About our Mates....

Mates that work for Reel Fun Sportfishing do many things before, during and after our time together. Our mates are at the boat an hour before you arrive cutting bait and getting the boat, rods, reels and rigs ready for our trip.
He also checks all the safety gear before we depart. During our trip, his job is to untangle lines,
re-rig fouled or nicked tackle, cut additional bait, nets your fish that YOU hook and reel in and give you pointers on how to catch your fish properly. He is also in charge of keeping the deck of the boat clean. We don't want anyone slipping overboard because of a dirty deck. And once we return to port, your mate will fillet, ice down and bag all your days catch.

You must remember that your SAFETY is of utmost importance to us. Some charters specifically advertise that they don't find the need to use a mate, and as such, can save you a few bucks in the process. Do you feel comfortable with that arrangement? What's more important?........saving a few dollars or your safety on a rocking and rolling vessel. You make the call!

As an added bonus, most of my mates are USCG Licensed Captains too and are trained in Adult First Aid & CPR as well. They are boat owners and avid fisherman. On many occasions, I rely on their expertise to help put fish "in the box". Let's face it, we're not out to go for a boat ride. Catching fish and enjoying the day safely on the water is what we are trying to accomplish.

And finally, lets talk about how the mates make a living. Mates work very hard for you. You'll see once you spend the day with us. The majority of their pay comes from your generosity in the form of a gratuity at the end of our trip. How hard he worked for you is up to you to determine. Generally speaking, mates earn about 15 -20% of the total cost of the charter. Somewhat more if you feel he gave you exceptional service, or somewhat less if he didn't.

Just a side note, that on numerous occasions the customers loved their mates so much, that they requested him to do their charter again. Once one of my mates builds a rapport, he usually gets assigned to you again on your return trips. As they say in business, you're only as good as the people that surround you.
My mates are great and after fishing with Reel Fun Sportfishing you'll see why.

The crew of Reel Fun Sportfishing (l to r)
Capt. Erick Meine, Mate Mark Kurywczak, Capt. Greg Wlazlowski & Mate Chris Kolias