Private boat guide

[capt hoop]

I will no longer going on private boats offshore to get the owner (captain of his vessel) familiar with the waters in the Venice area and some of our deep water fishing methods.

Recently a charter captain was on a private boat and there was a problem with a permit. I have this federal permit which I paid several thousand dollars for. This permit is issued to my boat. It is not for me as a captain. I spent today trying to get answers from NMFS and LDWF. Neither one gave me any definite answers leaving a grey area that puts me an illegal situation depending on the officer and other mitigating conditions that could put me on the wrong side of the law.

I can still go out for tuna, wahoo, and mahi, on private boast as a guide but if we have a tough day there is no way we can stop for cobia, snapper, grouper, amberjack or any other reef fish that are on season which would be taking away from the owner of the boat and the people onboard with him. At that point it would be my fault for them not enjoying the many other types of fishing and fish this area affords them.

It is for this reason I have decided to post this. I will be more than happy to assist you with charts and safe passages to get out and in but that is about all I can do from here on out.