Fish fish.
It's an interesting experience being the sole female mate on a fishing boat.
Two years ago I asked to work fishing and was finally given the chance about two weeks ago because my boss needed people. I was a bit intimidated because anyone who knows me knows how I hate to be criticized, and I was starting a "new" job where I didnt know what I was doing. Add to that the fact that I already knew all these people so they expected that i'd assimilate easier than a newbie. But it's been pretty easy. The hardest thing I've had to learn to do is say no to men haha. The job itself isnt tricky at all, its just very physical work. I cut bait for hours on end so I have calouses and blisters on my hands. Did I mention how great a bucket of clams smells at 530 am? The gag reflex is slowly going away. I haul the anchor when we move and drop it/set it when we find a new place. I seem to be the resident crew in charge of scaling fish too lol not really by choice. I also had to filet some fish the other day. When I was done it looked like i'd murdered someone cause my gear was covered in blood and guts. Then there's other random jobs like tying rigs, taking fish off hooks, fixing rods and untangling lines. The crew makes fun of me for wanting to untangle these mammoth knots in people's lines rather than cutting them. But for me it's a nice little break from the stress of the day to stand there and untangle something. And on an 8-hour trip, they can afford 5 minutes of time when they're not fishing.
The part that stresses me out is the people. Sometimes they're great and they joke around and we build a fun relationship with them. Other times they're already bitching about things before the boat leaves the dock. They want bait now or they don't want squid they want clams. Or they're not catching enough, or the limit of fish is too low (as if we set state regulations..). You can never please an entire boat of people, but I try.
It takes about two hours of scrubbing to clean the boat. By the time I leave, I need Advil just so I can walk without limping or being hunched over. It's not that I can handle the work, it's just my boat scrubbing muscles haven't been used in oh.. forever. I figure it'll get easier, which is has been. But damn, fishing makes harbor tours look like a cake walk. I usually fishing about 15-20 books a summer because I can read during harbor tours but I literally dont sit ONCE in the 12-13 hours that im working fishing. I dont have time to eat so I just forget im hungry. And as soon as I get home, I go to bed so I can get up at 330 am again. That gets old.
The harbor finally claimed it's first cellphone in 4 years yesterday. So don't call or text me til I get a new one (i'm leaving to go work on that now..).
and give me your number if I had it before. IM it or something, don't leave it on here. (AIM: concannon71)
Two years ago I asked to work fishing and was finally given the chance about two weeks ago because my boss needed people. I was a bit intimidated because anyone who knows me knows how I hate to be criticized, and I was starting a "new" job where I didnt know what I was doing. Add to that the fact that I already knew all these people so they expected that i'd assimilate easier than a newbie. But it's been pretty easy. The hardest thing I've had to learn to do is say no to men haha. The job itself isnt tricky at all, its just very physical work. I cut bait for hours on end so I have calouses and blisters on my hands. Did I mention how great a bucket of clams smells at 530 am? The gag reflex is slowly going away. I haul the anchor when we move and drop it/set it when we find a new place. I seem to be the resident crew in charge of scaling fish too lol not really by choice. I also had to filet some fish the other day. When I was done it looked like i'd murdered someone cause my gear was covered in blood and guts. Then there's other random jobs like tying rigs, taking fish off hooks, fixing rods and untangling lines. The crew makes fun of me for wanting to untangle these mammoth knots in people's lines rather than cutting them. But for me it's a nice little break from the stress of the day to stand there and untangle something. And on an 8-hour trip, they can afford 5 minutes of time when they're not fishing.
The part that stresses me out is the people. Sometimes they're great and they joke around and we build a fun relationship with them. Other times they're already bitching about things before the boat leaves the dock. They want bait now or they don't want squid they want clams. Or they're not catching enough, or the limit of fish is too low (as if we set state regulations..). You can never please an entire boat of people, but I try.
It takes about two hours of scrubbing to clean the boat. By the time I leave, I need Advil just so I can walk without limping or being hunched over. It's not that I can handle the work, it's just my boat scrubbing muscles haven't been used in oh.. forever. I figure it'll get easier, which is has been. But damn, fishing makes harbor tours look like a cake walk. I usually fishing about 15-20 books a summer because I can read during harbor tours but I literally dont sit ONCE in the 12-13 hours that im working fishing. I dont have time to eat so I just forget im hungry. And as soon as I get home, I go to bed so I can get up at 330 am again. That gets old.
The harbor finally claimed it's first cellphone in 4 years yesterday. So don't call or text me til I get a new one (i'm leaving to go work on that now..).
and give me your number if I had it before. IM it or something, don't leave it on here. (AIM: concannon71)