Been my dream for 35 years to become a charter captain. I’m in the marine industry but on the itchy side, making sure others get to use their boats. My wife just followed her dream of becoming a lawyer and now I’m following my dream of becoming a captain. Just finished my school at Chapman School of Seamanship here in SoFlo. I’m going to use my current boat, even though it’s to small really for 6 pack charters (Mako 231 with spot lock and great electronics) for the time being and then once I get off the ground then I’ll be buying a much bigger boat. I have learned a lot from your video here and I’m sure it’s going to be a bumpy road, but one thing I have going for me is I can repair/fix everything on my own boat without paying crazy prices, and I already have enough rods/reels to do any type of fishing. I’m not getting into it to get rich just to follow my dreams. Can’t wait to get my MMC in the mail in 4-6 weeks so I can start advertising.

John, great video, very interesting. Thanks for being so transparent. Keep them coming great as always Tight lines

It’s awesome how you show the finances & explain your thoughts on the charter gig. Def it’s not easy - but you get to be on the water!

One of your best videos, John. Thank you for the information and transparency. Very much appreciated.

Excellent video John and very much appreciate the transparency. It is also good to note what guys full time have to deal with and how important tips are. I absolutely hate it when people attack guides on social media. I had an issue only one time with a guide and I settled it with him one on one. Non violently I might add. It was simple a disagreement. I’m sure everyone would appreciate the same courtesy about their own profession. Again, great video.

After seeing your docking fees for the season, I will refrain from complaining when I am looking around this year! LOL

Great video John. Looking forward to our upcoming trips!

Thanks for the info and regular videos. I follow Skinner and see u with him often. If you love to fish n cover your expenses, as long as it doesn’t get to be to much, enjoy yourself!

Awesome video, really cool to see the behind the scenes, enjoyed that spreadsheet breakdown as well

Great video keep up the good content mix you have going always informative and entertaining

Damn man I feel much better about my dock costs in south Jersey. I’m starting my part time charter this summer so I appreciate this video. Great info and good insight! Answered some questions I’ve been wondering about.

Enjoyed the video very much! Great to see the behind the scenes.

People don't charter or guide to get rich, they love what they are doing. I take friends out on my little boat and they have no clue of everything that goes into a trip. I don't care if I'm on a charter or head boat, if the crew and captain make an honest effort I take care of the crew and captain. I want to catch fish but sometimes the fish don't play, I'll still tip well.

Great and informative video! As a full time teacher and part time charter captain I can relate. Keep up the great work!

I’ve always wondered about the before and after on your charter trips. Really appreciate the transparency. Content is amazing. Keep it coming. You’ve inspired me to buy my first boat this year. No intentions to charter but just enjoy the fishing and outings with my family. I will certainly be in touch with you for a future trip, hopefully you still have some Fall ‘21 blackfish trips available. Will reach out soon. Thanks so much John ! Keep Just Fishing !

Hey John, this video was very interesting! And the explanation on the car ride was great. Was cool to see this side of it. Im actually gonna show this video to my daughter Kaylee, who's the K in M&K. She actually wants to work as a mate on a charter boat when she's old enough, and it'll be good to show her somewhat of what she will be dealing with, early hours, fileting, clean up. Big thumbs up on this one John, thanks for sharing

Great video. Appreciate the transparency.

Great video Capt John. It's a tough gig but so much fun. Good luck this year

Pretty cool video John, enjoyed it much !!

Wow I had always thought you guys come back with several 52-gallon drums full of cash. You should do what the charters down here in New Rochelle do, like the Sound-Bound and Klondike: Leave their respective ports, drive for 5 minutes, drop the anchor and stay in the same spot for four hours, then back to port with the same tank of gas you left with. Very profitable this way LOL.

Not looking forward to the prep work and clean up.... thanks for that 😂 This is a good heads up video

Like any business there are start-up costs such fishing rods, boat, gear, etc. Capital costs that can be amortized over time; however, you still need the funds to purchase them before you even make a penny. My boating is recreational and for the most part I go out on my own in my 21' Proline with a Yamaha 150. An economical engine, but everything adds up. Any day out on the water is at least $100 for me and that is not including fuel. It is an expensive hobby and/or business, but happy and blessed I can do it. Capt. Thank you for sharing your experiences. Cheers mate...

Thank you for some insight to the costs of running a boat also.

All said and done you run a fantastic trip A really enjoyable and fun trip and not to mention a box of fish to finish the day what could be better than that 👍🥃

Nothing but honesty in this video John, me and the team talk about how exhausting the montauk trips are for us leaving from CT and getting destroyed on the way home coming through Cerebus shoal with a stiff summer SW wind. And all the other chores that come with a saltwater trip. And you do far more trips than us!

Great video ... keep it up good content mix. I’m also working remote and so burned out working in the IT field always looking for something else to do but it’s hard to take that jump when you are making good money but mentally unhappy

hahaha - I may as well start charging money for it because I do all the pre and post fishing work anyway right now. My pops, other fam or friends just grab their coffee in the morning and walk onto the boat. Nice video, John. See ya out east soon

Thanks for the very interesting and informative video. Many years ago I dreamed of what you are doing. I had a well paying FT job and a 23 ft Sea Ox that I kept in Bay Shore. I went out every evening after work solo or with friends. We chipped in for fuel and sometimes bait. I did all the tackle work from rigging, baiting, unhooking, tangles, filleting and they did the clean up afterwards. My Dad also had a 31' Luhrs that ran out of Pt Jeff. When he was away for business or pleasure I sometimes used that, especially during blackfish season. Did the same there. I was always an hour or 2 early for every trip. I absolutely LOVED doing what I did especially when we got on fish. Often, I was the captain and mate and hardly ever wetted a line. It was quite fulfilling. I did the numbers as you did and sadly I just couldn't justify quitting my day job. Now it's just a much loved memory of my youth.

Wow! Boats aren't for the faint of heart, living 1 hour from salt, it's an all day affair to go fishing, and that's in SoFlo! Great video John.

This is one of your best videos. Thanks for sharing. I basically fish the same waters.

Thank you for this information I'm looking to Do is In The Future 😎👍

Enjoy what you love

27 here and started my own charter business 5 years ago and about to buy my second vessel. Started on a tug boat when I was 18 and after about 2 years living on the tug finally had the funds together to start. I honestly can say it definitely took some time to start seeing a respectable income. Anyway couldn’t be happier. However I will say when You get your captains license go for a 200 ton and a towing endorsement. Makes it a lot easier if u ever decide to add to your business or pick up extra gigs here and there

Thanks for the info. Im currently going for my charters license to do part time charters. Im in the Peconic but west of you. Great info.

A day in the life of a great man I call my friend. He also happens to be an outstanding captain and a very talented fisherman. Did I mention his humility. John Halkias is as good a man as you will find. If you want to have a great day on the water you need to book a charter with him. Not only will you catch trophy fish, but you’ll spend a day with an outstanding human being. And you can count on both of those things happening.

I cover the seat and console then I hope for some acid rain ☔️ it’s great...Fish on

Great video, appreciate the transparency. Hope to own my own boat one day and maybe a charter business in the future. Quick question, what do you do for your full time job? When will you transition to full time charter capt/youtuber?

Love your candor!

I worked on a party boat in montauk with my dad from basically 12 years old only making tips to 16 years old working deck or galley where i actually did cook real food ( even though i was a child lol) All of my fishing knowledge came from this time

Great breakdown buddy, Carl

With our yamaha engines we where told to freshwater rinse them out of the water. Is it different with Mercury’s?

Great info captain

Non boaters have no clue of what is involved owning a boat & the time & expenses involved. The boat. The maintenance. The insurance. The various licenses required. The promotion. They all add up. Oh, & fuel was $8gal. The boat only burned about 5 gal/hr but a typical day could be over six hours of run time. The boat was a Chesapeake Bay styled bayboat/workboat. More like a picnic boat than anything else with a small cabin & huge cockpit. Retired from it now, but an eighteen year veteran of chartering in Bermuda. Big difference in my operation was that not a single fish went across the deck of my boat making the post trip cleanup much easier. I did sightseeing & snorkelling by private charter. Thirty Two foot single diesel boat. Single handed. Max licensed capacity twenty. I kept an eye on scantily clad women all day. I describe a typical trip as a seagoing limo tour. It was very much a poking around scenic places answering loads of questions. I never did a boring repetitive canned commentary. You don't get into this for the money. You had better have a separate source of income that pays your day to day living bills. You do it for the love of boats. You also meet some wonderful people. You have to deal with people you wish never stepped on your boat too, but they are the exception. Lucky me. I worked on some of the the most beautiful water on Earth & because of the nature of what I did no two trips were the same. Every trip was tailored to the group chartering the boat & what the boat could do. Lots of charters were just one couple. Most were 8-10 people. Very few were cattle boat style full boat. Hated them. Do it again? Don't think so. This sort of service caters to the very wealthy if only because of the costs to produce it.

We found your video exceptional! Just curious what is the manufacture of your boat and also what truck do you use for towing the boat?

Yo.. JJ... Definitely a calling to be a charter Capt... I always have the same thing when I invite people to fish on my boat... Just a neighbor type of fish trip... Keep it going..

Great piece.

Hello, great insight and determination. Same as others, I'm in great job but hate the grind. I have a boat and oupv license, how was your first charter, how did you know you were ready? Thank you for the video.

Thank you for the breakdown!! Very interesting. That is a lot of work for someone that works full time and part time charters that many trips. You have an awesome boat for the fishing you do and a video representation of putting people on fish. How many hours did you put on those motors in 2020? You have to put a line item for long term expenses and preparing for new motors is one of them. You run similar to the charters in Louisiana running 75 miles each way which puts a lot of hours on the motors.

I love your content! Thanks! Maybe a make a hose to flush both motors at once. Lowes or Home Depot has all the stuff. I made a "T" hose for flushing my motors with some old hose and a couple of fittings. It cuts some time for motor flushing. I think I spent about 20 or 30 bucks at Lowes. I agree with the flushing. Outboards are way too expensive to not flush. Keep up the great content. Mark IRI DE

Thanks for the video

Thanks for the video very interesting, alot of guys myself included dream about being a charter boat captain. I go offshore tuna fishing out of ocean city Maryland on a makeup charter. I have no clue how the guys running big sportfish boats make a profit. The fuel tackle dockage insurance etc they charge around 1800 a day. Now that's for tuna marlin shark fishing at a minimum 45 mile run to the canyons.

Thanks for posting this transparent and informative video! Def not a golden goose but at least you're getting out on the water instead of staring at a screen. How far do you typically run to your spots? I know gas has been going up but it did seem a little high for your size boat

Hey man, seen all your boat show videos. Great content. In the market for a boat , i cant decide on a 25 contender or a bigger 2nd tier quality boat 28-30ft sportsman , cobia, etc. what do you recommend? Maybe do a video comparing

I missed the part where you “worked “ in the early morning. Calling it work is almost illegal. Thumbs up and subd, great video

Nice truck!

What would say is a good amount of money to be making off of a normal job to think about starting to chapter part time with a $150,000 boat?

great video

Great to see behind the scenes. What do you usually charge for charters (fluke)?

Nice, I don’t have what it takes to deal with people lol, and yes I run the fresh water every trip, and a few times a season on run “Salt off” thru them

I'm ready to start a charter

Thanks for sharing

Hey mate, when i get my coxswain ticket my trainer can line up a job guiding for barramundi. I love chasing barramundi, but wouldnt say I am a great barramundi fisherman. Is it possible that these positions are on established fishings routes? I am a very experienced fisherman, and I chase a particular species at a time, and just started work as a Doryman fishing for coral trout too. I am trying to work out a career in fishing.

Thanks for sharing the numbers.

You should make a "Y" hose so you can run water through both engines at the same time.

Interesting Video John , & enjoyable as always , do you have open dates for this coming season ? Thanks

I have a 2001 2600 Seaswirl Striper and I am trying to find a replacement hardtop? Would love to know if I should do a hardtop or go to canvas?

I wouldn’t reduce my rate for leaving early, if the customer books you for the day and then choose to leave early that’s on then. Your time is worth money

What are some common problems in the charter business related to sales or reservations? Doing some research for a website I'm considering developing.

I need to know where you get your morning cup of joe!

Lot of money 💰 for a slip with no cleaning table...Your location is prime though👍👍

can you say more about the process of getting your charter license?

What state are you in? And what do you fish for

You said you ran 30 charters for 30k. Is the going rate for blackfish charters 1k a trip? I know you do other charters also.

If still looking for a full time mate I would love to apply!

john what are your rates for your charters ? half day and full day ? thank you

You should be able to write off your boat payments if the loan is in the LLC's name. That what I was told by my accountant.

At;east it covers the boat!!

We’re in Long Island are you

Always tip!

That’s what you did the 1 time you got there before me 🙃 Wait you’ve never got there before me lol

i dont care for forward seating , head, and those family features. I know contenders are tremendous fishing machines, but a 30ft boat is a 30ft boat , its a hard decision i cant make

You sure didn't hide a thing. Everyone thinks when your running a charter business your making tons of money 💰. I did it for 7 years full time. I was running around 50 trips a season. My doc slip in Ocean City Mryland was $4,500. My insurance $3,600. And to keep over the winner on dry dock was another $4500. And i was negative before I even started the season .. All of my trips were offshore trips for tuna and Marlin. And I would run 8 -12 trips in April and may I would run tog trips. I had a 42' Jersey sportfish. And it was powered by 671 Detroit. A lot of upkeep with those engines. It was lots of fun when everything was running good but but when the boat would break down. And it wasn't cheap. Bring out another 1000 plus every time something broke down " never was under." My offshore trips were $1,450. And my inshore April and May, $800. What people don't see is what you showed. And all in the nut shell You don't make much if at all You just get to go fishing and have fun. I sold off when the fuel prices went it overboard. I was paying a $1,10 Diesel.... The next year When I sold off was $3.40 a gallon.. Hey thanks for your video I enjoyed watching it and thinking back.

You can save money if the customers bring their own rigs...lol. You also have good customers who fillet their own fish. Lol Your the man John. What a great experience fishing with you. See you in July

Dude! Your slip is so expensive! Wth why so much in NY, is your marina like the best on the east coast? We pay about $100 a foot here but man when i saw 6,500 i was in shock lol

Wonder how much that house is going for?

where is this I wanna come and visit sometime

So? How much did you actually make an hour at the end of the day?

Not being that guy but, we’ll definitely help you filet those fish. Just saying 🤣🤣

You still need a full-time mate?

😃👍

Why does it cost so much to dock there?

30,000 dollars a year to catch fish . I wonder how much money 30 k would generate in a index fund for 10 years .

Hardtop is still OK but, it is getting tired!

John I'm willing to be a full time mate im currently self employed with plenty of time on my hands. Im30 years of age with plenty of experience.......I'll accept any pay rate lol show me the ropes I'll run it full time for you let's get this going.....

id love to be your fulltime first mate

I have everything planned out to do this in Thailand, America is on a decline IMO, plus Thailand offers the cheapest most luxurious and relaxed lifestyle😂 so that also means maximum profits

For tax purposes, you are right where you want to be.

Someone is going to steal your rods one day if you leave them on the bumper like that. I could barely watch when you bought “borrowed” the crabs.

We spend over 20 k on marketing on small business so making is very expense and you are dead in the water without it.

Ahhh good morning, I'm planning on doing this on my channel for my buisness. My title is going to be "the life and times of a mediocre porn star" 🙃