The first year - Forums Archive

latitudes

2013-10-02 05:41:20

Well, the first year has come to an end. Lots of stories, some good some bad, and some you could never make up. All in all it was good. I'll be back next year with the boat better prepared, a little more knowledge, and hopefully make some more $$. For now it's back to the day job. Gotta say, I already miss the ocean though. A few high lights from season 1.

1. To get insurance I needed to have someone on the boat who had experience running a big boat until I had 100 hrs logged, and had them sign off on the paperwork for the insurance company. I went through 4 people this summer. One quit, one had family issues, one had another job come up, and the last guy said I didn't need him and signed off on the paperwork.

2. Setting a boat up is not an easy task, especially when your total experience beforehand is 6 days. Everyone has an opinion as to what works best, and trying to combine these ideas often times leads to complete failure.

3. Nothing beats a smooth night drifting on the ocean after a good day tuna fishing.

4. I felt like I was a college freshman again. I had 100 level hard knock classes on hydraulics, marine electronics, refrigeration, diesel mechanics, and plumbing. Hopefully my sophomore year will be easier.

5. Nothing beats a shower when you get in.

6. You pick what you eat based on the water conditions. Some days it's steak and potatoes, others it's microwave burritos.

7. Someone on this site once said that all your troubles seem to fade as soon as you leave the dock. There is SOME truth to that. There are few troubles (like freezer issues) that don't rear their ugly head until you leave the dock.

So far I have 3 pages of fixes to do to the boat this winter. I figure that isn't too bad for year one. As I work through them I'll have lots of questions for those of you who have moved onto grad school trolling. Hopefully one day I'll be there too.

Joe Cammack AKA Latitudes

F/V Rose-Marie

Hans2

2013-10-02 23:07:21

Great attitude, inspiring post.

Looking forward to more of your posts!

Salty

2013-10-03 00:22:46

Great post, grad school is fine but the most important lessons for trolling are the ones you learn in kindergarten.

1. Get in line

Kelper

2013-10-03 00:45:17

haha! That's great salty.

Trnaround

2013-10-03 13:00:14

Great posts, I like it, Kindergarten etiquette:

2. Play nice

3. If you are cranky take a nap

4. Don't bite

Salty

2013-10-03 15:46:01

5. Don't play with your food.

Trnaround

2013-10-04 00:03:15

Congratulations on logging your first year trolling Joe. Nothing like experiencing it for yourself. A lot of folks grew up in the fishing and got into it over time but jumping right in isn't easy, good on ya.

JKD

2013-10-04 00:40:03

I was impressed that you have condensed your list of necessary off-season work down to 3 pages after your first season. That alone is a commendable accomplishment! Congratulations on completing your first troll season.