Welcome!
MUSIC as you read about
"LUKE'S FISHING COMPANY", or dream of fishing!
(CLICK a second time
to stop the music)
I look forward to introducing you to "LUKE'S FISHING COMPANY." Following retirement in 1999 I decided to start a part-time commercial fishing business (resume). I love saltwater fishing, hoped to enjoy the sport during retirement, and decided to start a related business to help with fishing/boating expenses. My first grandson's name is Luke, therefore "LUKE'S FISHING COMPANY". I have a second grandson and a third on the way. The company's name is changing.
Luke, his dad, Kevin, and me following a successful trip for "LUKE'S FISHING COMPANY" (Kevin on the right).
Part-time commercial fishing was available to all saltwater sportsmen until the early 90's. Due to over-fishing and to protect full-time commercial fishermen, both federal and state laws related to harvesting and selling saltwater fish changed. To legally catch beyond the daily bag limit, and to sell saltwater fish, you must have the appropriate permit and license. They are difficult to obtain and maintain. I purchased a federal reef permit and qualified for a Florida Saltwater Products License with a restricted species endorsement, and have maintained both for three years . My goal on this homepage is to share my experiences in obtaining the permit and license, briefly describe my commercial fishing experiences, and link you to related federal and state internet sites.
I presently own and operate a 1986, 29 foot Phoenix Sports Fisherman with twin TAMD 40 Volvo diesels. The boat is equipped with many conveniences, including a 3 kw Westerbeke generator, 12k btu A/C, microwave, electric stove and refrigerator, electric head, shower and the capacity to sleep six . Electronics include Raytheon fathometer, GPS, loran, radar, auto pilot and VHF radio. I use Penn 349 and 49 reels, loaded with 50 lb dacron, with a three circle hook terminal rig and a 16 oz lead weight. The boat can readily carry 400 lbs of ice, 50 lbs of frozen northern mackerel, one 172 qt and three 150 qt ice chests. My goal is 500 lbs of fish per trip.
"Barbara K"
To exceed the federal and state daily bag limits you must possess a valid federal reef permit. Currently there is a moratorium on the issuing of new permits, but a permit can be purchased and transferred from a current owner. The selling price is negotiable, from $3500 to $5000, and the permit must be valid to be transferred. Detailed information may be obtained at http://caldera.sero.nmfs.gov/.
A federal reef permit only allows you to exceed the bag limit for the species listed on the permit (a special endorsement on the permit is also required for some species, including red snapper). The permit does not allow you to sell the fish, only to harvest. To sell saltwater fish you must have a valid commercial saltwater products license (SPL) from the appropriate state. Each state issues a separate license. To sell most fish species in Florida you must also have a restricted species (RS) endorsement on your SPL. A Florida SPL can be purchased from the state ($50 for an individual; $100 for a boat which covers everyone onboard) but you must "qualify" to obtain the endorsement.. Information concerning qualifying categories can be found at http://marinefisheries.org/. I obtained my endorsement by working for a commercial fisherman who possessed a valid federal permit, and SPL with the RS endorsement. I was required to catch and sell $5,000 within one year.
Maintaining the federal permit and SPL is difficult. I must earn at least one half of my earned income from fishing to renew my federal reef permit each year (retirement income does not count) and submit a monthly trip report . The renewal cost is $50. A saltwater products license with the endorsement is valid for three years, but to renew I must sell at least $5,000 to a licensed retail vendor within a twelve month period during the three years.
The federal permit and SPL allow me to catch and to sell a variety of gulf reef fish, but I generally target the vermilion or mingo snapper. The wholesale price for mingo varies from $1.70 to $2.40 per lb. All variety of grouper generally sell for a little more but they are over-fished and difficult to catch in quantity. Other common reef fish i.e., amberjack, trigger, porgy, etc. pay less than mingo snapper, usually $1.00 per lb.
Vermilion (mingo) snapper
additional
fish photos
The areas I primarily fish are between compass headings of 170 to 240 degrees, and in depths of 150 to 240 feet. The bottom consists of limestone rock with coral growth, a primary habitat for mingo snapper. The "Barbara K" is equipped with both GPS and loran. Over the years I have collected approximately 3,000 productive fishing locations. Some are considered public, some private. A useful site to review Escambia County public reef locations is http://fcn.state.fl.us/fwc/marine/ar/ar-escambia.htm. I generally fish two days and one night but the total time required is four days. One day to prepare, two days to fish, and one day to sell the catch, fuel and clean the boat. It is all but impossible to make a living commercial fishing on the Gulf coast. Most commercial fishermen are like myself and depend on retirement income. The number of full-time commercial fishermen is rapidly declining.
Weather conditions concern all fishermen. High winds and rough seas not only cause sea sickness but can create dangerous conditions. Until recently, fishermen had to rely on weather reports that were many hours old at best or choose to take a chance, get underway, and hope the seas were calm. Getting underway to check conditions costs time and money. Thanks to technology and the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) marine weather web site, a fisherman can check current weather conditions using internet. NOAA's national data buoy center web site is http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/maps/rmd.shtml. The marine weather buoy web site that provides real time data to Pensacola fisherman is http://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/station_page.phtml?$station=42040.
The primary benefit I realize from commercial fishing is the operation of a
part-time business. Due to "Luke's Fishing Company" I am able to
-
purchase items for the boat tax free
- buy items for the boat
wholesale
- purchase fuel, ice and bait at wholesale
-
deduct business costs from federal income tax
Commercial fishing is at best a "part-time business" on the Gulf coast.
To be successful, four ingredients are necessary:
- love of fishing
-
a retirement income
- a very special and
understanding wife
- a family interested in fishing
I enjoy all four.
Return to
beginning of "Luke's Fishing Company"
lbhuntley@aol.com
Last update 04/01/02.
