by Captain Damon Sacco
Fishing hard isn’t always easy and I think most rod and reel gladiators would agree. An awesome adventure is often a waiting game and in the absence of Mother Nature’s cooperation, the game gets rough, and the tough get going. For every triumph there is usually a shut out and for every shut out, a long and very quiet ride back to the dock. Throw some northeast wind into the mix and you’ll most likely endure a long and wet ride home. Throw a mechanical failure into the equation, and the ride in can be an absolute nightmare. I’ve endured a few 19-hour rides on one engine myself. It pays to avoid these situations at all costs. Sometimes it’s simply out of our control, but there are several things you can do at the dock to help keep you fishing when you’re out there.
WEATHER
What can you do about weather? Not much, except try to track it and make the right call. Knowing how to read weather patterns ahead of time is also very helpful. There’s a fine line between uncomfortable and unsafe, especially for those of us “Gloucester fishermen.” Sometimes even after the right call, you may still find yourself trudging at 9 knots into an 8-to 12-foot head sea. That’s one part of the offshore fishing game that is inevitable, especially in New England waters. It pays to be ready for the rough stuff, even when the weather man says it isn’t coming.
There are a few things that can help spare you from an ill adventure with Mother Nature. A VHF radio that is within receiving range of the nearest weather station is a great ally! A satellite weather system in your chart plotter is even better. All good plotters have this capability and allow users to access up-to-date real-time offshore weather forcasts. It’s a monthly service, but believe me, it’s well worth it. The Northstar 6100i is what is used on the Castafari. It’s nice to actually see the pressure systems first- hand and to be able to make your own call when the weather man is not up-to-date. Unfortunately, the marine forcasts broadcasted on VHF frequency are only updated every several hours. If you can’t seem to access a clear forecast try calling a commercial dragger or lobster vessel on channel 16. They will most likely have access to updated weather faxes and usually are more than happy to share their information. Otherwise, a single side band radio or satellite phone should help connect you to civilization. Also, be wary of a northeast wind in any forecast. This wind can turn lake like conditions into the perfect storm in a matter of minutes. Don’t try and cut it close by heading in “just before it turns northeast.” You’ll usually pay the price if you do. The fishing in a stiff northeast wind usually stinks anyway. If you hear anything with 15 knots or more from the northeast, stay at home and eat a nice breakfast.
ENGINE FAILURE
Then there’s the sometimes unforgiving mechanical side to this costly trade. Engines worth more than most people’s cars bring us to the fish we seek. Unfortunately, some of these engines “hiccup” in the process and presto, we’re knocked out of boating for a while, sometimes for a whole season and in even worse case scenarios, out of business!
I lost a month of charters in August of 1997 and 2006 due to a valve failure and a faulty injecter. Both parts combined might have cost a few hundred dollars. The repair costs exceeded $60,000 . Boats breakdown. It’s not just a funny slogan, trust me. I’ve blown three engines and have endured more mechanical failures and long crawls home than I care to remember. It’s all part of the game as mechanical hardship on the water is certainly relative to the amount of time you spend out there. But if you plan to chase big fish around on a fairly regular basis, you better be ready to pay to play, especially if you don’t know how to take apart and reassemble your engine(s). It’s a long way to the nearest diesel shop from the offshore fishing grounds.
Whether it’s a faulty valve, cracked piston,cooked transmission, hydraulic leak, or a simple $20 short in your electronic lever controls, something is bound to break out there. You can bet on it. It’s one of the few guarantees in offshore fishing. If you haven’t already limped home to the dock enduring mechanical hardship, consider yourself extremely lucky, and accept the fact that someday you probably will. There is hope! The best thing you can do to avoid mechanical failures is to maintain your motors and transmissions. Treat your engines like family. Here are a few tips to help keep you off the beach and on the water.
WEATHER
What can you do about weather? Not much, except try to track it and make the right call. Knowing how to read weather patterns ahead of time is also very helpful. There’s a fine line between uncomfortable and unsafe, especially for those of us “Gloucester fishermen.” Sometimes even after the right call, you may still find yourself trudging at 9 knots into an 8-to 12-foot head sea. That’s one part of the offshore fishing game that is inevitable, especially in New England waters. It pays to be ready for the rough stuff, even when the weather man says it isn’t coming.
There are a few things that can help spare you from an ill adventure with Mother Nature. A VHF radio that is within receiving range of the nearest weather station is a great ally! A satellite weather system in your chart plotter is even better. All good plotters have this capability and allow users to access up-to-date real-time offshore weather forcasts. It’s a monthly service, but believe me, it’s well worth it. The Northstar 6100i is what is used on the Castafari. It’s nice to actually see the pressure systems first- hand and to be able to make your own call when the weather man is not up-to-date. Unfortunately, the marine forcasts broadcasted on VHF frequency are only updated every several hours. If you can’t seem to access a clear forecast try calling a commercial dragger or lobster vessel on channel 16. They will most likely have access to updated weather faxes and usually are more than happy to share their information. Otherwise, a single side band radio or satellite phone should help connect you to civilization. Also, be wary of a northeast wind in any forecast. This wind can turn lake like conditions into the perfect storm in a matter of minutes. Don’t try and cut it close by heading in “just before it turns northeast.” You’ll usually pay the price if you do. The fishing in a stiff northeast wind usually stinks anyway. If you hear anything with 15 knots or more from the northeast, stay at home and eat a nice breakfast.
ENGINE FAILURE
Then there’s the sometimes unforgiving mechanical side to this costly trade. Engines worth more than most people’s cars bring us to the fish we seek. Unfortunately, some of these engines “hiccup” in the process and presto, we’re knocked out of boating for a while, sometimes for a whole season and in even worse case scenarios, out of business!
I lost a month of charters in August of 1997 and 2006 due to a valve failure and a faulty injecter. Both parts combined might have cost a few hundred dollars. The repair costs exceeded $60,000 . Boats breakdown. It’s not just a funny slogan, trust me. I’ve blown three engines and have endured more mechanical failures and long crawls home than I care to remember. It’s all part of the game as mechanical hardship on the water is certainly relative to the amount of time you spend out there. But if you plan to chase big fish around on a fairly regular basis, you better be ready to pay to play, especially if you don’t know how to take apart and reassemble your engine(s). It’s a long way to the nearest diesel shop from the offshore fishing grounds.
Whether it’s a faulty valve, cracked piston,cooked transmission, hydraulic leak, or a simple $20 short in your electronic lever controls, something is bound to break out there. You can bet on it. It’s one of the few guarantees in offshore fishing. If you haven’t already limped home to the dock enduring mechanical hardship, consider yourself extremely lucky, and accept the fact that someday you probably will. There is hope! The best thing you can do to avoid mechanical failures is to maintain your motors and transmissions. Treat your engines like family. Here are a few tips to help keep you off the beach and on the water.
