Found this link on craigslist while looking for a new kayak.
http://orlando.craigslist.org/spo/3680272909.html
This is an enterprising fellow named Ralph who is offering charter services for sharking from shore. Does anyone know him? Is Ralph on this message board?
I wanted to gather opinions on what kind of light this sheds on our sport. Do you think it's positive? Negative? Would you charge to take strangers fishing with your gear and secret spots? Since you're being paid to harvest fish, would you need a commercial license? And what are the legalities of operating a business on the beach?
I'm not interested in chartering myself out, but I would like to know what you all think of it.
Sounds like its a tricky one to me.....
Im pretty sure you only need a captains license and insurance...There was a few guys in fort myers that use to do it a few years ago...I personally think the headache of taking newbies shark fishing wouldnt be worth the money...
As soon as he figures out that all the guys that book him are now working the same water that he is he'll throw in the towel.
I literally was going to post about this idea today... I think this would be a good idea for a young adult to run as a small business to help make some extra cash while in school or something. Could just charge a flat rate per rod in the water for a certain amount of time. Less $ for a surf/cast setup than one you have to yak out. Supply the bait and rod and reel and kayaking the bait out. Could advertise it just as Land Based Fishing and mention all kinds of species rather than just sharks. Not sure on the insurance/license part. Could also just have an agreement/sportsmanship section in the waiver to respect the business and to try other spots if not with the charter as so the person can continue to work and operate their business. I don't think it would work as a full scale charter operation but for a kid trying to make some extra cash I think would be a great idea.
I think that personal liability would be the big problem. What if something happened like what happened to Kenny? C.Y.A. would be the most important preventative measure.
Good point. Kennys girlfriend stepped on a needle on the beach. I think those kind of legal headaches could be avoided by calling yourself a guide service or surf fishing school and insuring yourself appropriately (Seth, it's an easy phone call to get insured for anything these days). Don't get me wrong, if something goes wrong, I would want to do the right thing. But rent out your gear or include it in some kind of package deal and you're doing the same thing as a charter without being as responsible for the other people.
I agree with you, Seth. You couldn't make a living like this, but it would be good for some extra chump change. On the other side of the coin is the chance to teach someone to shark fish safely and responsibly. You would make huge contributions to the sharker community this way, making another voice to speak for laws, conservation, reopening piers or even just another guy on the message boards.
These days everyone seems to be sue happy. Insurance would have to be a must.
Even as a guide. Someone might sue you because he got sunburn and it was painful.
If you want to make a little cash on it, my suggestion would be instead of listing as a
guide or a charter would be to offer to teach them how to fish the surf and that Monetary
tips are always welcome.
I think it's a positive. I support anyone who aspires to be self employed. Also, i believe it could help shed positive light on the sport and work to educate the general public. Unfortunately we live under a corporatocracy that discourages entrepeneurship. But don't let CRAP like sue happy parasites and insurance companies deter you. Hell..if I had my way, the sue happy types, ambulance chasing lawyers (leeches), and the SCUMBAGS involved in the insurance racket would all be hunted down and hanged in a public square.
These days everyone seems to be sue happy. Insurance would have to be a must.
Even as a guide. Someone might sue you because he got sunburn and it was painful.
If you want to make a little cash on it, my suggestion would be instead of listing as a
guide or a charter would be to offer to teach them how to fish the surf and that Monetary
tips are always welcome.
you will get little to no money that way. especially around spring break. people have a hard enough time tipping at restaurants let alone somebody showing them how to fish.
get good gear, make time for it and charge up the ass and don't take crap from people. honestly, if you're too nice, charge too little and don't invest enough time, money and effort, you'll be sorely disappointed, worn out, and your clients won't be the type you'd like to have.