FLUKE fishing prices
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have you ever seen rates go down?
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reaper wrote:
so with the price of gas now how much will fluking be out of captree on the party boats
Party boats don't burn gas. They burn diesel fuel, which has gone up more than the gas you and I buy.
Minimum size of a fish has nothing to do with what a party boat charges. Party boats have to charge enough to make a profit. It is a business which people depend on to make a living. Size and bag limits are beyond a party boats control.
Bottom line, if you can afford it, go fluking on a party boat. The price will most likely be higher this year, but that is the case with just about everything these days. You will most likely enjoy a nice, relaxing, day on the water, have a few laughs and probably catch a bunch of fish. How many you end up keeping should not influence your decision on whether or not to go, because if you just wanted fish to eat, the fish market is always a much less expensive option.
so with the price of gas now how much will fluking be out of captree on the party boats
Party boats don't burn gas. They burn diesel fuel, which has gone up more than the gas you and I buy.
Minimum size of a fish has nothing to do with what a party boat charges. Party boats have to charge enough to make a profit. It is a business which people depend on to make a living. Size and bag limits are beyond a party boats control.
Bottom line, if you can afford it, go fluking on a party boat. The price will most likely be higher this year, but that is the case with just about everything these days. You will most likely enjoy a nice, relaxing, day on the water, have a few laughs and probably catch a bunch of fish. How many you end up keeping should not influence your decision on whether or not to go, because if you just wanted fish to eat, the fish market is always a much less expensive option.
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It's unfortunate, since as you said,with the fluke regs in NY this year, not too many people are going to be going home with keepers, especially at Captree and other south shore ports. But, with the price of fuel reaching ridiculous heights, the boat owners have no choice but to raise fares. Not doing so would only force many of them out of business a lot quicker than they are currently being squeezed.
It's as if fuel is no longer merely a cost of doing business for the for-hire fleet ( as well as many other businesses), but a giant burden. They can only raise fares so much before people stop coming. Sadly, these confiscatory fuel costs may be more of a problem for the boats this year than overly restrictive regs.
We rec fishermen have to get used to the idea of laying out more dollars to go fishing, be it on a party/charter boat or a private boat, yet coming home with less fish than we used to, untill or unless some drastic changes occur.
It's as if fuel is no longer merely a cost of doing business for the for-hire fleet ( as well as many other businesses), but a giant burden. They can only raise fares so much before people stop coming. Sadly, these confiscatory fuel costs may be more of a problem for the boats this year than overly restrictive regs.
We rec fishermen have to get used to the idea of laying out more dollars to go fishing, be it on a party/charter boat or a private boat, yet coming home with less fish than we used to, untill or unless some drastic changes occur.
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Sad but True
While i spent a lot of time last summer Fluke fishing on PBs in the sound (very successfully i might add)i am afraid that it will not be as worthwhile with the new Regs. I plan on spending much of my Fluking time in the Ocean. At least you will have a better chance at nailing a few keepers by fishing the deeper waters. Between the new regs and the price of fuel, it's gonna be tough for the Captree fleet as they tend to fish mostly in the bay area, meaning plenty of Fluke, very few keepers.
While i spent a lot of time last summer Fluke fishing on PBs in the sound (very successfully i might add)i am afraid that it will not be as worthwhile with the new Regs. I plan on spending much of my Fluking time in the Ocean. At least you will have a better chance at nailing a few keepers by fishing the deeper waters. Between the new regs and the price of fuel, it's gonna be tough for the Captree fleet as they tend to fish mostly in the bay area, meaning plenty of Fluke, very few keepers.
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FishingReaper wrote:
JC30967 what you said is kinda what i was getting at. the boats may have to raise prices due to fuel, but they are also going to lose people due to the size of the fish and combination higher prices.
Exactly, the for-hire fleet is unfortunately caught between a rock and a hard place currently. They absolutely must raise fares if they are to have any chance at surviving, yet they have only raised fares slightly, as crabcake stated, which is nowhere near what the fares ought to be in order for the boats to be able to cover expenses, and hopefully turn a profit. Yet, the casual fisherman is going to go on a partyboat this year, have to pay a higher fare, then be told (by the managers,this is not the partyboat fleet's fault, either) that they can't keep a 20" fluke.
I remain convinced that the enviros and their gov't allies are thrilled at this double whammy of astronomical fuel costs and overly restrictive regs. And, that is why I, for one, will continue to fish, on party, charter, and private boats, as much as I always have.
To paraphrase the recently departed Charlton Heston, " They can have my fishing rod when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers"
JC30967 what you said is kinda what i was getting at. the boats may have to raise prices due to fuel, but they are also going to lose people due to the size of the fish and combination higher prices.
Exactly, the for-hire fleet is unfortunately caught between a rock and a hard place currently. They absolutely must raise fares if they are to have any chance at surviving, yet they have only raised fares slightly, as crabcake stated, which is nowhere near what the fares ought to be in order for the boats to be able to cover expenses, and hopefully turn a profit. Yet, the casual fisherman is going to go on a partyboat this year, have to pay a higher fare, then be told (by the managers,this is not the partyboat fleet's fault, either) that they can't keep a 20" fluke.
I remain convinced that the enviros and their gov't allies are thrilled at this double whammy of astronomical fuel costs and overly restrictive regs. And, that is why I, for one, will continue to fish, on party, charter, and private boats, as much as I always have.
To paraphrase the recently departed Charlton Heston, " They can have my fishing rod when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers"
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Fuel costs have doubled not tripled from last year at this time to now. It was approx. $2.25 at this time last year as opposed to $4.50 now. Most fluke boats don't burn much fuel because they fish locally as opposed to either runnung offshore or chasing top water fish all day. The steady decline in business overall for the for hire fleet has a much worse affect on these business's than the cost of fuel and the new regs won't help that. I did have more to say but my 1st post didn't come out for some reason & I'm to lazy to type it all over again.
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diesel isnt the only thing on the rise pb owners are realy taking it on the chin latly.bait is up with a extra charge most michanics rates are up and food for the galley is more lead is up the list goes on and on not to mmention dock space. if your looking to make a good living i wouldnt go into the party boat busness.
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Party Boats
The PBs that can consistantly go thru the inlets in order to target the larger Fluke/Porgies/Seabass will survive. The PBs that are unable to do so will have a very tough time of it as patrons will quickly get disgusted of throwing back 15-25 shorts each and returning to the dock with few if any keepers. I see a lot of problems for the Captree fleet, this year especially.
The PBs that can consistantly go thru the inlets in order to target the larger Fluke/Porgies/Seabass will survive. The PBs that are unable to do so will have a very tough time of it as patrons will quickly get disgusted of throwing back 15-25 shorts each and returning to the dock with few if any keepers. I see a lot of problems for the Captree fleet, this year especially.
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it really is a shame, how many legit keepers will be caught fishing the bay? 1 to 5 a trip maybe? 20.5 inches is a BIG fluke, the boats that can fish in the ocean will probably carry more fares and hardcore fisherman, the bay boats will carry their tourists, but the cost of gas may cut down on the drive people are willing to make to get to these boats.
It is really sad...I don't blame the boats for raising fares...how long can boats operate at a break even point, not long, I don't care how deep your pockets are.
I can remember as far back as 1984, Capt Andy in Freeport was $8 for 1/2 day flounders, $6 if you were a senior, then if you stayed on for the 2nd trip it was $6, and $4, so a senior could fish all day for $10, and maybe a $2-3 for worms., and probably catch plenty of flounders.
How much is all day now? $50-60? It has to be, prices of everything are off the charts, lead, hooks, bait, dockage, insurance, yard bills, no cash/no splash...
Fuel is the killer though..
It is really sad...I don't blame the boats for raising fares...how long can boats operate at a break even point, not long, I don't care how deep your pockets are.
I can remember as far back as 1984, Capt Andy in Freeport was $8 for 1/2 day flounders, $6 if you were a senior, then if you stayed on for the 2nd trip it was $6, and $4, so a senior could fish all day for $10, and maybe a $2-3 for worms., and probably catch plenty of flounders.
How much is all day now? $50-60? It has to be, prices of everything are off the charts, lead, hooks, bait, dockage, insurance, yard bills, no cash/no splash...
Fuel is the killer though..
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DandJfish wrote:
The PBs that can consistantly go thru the inlets in order to target the larger Fluke/Porgies/Seabass will survive. The PBs that are unable to do so will have a very tough time of it as patrons will quickly get disgusted of throwing back 15-25 shorts each and returning to the dock with few if any keepers. I see a lot of problems for the Captree fleet, this year especially.I think you're off the mark.
Many people think that the ocean will be the place to be this year, but the fact is, it will be very difficult catching keeper fluke in most places. The difference is, in the ocean, you will catch bigger shorts. There aren't many party boats I know that cannot consistently transit their inlets, but there is a great percentage of clients that cannot. Boats steaming offshore everyday will have a few more keepers, but w/o a creative spin, I don't think they will carry well enough to offset the doubled or tripled fuel costs. For a boat that fishes five miles from the dock, a few dollars on the fare will offset a two dollar-a-gllon fuel increase. For a trip like mine, it's more like six or eight dollars a head.
Captree has always carried consistently, because there is fishing, not keeping, and fishable conditions for everyone, almost every day. The late seventies saw full boats every day, w/ only one to ten keepers a day in the fleet, and very poor short action. the real problem for the port will be the fluke closure. Just like many ports will stgruggle not having a scup season until September.
Paul
The PBs that can consistantly go thru the inlets in order to target the larger Fluke/Porgies/Seabass will survive. The PBs that are unable to do so will have a very tough time of it as patrons will quickly get disgusted of throwing back 15-25 shorts each and returning to the dock with few if any keepers. I see a lot of problems for the Captree fleet, this year especially.I think you're off the mark.
Many people think that the ocean will be the place to be this year, but the fact is, it will be very difficult catching keeper fluke in most places. The difference is, in the ocean, you will catch bigger shorts. There aren't many party boats I know that cannot consistently transit their inlets, but there is a great percentage of clients that cannot. Boats steaming offshore everyday will have a few more keepers, but w/o a creative spin, I don't think they will carry well enough to offset the doubled or tripled fuel costs. For a boat that fishes five miles from the dock, a few dollars on the fare will offset a two dollar-a-gllon fuel increase. For a trip like mine, it's more like six or eight dollars a head.
Captree has always carried consistently, because there is fishing, not keeping, and fishable conditions for everyone, almost every day. The late seventies saw full boats every day, w/ only one to ten keepers a day in the fleet, and very poor short action. the real problem for the port will be the fluke closure. Just like many ports will stgruggle not having a scup season until September.
Paul
crabcake wrote:
Fuel costs have more than tripled, yet the proposed fares at Captree and other LI ports have only been raised only a few bucks.
These Capt's are willing to take a loss to provide us with nice days on the water, so I refuse to complain about fares!!!
Your reasoning is a little faulty perhaps - one would have to know what percentage of a PB costs are fuel to see what the impact of increased fuel costs will be. Lots of other costs for the PB owner (most of which also wenrt up too!) IE. if fuel is only 10% of the total cost of running the boat (not likely but I don't know) then doubling it would not make that big a difference in thetotal costs of thetrip for the owner, it it was 70% then the impact would be much greater!
Fuel costs have more than tripled, yet the proposed fares at Captree and other LI ports have only been raised only a few bucks.
These Capt's are willing to take a loss to provide us with nice days on the water, so I refuse to complain about fares!!!
Your reasoning is a little faulty perhaps - one would have to know what percentage of a PB costs are fuel to see what the impact of increased fuel costs will be. Lots of other costs for the PB owner (most of which also wenrt up too!) IE. if fuel is only 10% of the total cost of running the boat (not likely but I don't know) then doubling it would not make that big a difference in thetotal costs of thetrip for the owner, it it was 70% then the impact would be much greater!
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codmaster-
I recall reading an article in the East Hampton Star, in March, about how the cost of fuel is really putting a hurting on both the for-hire and commercial fleets. Capt.Mark, the capt of the Capt.Mark,one of the Montauk charterboats, was interviewed for the article and he stated that, IIRC, fuel was up to about 35% of his costs. And this was in March, of course, fuel has been steadily increasing, almost by the day. There is a link to the article in one of the fuel threads in EC's forum.
I would imagine that fuel has got to be a significant percentage of the gross for a large, twin diesal partyboat.
This post edited by JC30967 08:20 PM 05/14/2008
I recall reading an article in the East Hampton Star, in March, about how the cost of fuel is really putting a hurting on both the for-hire and commercial fleets. Capt.Mark, the capt of the Capt.Mark,one of the Montauk charterboats, was interviewed for the article and he stated that, IIRC, fuel was up to about 35% of his costs. And this was in March, of course, fuel has been steadily increasing, almost by the day. There is a link to the article in one of the fuel threads in EC's forum.
I would imagine that fuel has got to be a significant percentage of the gross for a large, twin diesal partyboat.
This post edited by JC30967 08:20 PM 05/14/2008
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Used to be the single biggest expense of a multi-passenger vessel was crew, plain and simple. Nothing even came close. For many operations, it still is. But for some, fuel has surpassed that easily.
Ten years ago, on some types of trips, one fare paid for the trip's fuel, and then some. Today, some trips are looking at fifteen or more fares to cover the fuel, and that's not even the longer-ranged trips.
Bait has increased ten or more percent over the winter as a direct result of fuel impact, and will also be almost as volatile as the fuel prices.
Fuel does not represent a majority of the expenses in the average operation, but the increase represents a substantial expense, at a time when the industry has seen expenses rise from a single-digit percentage of the gross, to a very significant portion of it. As an example, if I go for fuel as I usually do, when I have two trips-worth left, I will be pumping one thousand gallons of fuel into the boat.
Although the current price of fuel is a great problem for the industry, the true enigma will be the unknown limit of the increase, and how owners will deal w/ it as it evolves.
Paul
Ten years ago, on some types of trips, one fare paid for the trip's fuel, and then some. Today, some trips are looking at fifteen or more fares to cover the fuel, and that's not even the longer-ranged trips.
Bait has increased ten or more percent over the winter as a direct result of fuel impact, and will also be almost as volatile as the fuel prices.
Fuel does not represent a majority of the expenses in the average operation, but the increase represents a substantial expense, at a time when the industry has seen expenses rise from a single-digit percentage of the gross, to a very significant portion of it. As an example, if I go for fuel as I usually do, when I have two trips-worth left, I will be pumping one thousand gallons of fuel into the boat.
Although the current price of fuel is a great problem for the industry, the true enigma will be the unknown limit of the increase, and how owners will deal w/ it as it evolves.
Paul
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The fuel is incredible but the rest is creeping up fast to. From the begining of last year till now sinkers have almost double in price. What will happen to bait prices mid year after the dealers start adding up how much more it cost to delever it. They already charge a delevery charge.As owners we have to decide wether or not, if we raise our prices will that few bucks make it not worth comming for some.
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