Capt Mel,

I think you may be the person who helped me once before when I was trying to help a terminally ill man's fishing dream come true. I'm in need of help again. I'm working a dream for a 78 year old man who wants to go deep sea fishing in Daytona, FL. He also wants to have a grouper sandwich at a place called Down the Hatch. The problem I'm encountering is that most charters won't take Howard out because he's on oxygen. They say that there is a coast guard regulation against this. Is that true for privately owned vessels as well? Can you help me find someone who might be willing to take Howard and his daughter out for a day of deep sea fishing? I can send you more information on the Dream Foundation and on Howard if you think this is something you can help me with.

Thanks,
Barb Allcock
Dream Captain
Dream Foundation
www.dreamfoundation.org

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Dear Barb:

I personally am not familiar with that no-person-on-oxygen regulation. However you could very likely get clarification on that issue by contacting your local Coast Guard station. And if there is a regulation that prohibits people on oxygen aboard all vessels, it means that you would not be able to take that person fishing. However, if it applies only to boats for hire, you could very well get him out.

Best of luck with the good work that you do.

Capt. Mel Berman

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Hello Captain,

Often when I go to a loran/GPS number, I see nothing on my sounder when I get to my number. Is there a recommended way to search for the spot (eg, doing circles around the marker, etc) that should be close by?

Thanks,

Scott Schlesman
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Dear Scott:

The best, most accurate way to use a loran or GPS would be to go fishing and when you find a good spot with lots of fish, save that in the unit’s memory. Then, when you go back, with the excellent accuracy of the GPS, you should be right there.

One the other hand, if someone gives you some numbers to try, you might have to look around a bit. Each GPS saves locations somewhat differently and – except for those spots you’ve located with your own GPS (as above) – you will be required to circle around that location until you find signs of fish or good structure. The given numbers will get you in the neighborhood – but not necessarily at the exact location.

Capt. Mel Berman

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What is the water depth at 30 miles and at 50 miles off Clearwater Beach and how fast does it drop from 25 miles out?

Larry Hickman
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Dear Larry:

Since the Gulf bottom has great variations from location to location, it would be inaccurate to give you a specific depth at a certain distance --- how fast it drops off from 25 miles out.

Your best and most accurate source of that information can easily be determined by purchasing an inexpensive NOAA chart for any area off the Florida coast at just about any marine supply store.

Capt. Mel Berman

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Hey Capt,

I have a 36'0 carver and I've been boating since I was a kid, do I need any type of license, I usually take out my family in West Palm Beach ICW.

Thanks,

 Pat Dabney
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Dear Pat:

If you are a recreational boater, no license is required. However, I would highly recommend taking a Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron boating class. which teaches you all the rules of the road and how to safely operate your vessel.

Thanks.

Capt. Mel Berman

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