Would love to go out on a troller

[CooperSFBay]

Hi my name is Sean and my port is out of the SF bay area. I was interested in learning about Commercial salmon trolling in the SF bay area to see if it's something I want to do as a profession. I love fishing but not sure if I have what it takes to commercial fish. I wanted to get out on a Commercial Troller out of SF Bay before the season ends. I'm not sure if it's even legal for me to be out on a commercial troller, but if it is, I would love to experience a day in the life of a commercial troller. I could deck hand and drive the boat and do what ever to help out. I have experience from my 19ft sport boat. If you you don't mind me learning from you, I would love to help out for a day (few days or few weekends would work too). Thanks for your consideration.

[Salty]

Cooper,
I am in Alaska so not available to you. But for your and other readers information I have been taking people out for as short as one day this summer as crew members. We have short term crew licenses available in Alaska. It has been a wonderful experience for all of us. I am thinking about expanding this program further into part of various work /volunteer intern programs in our area. Perhaps even co-ordinate with maritime work force development.
It is a great idea to try the fishing crew experience for a short trip to see if crewing might or might not work for you. In one case this summer one person, who loved the fishing, found the ocean swells made her seasick. But she was fine in secluded waters. So, I will take her when I am not fishing on the ocean. But a full time crew position on the ocean is not for her. Most really liked the trolling and would love to go again. For a couple, the cleaning fish aspect was not what they wanted to do, but chum trolling was for them.
I hope someone in your area gives you a chance.

[thediverdude]

Hi Sean
I am located in Fort Bragg ca. You would be welcome join me, but our season ends Sept 30 and I probably will not fish again this season.

A couple of things you should be aware of. If you are engaged in any way helping with the fishing process you need a commercial fishing license ($134.93) and a salmon stamp ($126.18). You are not required to have the salmon stamp if your captain has a “John Doe fishing stamp” You are allowed to be a noncontributing person on board as spelled out in the California commercial fishing digest published by the California fish and wildlife department (link to digest https://nrm.dfg.ca.gov/FileHandler.ashx ... nline=true )

Below is the paragraph pulled out of the digest.

Non–fisherman on Board a Vessel
Every person on board a vessel on which fish are being taken for com-
mercial purposes is required to have a commercial fishing license, except
a person who does not contribute to the activities on board or cause any
fish to be brought ashore to sell and his/her presence is registered in the
vessel log.

If you still are interested next season, you are welcome to fish with me

Larry

[thediverdude]

Also should add. We cannot sport fish for salmon from a commercially registered salmon boat. We can sport fish for any other type of fish.

[kinleylee2002]

hi my name is kinley my son and I are relocating our mechanic business to se and would like some experience on a hand troller we would work cheap both will have 6 pac license and commercial fishing crewmember or whatever we need I spent several years in se but always welding or mech at log camps now I want a change as does my 21 yr old son any info would be great also lookin for under 30 ft sport boat comparable to an Olympic for future hand troll rig

[oosakatama]

[Salty]

As I have repeated several times here. I hand trolled for 6 years. Unless you plan to use rods I can not recommend it. If you are hand trolling solo, then you are a masochist. If you are taking crew then you are a sadist. Unless you are using rods, then you are a brilliant hedonist..

[Lulu]

Cooper, I fish the central and northern CA coast. My trips are 3-5 days depending how far I have to run and how fast I can load the boat. First you have to have a license, as spelled out above. Second, you have to have good boots to keep your feet dry and plenty of layering to stay warm.

Given this info, you have to be prepared for nasty weather and sea conditions, my cooking, my orders, and no regard for the day of the week or duration of the trip. We do not turn around or cut a trip short because its uncomfortable. If you're still interested, let's talk in April 2016

[Crawfish]

Man you sure do make it sound tempting......


"you have to be prepared for nasty weather and sea conditions, my cooking, my orders, and no regard for the day of the week or duration of the trip. We do not turn around or cut a trip short because its uncomfortable."


RRRRRRR. Captain Bligh

[Once and Future]

Captain Bligh wasn't a pirate, just a mean old SOB. Anyway, Lulu makes it sound plenty tough. The good thing about that is wannabe deckhands who don't get a berth can look at Lulu's description and say: "You know what, maybe being a trolling deckhand isn't like what I thought. Maybe it's OK my wish didn't come true."

[gchuba]

I am a new member but so you get a look at who I am.....100% in agreement with Lulu and would add "....don't ask questions until the end of the day when the lines are up. Most get answered as the day goes on....".
Garris

[BAH468]

Hello Salty! If you still take people out for a day to show them the trolling lifestyle I'd love to take you up on that. Where are you based out of?

[Salty]

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I am based out of Sitka, AK. The program has blossomed since 2014. Took over 30 different people the last couple of years. One person has fished with me most of two years and is great at helping train the new people. My biggest challenge is scheduling..

[Salty]

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[Salty]

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Send me a pm and I will give you an e-mail address to contact me.