Charter Fishing on the Dreamrider - Part II

Happy Clients

The Snapper was putting up a great fight and I could tell by the strain on the rod, that it was a good one. I only had the line in the water for a couple of minutes when I got the hook up, I don’t often fish while I have a group of clients but on this occasion the boys had almost got their limit so I decided to have a go., fighting it to the surface I was visualizing nice fresh snapper fillets on my plate for my evening dinner.

The Snapper broke the surface 30 feet behind the Dream Rider, and looked to be a nice medium sized one. But something was wrong, while I was winding it in closer. The fish seemed to become elongated and growing in size before my eyes. Oh sh-- a huge Bronze Whaler shark had followed the snapper to the surface and was about to rob me of my dinner. I went into overdrive frantically winding the reel in as fast as I could, while watching the monster gaining on the hapless fish with deceptive ease, and then leisurely opening his jaws he swallowed my dinner in one single gulp, A sharp tug that left me flat on my back, The mono filament line all over the place, and me without my dinner. Worse still, when I gathered myself and looked around, I found that I was surrounded by ten grinning clients that had seen it all happen and thought it a huge joke.

Sharks are always a problem on a charter boat as they can cause chaos. Unfortunately the Kaipara Harbour where I operate the Dream Rider is a nursery for White Pointers, Bronze Whalers, Seven Gillers and the lowly but very common Tope, (School Shark).They come into the Harbour in their thousands to drop their young over the summer months. 

Tope Shark

The White pointers and Bronze Whalers predominantly prey on the Topes and anything else they can catch. The Topes prey on the smaller fish eg Snapper Kahawai Travalli etc.  They can all become a major pain in the butt with the loss of sinkers and tackle, not to mention the loss of the fish that they were targeting. This often forces us to move to another fishing spot. Of course there are those on board that think its great fun and get a kick out of playing them. This however is not always appreciated by those that want nothing to do with sharks, and the howls of annoyance are directed at the misguided angler, when the hooked shark gathers up all the lines in its savage attempt to throw the line, often leaving the owners holding nothing but an empty line minus the sinker and tackle. Over the years I have learned to live with the sharks but I feel sorry for my clients, they are the ones out of pocket with the mounting loss of gear.

Dinner

During the many years that I have run the Charter business, I have enjoyed some memorable experiences. On one occasioned I had on board a group of fairly seasoned campaigners. Some of these had over the years obviously enjoyed a tipple or two, resulting in expanding waist lines.  These guys tend to enjoy life to the full but are not the most agile on the deck of a heaving boat. This particular day fish was coming on at a cracking pace, and one of these portly gentleman was in the act of lifting out two fish (we call them double headers) he held them poised about three feet above the water, while he proceeded to tell his neighbour how it takes rare skill to catch two at a time. When suddenly there was a huge eruption and a large Bronze Whaler came leaping out of the sea, and with consummate ease swallowed both of the fish that the angler had conveniently left there for him. Falling back into the sea the huge shark created such a wave that it almost engulfed the anglers across the stern. The resulting chaos has left an indelible picture in my mind that will stay with me forever. The gentleman that was standing at the Starboard corner let out a yell, and proceeded to dance around in rapt wonderment. The chap next to him just stood there in stunned silence not believing what he had just witnessed, both of these guys were drenched from top to tail. The third chap in line had suddenly disappeared from the rail. Quickly looking around I found him standing behind me, ten feet from the action. He had moved so fast that I had not seen him leave the rail. He was standing there bone dry, shaking like a leaf in a gale. Later while talking to him he said that he could not even remember moving. His reflexes must have been incredible. It’s amazing what a squirt of adrenaline will do. The next in line was the chap that had caught the double header. He was frozen into immobility, His mouth, still open and was as white as a ghost, and to add insult to injury he was still holding his broken rod, minus its top half that the shark had also claimed. The guy in the other corner of the stern, wet as a shag, was peeing himself with laughter, or was it terror? I did not like to ask him. 

After everything had settled down I watched how every one reacted differently. Some staring in wonder, trying to grasp what they had just witnessed, others were swearing and cursing at how wet they were, yet others were talking about how close the shark had been, and that they could have reached out and touched it. While others had to sit down, and were as white as a sheet and shivering from reaction.

I know that it was an experience that they will never forget, and I smile to myself knowing that the story will grow with the telling. The shark will grow from its twelve feet to an incredible twenty feet and will of course be a lot closer, (practically on the deck) and that it will have leap clear over the boat.

On another occasion I had on board my Daughter in law (Amber) and her work mates. It was a superb day, one of those that make you feel good to be alive. The fish were coming on board steadily but not real fast. What we were catching how ever, were real beauties.

Amber had already struggled with three monsters in the past hour, when she claimed that she had hooked another one, and it was beyond her capabilities to get it up any further. “Please help me” she pleaded with me, relenting I proceeded to wind in her line. It felt heavy, but there did not seem to be much of a fight being put up. By this time there were a lot of excited onlookers lining the rail peering into the water for their first glimpse of the fish. What actually came up were the remains of what had been a six foot Tope shark only the head was still attached to the hook with entrails hanging out of it. While the spectators were oohing and aahing at the sight, they failed to spot the Great White that was returning to complete the job. As it came rushing out of the depths I yelled at every one to step back from the rail. That shark came out of the water like an express train, half its body came out of the water then falling back with an enormous splash, it then proceeded to circle around the stern of the boat for several minutes looking for the remainder of its dinner. He finally gave up and disappeared. “He’s gone” I said to my badly shaken passengers. When fifty yards behind the boat it leapt clear out of the water completing a perfect barrel roll before entering back into the water never to be seen again. I have had a lot of experience with Great Whites but I had never had the good fortune to witness such behavior before. I believe that for half of the passengers, if they never see another one it will be too soon. While the other half swears that they will never go fishing again.       

Double

Experiences like these are what make my life as a charter fishing skipper worth while. Every day is different I have met some wonderful people, and some not so.

The people I particularly enjoy taking out are the people that go for the experience and not necessarily for the quantity of fish. These are people that are happy just to catch a fish and have a good time. They go home with a little sun tan, and sea air in their lungs.

One such gentleman told me on the way down to the fishing grounds that he did not care if he did not catch a lot of fish. Just one would do, as at the age of eighty he had never had any luck no matter how hard he tried.

I took the elderly gentleman under my wing and set his gear up the best way possible. I lowered the anchor in fairly deep water as I could see some good fish marks on the fish finder, then watched the old chap lower his line. It seemed to take an age for it to hit the bottom. He sat quietly for half an hour occasionally winding up to check his bait, replacing what needed to be replaced then lowering it again. It was plain to see that he was thoroughly enjoying himself, and was at peace with himself, when suddenly he jumped up, and with his rod bending at a steep angle proceeded to wind it in. The old chap was nearly exhausted when the sinker finally appeared. I was already waiting with the landing net and in a second I had two beautiful, huge snapper at his feet. He could not believe his eyes and with a huge smile, said that he had finished fishing for the day.

Later, at the end of the day he was helped off the boat with his prize catch. Then with a tear in his eye, I pretended not to see, he thanked me, saying that it was the best day of his life and could he come again. Alas I heard that he had died sometime later without getting the opportunity to come out again. I like to think that he would have gone with a smile on his face.

I have a lot of fun with most of my regular clients and every Christmas I shout a free trip and BBQ, for the hard working leaders that over twelve months of the year, organize their groups so that they turn up on time, and if one of them has to drop out, organize a replacement. This is my way to show my appreciation. These groups come from all walks of life consisting of church groups, work clubs, Executive groups, RSA (Returned Service Associations) etc etc. 

One of these leaders is Charlotte a 75year old Maori lady, she is a real sweetie, and when ever she is on board I always try to make a fuss of her. On one of these trips I presented her with a little booby prize of a packet of small confectionery fish, while announcing some trivial misdemeanor that had occurred over the past year, this raised a good laugh from every one, and set the tone for the day.

Later that day they were having a great time catching fish and imbibing in the “occasional” beer and wine. All that is, except Charlotte. She did not look happy. I went over to see what the problem was. “It’s this bloody bait, she said. “It’s just not working”. Why what’s wrong with it?” I asked. “I don’t know it keeps falling off the hook” she said. “Let me have a look” I said. She then showed me the half empty packet of the confectionery fish that I had given her. “You are supposed to eat them you silly moo, they aren’t bait”. As fast as she had put them on the hook they dissolved off it. No wonder she was not catching anything. She still gets reminded of that little episode.       

Its times like these, and the people I meet that make my job a wonderful experience I feel blessed and I would not change a thing. 

Ray Scott ( Dream Rider)

New Zealand 

 

Question: At what stage in a fishes life is its period of fastest growth

Answer: The day after it’s caught.

Charter Fishing on the Dream Rider

Dream Rider

I have been a commercial and charter fisherman for most of my working life, except for an interval of five years while I learnt the trade of boat building.  This trade has stood me in great steed over my life on the sea, allowing me to do all my own repairs and maintenance, including building several boats for myself and for other clients.  10 years ago I decided to build a fast 48fter to take me into my last few working years before retiring. 

The Dream Rider took me 16months to build from start to finish on my own.  She was commissioned just under 8 years ago, and in that time has become one of the top charter boats in the area.  I fish inside and outside the Kaipara Harbour. Which is the largest harbour in the Southern Hemisphere and the third biggest in the world. It feeds into the Tasman Sea and  is situated on the West coast of the North Island, New Zealand.  The predominant fish species that we target is Red Snapper (the no1 premium fish that everyone lusts after). Also Kahawai (sea trout), Gurnard, Travalli and Kingfish.  

The fishing method is predominantly bottom fishing using good sturdy boat rods with 2 or 3 hooks attached to the trace.  Good quality bait with a high oil content is a must. Mullet, Pilchard and Bonito are high on the list and if the fish aren’t interested in either of those baits, then we knew we were in for a slow day (which fortunately is very rare).  Our bag limits are very generous with ten Red Snapper per person per day.  Three Kingfish, and any other fish eg Kahawai, Travalli, Gurnard has a mixed max of 20.  On most days we would see clients staggering off the boat with their fish bins bulging, making for a lot of very happy, repeat clients. 

Charter fishing is like any job having its ups and downs.  Fortunately mostly ups, but when the downs come they really are downers, leaving me questioning my sanity.  I deal with 1500 - 2000 clients per year; most of them are repeat clients, coming out 10 – 12 times a year.  These are my favourite groups as they are not only happy with my set up but know how to deal with changing conditions that occur during the changing seasons. The new clients can be very rewarding to deal with as they often don’t have a too high expectation, and when they leave the boat with bulging bags their enthusiasm is infectious.  On the other hand some times we get clients that are impossible to please. 

I well remember a couple of years ago I had on board a group of ten Chinese gentlemen and I decided to give them a real treat by taking them over the bar out into the Tasman Sea.  Something I only do when conditions are ideal.  I knew the fishing would be exceptional, and I was out to make an impression with the intention of adding them to my long list of regulars.

After arriving at the required depth we started a zig-zag course to try to locate the feeding snapper.  Standing beside me was an old retired Ships Captain with his eyes glued to the color fish finder.  Now, he could not understand a word of English nor could I understand a word of Chinese, but we seemed to have a rapport going and enjoyed a lot of laughs together.  With both of us looking intently at the sounder it suddenly erupted with a huge mound of fish on the sea bed.  The Chinese chap suddenly leapt up and started getting very excited and demanded that I drop the anchor immediately (or at least I think that was what he was saying).  I knew we were on a honey hole so after dropping the anchor I told them to start fishing.

I always enjoy watching people catching fish, even after a lifetime of fishing, I still get a kick out of the radiant smiles that follow their first ever fish, or when they get a real beauty and proceed to claim bragging rites.  Its with this in mind I always position myself so I can watch, and render any assistance if required.  The old gentleman that had watched the sounder with me was so excited he was the first to get his line in the water, and I  noted that he had four hooks on his trace, “He means business” I thought, as I watched him lower his sinker to the bottom.  Within 20 seconds he was excitedly winding in his gear with his rod bending almost double.  When the trace arrived on the surface he started yelling at the top of his voice.  He had within 2 minutes from start to finish hooked four large snapper.  The look on his face was stunned incredulity.  He quickly removed the fish, re-baited then lowered his line to the seabed with exactly the same result.  Within 8 minutes he had 8 large snapper and his smile lit up the whole boat.  Until I held up two fingers getting the message through to him, that he could only catch two more.  The smile quickly disappeared, and he looked at me, then looked at his four hooks, looked at his watch, then looked at his hooks again, then muttering something unintelligible he whipped out his knife and cut three hooks off, and with a grin of triumph proceeded to lower the one hook.  The smile did not stay long however as he pulled up and lowered the line twice more with a beauty snapper at each attempt.

After pleading with me to allow him to continue fishing with out success he sat down and sulked.  While all this was going on the other nine Chinese gentlemen were having the same success with snapper coming over the rail at an incredible rate.

After only half an hour they all had their limit and we were heading for port. We were half way back to port when the leader of the group started to remonstrate with me that they had only been fishing for a short time, and they felt that they had not got their money's worth and was I going to give them a discount.  I politely but firmly told them that the law was the law and I could do nothing about it.  At the same time pointing out that they had been lucky enough to get some of the most exciting fishing that I have ever witnessed and that, NO......there would be no discount. 

For the rest of the trip back to port there was a stony silence.  Arriving back at the jetty, they staggered off the boat with their huge catch and left with out a word of thanks.  I have never heard from them since.  I guess you can’t please every body.

On another occasion I had another new group. On the way down to the fishing grounds I took the opportunity to have a chat with the leader of the very enthusiastic group.  I told him that it would be approximately one hour before arrival and that to tell the group that the first hour and a half would be the best bite time and for them to have all their gear set up and bait cut up ready for the “go” word from me.

After dropping the anchor I was heartened to see that every one already had their lines in the water and were already showing signs of good activity, except one.  This chap proved to me during the day that my patience was not infinite, and that I am only human.  When I saw him still setting up his gear, I went over to him and gently asked him if I could be of any help.  He briskly told me no, and that he was OK.  I shrugged and left him to it.  In the mean time every one was pulling in good fish and I knew they would get their limit in good time.  I grabbed the opportunity to make my toast for my breakfast.  Ten minutes later I came out on deck only to find this chap still messing with his gear.  Putting my toast down I went over to him and asked once again if he needed assistance.  NO was the reply and for me to p-ss off.  I doggedly told him that he was missing out on the best bite time, which was met by a stony response.  Half an hour had passed when he was finally ready to put his line in the water.  I could see instantly that it was set up wrong.  So being a tiger for punishment I once again tried to help him by suggesting a different rig and that I was willing to give him one of mine, which was rewarded with a snarled F--- off and that he will fish any way he wants to.

On the way home there was a very happy group of clients that had caught their limit, with the exception of the one chap who had only caught one fish for the entire day.  The crunch came when he stormed into the wheel house and none to gently poked me in the back and demanded an apology.  “What for” I asked not believing what I was hearing.  He got right in my face and preceded to tell me what a lousy captain I am, and that I had spent the whole morning giving him a hard time etc, etc.  I tried telling him that it was my job to give my clients the best day possible and that all I had done was to try to advise him on how to achieve it.  He proceeded to demand an apology, which I am sad to say resulted in my losing it completely.  Resulting in me telling him to get the f---  out of my wheel house and to never set foot on my boat again.  Not the best way to deal with a customer, but some times it’s the only way you can get through to some people

While all this was going on the rest of the guys were falling over themselves with laughter.  They later told me that this guy was like that at work and could not be told a thing, he knew it all, and that they had long since given up on him.  They apparently had been waiting to see how I was going to deal with him, and quite frankly openly admired my explosion.   Even though they had a great time and thanked me profusely for a great trip it still left me with a sour taste in my mouth. I felt that I had let myself down and that I should have been a bigger person

As I said at the beginning. The highs are numerous and I meet a lot of great people but there is occasionally that low spot that leaves me wondering what I am doing this for, it’s at these times I like to go bow hunting so I can enjoy the solitude of the bush and get my thought in order, ready for the next charter trip and what it might bring.

 -------- to be continued, as I will talk about a few experiences with sharks, and confectionary bait!!!!!!   

Ray Scott ( Dream Rider)

New Zealand