| 10 June 2010
"Running naked is a term pro guides use to describe a fellow guide who performs or "runs" charter with no insurance on their customers."
Basic Requirements
Florida professional saltwater fishing guides
Fishing guides today are faced with extraordinary costs. The list includes such things as gasoline, line, leader, bait, hooks, swivels, reels, rods, cast nets, landing nets, FWC fishing license for four or six or more, boat insurance, recertification and renewal of captain's license.
Yet another expense is a Transportation Worker Identification Credential or "TWIC" card and what a major pain in the buns this animal is to secure. It requires hours of waiting and 225 miles of travel.
Running naked is a term pro guides use to describe a fellow guide who performs or "runs" charter with no insurance on their customers. We also call these guides "rogues." Unfortunately, "running naked" is the way some guides are managing to do what they love and perhaps the only thing they know. Is it right? Obviously it is not. The purpose of this article is to make you aware of the basic requirements of the Florida’s professional saltwater fishing guide.
Charter Insurance
All professional saltwater guides should have a copy of their policy onboard. Is it required to have your policy onboard? No. So, why should they have it? In my opinion, seeing is believing. A good commercial policy starts at about $1,100. There is a cheaper policy called an "Occasional Charter Policy" which usually limits a guide to 15 charters per year. The cost is about $650. Bottom line is ask and see. Here is a great question for you. If you hired a guide with no insurance then who would pay for your medicals bills in the event of an accident? It is a scary thought and it is why you should see a current policy.
Fishing License
Believe it or not, some guides forget to renew their license annually with FWC (Florida Wildlife Commission). Think I'm kidding? Few guides ever get stopped and seldom does FWC ask for your license. One guide I know is running until he gets caught. Over the past five years he has saved over $1000.
Drug Enrollment
This is MANDATORY. Every guide is required by the USCG to be enrolled in a random drug-screening program. Costs start at about $50 and they can pop you twice a year for testing anytime they wish. If you were to ask me what percent of guides are enrolled in an approved random drug testing program my answer would be 30 percent. Should a guide show you proof of his/her random drug enrollment? See my feelings on insurance. May I see your enrollment in a random drug-testing program as required by the United States Coast Guard?
CPR Certification
Some guides pay for this but the smart ones take a free course. Usually the worst-case cost is $50. Techniques in CPR change. It is important for your guide to be certified and card carrying. Maybe it might be a little cheezie to say, "Hey Bubba, I wanna see your CPR card." Few guides known to me have ever performed CPR but on three occasions I have dreamed about performing CPR on three Hollywood actresses. There is no doubt I'd bring them back.
TWIC Card
All professional guides are required to have this card.
Allow me to pass along the following advice on choosing a professional saltwater (or freshwater) fishing guide :
- The Florida Guides Association has very strict standards. No member can carry a card without submitting proof of insurance, fishing license, and business license. Remember, your guide should be certified, licensed, insured, CPR, and TWIC carrying. If he or she is not, you are flirting with danger so unworthy of the risk.
Capt John "GiddyUp" Bunch is a USCG Master Captain, professional fishing guide and founder of
Operation Open Arms.
He can be reached at (239) 283-8838.
Operation Open Arms
(http://www.operationopenarms.com/)
