Sorry, been really busy this week. Heck I've only fished an hour all week, maybe that's why I can't stop shaking.

Anyways, pinheads do a lot of different things to "pay" for their fishing. They are usually harassed pretty intensely too. They either take it like a little brother, and gain respect. Or, they can't hack it and will give up. It's a good way to find out if they might make it as deckhands. Back in the day, they had it rough. I've heard many stories of skulpin spines in the boots, and things like that. The worst I heard was from the captain I work for. He brought a new TLD 15/30 on the boat one day. The deckhand grabbed it and went into the wheelhouse. The DH then covered it in WD-40 and lit it on fire, new line and all.

Now where I work (in the summers) the pinheads have it good. We do give them a hard time, but they usually only get it bad after being a major pain in the butt. This of course can be often, as 15 and 16yr olds can be major smart asses. But, it's all in good fun, and in the process learn something new. They fish for free (if there's room), they eat for free, get to fish the docks afterw/ any bait that's left (the docks are private), get tips on occasion, and the ones that stick it out can find work. The last one is limited now by the enforcement of labor laws, which is both good and bad. It's bad because it's a good way to keep the kids out of trouble, yet they can't do it. It's good because if there is laws, they should be enforced. The owner of the landing is also worried about lawsuits, so pinheads are hard to come by now.

Now being a deckhand, that's a whole nother ball of bait. We work 70-90hrs a week in the summer, destroy our bodies, put up w/ way too many jerks who think that because they fish once a month they know better than all the crew, we often make less than $3 an hour, don't see family or friends all summer (even working on a 1/2 day boat) and miss most of the good bites. In fact, the last one can be the hardest part. It took me 3 summers to get used to standing on the tank during WFO fishing, to not get depressed. Though to be fair, I've also seen some of the sickest fishing because I am out there all the time.

Though many guys end up quitting w/ in a month, most will quit after one season. It is extremely hard work, both for the body and the mind. And, perhaps most important, you have to work well w/ others. When you spend so much time together you have to get a long. The best crews are friends at the very least while on the water, and often off the water.

The benefits are obvious. Free fishing (sometimes while getting paid), save money on food (you eat at least 2 meals a day on the water), you learn volumes of info about fishing and the ocean, you're outside all day, you at least are helping others fish even if you aren't, many good connections can be made, and your angling skills will grow exponentialy if you work at.

So, how do you get such a glorious job? I got on by fishing a couple times on the boat, they needed someone, and my friend ( already working on the boat) recomended me. I worked 4 days for free while I trained ( and I knew almost nothing), then it was full speed from there. I still had a lot to learn, but it's a steep curve. So, you don't have to know anything, you just have to find a boat willing to give you a chance. If you are willing to train for free, and then only do fill-ins when they are short handed, you'll probably have a full time job before you know it. Just be there every morning, fish if there's no work, work when ever asked. If you're eager to learn, show up on time, and do as you're told you'll get a job and keep it.

Hope this is enough info to help you make up your mind. If you live down in South Orange County, I can help you out. At least get you out and trained, the rest is up to you.

Amish Ed