Customers and friends of the FISH N FOOL,

As you all are quite aware fuel cost have hit an unprecedented level. Our charter prices are based on diesel fuel being around $3.00 a gallon, but diesel fuel is currently very close to $5.00 a gallon and we do not expect the price to come back down. If anything they are calling for it to continue to increase in price.

Also needless to say we burn a lot of diesel fuel in a days fishing and the increased cost of fuel has had an immediate affect on our business’s sustainability. I basically have 2 choices to mitigate for the price of fuel, I can ( and have) slow the boat down and take a little more time traveling in and out in order to decrease consumption and get a better gallons per hour average, as well as fish closer in and not make 40 – 60 mile runs offshore.

I can raise the charter prices to reflect the current cost of fuel.

Here’s the problem, in order to truly compensate for the increased cost of fuel I would need to collect at least 250 – 300 more per day and I am afraid that will price some customers out of being able to fish with us.

This is a problem that weighs heavy on me as many of you have fished with me for a great many years. I am struggling with being able to afford to operate a 1st class deep sea fishing charter boat at current fuel price levels.

All of the people that fish with us expect a well maintained boat that catches a lot of fish and provides a high quality day of fishing and fun. That is certainly what my 1st mate and I expect! I am not going to lessen the quality of the fishing trip in order to stay in business.

In order to continue the level of service that our customers are accustomed to we have no choice but to raise our charter rates in order to stay sustainable in the fishing business.

I don’t think I can raise the price enough to truly reflect the reality of today’s fuel prices and I am going to have to reach a (unhappy) medium. Fuel costs are more of a consideration on the trips where we travel 18 + miles offshore, so mostly the 6 hr trips and up.

I need to raise the charter price to $185 an hour to truly compensate for the fuel; I just don’t think I can. So as of June 4th, we have set our new rates at $175 an hour (a $10 increase).
I will honor all reservations that have already been booked at a lower price, but in reality we need to run the trip at the new price.

 I also will have to slow the boat down and not travel as far in order to mitigate the price difference. This will not reflect in the quality of our fishing experience or our level of service and will probably not even be noticed on the shorter trips.

If we need to shorten the length of trip in order to stay in budget we certainly can and I will work with you in anyway I can, including trying to book you on a cheaper boat if necessary.

For our customers who are used to that deep water, offshore, big fish fishing that we all enjoy so much it will be more of a challenge.

If we update our charter prices I can continue to drive it as far and as deep as we see fit to chase the fish we want.  To stay sustainable, charter rates need to be at a minimum $175 an hour for ½ days and closer to $180 or $185 for long all day trips.

I know that the cost of fuel is a factor in all of our daily lives, not just mine. We are all adjusting to a new reality in fuel prices and many businesses (and families) are trying to figure out how to factor in this greatly expanded expense.

I want you all to know that we are dedicated to providing our customers with a high quality fishing trip and we are also dedicated to a long term relationship with our customers and their families. No matter what price we end up running our fishing trip for, our customers are still going to get 120% out of Rodney and myself.

If you have fished on other boats, you know that we just simply try harder and are dedicated to treating our customers as family and friends!

We are looking forward to fishing with you!

Thanks
Capt Mike