You are a party boat angler and you notice the captain in the wheelhouse or maybe walking the deck and a thought goes through your mind. I wonder what it is like to be a party boat captain? That sure looks like a great job! He sure has it easy, he stays out of the elements, doesn't have to be involved with the fish or running around the deck. What follows are the experiences of such a captain. By and large, the captain's job is one that most of us love. After 20 years at the helm, I have experienced many happenings, most were good.

A typical trip is load up with fares, find and catch fish and return to the dock with a boatload of happy anglers. However, some trips create lasting memories. Most are very good, but a few I wish I could forget. I would like to share some of these memories and experiences with you. The very first trip as the CAPTAIN, The owner called and asked if I could run a trip. "You bet I can," says the new captain! Then you begin thinking, "Now I have to find the fish!" Then some doubt creeps in. The day arrives and it's sunny with calm seas, the fares arrive and we sail. Before I know it, it is time to blow 3 whistles and head for the dock. We arrive at the dock with fish and no mishaps. This was the first of many great trips. Many, many years later I can say all the hard work that led up to my license was worth it.

I am sure that most party boat captains share the same thoughts and similar experiences. So here goes! Over the years I have taken many Cub Scout Packs fishing along with their family members. I have many fond memories of these trips. I would take them to where good structure existed, anchor the boat, and then help the mates bait hooks, remove tangles, and take fish off the scouts' hooks. Hard but very satisfying work. What made the trips so special is that the scouts loved all the action of wiggling fish as they came over the rail. Type and size was not the prime requisite for these anglers. They had fun! On one trip a scout's mother hooked up with a 4-foot sand shark. She was the center of attention for 15 minutes while she fought the denizen of the deep. I loved the excitement and joy of these trips. Steaming in fog is a very scary experience, even with a good radar system. One morning after steaming in the fog for 2 hours, even though the radar screen was clean and not hearing another fog signal, I had this eerie feeling that there was something out there off my port bow. I stopped the boat, waited, and listened. All of a sudden a large sailboat comes out of the fog and crosses my bow as if he was the only boat around. You would think hearing my fog signal would have caused him to practice caution.

A very nice benefit is teaching folks how to fish. In general, ladies and children follow instructions much better than men. To hear folks yelling and screaming as they are trying to hold onto 10 or 12-pound bluefish and helping them to get the fish over the rail is very rewarding. When some people go on a party boat they think that anything and everything is allowed. I have had people using drugs in the head and even on deck. I have witnessed the parents doing it in front of their children. I would make an announcement that I will call the USCG and also the SC Marine Bureau if it does not stop immediately. Fortunately, they all cooperated. Some trips I get lucky and very fortunate. A teenager became very sick. The parents were not with him. While getting info to relay to the USCG, a local doctor announced himself and assisted me. What a relief! I traveled to meet a USCG vessel as the doctor assisted the teenager and wrote a report that was passed on to the medical assistance team waiting on shore. The teenager was transported to a local hospital and the story ended well.

Embarrassing things do happen! Can you imagine running out of toilet paper half way through a trip with ladies aboard. Luckily another party boat was nearby and came to our assistance. I can only imagine what people on the nearby pleasure boats said after they heard my request. Whew! That was a close one! Taking anglers black fishing can be a humbling experience at times. After traveling about an hour and a half, I arrived at a wreck only to find another boat anchored over the middle of the wreck. They were catching fish! Using the Loran I determined that I could position my boat on the side of the wreck without affecting the other boat. However, I could use only one anchor and my boat would swing a bit. The other boat's anchor line was off my port side. We started to catch blackfish. The other boat continued to catch fish. Then the operator started to pull his boat up his anchor line. This meant the next time I swung in that direction I might come in contact with his boat. Immediately I had to move my vessel out of harm's way. This meant the end of catching on that spot. Needless to say my anglers were not happy. It was a Saturday blue color work crowd and they wanted me to push the other boat off the wreck. After docking the boat, I come down the stern ladder and I see a spare docking line hanging for the overhang. It is made into a large hangman's noose. I question the mate. He tells me the guys on the stern made it up and wanted to hang the captain for not forcing the other boat off the wreck.

Another blackfish trip most of the fares brought spinning rods that were way too flexible to get the blackfish out of the wrecks. The spot I anchored upon held fish as the anglers with proper rods were catching fish. The spinning rod anglers were complaining about always getting hung up and losing their rigs. I explained to them why this was happening. I could see them getting the bites but the fish got back into the wreck before the spin anglers could get the fish headed away from the wreck. I offered them the sturdy boat poles but none of them would switch. At the end of the day they sure let me know that it was my fault that fishing was so bad. Oh well! But wait! There is another side to this! After traveling quite awhile to a reach a good spot, I realize that another boat is already anchored on the small spot and catching blackfish. While trying to formulate another game plan, the other boat's operator calls me on the radio. He says he is leaving and I should move right into his spot as he leaves. I can't believe that this is happening! I anchor up and the fares have a very nice bite. The party boat owner had given these Loran numbers to the other boat owner with the stipulation that he would give up the spot if the party boat showed up. Unbelievable! About an hour before the end of a late afternoon fluke trip, I am steaming to another drop. I turn around in the wheelhouse and see 2 of the young mates sitting behind me. I also spotted the life ring that is thrown if someone fell overboard. I described to them what each person's responsibilities were if a person should fall overboard. 20 minutes later one of them comes running to the wheelhouse shouting, "Man overboard, Starboard stern"! I positioned the boat near the person and then went back to the stern to supervise. To my astonishment I see a second person in the water. The second person dove in to save the jumper. If fact, I believe the jumper owes his life to this second person.

Fortunately, we get both persons back aboard. The jumper was so drunk he could not stay seated on a bench. It seems he was hot and wanted to cool off. So he took off his outer clothes and jumped overboard. Needless to say, as it was near the end of the trip I blew 3 whistles and took them all back to the dock. Then there was the trip that had more cases of beer brought aboard by the fares than we had fares. Most of the cases were brought home. Fortunately, many party boats no longer allow alcohol on night trips. Many boats monitor the amount of booze brought aboard day boats also. Fares will come aboard and say that they have never caught a fish while fishing on a party boat. I love it when I am able to change that. To see them go home smiling with dinner in their cooler makes my day.In my opinion, my first duty and obligation is the safety of all aboard. That also includes the vessel.

Next comes catching fish. Sometimes I have cancelled trips at the dock just before departure time because of rough seas and high winds. Because of this action I have been called a CHICKEN! One group told me that the boats where they come from always sail. Another captain was standing near his boat. I told this group to ask that captain to take them fishing. Ha, I knew the answer and also that he would tell them what he thought of their statement. Obviously, some of these things are not an everyday occurrence. However, enjoying the company of very nice people, watching them catch fish and going home with dinner is a wonderful experience. I now have many friends that I have met on the decks of party boats. Pick a sunny day with calm seas, a good tide, pack a bountiful picnic basket and join special friends on your favorite party boat. Enjoy and have fun. Leave the beer at home, but feel free to bring an extra roll of toilet paper just in case!