*THE HULL TRUTH is the world's largest FREE network for the discussion of Boating & Fishing. Whether you're researching a new boat, or are a seasoned Captain, you'll find The Hull Truth Boating & Fishing Message Forum contains a wealth of information from Boaters and Sportfishermen around the world.
Welcome to the updated THT!
If you are having trouble signing in, please email feedback@thehulltruth.com with your username and we will help you. We thank you for your patience as we help you access the new site!
Random Quote: Until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore, you will not know the terror of being forever lost at sea
After many years of visiting all my family down here, I finally convinced my wife that we should live in Florida too...I have been living here only 6 months and I want to really focus in on doing some quality fishing and doing it right without spending tons of money on tackle that I don't need. So, my question is has anyone heard or even attended Chapmans (3-day) sportfishing course in Stuart? If so, could you kindly give me some insight on if it is worth the $800+ price tag? Thanks for the anticipated help?
I keep my 50 Bertram in Stuart during the winter & I am always up for learning a thing or two. I have monthly trips planned & wouldn't mind offering up a day on my boat. We could hire a good, local fishing mate or two to go out with us & teach a thing or two. I actually could grab a mate or two from a few boats in my marina (Sailfish Point Marina).
Let me know if you would be interested in splitting costs of the mate(s).
Dave
I keep my 50 Bertram in Stuart during the winter & I am always up for learning a thing or two. I have monthly trips planned & wouldn't mind offering up a day on my boat. We could hire a good, local fishing mate or two to go out with us & teach a thing or two. I actually could grab a mate or two from a few boats in my marina (Sailfish Point Marina).
Let me know if you would be interested in splitting costs of the mate(s).
Dave
Thanks for the offer, certainly appreciate that and would love to head out in your boat. The Chapmans course actually is a 3 day course where the last day of class you head out off shore with the instructors. I certainly like that real world experience.
Hey Dave, offering my services until my boat gets repowered (engines stolen)
I'm pretty good in the pit and cleaning up afterwards. And I work for free. I'm definitely not a pro mate but have been doing this for 20+ years
If you're looking for sails you absolutely need live bait. Kites really help.
Drop me a PM if you like and we'll exchange cell #s.
Anthem, hook up with the local offshore club and attend the meetings, seminars and club events. Let the members know you are new to fishing and soon you will have all sorts of offers to go out fishing. When I was runnning my charter boat I would charge $200 per day for fishing lessons on YOUR boat. I would spend time teaching the new anglers on what to look for in the water (rips, slicks, color change etc.) . We would then move on to handling the boat while putting out the spread, how fast to troll and how to make turns without crossing over your lines and how NOT to slow the boat when we got a strike. That was the most stressed part of the handling lesson! Hopefully we could progress into fighting the fish and finally gaffing and boating the fish. I would also get into basic bait rigging to get the anglers started. As you can see there is a ton of info and experience that go into fishing offshore in Florida and the local knowledge you will obtain from a club in your area will prove invaluable. Try to find someone to take you out on your boat, it will make you more comfortable and confident and this will make your wife and family feel safer on the water with you. That last statement is important when you go for the wife's permission to get the bigger boat. Good luck and welcome to Florida, Capt. Rodg
__________________ USCG 100 TON MASTER
Pursuit 2870 CC
Palm Beach 161
1984 Mckee Craft 14'
Sunset on the ICW
Madeira Beach, Fl
Honeymoon Harbor
Bimini
"Many times life gives you the test, before you learn the lesson!"
Anthem, hook up with the local offshore club and attend the meetings, seminars and club events. Let the members know you are new to fishing and soon you will have all sorts of offers to go out fishing. When I was runnning my charter boat I would charge $200 per day for fishing lessons on YOUR boat. I would spend time teaching the new anglers on what to look for in the water (rips, slicks, color change etc.) . We would then move on to handling the boat while putting out the spread, how fast to troll and how to make turns without crossing over your lines and how NOT to slow the boat when we got a strike. That was the most stressed part of the handling lesson! Hopefully we could progress into fighting the fish and finally gaffing and boating the fish. I would also get into basic bait rigging to get the anglers started. As you can see there is a ton of info and experience that go into fishing offshore in Florida and the local knowledge you will obtain from a club in your area will prove invaluable. Try to find someone to take you out on your boat, it will make you more comfortable and confident and this will make your wife and family feel safer on the water with you. That last statement is important when you go for the wife's permission to get the bigger boat. Good luck and welcome to Florida, Capt. Rodg
Thanks for the good advice. Yeah, I've fished for as far back as I can remember. My Dad said I was fishing for "baby" blues when I was 3 years old. As I tend to like to do it right the first time, I've thinking about this course. I want too really learn the nuances of this area i.e. this thread. I hired a local guy in Jupiter to head out (part of your advice) and we had a great day hooking into Kingfish...he gave me a nice compliment saying I was a "natural"; which of course motivates me to learn more. But I'll keep reading and hopefully making connections with you guys to take it to the next level. Have a great weekend.
You might also want to consider stopping by the Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club. Lots of members fish off shore and might well be happy to take you out. If you have any interest, PM me. Takes us about 25 minutes from Jupiter.
__________________ Sabre 38 IPS at Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club Manatee Pocket
sportfishing course at Chapmans 
