Corrirod Commercial Gig

[8knots]

Hey Corrirod, I was thinking the other day about your venture with your new dory and trying your hand at making some money with it. What can you tell us about you experience so far? What have been the highlights and the biggest challenges? Have you been able to spend time on the water, or have you been working on getting your mechanical and fishing systems dialed in? Are you targeting any fish other than salmon? Where do you sell your fish? Just curious, how it goes.

[corrirod]

Well, it's been interesting to say the least!

I've had a cloud of bad mojo following me for the last couple months it seems. Between mechanical failures, to rough seas, to taking care of my children, I just haven't been out very many times. On the times I have gone out I did alright but I've had my problems too. Having absolutely no experience with the equipment, I've learned many lessons the hard way. :whazzup:

All in all I can't complain too much though. I keep telling myself that it's all part of the learning curve. I have actually been learning from my mistakes and the mistakes have dwindled with each trip.

I'm pretty much declaring this summer a bust with the intent to do a better job next summer. I've got a million things I want to do to the boat to make it both reliable and functional. Everyone has their own way and I am just finding my own groove and that's about all I can hope for.

With salmon prices at $1.25-$2.00 per pound though, don't expect to get rich anytime soon. [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img]

For me it's just a way to get out on the big blue more often, with the possibility of paying for the trip. Fortunately I have a wife that actually MAKES money! :grin: My job is to just break even! :tongue:

[The Bad Fish]

your still my hero rod.. kb

[ANDYCOHO]

My job is to just break even!

<font size="2" face="verdana,arial,helv">I think you are way ahead of the game already.

I'm sure you are rich with knowlege now and only getting wealthier

[Miss B Haven]

Rod- wish you the best. I can relate to the break even, even though I'm not trying to make a living. Miss B has been way to good the last 3 years, this year will make up for it. Ouch... :depressed: [img]graemlins/berry.gif[/img] [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

B...O...A....T... Ouch! [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img]

[Birdnest]

Rod,

Picture that you are out on big blue, calm day, the sun is just starting to warm your face. The smell of a strong cup of coffee mixes with the salty air. The soft drone of the motor starts to massage the parts of your soul that corporate America tried to errode away. You get a little splash over the bow of the dory and ponder the beauty of the morning light reflecting through the spray... Picture yourself a fishing boat captain...oh wait, you don't have to, you are a fishing boat Captain. :grin:

Joe

[Pilar]

Birdnest ... man, keep that up. I was there, dude. Smelled the coffee, the blood and the brine. It was hard to leave the boat. You are invited to take me to that place again ........

Rod loves fishing for salmon. You can tell because he is doing it for a living. If the repairs and improvements are made with care and attention to detail the boat will settle down and fishing can become the main activity.

It took a year of frustration and empty pockets to beat the green out of my boat and she has rewarded me with many happy memories and charmed many new friends.

That is what you have to look forward to Rod, fishing, just as Birdnest described it. A reward in and of itself. If you need help with the wiring, this winter, I have learned a thing or two about that and would love to share what I know with you.

[8knots]

Thanks for the update, Corrirod. I think there are lots of us out here who are vicariously interested in the reality of all the good and bad. Is it hard to find a place to sell your fish?
Is doing tuna, canning it and selling online a viable option? You know, that micro canning idea that there was the article on.

I can relate to the mechanical woes. I have a 30 year old boat and I had to replace both Borg Warner trannys over the past year. I have basically replaced most every system on board except for my trustworthy Ford Lehmans. Now, I know what I have and what I am dealing with. I had a trouble free year, except for a worn out deck freezer and that will get fixed this Fall.

Good luck to you and keep us posted. We love hearing about it.

[corrirod]

8knots,

There really isn't any problem finding places to sell the fish. For the most part, you bring it, they buy it. It does however pay to get to know them and call them in advance. It's a little different for me than with the larger boats as I can take my catch anywhere vs. the large boats who need to deliver fish to their home port.

In regards to the canning and selling yourself, there are a lot of ways to increase your profit margin and that is certainly one of them, however there are lots of little regulations, and permits, that must be purchased in order to do it legally. There are "Wholesale Buyers Permits" and "Seafood Processor" permits that need to be purchased. Not only that but if you "process" then you need to have all stainless steel processing equipment(tables, utensils, containers, etc.).

You can also buy a "Limited Fish Sellers Permit" which allows you to sell your catch from your vessel, at the port you landed in.

As far as the repairs go, I am glad that it's FORCED me to go thru and learn all the systems on my new boat. Next year we'll be ready so look out! :grin:

Birdnest,

That is exactly what keeps me going! I've had some pretty frustrating moments where I was ready to toss in the towel this summer. One bad thing after another. Between boat issues, weather issues, and family issues I had reached my limit..........but.................the very next day, all I could think about was how much I wished I could get back out on the water just one more time! It's hard to understand, in fact my wife will probably never understand it. She can't figure out why a man would want to drive to the coast in the wee hours of the morning on no sleep, fish all day in rough seas, stay up half the night re-tying gear, sleep in your truck, and do it all over again the next day. And unfortunately, I can't explain it either! Actually I can but she won't understand, it's those days that you described that make it all worth it!

[skein]

What was it you said in an earlier post, Rod? "Now I can hear the Valkyries all the time."



Rod, where are you fishing out of? Might come up and see ya one of these days.

Skein

[Mr. Fisherman]

Rod, would you like a volunteer deck hand for one of these trips?
Let me know.. I'll help ya spot the Valkyries... :grin:

[Pilar]

Ray, hint ... look for the horned helmets and the gunshell breastplates, just a thought.