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A very good resource is Chapman's Book of Piloting. Its got alot of good book information to help prepare you for your time on the water.
As a new boat owner, I find that experience is the best teacher, but its extremely helpful to study prior to and after trips out.
What I mean is that I studied the rules, etc. all off-season and studied my charts prior to each trip out... then when I get back in, I make it a point to remember any situations in which I was unsure of a course of action, or any areas in which I was wanted to go, but was unfamiliar with.
Definitely get your captain's license... for that business, I think its almost mandatory because you need to get liability insurance and I think its virtually unaffordable without the license. Not totally sure about that, but it makes sense.
In the back of my mind, like alot of us, I like to think that someday I might do something similar. Obviously, we all love fishing and love being outside and the quality of life would be great if you could do it successfully.
I'm thinkin' a bit more down the line as I have a decent job that I enjoy and an expanding family to support. Its definitely a tough business to get started in and it takes a while to get established.
But someday, maybe in a different climate, I could see myself poling a flat, scanning for some fishies... sounds pretty good when its 35 degrees outside.
Good luck dude and I highly recommend the book.
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