Hooked on Westport! Deckhands - Not Just Baitboys!
I can’t speak to what deckhanding was in the historical heyday of Westport, but I can tell you our job entails far more than baiting hooks. Charterboat captains and deckhands work as a closeknit, supportive team on the water to provide a fun, safe, and successful fishing experience to people of all ages and skill-levels. As deckhands, we aim to improve this experience through more than just baiting hooks and cutting fish, though that is an important aspect of the job.
It is not a “standard” job with an hourly wage, benefits, and weekends; it’s a seven-day-a-week, tip-based, physically demanding, sometimes wet, grind through a 200+ day season. But most of us wouldn’t trade it for anything. Coaching someone on how to catch their first fish or seeing a lifelong fisherman reel in a derby winner makes the wettest, most-miserable days worth it.
“Coaching someone on how to catch their first fish or seeing a lifelong fisherman reel in a derby winner makes the wettest, most-miserable days worth it.:”
Before the fishermen ever set foot aboard, we arrive early to prepare for the day. We rig up all the rods and reels needed for the targeted species, ensure we have all the appropriate bait and prepare it as necessary, get the coffee brewing, and organize the boat (all the buckets, fish boxes, tackle, etc). The morning ride out is usually our relaxing part of the day, minus the occasional rollercoaster ride over the Grays Harbor bar. Once the fishing starts, we're in go-mode.
Depending on the boat, the skipper may give a quick tutorial on how to use the fishing gear, the technique to catch the fish you're targeting, and how you can assist the deckhands in either unhooking your catch or rebaiting your gear if you're so inclined. This is a lot of information for new fisherfolks, so we wander around watching for people who could use our assistance or guidance in using the gear or clarifying fishing tactics.
“We rig up all the rods and reels needed for the targeted species, ensure we have all the appropriate bait and prepare it as necessary, get the coffee brewing,” …
… “and organize the boat (all the buckets, fish boxes, tackle, etc).”
As the fish start coming up, we get to work netting, gaffing, unhooking, untangling, and rebaiting. On some smaller boats, the skipper may act as captain and deckhand, while on others, there are one to two deckhands caring for the crew while the captain stays on the wheel to keep the boat in place or lends a hand while you're drifting.
“… captain stays on the wheel to keep the boat in place or lends a hand while you're drifting.”
As much as we would like fish to swim straight up to the boat and the water current to be non-existent, we can't control nature, so some tangles are inevitable when you have six to twenty-four lines in the water. But with some experience, deckhands become pros in preventing tangles through coaching guests and are experts in the art of multi-line-detangling.
As we're fishing, deckhands keep track of the number of fish caught, bleed the catch, and make sure fish are marked with your number or color, so your big salmon or lingcod goes home with you. Some fish, particularly rockfish, are a group fish, so these are unmarked and evenly distributed amongst the fishermen. Deckhands also help if you're struggling to find the right depth or feel the bite, have trouble managing your gear, and some are expert jokesters.
“As we're fishing, deckhands keep track of the number of fish caught, bleed the catch, and make sure fish are marked with your number or color, so your big salmon or lingcod goes home with you.”
“Most would say that this is where the "real work begins", when we clean and fillet the fish.”
Once we've caught limits or fished for the allowed hours of the day, we begin the ride home. Most would say that this is where the "real work begins", when we clean and fillet the fish. Now that I'm in my fourth season, I would counter that the fishing part is where the real work lies, to ensure equal and full fishing opportunity for everyone. Still, filleting and cleaning full limits of fish is no walk in the park, especially when you're first learning. And if you decide to take your fish home whole, that's great too; we just want to make sure you had a great day fishing and an enjoyable experience.
“Even after you’ve headed home to relax, we still have work to do"
Even after you've headed home to relax, we still have work to do like retying tackle, switching rod/reel set-ups, assisting our skipper with boat maintenance, cleaning up and washing the boat, and preparation for the following day. So, the next time you're out, remember deckhands work hard for your tips and fillet money and greatly appreciate your gratuity, patience, and enthusiasm throughout the trip!
About the Author:
Meet Marina May, one of Westport's most beloved deckhands, and a veterinarian technician turn fish slayer! She's a baitgirl, master filleter, fishing line management expert, and purveyor of good times!