| Know Before You Go | | | | used have 2 or more hooks. One may be in the |
| | | | fish's mouth, the other may be swinging free |
| First, do your research. What you want to | | | | - just waiting to catch you. |
| catch dictates were you want to go and fish. | | | | |
| Once you decide where you want to go, find | | | | A colleague of mine got a 10/0 Stainless |
| out what charter boats are in the area. Read | | | | Steel hook embedded in his calf when a mahi |
| magazines, get on line and put some time in | | | | mahi got loose on the deck. Very painful and |
| to find out all you can about your options. | | | | that was the end of the days fishing. |
| When you have a couple of possibilities, call | | | | |
| them up, drop them an email, ask them | | | | A good charter boat will do everything it can |
| questions, not just "how much is it?" but | | | | to ensure you have an action packed, fun |
| "what is the best time to come? What fish are | | | | filled day of fishing. It is, after all, in |
| in season? What type of tackle do you have on | | | | their best interests that you go home and |
| board and in what classes? Can the weather | | | | tell all your friends how good the fishing |
| stop you going out? Do you fish under IGFA | | | | was and what fun you had. If you are out |
| Rules? Is the skipper an IGFA Certified | | | | there flogging a dead horse (its rare but it |
| Captain? What about beginners? Can you put me | | | | does happen)….don't blame the |
| in touch with a couple of previous clients? | | | | crew….they will be even more frustrated |
| What types of fishing can you offer? | | | | than you are! |
| | | | |
| Try to find out if they are a serious charter | | | | Some Do's and Don'ts |
| boat with good equipment, a good crew and | | | | |
| they know what they are doing! | | | | Do: |
| | | | |
| If you can, talk to the skipper before you go | | | | * Take a hat, sunscreen and sunglasses. You |
| out. Tell him/her what you would like to | | | | will get a lot of glare reflected off the |
| catch, your level of experience and if you | | | | sea, even on cloudy days. |
| would prefer calmer waters or are happy to | | | | |
| corkscrew all day if the fish are there. | | | | * Take a camera. |
| | | | |
| You are out there to have fun, not sit in a | | | | * Wear non marking soft soled shoes. |
| corner looking green and feeling miserable. | | | | |
| If you start to feel unwell, tell the crew ! | | | | * Ask if you are fishing under IGFA Rules - |
| Here in Kadavu, we can always move to calmer | | | | You just might catch a World Record! |
| waters. | | | | |
| | | | * Ask, if you want to come up and see the |
| A good charter boat will take your wishes | | | | bridge. |
| into consideration when deciding how and | | | | |
| where to fish. | | | | * Eat your catch - you won't ever eat a |
| | | | fresher tastier fish than one that you just |
| When You Step Aboard | | | | landed. |
| | | | |
| Listen to the safety briefing. It's not just | | | | * Respect the boat. Don't trash it. Rubbish |
| done to fulfil Maritime Safety regulations, | | | | makes its way to the bilge and can block |
| it will also give you information about that | | | | bilge pumps. |
| particular boat, where emergency items are | | | | |
| stored, where you can sit and where you | | | | * Enjoy the whole day's experience, not just |
| should not go or sit during cruising for | | | | the fishing! |
| safety reasons. | | | | |
| | | | Don't: |
| Be prepared. Talk to the skipper or deckie. | | | | |
| Ask questions like "what do I do when a rod | | | | * Brag before you go about how many fish you |
| goes off? And how do I do it?" We always | | | | are going to catch. It's bound to blank your |
| establish the experience of our guests and we | | | | day. |
| tell you what to do and show you how to do | | | | |
| it. The last thing the deckie or the skipper | | | | * Step on board wearing high heels or shoes |
| wants is to lose a fish because of simple | | | | that may damage or mark the deck. |
| confusion on the deck. | | | | |
| | | | * Play with fishing equipment settings. (Even |
| I once watched 3 anglers begin, and continue | | | | if you do know what you are doing) |
| with, a lengthy discussion on who should pick | | | | |
| up a screaming rod whilst a nice sailfish of | | | | * Put a rod butt down on a teak deck - It |
| about 100lbs tail walked away from the boat. | | | | will damage the teak. All rods go in rod |
| Despite us backing down, the sail took over | | | | holders. |
| 700 yards of 30lb mono and spooled the angler | | | | |
| just as he finally reached for the rod. | | | | * Crowd round the deckie with a camera when |
| | | | he is tracing or gaffing a fish. STAY WELL |
| Don't fiddle with the equipment, even if you | | | | BACK. |
| are experienced and understand its operation. | | | | |
| Lever Drag Gamefishing reels have their drag | | | | * Bring a hand held GPS. If the skipper sees |
| settings carefully tested and set to a drag | | | | it, you won't be going to any of his secret |
| setting appropriate to the type of fishing | | | | hot spots. |
| you are doing and the fish you expect to | | | | |
| catch. If you accidentally bump a reel | | | | * Access the foredeck or engine room. They |
| setting - tell the crew. | | | | are out of bounds unless the skipper |
| | | | specifically tells you otherwise. |
| The crew should be more than happy to explain | | | | |
| the use of any piece of equipment and why it | | | | * Litter. Never throw any type of rubbish |
| is set as it is. | | | | (including cigarette butts) overboard. |
| | | | Turtles eat butts and die. |
| On a Game boat, everything has a place. The | | | | |
| crew may need to get something quickly so be | | | | * March up to the bridge, plonk yourself down |
| careful not to move things around. Don't | | | | in the deckie's seat and put your feet up on |
| rummage through tackle drawers or pull out | | | | the console. Unless you want a swim. |
| equipment and toss it back in a mess. At | | | | |
| best, you will annoy the crew (who will have | | | | Crew Talk Jargon Explained: |
| to sort it all out again and at worst, you | | | | |
| may get a hook through your hand. | | | | "Fiddler & Tweaker": Somebody who can't |
| | | | resist playing with reel drag settings or |
| When the deckie takes a leader or gaff in | | | | ratchets. |
| hand, stay well back. Only the angler and the | | | | |
| deckie should be at the back of the boat. It | | | | "Nibbler": Somebody who stares at the |
| you are there too, you are in the way. If you | | | | outrigger tip when you are trolling 16" |
| are marlin fishing, this is positively | | | | marlin lures on bent butt 80s and shouts "I |
| dangerous. Crowding the deckie not only | | | | think we just got a nibble!" |
| blocks the skipper's view, it endangers the | | | | |
| life of both you and the deckie. You and he | | | | "Plonker": Somebody who asks if they can |
| could be pulled overboard if a hand or foot | | | | bottom fish when you are 7 miles out on the |
| gets tangled in the leader. If the deckie is | | | | Kadavu Trench in 1,000 fathoms of water. |
| tracing a big marlin and you get in the way - | | | | (6,000ft) |
| it's a tense and potentially dangerous | | | | |
| moment. Don't be offended by the stream of | | | | (I once had a guy stand up on the transom |
| loud four letter words directing you to move | | | | with the boat cruising at 22kts, wave at one |
| back. | | | | of our resort dive boats following in our |
| | | | wake and decide to dive in. (My deckie Joe |
| You will get your chance to take close up | | | | managed to grab him before he killed himself) |
| pictures when the fish is tagged and under | | | | Game boats and large quantities of beer do |
| control. | | | | not mix. If you get drunk aboard one of my |
| | | | vessels, I will consider you a danger to the |
| When a fish comes aboard, stand well back and | | | | crew who will have to rescue you when you |
| listen to the deckie's instructions. They are | | | | fall overboard. I will tie you to the game |
| for his safety as well as yours. Most lures | | | | chair and drive home. Just so you know. |