“Keep What You Can Eat — A Word from the Helm”
As a saltwater fishing captain, I’ve spent thousands of hours on the water watching fish patterns, tides, and people. One thing that’s been weighing heavy on my mind lately isn't the wind or the bite — it’s the cooler.
Let’s be honest: it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement when the fish are chewing. Limits are hit. Smiles are wide. The cooler's heavy. But once the fillets are packed and the boat’s back at the dock, I often wonder — how much of that fish will actually get eaten?
### The Hard Truth
Most charter clients come out for a great day and a few meals. They aren’t running seafood markets or stocking deep freezers. That 2-day haul of snapper, mahi, grouper, and kings might look impressive on Instagram, but if it ends up freezer-burnt or tossed months later… was it worth it?
### Our Responsibility as Captains
As guides, we’re more than boat drivers. We’re stewards of the resource. If we don’t look out for the future of the fishery, who will?
Just because the law says you *can* take a full limit doesn’t always mean you *should.*
Here’s what I’ve started doing on my charters:
* **Ask the clients what they plan to eat** — not just what they want to catch.
* **Encourage selective harvest** — keep the best table fare, release the rest healthy.
* **Educate along the way** — share why a fish is worth releasing (spawning size, sustainability, etc.).
### It’s Still a Trophy Even If You Let It Go
Some of the most rewarding moments I’ve had on the water came when a client let a big one swim off, smiling because they *chose* to. And the fish lived to fight another day.
This isn’t about being preachy. It’s about balance. About respect — for the fish, for the future, and for the experience. A great trip isn’t defined by how full the cooler is. It’s about the stories, the moments, the tug on the line.
So captains, let’s lead by example. Let’s teach our clients to keep what they’ll eat — and let the rest swim on.
See y’all on the water,
**— Captain Jamie**
*Coast to Canyon Watermen*