The Cost Of Long Range Fishing...30 Years Ago

[Chuck Roast]

1st long range trip was in september 1971. On the chubasco (now the "old glory"). 5 day trip. $200. I was 18 making $4./ hr. Working part time on the beach in Venice. Won 1st in jackpot 39.5lb yellowtail on a home wrapped 670h sabre/jigmaster 40# maxma line & 6x heavy blue and white yoyo jig at ascension. No tuna or albacore available then at that time of year. Thought I died and gone to heaven.

 

[Fullboat]

I am probably in the minority but I actually enjoy the travel days on a long trip .....I love being on the open ocean with no cares in the world, no meetings, phone calls, a real opportunity to relax.....and I know that I will soon have the opportunity to battle world class fish with a world class crew on a fantastic boat.....yes it is expensive but compared to making more time money is easy......I have done the PV thing a number of times and prefer the Long Range experience.......JMO

Totally agree. I have yet to do a real LR trip, only a 5 day so far, but I’d look forward to the travel days just as much as any. For me they would be learning days, listening to the crew on how to rig, tie, etc. and trying to get as much info from the seasoned pros on the boat as possible.

Hopefully next year will be the year for me.

 

[Rubberhook2]

When I am traveling I am trying to sleep. Bluefin fishing can be a 24 hour a day thing so get rest when you can....

 

[afraser]

I am probably in the minority but I actually enjoy the travel days on a long trip .....I love being on the open ocean with no cares in the world, no meetings, phone calls, a real opportunity to relax.....and I know that I will soon have the opportunity to battle world class fish with a world class crew on a fantastic boat.....yes it is expensive but compared to making more time money is easy......I have done the PV thing a number of times and prefer the Long Range experience.......JMO

I enjoy the long days on the way there, all the anticipation, poker games, etc., but the return ones are much less fun Fly back options are nice.

 

[hucklongfin]

Only to be interrupted by the PA announcing "Snack in the Galley"....

No shortage of food on those trips....

No need to get up when they make the call except for sushi day!

 

[JohnTFT]

Variable cost increases of passenger carrying vessels are the wild card driving prices sky high.

Fuel is the one that comes to mind. Yet, in talking to Excel ownership, food is the one that is highest right now. With the most swings in net cost to the boat.

Shipyard expenses in CA. You all have recently seen LR boats going to Oregon for major repairs. Shipyard work in CA is nothing short of insane. Excel has a single shipyard repair going on right now that is 103k. Which is part of a 350k bill with the yard alone! That will rise with dock work performed by the crew once out of shipyard.

It's fun to compare what prices used to be. For me, looking at it from a business standpoint, I am amazed at what the LR boats charge and can still remain profitable.

 

[Rubberhook2]

You know if I found a 94/95 long range brochure at the bottom of a drawer I was going to check it out....then share it with you guys.

Don't see those everyday.....

 

[moorefish]

I took that photo of the young man holding up the yellowfin onboard the Q105. Still have the original slide. Lots of color on that fish. Great memories. Thanks for posting.

 

[5152]

Variable cost increases of passenger carrying vessels are the wild card driving prices sky high.

Fuel is the one that comes to mind. Yet, in talking to Excel ownership, food is the one that is highest right now. With the most swings in net cost to the boat.

Shipyard expenses in CA. You all have recently seen LR boats going to Oregon for major repairs. Shipyard work in CA is nothing short of insane. Excel has a single shipyard repair going on right now that is 103k. Which is part of a 350k bill with the yard alone! That will rise with dock work performed by the crew once out of shipyard.

It's fun to compare what prices used to be. For me, looking at it from a business standpoint, I am amazed at what the LR boats charge and can still remain profitable.

Holy cow! 350,000.00 yard bill! Yikes, better have a full boat every trip and run Always. With all the other operating cost ( fuel, crew, food, insurance, port fees, bait, landing fees, seasonal unscheduled maintance issues, etc...) how can they survive?

 

[Mean Gene]

When everything is taken into consideration, the cost of today's trips are in line with the cost of the trips in days gone by.

I haven't been on a trip longer than 8 days yet, but I do enjoy the travel time.

I have no idea who the yeller dude is in that picture, but my first boss was a marine corp DI, and I'm reasonably certain he could yell better than whoever that was. In fact, I didn't know it was possible to put words together in some of those configurations.

 

[Tim Turis]

When everything is taken into consideration, the cost of today's trips are in line with the cost of the trips in days gone by.

I haven't been on a trip longer than 8 days yet, but I do enjoy the travel time.

I have no idea who the yeller dude is in that picture, but my first boss was a marine corp DI, and I'm reasonably certain he could yell better than whoever that was. In fact, I didn't know it was possible to put words together in some of those configurations.

It is a badge of honor to survive being yelled at by a Marine Corps Drill Instructor (or worse yet, Drill Instructors plural)! I’m proud to have survived!

 

[Fishybuzz]

It is a badge of honor to survive being yelled at by a Marine Corps Drill Instructor (or worse yet, Drill Instructors plural)! I’m proud to have survived!

I survived basic and advanced training in 1967 at Ft Ord......I listened and learned because the DI's were training and teaching us to survive...way different than paying thousands of dollars to be scolded and yelled at about fishing....JMO

 

[Yellowtail Dan]

It is a badge of honor to survive being yelled at by a Marine Corps Drill Instructor (or worse yet, Drill Instructors plural)! I’m proud to have survived!

So you met my Dad then! DI at Camp Lijuene was one of his many stops

Pops was a career Marine and I was born on Camp Pendleton and raised in the Corp and its beliefs. Never served though, he told me it wasn’t a good idea for me and my problems with authority.

Nothing but Love and Respect for all who serve (d). Thank You

 

[Tim Turis]

I survived basic and advanced training in 1967 at Ft Ord......I listened and learned because the DI's were training and teaching us to survive...way different than paying thousands of dollars to be scolded and yelled at about fishing....JMO

100% agree.

 

[vipertom1970]

Is 5K for 9 days, 20 guys a fair price for the first week of October ?

 

[jer dog]

Is 5K for 9 days, 20 guys a fair price for the first week of October ?

It all depends on how big the boat is.

 

[vipertom1970]

It all depends on how big the boat is.

Shogun.

 

[jer dog]

Shogun.

Dream trip.

 

[Rubberhook2]

I remember all those 9 day trips I did on the PS during the first week in September to the rocks and ridge. Some of the best wahoo fishing I have ever experienced....

I remember one trip with Tommy where I had 13 wahoo the first day at the rocks. He called me up the wheelhouse and said I could only keep two more and that he would be watching me lol. Next morning got two more quick, then two more for the galley with Tommy's permission and then I pinched down the barb on my 200 gram Raider and caught and released a bunch more....

Just incredible wahoo fishing there when the water is 77 degrees and there has not been any boat pressure for a long time due to the late August/early September departures during hurricane season down there...

 

[Kevin Helfend]

I could not afford long range 30 years ago and I can’t afford it now, but I still get out on a boat every few years.

Backpacking and my trout rod is my normal long range trip.

If you have to yell at someone and it is not a life or death situation then you suck as a teacher/leader.

 

[Roccos_Adventures]

its funny you posted about the 94 schedule. Thats when I first started learning about long range trips, Im from NY. I just looked quick at a 10 day on the excel it was just shy of 5k. So that's 500 a day. Now compare that to some of the boats here in NY that do 3 day trips at 1500. Same 500 a day. Heres the biggest difference. You eat like a king on those 5 days trips. The boats out here don't provide food or drinks. Speaking of food Ive done quite a few Long Range trips since 2000 and let me tell you the food is right up there with the best steak houses in NY. Granted fishing or fuel will never go back down in price but you can't take money with you so might as well fish and have fun. lol lol. just my opinion. tight light always

 

[1steveT]

My first LR trip was on the Q105
7 days - $900, it was a Fred Hall special discount trip.
Caught a 102# Bluefin on 40#lb mono on a 4/0
The last 7 day I did a couple of years ago on the Royal Star was $2900 - Fugggg!

 

[vegasandre]

I survived basic and advanced training in 1967 at Ft Ord......I listened and learned because the DI's were training and teaching us to survive...way different than paying thousands of dollars to be scolded and yelled at about fishing....JMO

Fishy...
I never understood why some of our anglers here will dis riding a boat due to a captains reputation from many many years ago.
the Man currently is pretty much responsible for sustaining/trying to expand our fishery and also responsible for developing other captains and boats for success...
without him we would not have what we have...
The Man is also much, much calmer now and the other main Capt is probably the funnest/best captain in the fleet.
and not to mention the boat is the Alpha boat with no one even close in 2nd place... (fishing wise)

I will ride anyboat and have ridden them all (besides SOA-yet).. but always tend to like the Alpha's..

 

[Fishybuzz]

Fishy...
I never understood why some of our anglers here will dis riding a boat due to a captains reputation from many many years ago.
the Man currently is pretty much responsible for sustaining/trying to expand our fishery and also responsible for developing other captains and boats for success...
without him we would not have what we have...
The Man is also much, much calmer now and the other main Capt is probably the funnest/best captain in the fleet.
and not to mention the boat is the Alpha boat with no one even close in 2nd place... (fishing wise)

I will ride anyboat and have ridden them all (besides SOA-yet).. but always tend to like the Alpha's..

I will send you a PM for some additional facts Andre.......

 

[T-Bro]

Even in 2023 dollars, LR fishing is still one of the best values for the cost. Having been chasing tuna out of SD for the last 35 years and worked my way up to 11 day fall trips and caught 2 cows. Since then, I have taken my boys a few times on trips up to 5 days.

However, with the oldest graduating and the youngest starting college, have not done any trips out of SD for around 5 years. I the interim, have focused on saltwater fly fishing all around the Caribbean and Florida. 8 hour tarpon trips are around $1200 with top guides and even if you split with a buddy, you still exceed the cost of a day on a LR boat. And then you have to tip, pay through the nose for food and lodging in Boca Grande, and have nothing to take home to eat.

The more outlandish trips have included a week in Honduras, flying helicopters 80 miles off the coast of Honduras, and rustic lodging in a yurt on a private island. $13,500 for the week. A great experience, but makes the LR game look cheap.

I remember what I paid back in the early 90s and it doesn’t seem like the daily cost has increased all that much. In fact, was looking at a 3 day fly fishing trip and it was around $3500 and instead am about to jump on a 3 day on the Shogun for $2200. If I bring home a few BFT and YT, it will be a great trip.

Just reminding everyone what a great value LR fishing is.

T-Bro