Experienced Sportfish Mate (Full-Time)

Experienced Sportfish Mate (Full-Time)
Join a Premier Private Sportfishing Program

This is an opportunity to join a professionally operated, high-performance private sportfishing program that values excellence, teamwork, and attention to detail both on and off the water.

Operating seasonally between the Northeast and Southeast United States, this is a full-time, long-term position for an experienced and dedicated mate who is passionate about offshore fishing and committed to maintaining a world-class custom sportfishing vessel.

This position requires long days on the water, extensive travel, meticulous vessel maintenance, tackle preparation, and assisting with every aspect of fishing operations while providing a first-class experience for owners and guests. The ideal candidate enjoys hard work, takes initiative without being asked, anticipates the needs of the captain and crew, and understands that the presentation of the vessel is just as important as fishing performance.

Professionalism, reliability, discretion, and pride in your work are essential. We are seeking someone who works well as part of a team, communicates effectively, and is committed to maintaining the highest standards on and off the water.

Company details will be shared with qualified candidates during the interview process.

Annual Schedule

• Winter: South Florida, the Florida Keys, and the Gulf Coast
• Summer: Northeast United States
• Competitive compensation is offered based on experience.

Required Qualifications — Please Read Carefully

This is not an entry-level position. Applicants should already possess significant hands-on offshore saltwater sportfishing experience. Candidates without this level of experience are unlikely to be considered.

Minimum Qualifications

Applicants must have:

• A minimum of three (3) years of offshore saltwater sportfishing experience in a professional, private, charter, or tournament fishing environment.
• Demonstrated experience with:
  – Rigging natural and artificial baits
  – Kite fishing
  – Dredge fishing
  – Throwing a cast net
  – Live bait fishing
• Experience maintaining and detailing custom sportfishing vessels to yacht-quality standards.
• Excellent work ethic with exceptional attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently while anticipating the needs of the captain, crew, and vessel.
• A professional, clean-cut appearance and excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout the season.
• A genuine interest in long-term employment with a high-level private sportfishing operation.

Preferred Qualifications

Preference will be given to candidates with experience:

• Fishing competitive tournament circuits.
• Working aboard custom sportfishing vessels (Bayliss, Spencer, Jim Smith, Merritt, Weaver, Garlington, Viking, Jarrett Bay, and similar custom or production sportfish yachts).
• Rigging and maintaining high-end tackle, outriggers, dredges, teasers, and electronics.
• Operating within owner-operated private sportfishing programs.

Ideal Candidate

The successful candidate is dependable, organized, self-motivated, and takes pride in every aspect of the vessel. You are someone who notices what needs to be done without being asked, works well under pressure, communicates professionally with owners, guests, and crew, and is committed to maintaining a first-class operation. Above all, you understand that success comes from preparation, consistency, teamwork, and attention to detail.

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to:

• Work long hours, including early mornings, evenings, weekends, and holidays when necessary.
• Perform physically demanding tasks in varying weather and sea conditions.
• Lift and carry equipment weighing up to 50 pounds.
• Stand for extended periods while underway.
• Climb ladders, bend, kneel, and work comfortably in confined spaces aboard the vessel.
• Maintain a high level of physical fitness appropriate for offshore sportfishing operations.

Application Requirements

To be considered, applicants must submit:

• A current résumé.
• Professional employment references.
• Links to all active social media accounts.
• A brief summary (3–5 sentences) that includes:
• Your offshore fishing experience.
• The make, model, and approximate size of the vessels you’ve worked aboard.
• Your primary responsibilities on those vessels.
• Any tournament fishing experience.
• Why you believe you’re a good fit for this position.

Applicants who submit all requested materials will receive a response from our hiring team.

Pre-Employment Requirements

Final candidates must successfully complete:

• Pre-employment physical examination.
• Drug screening.
• Comprehensive background investigation.

Applicants with prior DUI convictions or criminal arrests should not apply, as they will not meet the hiring requirements for this position.

Why Join Our Team?

This is more than a job—it’s an opportunity to build a long-term career with a respected private sportfishing operation that fishes some of the finest waters along the East Coast and throughout the Southeast.

We are looking for someone who takes pride in their work, values professionalism, enjoys being part of a successful team, and wants to contribute to a first-class operation for years to come.

If you are an experienced sportfish mate who thrives in a professional, fast-paced environment and is committed to excellence, we encourage you to apply. Qualified candidates who submit all requested materials will be contacted to discuss the position further.