All roles/Specialist crew/Fishing Guide
Specialist crew
Fishing Guide
A fishing guide runs the yacht's sportfishing programme, rigging tackle, finding fish and coaching guests from first bite to release, so a day on the water ends with a story rather than a long wait.
- Department
- Specialist crew
- Reports to
- Yacht Captain
- Yacht size
- 40m to 120m+
- Contract
- Seasonal, charter or permanent
- Starting pay
- €4,000 per month
What the job is
You are the yacht's specialist for everything to do with fishing. Most fishing guides work from a sportfish chase boat or a large tender that follows the mother ship, though some fish from the swim platform or the yacht itself. You plan the day around tides, water temperature, bait and reports from local skippers, then rig the right tackle for marlin, sailfish, tuna, wahoo or bottom species. When guests step aboard, everything is ready.
On the water you read the sea, set the spread, run the cockpit and talk guests through the fight. Many owners and charter guests have never held a rod in a harness, so patience and clear coaching matter as much as skill. You handle leaders, gaffs and release tools safely, follow catch and release rules, and keep IGFA standards where guests want records. Children and nervous guests often need the most attention.
Off the water you look after a lot of expensive kit. Reels need stripping and servicing, lines need changing, lures and rods need checking and stowing. You manage bait, ice and fish handling, working with the galley when a catch is going to the table. You also arrange local fishing licences and permits through the captain or agent. When there is no fishing, you usually join the deck team on washdowns, tender runs and watersports.
What makes a good one
- Rigging and tackle maintenance
- Reading water and fish behaviour
- Coaching novice anglers
- Safe boat handling offshore
- Catch and release technique
A day in the life
- 05:30Check the weather, sea state and overnight reports from local boats. Pick the ground and decide on trolling for billfish in the morning.
- 06:00Rig the spread on the chase boat: lures, teasers, leaders and spare rods. Load bait, ice, drinks and the first aid kit.
- 07:00Brief the captain and chase boat crew on the plan and the radio channel. Confirm the guests' timings with the chief stewardess.
- 08:00Collect four guests from the swim platform and give a short safety and tackle briefing. Run out to the drop off and set lines.
- 10:15A sailfish raises on the left teaser. Pitch a bait, coach the guest through the hook up and the fight, then tag and release it boatside with photos taken in the water.
- 12:30Switch to wahoo on the reef edge. Land two fish, bleed and ice them, and radio the galley that they are coming in for dinner.
- 14:30Return guests to the yacht. Hand the catch to the chef and help fillet it on the swim platform.
- 15:30Wash down the chase boat, rinse and back off drags on every reel, and change damaged leaders. Log catches and release data.
- 18:00Prepare tackle for tomorrow's bottom fishing trip and help the deck team with evening tender runs to shore.
Pay by country
Monthly salary for a full time fishing guide on a yacht with a dedicated sportfishing programme. Day rates of €350 – 600 are common for freelance guides. Charter tips are shared with the crew and can add significantly in busy seasons.
- France and Monaco
- €4,000 – 6,000
- Spain
- €4,000 – 5,800
- Italy
- €4,000 – 5,800
- United Kingdom
- £3,400 – 5,000
- USA (Florida)
- US$4,500 – 6,800
- Caribbean
- US$4,500 – 7,000
- UAE
- AED 16,500 – 25,000
- Australia
- A$7,000 – 10,500
- New Zealand
- NZ$7,500 – 11,500
Required
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 medical
- RYA Powerboat Level 2
Recommended
- RYA Yachtmaster Offshore
- IGFA Certified Captain course
- Medical First Aid
- PDSD
- RYA PWC
- PADI Divemaster
Visas
- Schengen
- US B1/B2
- C1/D
- Australian MCV
Where it leads
Fishing Guide jobs open now
Questions crew ask
Do I need to have worked on yachts before?
Not always. Many fishing guides come from charter sportfishing boats and are hired for their fishing record, but you still need STCW Basic Safety Training, an ENG1 and a boat handling ticket. Yacht experience helps you fit into the crew and the service standard.
Will I only fish, or do I do other work too?
On most yachts you fish when guests want to and join the deck team the rest of the time. Expect washdowns, tender driving and watersports between fishing days.
Where are the best yachts for this job?
Yachts with serious fishing owners cruise the Bahamas, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, the Azores and Australia's Great Barrier Reef. Some carry their own sportfish chase boat with a full time crew.