a larger Halibut over the side of the boat etc.

I contribute the boat and thousands of dollars in annual costs and they contribute some labour and skills with repairs, maintenance and heavy lifting, I know how to do most of these things but physically it is becoming an issue. Provided we get along well fishing, that kind of arrangement could be mutually beneficial and that is not to say they would be doing all the work, the balance would have to be fair. My fishing buddies do help out a fair bit but some have to maintain their own boats or don’t have the skills/knowledge for a fair number of boat repair and maintenance jobs. It would be good to add someone with experience who knows what they are doing as that could allow me to fish extra years before having to give up the boat. I did this myself when I was younger.

If you are not talking a 14 footer you keep in the garage, most people have no idea what it takes in terms of work and money to keep a larger west coast sport boat running although sometimes they get a tiny taste of it when they watch an 80 to 150 gal fuel tank being filled up or a $20,000 motor being replaced.

 

[jeffywestcoast]

Had a friend of a friend take us out on wednesday afternoon, was neat to see how different people share different tips , was also kinda fun putting back a couple cold ones on the command bridge of a 30 foot boat.. i could get used to that..

 

[fish stalker]

I like your idea Rockfish. I have more muscle and time then money.

I think also people need to say a little about about how much they know and what there boat is.

After reading the 2 stroke vs.4 thread and knowing how stinky my 2 stoke is...I dont want someone to show up to go fishing and poo poo my boat or get snotty. Shes a fishing boat and not new or fancy if I was going to take someone out I would want them to know that.

 

[Osama Bin Hopper]

I'm allways stuck for fishing partners,friends can never make a commitment.The only 2 times I've taken people out from this site,everything has gone very smooth.It's allways kind of awkard at first being stuck out in a boat with someone you don't know.Last weekend I took out Burnsy and before that was osama when he first moved here. Osama and I hit it off right away,before I knew it he was hanging upside down,feet straight up in the air,off my kicker,pissed drunk and yelling HELP,HELP... LOL, but thats a story for another day

NICE! You aren't telling the whole story but enough of it for sure!!! LOL Gary you *******!!

Good friends made through this site, if I started a list it is actually fairly extensive of members...

Giver a go!!!

 

[Osama Bin Hopper]

I like your idea Rockfish. I have more muscle and time then money.

I think also people need to say a little about about how much they know and what there boat is.

After reading the 2 stroke vs.4 thread and knowing how stinky my 2 stoke is...I dont want someone to show up to go fishing and poo poo my boat or get snotty. Shes a fishing boat and not new or fancy if I was going to take someone out I would want them to know that.

If they ***** about your boat you don't want them!! lol!! Rule #1... If it's a health issue or something with that exhaust well no need to complain, just not a good mix. Otherwise...

 

[pescador]

Plenty of us started with tinnies with 8 hp Evinrudes or Chryslers 2 strokes then progressed to k and c's or Hourstons which felt like a Caddy comparitively. Now we've moved up to bigger mainly because we're old and need the comfort and the kids are gone and we've got disposable income. People can be critical both ways (small boat or big 4 stroke or 2) I respect anyone on the water, in particular if you're catching fish.

 

[Osama Bin Hopper]

Plenty of us started with tinnies with 8 hp Evinrudes or Chryslers 2 strokes then progressed to k and c's or Hourstons which felt like a Caddy comparitively. Now we've moved up to bigger mainly because we're old and need the comfort and the kids are gone and we've got disposable income. People can be critical both ways (small boat or big 4 stroke or 2) I respect anyone on the water, in particular if you're catching fish.

Very well put.

 

[jaymasta]

Haha I'm at phase 2 I guess, I went from a 14ft Gregor aluminum with a 20hp mariner to a 14ft double eagle with a 60hp and 5hp kicker... I fish Alone a lot because of this very reason my boat is small, bumpy, unrefined, stinky when I first fire up the 60hp 2 stroke Has hardly any deck space, and space between the seats. (although I do have a 4 stroke kicker which is nice)...I'm scared to invite people who have never been on my boat or at least seen it before hand and get my warning because I feel like it will be like nothing they expect. So I mostly keep it to my fishing buddies (very few), close family, and my wife, Who doesn't fish but comes for the company and will hand me the net and turn the little black wheel around the green button on the down rigger when I tell her to lol.
But I often have room on my boat and would contribute to an "open" seats thread or what have you. Then I can post a pic of my boat so people know what they are getting into lol.

Plenty of us started with tinnies with 8 hp Evinrudes or Chryslers 2 strokes then progressed to k and c's or Hourstons which felt like a Caddy comparitively. Now we've moved up to bigger mainly because we're old and need the comfort and the kids are gone and we've got disposable income. People can be critical both ways (small boat or big 4 stroke or 2) I respect anyone on the water, in particular if you're catching fish.

 

[Rockfish]

My first fishing boat was a wood, 16 foot, inboard Brentwood Special, with a 10 hp Briggs and Stratton. We were very please that it had a reverse gear so that we did not have to push it out of the slip.

 

[Ian]

I'm met lots of folks through various internet forums over the years, majority pretty good folks. The secret, if there is any. is expectation setting which usually means a very high level of honesty... Right off the bat, how much money are we talking? Do you want someone to come with you for company, help and safety? or do you want someone to split your costs for the day, 2 very different things! Drinking or no drinking? Food, bait, launch fees????

Most of us on here share a similar interest, some have nicer rigs then others, some have greater means then others, what tends to sour things outside of direct personality clash is not being on the same page with expectations, this can come from either side and usually comes down to $$.

Scenario A
Your boat, you bring a newbie out, shows up, decent guy, fish all day, goes home happy with some fish, never reached for his wallet all day and your pissed

Scenario B
Your boat, you bring a newbie out, shows up, decent guy, you stop at the fuel dock a top off and ask your new buddy to pay the bill, you stop for lunch and have him pick up the tab, you figure he goes home happy with some fish, you never reached for you wallet all day as its your rig, He's pissed that he paid the whole way and probably is in do do with his wife for spending way beyond his means.

Both sides of the equation can be happy or upset...


Better system and easier on the nameless faceless internet

Hey going fishing on Monday looking for a partner...
We'll leave point X at this time, and be back at this time approximately, you pay for bait, coffee and XX$$ towards the fuel bill. We'll brown bag for food and I don't drink when fishing, send me a PM by noon tomorrow and I'll respond...

Now you get the PM....
Reply with....My boat is a ________ with _________ so bring _______, most days we get ___________. I have all the gear if we loose something i'd appreciate a few $$ or don't worry about it.....or bring your stuff if you want.....

My typical fuel bill is $___ I'm looking to split the cost, or Could you bring $XX towards fuel, or just looking for company, don't worry about the fuel but bring me a Coffee and doughnut.

Have you been open water fishing before? Do you get sea sick? Are you an axe murderer?

Generally speaking, a high level of honesty makes for a much better day on the water as each person knows where they stand, and getting the $$ figured out before buddy shows up stops lots of awkward silence and hurt feelings. Remember it's just as hard for the guy who loves to fish who can't afford a proper rig to ask/figure out what a proper contribution is, as it is for the guy who has the rig....

Very best,

Ian

 

[spring fever]

Lots of good points Ian! Maybe we should start something like "Let's do Lunch" before getting down to fishing. Probably more important than selecting a date for an evening!!! LOL. Man now that's testing my memory!!

 

[jeffywestcoast]

My boat is called "fugly" for a reason she aint pretty , but she doe's the job, Like another member said previous there is no better feeling then pulling up to the dock with your "fugly" boat with fish and then have a 50,000 dollar rig pull in behind you and they don't stop at the cleaning station. don't know how many of us can say they have more money in spoons in the box then they paid for the boat. I know i can..

 

[Alemap]

I am planning to go to Comox then Tofino the last week of Jun. Wondering if anyone kind enough to take me out fishing? I am from Calgary, don't have much experience of sea fishing. Would love to have someone to show me around onshore or offshore fishing.

 

[J-GLOBAL]

Have taken a few people out from the forum.
In Vancouver, and out of Bamfield/Tofino.
Sometimes it worked out, other times it didn't - but not in a really negative way. A couple of guys I fish with semi-regularly.
I was going to take someone out one time, until he started PMing me what I should have on my boat. (! ?)