Out of Islamorada is a partyboat named Miss Tradewinds. The mates were the best I've ever seen and I've experienced several dozen trips and crews over the years.
There were two elderly ladies on board with very little experience. Within minutes of the first stop one of the mates saw what was wrong and asked them if he could show them the right way to fish off the 180 foot bottom. Several others on either side of the ladies listened and paid attention as well. Soon everyone began to feel the tugs on on their lines and some started catching too.
The friendly and open attitude of these two crewmen set a very positive atmosphere for the rest of the trip! They always addressed folks as sir or 'mam. And without rushing you they would ask first if you wanted them to remove a fish from your hook or do you want to handle it?
Tips are a big part of the pay for these guys and yet they did not mention that word once. Most mates give a little safety speech at the start of the trip and some even stress how they "expect to be tipped at the end of the day". One partyboat mate out of St. Pete, with a cigarette dangling out of his mouth, made the comment "we'll be passing around a jug for your tips on the way back in so don't forget us."
Since I used to be a bartender and depended on tip income, I mentioned out loud on this occasion to the mate how good they treated the customers and handed him some folding money. Others nearby followed suit as well. I told him that this is probably the best partyboat crew I've seen.
They thanked us and just before getting off, I noticed they both shook everyone's hands. It only goes to show that if you depend on tips for income, and you want that little extra, work together as a team, be courteous, use manners and don't treat the people as if they're just another number down here on vacation pestering you.
Miss Tradewinds, I'll be back next year....hope you'll be back too.
