Has anyone owned a small commercial fishing boat
 

...if so what are the pros and cons. If you haven't owned one but have worked on one...do you have any info you care to share.

I may be interested in purchasing a small commercial boat...not to earn a living (I am retired) but I would still want it to be a paying proposition. How much can a day fisher expect to make during a normal salmon season...and what can one fish for during the off salmon season?

thats pretty cool shit to relax with, theres a retired guy i know down in the Tampa, FL area that has a nice party/fishing boat..

he doesn't need the $$ by any means, but it keeps him active and its fun too..

i would think cons would be basic operating costs, and keeping track of hot spots where the fishies are at

My ex-father in law makes $650 a day taking people fishing on lake ontario, but he also has a fishing show on tv and is well known in the upstate new york area.

Really? Whats his name?

if you have an ocean worthy vessel and are based in a good fishing area that has warm weather, i think you're better off getting into the fishing charter business.

some good $ there if marketed right.

It all depends on what species of fish, geo location, fishin market for that species, etc etc...

Well...I am not a people person so a party boat is not an option.

Well if you're looking to charter the boat then you might have aan issue. Charter captins have to be a lot more personable with their customers as a charter boat usually only holds a half dozern ppl. Where as a party boat holds dozens more.

I am not looking at a charter/party boat. I may be interested in a small commercial fisher and...because of my back...a single employee. A day/trip fisher that only stays out from 1-3 days...no refrigeration...just ice...with a half dozen gurneys or so...no nets.

Boats are pretty cool, Im not sure how much it would cost..you'll have to pay just to have your boat in harbor too i guess
you could of course get an old one and fix it up

My first wife was from Mazatlan. Her father owned one of the biggest fishing and shrimping companies in Mexico . Its a great business if you know how to find the fishes.

And I almost went swimming with the fishes when I told him I was divorcing his daughter.

:1orglaugh :1orglaugh :1orglaugh

where are you planning on salmon fishing? I know plenty of commercial fishermen here in Alaska. They definitely dont rake in money like they used to but I dunno exactly what the going rates are.

do some SE searches for info on chartering, or commercial fishing, in the areas you are located/looking to relocate to. I would imagine you would find some info that could be useful.

Never learned anything about pure commercial fishing. Much different than charter boat/party boat biz.

Just judging from that movie 'The Perfect Storm', looks like you make out ok if you haul in fish, but you're sucking dick for beer money if you come back without a decent haul.