Adventures of an Unemployed Man: Deep Sea Fishing in St. Thomas

I pulled the pole back, then as I let it down I reeled the fish in. It felt as if I had caught a small car. Fishing can’t be this hard or is this fish really that big?

Your favorite unemployed man went on a deep sea fishing trip.

Cheryl and I were in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas USVI, for my birthday. After enjoying a delicious lunch we went to the Pelican Shop Cigar Bar on the waterfront where I selected a fine cigar and an adult beverage. We found seating outside, and enjoyed the summer breeze off of the ocean while watching the locals and tourist going to and fro.

Cigar and drink at the Pelican Shop Cigar Bar

While enjoying the island vibe, we watched as a couple entered the cigar bar. The husband came out, I assume, looking for a place to sit. There were only 2 tables with 4 chairs and both tables were occupied. We had 2 free seats, so we offered him a seat at our table. He accepted and when his wife came out of the shop, she happily joined us. After exchanging pleasantries, and some small talk, Ed mentioned he had chartered a boat for Sunday to go deep sea fishing. His wife was not interested in going so he asked if I’d like to go. I’ve been deep sea fishing once and I don’t have any real memories of the time other than remembering I did get sick. Eager for what sounded like a good time, I told Ed I had no plans for Sunday and I’d be happy to join him. As we continued to drink, talk and smoke, Ed brought up the fishing trip again. He let me know he was an experienced fisherman. He has his own boat and has fished all across America. He told me this was going to be an all day trip in deep waters. His goal was to hook a Marlin.

Now I don’t fish. I eat fish but I don’t fish; however, when you’re unemployed you take adventures when they come. Ed tried to convince his wife to come along but her no was definitive, which meant Cheryl wasn’t going either. All in all it seemed as if it was going to be a great guys trips. The trip had the men hunting and gathering for their family kind of vibe. After signing up online, we were ready to go on our Sunday deep sea fishing adventure.

I was so excited to go that I woke up way before my alarm went off. I had my clothes and snacks prepared and ready to go. I picked Ed up from his hotel and we stopped to get more snacks before going to the meeting place for the trip.

The adventure was set to begin at 8AM.

Before heading to the boat, I went to the bathroom. Remember this piece of information.

When we got to the boat, the first thing Ed said to me was, “This boat is not what I was expecting.”

This was not said in a good way.

As the captain began to explain the safety procedures for the boat, Ed interrupted him and stated this boat was not what he was expecting. For the money he spent and from what he was told by the people he booked the trip with, he was expecting a bigger, better boat. We quickly went to the manager where Ed restated his displeasure with the boat. After some discussion, we decided we were here so let’s do this.

Let’s just say we are both fortunate that our wives DID NOT come on this trip.

The boat was about 37 feet long. There was seating for 2 behind the captain’s cabin and seating for 2 in front of the cabin.

There was no bathroom and no shade.

So off we went. Remember, Ed is a fisherman, I am not.

Ed asked the “first mate” about the size of the reels and if they were big enough to reel in a Marlin. The first mate replied that the reels were big enough.

Ed looked at me then whispered to the first mate, “I’m a fisherman”, indicating that you’re not speaking to some wide eyed, never fished in the ocean tourist.

We traveled about 10-15 miles offshore. The captain and the first mate baited and casted out about 5 lines. I imagined this would provide us with the chance to catch a lot of fish.

There were times when we could not see the shore at all. The clouds were beautiful and seemed as fluffy as pillows. Sometimes it seemed as if we could reach out and touch the clouds. It was very peaceful and when I didn’t feel like throwing up it was a great time of reflection as I listened to the rumbling of the boat’s motor and the waves as they crashed on the bow. The sun was hot and unforgiving. The tossing of the boat in the waves was just as unforgiving. After eating and drinking a small amount of food and water, I felt okay for a moment but as we tossed about some more, all I could do was lay down and take a nap.

I woke up to shouts and quickly sat up. Ed was sitting in the chair we were told was for the person reeling in a fish. I whipped out my cell phone and recorded Ed catching the first fish of the day. This was at 1015 AM.

He caught a Mahi-mahi. Maybe this trip wasn’t going to be so bad after all.

After bagging the fish, we both hunted for shade. In what seemed like moments, I heard yelling that another fish had hit on one of the other lines.

It was my turn to reel in the big one.

I sat in the chair with no clue as to what I was supposed to do. The captain quickly provided me with instruction. I pulled the pole back, then as I let it down I reeled the fish in. It felt as if I had caught a small car. Fishing can’t be this hard or is this fish really that big? I pulled and reeled and pulled and reeled. I was struggling.

Apparently my fish got hooked sideways, so I was having to drag him through the water which was making it harder to pull in.

My fish!

I finally got it in the boat and was happy to take a break, hoping it’d be some time before the next fish. Either way the next fish was Ed’s.

Ed’s opportunity came shortly before 1PM. He reeled in another Mahi-mahi. We were on a roll. We caught a total of three fish in about 3 hours. At this rate we would catch more fish than we could both eat.

Ed’s second fish.

However, reality quickly set in when we didn’t see, hook or reel in another fish the rest of the day.

We sailed around looking for fish, hot, uncomfortable and exhausted, until 6 PM.

Did I mention there was no bathroom?

When I explained the “no bathroom” part of the trip to my wife, I told her it was like being in the military on a long trek. Your body just knows you are not able to take care of certain things so your brain just shuts that body function down.

At one point, the tossing and turning got to me and I could feel myself getting ready to launch what little food I had eaten. I was able to hold it back and get myself together.

I was ready to get off the boat. Swimming to shore was not an option, but I did consider it a few time.

Finally the torture was over and we docked the boat. The first place we both went was the men’s room, while the captain calmly filleted the three fish we caught. Ed was heading back to Texas the next day so he gave all the fish to me.

As I side note, Ed and his wife, Cricket, are beautiful people. We shared a great evening when we met at the cigar shop and enjoyed good times with them Saturday evening with their family at the resort they were staying at. They are funny, loving, family oriented folks with big hearts. I wish we lived closer to each other.

Cheryl fried the fish and we eat some that night and had some the next morning for breakfast. It was delicious. We gave some to a friend and still have plenty.

Fresh fried fish with grits and a mango.

Ed and I agreed that we enjoyed each other’s company on the boat, but the fishing trip was the worse thing ever.

New passengers as we returned from our adventure.

The adventures of an unemployed man continue…