Willy, I'll take your word for it.
Obviously, the weather is a hard thing to nail down with precision. I certainly don't expect the sea to be like glass 60+ miles offshore during the winter. So I am realistic about that.
I'll just be more firm about putting my foot down about not going if I feel the Wx is not going to make the trip "fun." For me (and everybody is different) it's all about the fun. When fishing is more work than fun, it's not fun. When the weather is "50/50" before the day of the trip, the skipper should really be more accommodating to folks who want to cancel or give fares the option to reschedule.
Ironically, the attrition brought about by the fatigue, cold, and massive group-barfing means the catching is better for the rest of us rail yams who are still at it. It's just a little demoralizing to see folks slumped in the cabin, and it's especially demoralizing to see a young boy SCREAMING at this dad to take him home. I think I would have felt a little differently about the trip if that kid just stayed home or stopped whining.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Willy G.
Guys,
I haven't fished with Capt. Joe on the Helen H in some time, but from what I recall he is one of the most conservative/safety-minded captains out there. He won't take guys out if he knows it's going to be uncomfortable. In fact, I often hear a lot of chatter from guys frustrated that the boat cancelled even though "the weather didn't look that bad!" Frankly, I'd much rather err on the side of caution, as I'm sure most of you would.
Joe probably cancels 3 of every 4 trips during the winter months, and I seriously doubt that he knew what he was bringing you into when you left the dock. Anyway, just thought I'd throw it out there--most captains, especially intelligent ones like Joe, are not sadists who will put their patrons through hell just to make some money. Everyone makes mistakes--in this case, sounds like it was the weatherman (what else is new).
In any case, it certainly doesn't sound like a fun trip. I do a fair amount of winter codding, and if the forecast is looking crappy but the boat is still planning to go, I'd much rather just give up my deposit etc. It's no fun being stuck out there in rough seas and worse, the wind and cold. I'm sure some of the guys on that boat would have paid more than 195 bucks to get off that boat  .
-Willy. |