Tuna trip from HELL

CATCH AND EAT · 08-10-2003, 04:14 PM

Warning, I am going to name names on this thread so if ya don't like this kind of thing then please close it and move on.

Yesterday, Saturday the 9th our party of 5 excellent fisher friends contracted a charter captain out of Depoe Bay for a Day of TUNA fishing with a chance at Halibut. The day had much promise. Nice looking ocean, what appeared to be a decent charter boat and from previous interviews with the captain one on one weeks prior turned into the day of hell on the water.

Now for the name of the charter boat and captain. We contracted Captain Mike Fitzpatrick owner of the Pastime II for this particular trip. My friend Mike T. had interview this man one on one weeks prior to our trip and had conversations on the phone with him too. He was very polite at the dock before we left and collected the rest of our money. After that it was just plain ugly.

His boat had a top speed of 12 knots and was a real bow plower. Oh well 2.5 hours to tuna is not terribly unusual except for the fact the ocean was darn near flat!

We get out to 23 miles and he pulls the boat back. Whats the temp I say. I'll know in a minute. Over the side goes the bucket, in comes the water and a portable thermometer.

I've got a new one but I just have not made time to install it he says. I'm thinking to myself this is not a good start. 62 degrees and pretty greeeeeeeen water. Lets fish! He gives a lecture on how to fish tuna with rods, how he wants the storage box open so that when a tuna is gaffed he can sling the tuna into the box with one fell swoop and how someone needs to hand a knife to him to bleed the fish. Okay, got it! Well we troll for one hour and nothing.

So we move out to 30 miles. Finally my rod goes off. Our spirits soar with the tuna coming to hand. Captain Mike Fitzpatrick then gaffs the 20lb tuna and with one swoop swings it around and precisly slams it on top of the fish box with the lid still shut. The fish flops bleeding to the floor. Captain Mike then shows his true colors. He looks right at my buddy Mike T. and says "you (unprintable) I thought I told you to have that door open. You clean up this "(unprintable)" mess. :shocked: I was proud of Mike T. at this point because I would have torn this guys head off without remorse if he had talked to me like that. After that particular attack from Captain Fitzpatrick I was ready to head back to port.

Now our other buddy Tom had been up in the cab of this boat with the Captain. He smelled whisky on this captains breath. Later in the day two of the others in our party confirmed this. This made us even hotter that this guy was doing this to us.

Well, then he gets a report that some tuna are being caught 7 miles away on the Irish. They had a quad going. He sets sail at 12 knots. 45 minutes later we are there. OUT go the rigs. Half hour later we get another tuna. and 10 minutes later our last tuna. Now 50 miles off shore Captain Mike declares that we have to turn around and head for home. This is 2:30pm. So we turn and troll for home at 12 knots!!!!! [img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]
"Dumber things have happened" he said. "WE Might get one by accident". Yeah right I said to myself. Now we all understand that fishing is fishing. We know how to take the good with the bad as far as catching goes. Every good fisherman has those days. Sometimes fish do not cooperate. Thats understood. I don't think any of us could blame anyone for bad fishing days. That at least was something that Captain Mike F. could not control.

This captain was extremly rude to Mike and Ron. They could do nothing right in his opinion. Folks, these guys are hardcore fisherman. We all know what to do. This guy continually hounded Mike to the point where he keep saying "6 went out and 5 came back". (thats a metephor for those not in the know). "Muteny on the Pastime II" was just about to become a reality (another Metephor). I edited out a sentence containing violence on my own. No one asked me to do this. It was unnecessary to the story.

Well on the trip in Captain Mike turns on the Auto Helm and proceeds to take a nap. I know this because I was up in the cabin taking one myself. When I woke he was sound asleep. He was out for at least ten minutes as I was watching the water ahead of us. He woke a little daze and acted like nothing was wrong. (this was after I bang on the fishing rods to wake him.)

We stopped on the way in at his supposed halibut hole at 610ft deep. Dropped three rods with 28 oz of lead. Caught a few Lings of the barely legal nature. Again we could do nothing right in his sight. Profanity after stinking profanity came from Captain Mike F. declaring we did not know how to listen and so forth. I looked at Mike T. and declared that we had obviously never fished before.

This man has not a clue how to show anyone a good time. He only knows how to tear folks down. (unnecessary statement remove by me)

Now we are taking the matters into our own hands to protect those of you that might encounter Captain Mike Fitzpatrick in Depoe Bay. We contacted the coast guard and will be calling the state charter commission tomorrow along with the licensing board and the state marine commission.

I also had prior to this trip e-mailed Depoe Bay Dan to try to get a referral for Captain Mike on the Pastime II. Unfortunatly Dan you never responded. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] You could have saved us a huge hassle. Dan I know you are a good guy. Just wish you had responded to my e-mail.

BTW Captain Mike also told me he does not think much of us i-fishers either. Especially those of you that are tuna-holics. Says you are messing up the port and the tuna fishery. What do you think about that? He says you are dangerous and careless in your adventures. Hummmmmm....wonder if he knows I smelled whiskey on his breath at 8:30am on the way to tuna town? So i-fish, the Pastime II is not your friend. (insulting comments removed by me) The whole experience sucked! Can you tell I am mad? Good!

I was so mad last night about this whole trip I just got off the boat with my gear, got in the truck and drove off. I left the fish for the other boys to take home. I could not have enjoyed it if I had taken any home. Would have reminded me of the trip and Captain Mike F. on the Pastime II.

My appologies to my friends Mike T., Tom, Ron and Ron for leaving like that. It was better that I did leave at that moment. (violent content removed as unnecesary to the story). Folks, it takes a lot to push me over the edge with anger. This guy did it. And Captain Mike, if you are reading this take note. (again edited by me for unnecessary violent content). Hope I never see you again.

So what should have been a relaxing fun filled day on the water turned into crap in a toilet that would not flush. I am mad as heck about this experience and we as a group are going to do something about it.

Moderators, if you have to moderate this post I understand. But please consider the value and safety of other i-fishers that may come into contact with this charter service. I realize that a few of the things I said may violate the AUP a bit.

Bernie

Note: I personally edited this post for unnecessary violence and inappropriate name calling. My appologies to i-fish for this. Thanks.

[ 08-12-2003, 10:08 AM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

Pitch Pocket · 08-10-2003, 04:25 PM

Wow, that does sound like a bad day!

WildHawg · 08-10-2003, 04:32 PM

I've met Mike F. and seen his boat. He does have a reputation as being a bit crusty, but a good fisherman. His boat is not fast, but she's sound--I sure wouldn't mind owning her.
If everything you say is true--he has serious problems.
I gotta say however, that you sound awful threatening and vindictive toward this guy, and the post could be construed as a threat. the fact that he swore, and was a raspy SOB doesn't create hazardous conditions--just unpleasant ones.
I am glad you maintained your cool off shore, but must say that if you suspected the Captain was drinking whiskey, you all should have told him you wanted to turn back (no explanation necessary) and gone IMMEDIATELY to the Coast Guard and State Police. You made a serious error in judgement by riding with a Captain you suspect was impaired, and also compromised the strength of your position having done so.
Falling asleep at the helm IS a major issue if it is true. Definitely cause for discipline if it could be proved.
I too am a hothead when it comes to people disrespecting me. I can relate to your feelings as you watch your friends being belittled in front of you...but you are making some very serious accusations in a public forum. Seems to me you are exposing yourself from a slander standpoint.
Guess what I'm saying is you might want to rethink this post until you have given some serious thought to what you really want read by thousands of people--including potentially Mike F.
If what you say is true in full, and not misperceptions elicited by your state of near rage, I support you efforts at making us ifishers aware of some guy masquerading as a Captain, BUT--be careful.
If you can't prove it, you could be hangin' your own bottom out to dry.
Sorry about your trip, but as I myself have been reminded--be careful what you say and do when your really mad.
Taken me 42 years to begin to understand this advice, but I'm trying Jenny--really I am!

[ 08-11-2003, 07:56 AM: Message edited by: WildHawg ]

ANDYCOHO · 08-10-2003, 04:56 PM

That's too bad you had bad trip...

Hope your next one is a little more pleasant.

Thanks for the warning...

08-10-2003, 04:56 PM

Sorry to here about your trip. But is sounds like you handles yourself with geat restraint and should be commended on that. I believe that smelling alchol on the breath of a captain should be reported to the caost gaurd.

rockn'reel · 08-10-2003, 05:07 PM

I have run into other guides (some of whom I consider friends) who are abusive to their clients. Luckily, you guys do have some experience fishing. Think of those who are in town and want to try it out for the first time (just fishing). I am glad you posted this and I hope other's learn from your misfortunes (at least something good can come of it). I do not recommend those who are not willing to be patient and helpful as guides, or even as a knowledgable contact. I think fishing is there for a pasttime to be enjoyed, and I make sure those around me have the same philosophy.
Personally, I sometimes get "excited" about a fish or situation, but I make sure everyone knows I am not yelling or mad at them before te trip starts. I do not like to take chances on the water and do not tolerate others who do. Especially those that are paid to take people out.
Thanks for posting this and I hope everyone takes note on how a persons attitude and actions can ruin others fun and how belittling others won't get any return business. Too bad we can't tell just how much business this guy just lost himself.
Hope all your following trips turn out to be sucessful and fun.

Jennie@ifish · 08-10-2003, 05:31 PM

The rules are that you must tell the truth as you know it, be specific, don't use ^%(^*( for cuss words, or use them at all, and to use your full name if you slam a business.

Other than that, I see nothing wrong with your post. It's too bad, but if he treated you this badly, people should know.

He will, of course have the right, should he sign on, to tell his side of the story.

Below, is the only relative part of the AUP that pertains to your post:

The Ifish bulletin board is a real-time discussion. It is impossible to review all messages or confirm the validity of information posted. Please remember that we do not actively monitor the contents of posted messages and are not responsible for any messages. We do not vouch for or warrant the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any message, and are not responsible for the contents of any message. Each message express the views of its author, not necessarily the views of this bulletin board or any entity associated with the bulletin board. Any user who feels that a posted message is objectionable is encouraged to contact the listed moderators immediately by email. We have the ability to edit or remove objectionable messages and we will make every effort to do so, within a reasonable time frame if we determine that action is necessary. This is a manual process, however, so please realize that we may not be able to remove or edit particular messages immediately.
You agree, through your use of this service, that you will not use this bulletin board to post any material which is defamatory, abusive, vulgar, hateful, harassing, obscene, profane, sexually oriented, threatening, invasive of a person's privacy, or otherwise in violation of any law. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless you own the copyright or Ifish owns it.

Jen

Jacks or Better · 08-10-2003, 06:28 PM

Catch and Eat - Sounds like he has named his boat appropriately. Pasttime II make some changes, or Pasttime II get out of the business. Thanks for the warning.

Ramstrong · 08-10-2003, 06:49 PM

Bernie,
Sorry to hear about the horrible experience you had. Sounds like you may have had a lot more fun taking Cindy Lou out and skippering yourself.

Tacklebuster · 08-10-2003, 07:11 PM

Bernie- That plain sucks bro. You are more than a man than I am cause I don't think I could have held my temper. I commend you on your tact. Let's get this BOZO off the water and away from paying customers.

CATCH AND EAT · 08-10-2003, 08:13 PM

Mr. Fitzpatrick may tell his side of the story if he likes. Should just help my case against him as I see it.

As I said, The coast guard will be contacted by Tom tomorrow as per their instructions. I will contact the State Marine Board tomorrow and file a formal complaint.

If anyone else has had a less than positive experience with this person please e-mail me. Thank you.

Bernie

Sturgeon Tom · 08-10-2003, 09:22 PM

Catch and Eat
I think you and your fellow fisherman show what YOU ALL are made of by NOT retaliating on board ship. It could have been worse than it was.
Follow through on your course of action. There is no place on the water for a charter Captain who is drinking and sleeping while he has clients on board let alone sleeping when the boat is moving.
No one should be treated the way you were even if they didn�t know which end of the fish to catch.
Good luck on your next trip. Smile-- life is good.
st

Sea Jypzee · 08-10-2003, 11:26 PM

Sorry to hear about your problems with Mike F. I have heard of other problems with that individual in the past as well, though none this year.

Dr Strangelove · 08-10-2003, 11:44 PM

In Santa Barbara there was a captain of a party boat called the Hornet. I had a few very scary rides with him - we thought maybe drunk, mean as a barracuda, and my last trip on the Hornet was when we came within 1ft of a harbor buoy at 12knots as he vomited and became obtunded on the flybridge. The deckhands parked the boat. He ended up being diagnosed with a brain tumor and got surgery, and is back to a productive life.

The last halibut trip I went on, the captain (I thought a friend and colleague) was a commanding anal orifice. Barking orders, worse. That was my last time on that boat. I feel for you.

People like Fitzpatrick have no business in public. You were wise to hold your temper. People like him are a menace.

Please keep us updated.

[ 08-11-2003, 12:46 AM: Message edited by: Dr Strangelove ]

Born to be Wild · 08-10-2003, 11:58 PM

Bernie,

Very, very sorry to hear about your trip!

Don�t recall seeing your email or I would have taken the time to respond to you and told you to go elsewhere as I did Wild Hawg awhile back.

Some of the things you mentioned I had warned Wild Hawg about. And that was not smelling whiskey on his breath but drinking beer while under way with customers.

I have seen him come in as to where he could not even stand up. Scary and pathetic! The State Police and Coast Guard are aware of this and I was down there awhile back when the Coast guard gave him a sobriety test. Unfortunately he passed. I�ve seen him a few times where he wouldn�t have even needed a test.

I know that some of the locals have turned him in and Mike is aware of that also as I have heard some of his comments regarding this.

A couple three or four years ago Mike was busted by an under cover State cop for breaking about every rule you possibly could while on a salmon charter trip. I can�t remember the actual offenses but some of them might have been the use of non barbless hooks, fishing with too many rods, allowing a fisherman to catch someone elses salmon (common place on charters at the time and I believe legal now), and if I remember right he had one too many salmon and disposed of one, etc.

Everybody thought he was going to loose his license back then and he should have. Rumors I heard was he blamed it all on his deckhand at the time. Does anybody really think a charter boat captain on a small 6-pack boat didn�t know that his deckhand was breaking every rule in the book? Nonsense! But he apparently had a good lawyer.

I went out with him once 3 or 4 years ago coho fishing and the rumors I had heard about customers being �ridiculed and abused� happened on our �fun� trip. He yelled and treated me like I had never caught a fish before! Yea, OK. I went out with him one time since to fish the tug for lingcod and then again, I guess I didn�t know how to fight or play a lingcod. Must have been my first one. That was enough and I never fished with him again.

Some of the locals that have fished with him told me to let it in one ear and out the other that he does that with everyone. I go fishing to have fun, not to be �ridiculed and abused�. I don�t need a fish bad enough to put up with that or cross a rough bar as so many of the charters do.

I have never recommended Mike on or off of this site for those reasons.

I wished I could or would have prevented your �trip from hell�. I have filleted fish for Mike on occasion and will never provide him the services again after hearing your report.

There is a reason why he no longer works for any of the charter offices in Newport and moved his boat to Depoe Bay and no longer works for the charter office in Depoe he started out working for. He is an independent and don�t believe there is an office in Depoe or Newport that would have him work for him.

You are correct in your assessment; this guy is dangerous and should not be allowed a skipper�s license. Again I am very sorry about your nightmare and feel somewhat responsible that it took place because I evidently didn�t see your email and maybe I could have done something in the past to get this guy removed from the charter industry.

I tried to look up your email address on ifish to go back through my �inbox� to read your past email but you have a �private� email so I couldn�t. Please send me another email so as I can go back and find out what happened. I have about 1,200 unopened emails and suspect yours is one of them. I get overwhelmed with emails at times and some of them are junk mail, ifish reply notifications, etc., so I undoubtedly miss some of them. Sorry.

I have met many ifisher�s now through the site, emails, phone calls and in person. Most all of them are good folks and I have many new friends. I consider ifisher�s my friends. Mike insulted and mistreated some ifisher�s whom as I said I consider my friends. That was the last straw. Anyway I can help just let me know. As I said, the State Police and Coast guard are already aware of some if not all these problems.

�Over the side goes the bucket, in comes the water and a portable thermometer� is pretty sad and taking a nap while underway is unacceptable as is drinking before and/or while underway.

My phone# is (541) 765-2896 and call me anytime if you would like any help or insight on this problem person. Email me also so as I know what your email is.

Believe it or not, Mike does have some repeat customers that because of his fish catching abilities with Chinook, halibut and tug lings overlook his dark side.

Just wanted to verify what you were saying is true to what I have heard and seen. I�ve been offended now and have become part of your �trip from hell�.

I only got 2&1/2 hours sleep between ifishstock and fishing with UG and ran out of gas hours ago (exausted) but had to take the time to post on this very disturbing matter. Glad I clicked on this thread as I almost didn�t.

I will print out your post tomorrow morning (this morning) and give a copy to the Coast Guard and to the two Depoe charter offices.

Dan

Day 30

CATCH AND EAT · 08-11-2003, 07:09 AM

Dan thanks for your responce. Certainly hope you were not offended by my post in any way by dragging your name into it.

I appreciate you taking time to contact the coasties and the charter offices.

Bernie

OceanBlue · 08-11-2003, 07:14 AM

Bernie - I hope that you will keep us posted on the outcome of your complaint with the authorities.

I'm so sorry you had a bad time. Next time, see about going with an SD or, if you have a group of friends, catch up with Mike (Albacore Tuna Captain).

Scary that even though the captain was interviewed several times, this still occurred. Next time maybe a post here asking for a reference?

big fishy · 08-11-2003, 07:44 AM

Sorry for the bad trip. Follow-up on this guy. Call the CG as soon as you get back in port. One of these days his luck will run out.

Rusty · 08-11-2003, 08:09 AM

C&E,

Yes, please post the outcome of your efforts to get this guy off of the water..

Rusty

Born to be Wild · 08-11-2003, 09:03 AM

Quote:

----- Original Message -----
From: Bernie Buckle
To: simonp@actionnet.net
Sent: Tuesday, July 15, 2003 5:28 PM
Subject: Tuna

Dan,

Do you know Mike Fitzgerald on the Past Time? My buddy and I are trying to get a group together to go out with him but he for some reason is not returning Mikes calls. This seems a bit unusual to me. We have 4 guys and can get a few more for a rod and reel trip with him. Can you have him get in touch with either Mike or Bernie.

Mikes # 503 *** -xxxx

Bernie# 503 *** -xxxx

Thanks Dan!

Bernie
aka Catch And Eat

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Well Bernie, I did have and open your email and remember it a bit now. Guess I figured at the time I didn�t have anything to worry about and didn�t reply because you weren�t going by the sounds of it with Mike not returning your phone calls. Or maybe I just got busy and forgot about your email. I might have taken a trip to Longview at that time also and your email got forgotten or lost in the pack.

Your email was dated July 15th and that goes back to my drinking days as I have only been sober for 30 days now. That fact might have played in the decision process of me not getting back to you also. Again I apologize for not getting back to you because you wouldn�t have been on that boat the other day. But someone else would have been there in your place and that is an on going problem.

Mike appears to have a good side but it is out weighed by his bad side. I have mentioned a few times on ifish about only knowing one charter boat in Depoe Bay that releases wild or non fin clipped coho in the water with the gaff method. That charter is Mike (PastimeII) but I never mentioned who it was (his name) because of these serious problems that we have talked about on this thread. I was not going to promote this guy in any way or form even though I would have liked to for this good quality practice. But again, I wouldn�t want my family or friends to be on that boat.

I don�t understand and haven�t been able to figure this guy out. I don�t know if it is just the way he is or the severe alcohol problem he has that is the major contributor to his problems.

This thread brought out some old memories that I had forgotten about. A few years ago Mike did some serious damage to his boat on the way into Depoe Bay. The story goes he was on his way in and had the boat on auto pilot and was out on the back deck drinking a beer with his customers when he struck the bell buoy or maybe it was the whistler. There again, the story goes. It�s been a long time ago now and he did hit something out there and that is scary.

Giving customers a bad time is one thing and I have seen and heard about it allot. This is bad for the customers, the fishing industry, Oregon and the charter boat industry. But drinking while underway with customers is no different than you jumping on a bus, taxi, or airplane with somebody impaired, and very dangerous. I�ve been concerned many times and so has quite a few locals here in Depoe Bay. I almost went to the Coast Guard once out of concern for the safety of his customers when he came in very drunk from a chartered trip. I have seen him come in where he couldn�t even talk, needed help getting off the boat and was stumbling and falling on the filet tables. More than once.

Mike needs to go get help for his drinking problem or be removed from the charter boat trade. This is a well known fact here in Depoe Bay.

The only charters I go out of my way to promote for the most part in Depoe Bay anymore are the Dockside Charters because they all are good fishermen, offer good quality trips, cancel when the ocean is not friendly or will beat you up, and don�t cross extremely rough or dangerous bars. These guys are not afraid to refund your money when the situation warrants it. They watch the others play Russian roulette from chicken point. Call them a chicken and I�m sure they would be proud of it. At least I know I am.

Dan

Day 30

Gus Orviston · 08-11-2003, 10:44 AM

BUMMER... I got to say I would have at least lip wrestled with that guy.

On a lighter note...

how did your Penn 321 work on the chicken of the sea?

Dan....30 DAYS! That is awesome,,,I have been thinking about your challenges and have been pulling for you!

gus

CATCH AND EAT · 08-11-2003, 02:45 PM

Wow Wildhawg your post has sure changed a bit since yesterday. You make me out to be the bad guy here like I was the one out of control.

Complete and utter non-sense. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

I only said how I felt about the guy and the crap he pulled. The man gave no safety orientation, fell asleep at the helm on the way in, was extremely rude using extremely foul language, did not do his research on the fish we were chasing, and his boat is a mess. What is there to think about here Wildhawg? Huh? :whazzup:

Every single word of what I said is TRUE!! I followed the AUP to the best of my Understanding. I named names, boat, ect.... and signed my name to it. What gives here? Did Mike F. get to ya? Threaten you too? Hummmmm.....

Well, I know that Mike F. has read this post for a fact. Good! And so has the Coast Guard. They are very interested in this person. He has many complaints against him including one from last week. :shocked: The guy just does not get it. He has no business chartering. He should just commercial fish and that is it.

Shezzzzz, suddenly good o'l Mike F. is a "victim". Please. The guy is what he is. No one desearves what we got Saturday. I am stating facts. He is living fiction. There is your truth Wildhawg. No retraction from me needed. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

[ 08-11-2003, 04:45 PM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

corrirod · 08-11-2003, 03:45 PM

Good for you C& E on turning him in. [img]graemlins/applause.gif[/img]

He endangered lives and doesn't deserve a license.

In regards to the tuna-holic comment, it just adds to the evidence of this guys ignorance. With the few boats that we have that venture out in quest of tuna we have done ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to the stocks of tuna!

This is yet another lame excuse for him to give his customers to explain why his boat isn't catching fish!

Just yesterday we, charters and recreational boats , joined to find and kill tuna. I personally enjoyed their company and I hope they enjoyed our presence as well. We shared coordinates and managed to find some small schools of tuna. Perhaps if Mike F. wasn't such a Richard Cranium he'd make friends with us and we could help each other out.

[img]graemlins/stupid.gif[/img]

However,

Quote:

He has no business chartering. He should just commercial fish and that is it.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">Don't associate his behavior with Commercial Fisherman, I don't want him out there with me either!

Pilar · 08-11-2003, 03:54 PM

Bernie, so sorry that this happened to you. I was lurking and trying to not get involved but this whole issue is pretty serious.

1) Caveat Emptor ... Let the buyer beware. There are enough here that claim to have prior knowledge of this person and his 'quirks' to have prevented your crappy day on the ocean. I have preached the message 'Know your captain'. Please heed this advice or risk what C & E experienced.

2) The 'right' thing to do was to notify the police and/or Coast Guard immediately on arrival back at the dock. Meeting the individual at the dock while witnesses were still present and breathalyzer results still valid would have pinned the tail on the jack ***, or donkey if you prefer.

3) The whole dissaproval of Ifishers and 'Salty Dogs' is a complement. I'm glad this person does not like us, we are all so much better than that. We are a different breed and I'm glad he feels threatened by us as a group. We take chances in our small boats but not without due consideration and education of the less experienced.

Having said all that ... This problem will take care of itself. No one can sustain this much ill will from so many.

Peace,
John

Zippy · 08-11-2003, 04:11 PM

:depressed:

08-11-2003, 04:19 PM

Bummer C&E :depressed: Thanks for letting us know.

Born to Fish · 08-11-2003, 04:30 PM

Bernie, I feel for you brother! So grateful that you shared this experience with us and I hope that appropriate action will be taken with this guy. I have no reason not to believe what you described and this has been reinforced by Dan, who is an honest and good person from my personal observations. This sort of feedback will at least be a forewarning to other unsuspecting folks in the event Mike doesn't lose his license.

I had two days of bad experiences bottom fishing several years ago with a charter company that apparently isn't in business in Dopey Bay anymore - at least I didn't see them this past spring. I was so put off by the experience that I haven't had the interest in doing a bottomfish charter since. Foretunately my experience wasn't anywhere near what you went through or I'd probably be writing this from prison.

Dean

CATCH AND EAT · 08-11-2003, 04:53 PM

Thanks John. We truely believed we had covered our bases on this person. Personal interview face to face with my good buddy Mike T in Depoe Bay with Mike F. We even talked with some of his dock mates the night before who said we picked the right man that Mike F. knows fish.

Right on we thought as Mike T and I stood there listening to these fellows. Off to the Sea Hagg for vittles and planing for the next days trip.

Honestly, I would have had more fun taking my boat out there, breaking down and calling the coast guard for assistence than we did with this bloke.

Dean thank you for your comments too!

Dan, hang tough. No worries.

I talked to the Coast Guard this afternoon. I have faxed my statement direct to them after my phone interview. The rest of our crew is following suit.

I did call the state marine board but they say they all report to the CG. Thanks Mike T and Tom for asking the CG questions on Sunday. Thanks to Tom for making the initial call today to the CG to file the complaint.

As to any liable or slander suits. Prove it Mike F. Every single sentence is true blue. No embellishments. just the facts dude.

WildHawg · 08-11-2003, 05:00 PM

Wasn't trying to make you mad. I am looking at this from the standpoint that you could be risking a slander lawsuit if you can't prove your accusations.
You continued on with him after you smelled whiskey, and you allowed him to sleep for 10 minutes. Most folks would have woke him up rather than stand watch for him.
Given these factors, combined with the fact that we live in America which places the burden of proof on the accusers, you may have a hard time substantiating your accusations with the authorities.
Got your e-mail--suffice it to say that I don't feel my post was inflammatory. Sorry you took it that way. You can't be murmuring about "6 go out, 5 come back", and not be perceived as a bit threatening.
I've spent 1 hour of my life visiting with Mike, and I've heard some bad things about him from people I respect. Noone threatens me (you'd understand if you knew me), and I am an ethical person. That is why I have a problem with you making some very serious accusations about a man and his livelihood on a public forum.
By all means involve the Coast Guard and the police. I'd love to see a drunk, unprepared and narcoleptic captain go down--but make sure you can prove what you're saying, and that you understand the possible ramifications of doing so.
I don't doubt what you say is true, from what I've heard from OTHERS, it may well be. What I hear from others however is hearsay, and it is not always the best indicator of a persons character.
You do what you have to do, but for God's sake be careful.

CATCH AND EAT · 08-11-2003, 05:16 PM

Concern duely noted Wild Hawg. The truth is the truth my friend and I have spoken it plainly for all to understand.

6 go out and 5 came back is a metephor many use when problems arise. Believe me when I said this I had no intention of dunking Mike F. at all. Just a way of stating my frustration with this salty tongued highly insulting Captain.

You met him for an hour. You're lucky. We spent 12 hours with him. 3 hours of fishing equaled three hours of insults, being called every name in the book. The rest of the time we spent sitting on our butts waiting for it to be over. You lucked out Wild Hawg when you chose not to go out with this dude. Count yourself blessed and saved. Otherwise you would have been posting the same things I am saying now. Even if you had caught fish.

Am I angry? You better believe it. Did I ever assult, insult, threaten or degrade Captain Mike F. to his face at ANY TIME? NOOOOOOOOO!!!!! Will I continue to pursue this matter. Darn Spanky I will. Will he sue me? Let him try. He will just dig a deeper hole. I will go all the way with this one as far and as long as it takes.

Pilar · 08-11-2003, 05:31 PM

Bernie, maybe you can reflect on 'the follies of big Maroon' and realize that I was acting on many of the same concerns you have about your recent trip.

For what it is worth I have every reason to believe that person is at least as dangerous as your Ahab is.

Any effort you expend discrediting this man may be wasted. Most career substance abusers are very skilled at dodging responsibility in general and dodging accusations of irresponsible behavior that affects others in particular.

Think about how many DUII arrests are on repeat (multiple repeat) offenders. Clearly after arrest, incarceration and application of the stupidity tax these guys are aware that DUII is socially and legally unacceptable. Yet they persist with the behavior.

This may be the same scenario. Be thankful you got away with only a red behind and make it your business to let everyone know about captain craphammer that cares to ask.

Just a thought.

[ 08-12-2003, 08:06 AM: Message edited by: Pilar ]

graybeard · 08-11-2003, 05:36 PM

Wildhog said:
"You continued on with him after you smelled whiskey, and you allowed him to sleep for 10 minutes. Most folks would have woke him up rather than stand watch for him."

What in the heck kind of logic is this? You make it sound like it's C&E's fault for not wanting to wake up a foul mouthed drunken and demeaning person. Most people would? Umm, I don't think so, not unless you're spoiling for a fight.

WildHawg · 08-11-2003, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by graybeard:
Wildhog said:
"You continued on with him after you smelled whiskey, and you allowed him to sleep for 10 minutes. Most folks would have woke him up rather than stand watch for him."

What in the heck kind of logic is this? You make it sound like it's C&E's fault for not wanting to wake up a foul mouthed drunken and demeaning person. Most people would? Umm, I don't think so, not unless you're spoiling for a fight.

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">The logic goes like this: I don't care how mean he is--if I think he's been drinking @ 8:30 am I'm gonna ask him to turn back. If he says why and I don't want to tell him the truth, then I've got a medical problem (ie captains imbibing at 8 am make me sick

). Even if he's drunk, the less time spent on the salt the better, and the faster you get back, the faster you can summon the Coast Guard and police.
As for waking him up...just had a friend in a 32' boat hit a submerged piece of wood which probably damaged a prop. It happens on the big blue.
What's preferable? A quick belly to back takedown to remove said captain from the helm, then a quick maneuver by the passenger to take evasive action?
Or would an immediate action by the passenger to awake the sleeping lion been preferable?
I never got the opinion that the guy was threatening in Bernie's post--if he was, then a mutiny may have been remotely justifiable. Still, I stand by my initial response that I am proud of the way Bernie and crew handled themselves on the water.
In the future, you may wanna pick on someone your own size :grin:

graybeard · 08-11-2003, 07:52 PM

Wildhawg
I'm an old man now, my days of picking on anybody are long gone.
I just feel that C&E did the right thing. Physically taking down the captain is extreme, and faking an illness is dishonest and not something a lot of people would think of... and if the captain was drunk and obnoxious he probably wouldn't care if C&E was sick anyhow. So, what to do? Wake the drunken abusive captain and suffer whatever indignities he would bestow, or observe to see what happens next. I'm just guessing that C&E was watching for logs and other boats... and the drunk.
I guess I missed the parts where you were saying that you were proud of the way C&E handled the situation, it looked to me like you were finding fault with what he'd done. Oh well.

WildHawg · 08-11-2003, 08:35 PM

Posted by Bernie:
Am I angry? You better believe it. Did I ever assult, insult, threaten or degrade Captain Mike F. to his face at ANY TIME? NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

Maybe that's my problem. The first time anybody throws down the F bomb at me with attitude I let 'em know what for. I assure you at that point I would have likely dropped an insult or even a degrading remark as I was insisting he took me back in NOW, given the whiskey factor.
Mike's not a real big guy, and he's no pup, perhaps a little insistence might have got his attention.
Again--you are a bigger man than I am for holding your tongue. Confrontation never eases tensions...I am trying

I respect what you are trying to do, and hold no favorites in this issue.
Is trying him on the internet an appropriate reaction to your lousy, and perhaps dangerous day?
In my opinion, it would be better to wait until the Coast Guard makes a statement.
Peace,
'Hawg.

[ 08-11-2003, 09:41 PM: Message edited by: WildHawg ]

Miss B Haven · 08-11-2003, 11:00 PM

:depressed: :depressed: :depressed: [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

CATCH AND EAT · 08-11-2003, 11:03 PM

Dan thank you for your responce. Wish I would have been persistant in talking with ya about Mike F. on the Pastime II.

Gus, I spared with him a little in a cleaner sense but it did not make any difference. I am still madder than hopps at this guy if you could not tell.

So far the Coast Guard has been contacted this morning by Tom. They are very interested in getting this fool off the water. Tom took time to check a few things out on the Pastime II when he notice that the permit inspection for the ETB had expired back in April. :shocked: This information was passed on to the Coast Guard too. Coasties will be contacting each of our party to get testimoney regarding our trip. I'll keep ya informed.

Bernie

Silver Eagle · 08-12-2003, 06:36 AM

It sounds like you need to quit refering to him as Captain Mike. I ended up quad riding so you at least you had the advantage of water. Bite Me still a Tuna Virgin.

CATCH AND EAT · 08-12-2003, 06:51 AM

Pilar I understand what you were trying to do in your case. I am leaving my opinions up on this post with only this appology. The use of name calling is against the AUP no matter how accurate the names may be. My appologies for that. I will remove the name calling segments from my original post. They are inflamatory and unnecessary to describe the situation.

The Coast Guard has been notified by written letter from each of us. They will weigh the evidence as to whether Captain Mike Fitzpatrick should loose his license to charter. I am very hopeful that justice will be served.

It has taken me two days to calm down from this experience. It really got me excited. I still cannot believe how we were treated by this person. Certainly glad we all restrained ourselves even under his continual attacts.

It is up to the Coast Guard now.

[ 08-12-2003, 09:34 AM: Message edited by: CATCH AND EAT ]

OceanBlue · 08-12-2003, 07:17 AM

Guys, guys. Please... Let's take a hard lesson from this experience, rather than getting in the mud and wrestling over what coulda, shoulda, woulda been different. Do not judge a man until you have walked a mile in his moccassins. And do keep in mind that smelling whiskey on someone's breath at 8:30am, may simply mean that they had a few too many the night before. Not by any means saying that's okay either. You should have the right to a captain who is in top condition for the day's trip... or at least the right to full disclosure so that you can decide.

WildHawg - please understand the vulnerability one has when on the open ocean and at the mercy of the captain of the ship. If you've not ever been in this position, count yourself very fortunate. Mutiny is illegal and even if they had cause, they played it the way they needed to. It is perhaps why they are alive today. By the reports, it sounds as though the man were already belligerent enough. Leave it lie.

corrirod · 08-12-2003, 07:29 AM

C/E did the right thing, even though I'd have punched him when I found him asleep at the wheel. Letting him sleep was the best thing, especially if you suspected intoxication, as time is the only cure for that ailment.

In hindsight everything is clearer though. Let's just try to make sure he doesn't do it again.

After hearing about his comment about the tuna-holics though, he just added about 50 new people to his "hated by" list.

Stick to the good captains in that area that sponsor this site like ATC(Blitz) or Kujo(Adv.Charters).

CATCH AND EAT · 08-12-2003, 09:17 AM

Just a note to my fellow i-fishers. I felt bad about the name calling and violent content I posted in my thread. They were unnecessary to getting the point accross. I have removed or edited them myself. No one has pressured me or said anything to me regarding this matter. Completely my judgement to remove them at this time. The facts speak for themselves and are true. Always stick to the truth. That is what I have done here.

Gus Orviston · 08-12-2003, 09:40 AM

Bernie, did you pay for the trip on a visa card by chance? or did your buddies. If you did you can tie up those funds by filing a complaint with your CC company and possibly get you a refund through their investigation.

gus

CATCH AND EAT · 08-12-2003, 10:43 AM

unfortunatly not Gus. Paid Cash on this deal.

WildHawg · 08-12-2003, 05:39 PM

Bernie,
No apology necessary. I've been kicked off the board 3 or 4 times (they're startin' to run together!) for sayin' what was in my heart in a bit too derogatory fashion. You broke no rules (like I "might" have :tongue: ), just spoke your heart.
You got my message, and will do with it what you please. I meant no offense--and Mike is not my Buddy--in fact, when this all clears he may be quite the opposite. I'll wait and see.
Peace, seriously, my potential future friend,
Charlie.