Reel in Your Dream Job: How to Become a Fishing Boat Captain

Being a fishing boat captain is a dream job for many. But behind the beautiful sunsets and impressive trophy catches, captains do a lot of work.

Fishing boat captains overcome challenges such as:

• Early mornings and late nights: Being a captain is not a nine-to-five job. If you pull out of the dock at 6:30 in the morning, you must start preparing your boat by 5:30. You won’t get to go home when the trip ends at 3 in the afternoon, either. You’ll be busy cleaning, wrapping up, and preparing for the next trip until 5 or 6 in the evening.
• Bad weather: Captains work outside in all kinds of weather, from extreme heat to bitter cold, wind, and rain. Sometimes, they even face dangerous storms. All this takes a toll on the body.
• Fixing equipment: Captains spend a lot of time keeping their boat and equipment in good shape, which means fixing gear that breaks, often while still underway.
• Tough navigation: Captains must be focused and careful to avoid hitting rocks and obstructions in shallow water, respect fishing laws, and protect marine life.
• Risks: Being a captain is a dangerous job. Common risks include accidents, injuries, and medical emergencies occurring far from help.

Are you still determined to start a career in this field? Here’s how to become a fishing boat captain.

How to Become a Fishing Boat Captain: Earn Your Captain’s License

Your first step toward starting a business with your boat is earning a captain’s license. The Coast Guard requires this license because it demonstrates that you have the knowledge and experience to keep passengers safe.

The licensing process is complex but doesn’t have to be challenging. You need to meet a few requirements to get an OUPV/Six-Pack license:

• Experience: You need 360 days of boating experience, 90 of which must occur within three years of applying for a license.
• Age: You must be 18 or older.
• Citizenship: You need to be a U.S. citizen or have the correct papers to live and legally work in the U.S.
• Health: You must pass a health check and a drug test.
• Certifications: You need to earn a first aid and CPR card.
• Knowledge: You must pass a Coast Guard-approved written exam that covers boating rules and safety.
• Background: You must pass a background check.

Passing the exam is the most challenging part of earning a captain’s license. The test is hard, and studying takes time. However, taking a course through Mariners Learning System helps you prepare thoroughly. 

After you log your experience, finish your paperwork, and pass your exam, the Coast Guard will review your application. The approval process can take weeks or months, but you’ll soon become a licensed fishing boat captain. 

Ensure Safety as a Fishing Boat Captain

Safety at sea isn’t just a good idea; it’s the law. Requirements and regulations don’t end once you finally have your license. Responsible fishing boat captains prioritize safety above all.

Go above and beyond requirements by following these practical safety measures and best practices to ensure the well-being of your crew and passengers:

1. Wear life jackets: Make sure everyone wears a life jacket or has one available.
2. Practice safety drills: Practice runs for emergencies like a fire or someone falling overboard.
3. Have the right gear: Keep fire extinguishers, flares, a radio, and a first-aid kit on your boat. Remember, Coast Guard requirements are just a starting point — you can always have more.
4. Know your boat: Be familiar with how your boat works and where your tools and equipment are.
5. Clear communication: Make sure everyone talks to each other clearly and knows where the emergency equipment is.
6. Good navigation: Keep your chart reading and GPS skills sharp to avoid accidents.
7. Stay sober: Don’t drink alcohol or use drugs while operating a boat.
8. Keep your boat in shape: Regularly inspect your boat to ensure it works well.
9. Continue learning: Stay up to date with new safety information and courses.
10. Be prepared: Check the weather forecast before leaving the dock so you know what to expect on the water.

Know Your Business: Find Success as a Fishing Boat Captain

Catching fish isn’t all it takes to become a fishing boat captain. You need to know how to catch customers as well! Marketing, customer service, and financial management are essential to your future success and sustainability.

Before you start booking passengers, address these critical business considerations:

Know Your Market

Start by researching what fishermen in your area want. Understanding their needs helps your fishing charter business stand out.

For example, do your potential customers want day charters, night charters, or three-day trips? Are they looking for specific types of fish in your area? Answer these questions to reach the right people.

Legal Concerns

Get the correct licenses and insurance to operate legally and keep your business safe.

Did you know that many states require each person on your fishing boat charter to have a valid fishing license? Don’t overlook this detail. Request copies of everyone’s licenses and keep them with you for the charter’s duration.

Marketing

You can have a beautiful boat, a friendly personality, and expert fishing knowledge, but no one will know about your business without marketing. Build a good website and connect with hotels and local businesses to attract customers.

Social media is a great way to get word-of-mouth advertising. People love to share their experiences on the water. Create profiles on the big social media sites and start connecting.

Customer Service

Some great fishermen are poor communicators. So, being friendly with your customers helps you stand out and earn referrals and repeat guests.

Other ways to prioritize customer service include keeping your clients safe and applying their feedback.

Money Matters

Many fishing boat captains love what they do so much that they ignore money. Doing so is a huge mistake. If you’re not making a profit, your business isn’t worth the labor.

Keep track of your income and expenses to stay on budget and set fair prices.

Hire Good Crew Members

A skilled and reliable crew is essential because it supports and represents your business. Your crew should be skilled, reliable, and good with customers. You don’t want the face of your fishing charter to show up late, hungover, and smelling of booze — especially when your customers pay good money for a great experience.

Sustainability

Taking care of the water is your responsibility. Use fishing practices that protect fish and their habitats.

Grow Your Business

Stay connected with other business owners, keep learning, and make incremental changes.

Adjust Your Approach to Your Area

Fishing isn’t a one-size-fits-all activity. Seasonal variations and regional differences affect how you conduct your business. You may adjust your approach from month to month or day to day.

Be ready to:

• Stay up to date on fishing rules, which change with the seasons.
• Schedule trips around the best fishing times for specific fish.
• Use different bait and tackle depending on the fish and season.
• Know where your target fish are during different times of the year.
• Deal with how weather changes fishing conditions and fish behavior.

Examples of Regional Differences

Let’s examine two examples of how regional differences influence your business choices.

First, consider fishing for striped bass in New Jersey, which is best in the spring and fall, when the fish migrate. Your success depends on knowing where and when the fish move. Use special lures and live bait near underwater structures or where rivers meet the sea. 

Fishing for tarpon in Florida is quite different. The prime time for these fish is late spring to early summer, and they’re most active in the early morning and at night. Tarpon prefer shallow water and areas around bridges, and they put up a fight. You’ll need to have the right equipment to catch them. 

Running the Numbers: Taxes and Insurance for Fishing Boat Captains

Becoming a fishing boat captain is a great way to turn your passion into profit — and you can profit in more ways than one.

Captains can leverage tax benefits to save money. However, they need to balance these savings with insurance costs.

Taxes for Fishing Charters

Charter boat captains may be able to deduct:

• Business costs, including upkeep, fuel, and advertising
• Home costs if you run your business from your house
• Travel costs if you spend money traveling for your business
• Boat purchases in certain situations, such as claiming a one-time deduction instead of deducting the cost over several years

To maximize your tax benefits, ensure your charter activity is considered a profit-earning business. Save all receipts and logs related to running your charter business. Then, hand these records over to a tax professional to help you avoid mistakes and save money.

Insurance for Fishing Charters

Insurance protects you from liabilities as a business owner. Your boat’s size, where you sail, and how you run your charters will impact your insurance choice. For instance, you might need: 

• Liability insurance: Protects you if a passenger gets hurt or their belongings are damaged because of your charter business.
• Hull insurance: This covers damage to your boat.
• Protection & Indemnity (P&I): This broad coverage covers problems like injuries or pollution issues.
• Crew coverage: This helps cover employees who get sick or hurt on the job.

As you consider your options, make sure your insurance meets legal requirements where you operate your business. If you’re unsure what type of coverage is best for you, work with an expert who knows the ins and outs of specialized charter boat insurance.

Become a Fishing Boat Captain Now

Now that you know how to become a fishing boat captain, it’s time to start your journey. Mariners offers convenient and comprehensive courses that can help you earn your captain’s license on your schedule. Browse our courses today to find the option that’s right for you.