The Boat
58’ Andy Mortensen, twin turbos, 3 fighting chairs
Two staterooms and heads, fully air conditioned
Flat screen TV’s and killer sound system
State of the art electronics, including advanced sonar CHIRP technology, boat is constantly upgraded
A Poseidon Adventure Indeed
“A friend of mine told me, “price is soon forgotten when quality is remembered”. That’s how we run our charter business.”
Captain Mark Danley of the Poseidon too is a man who loves what he does. I could tell that about 5 minutes into our conversation. What I thought would be an informal, 15 minute chat turned into a 35 minute dissertation on subjects ranging from electronics to conservation to catching a fish so big it literally broke the scales. Even though he has been in the biz for 30-something years, his enthusiasm is contagious.
Next time I hire a charter, this is my Captain.
Q: Ok Captain, how long have you been at this and why did you get into fishing in the first place?
A: Well, first I worked on a head boat in high school and then worked on a boat out of Hillsboro Inlet. I’ve traveled the world; Exuma Islands, Exuma Chain, Bahamas, Virgin Islands, Abacos, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, all over. I’ve also fished out of Maine, New York, and North Carolina. I come from a long line of physicians in my family, and I made great grades in school, but my Dad took me to view a surgery procedure at the hospital and I couldn’t get into the human blood thing so I took the Jimmy Buffet road. Fishing gets under your skin, like gambling can.
Q: What is the “state-of-the-union” in the charter business in south Florida?
A: The business is directly related to the economy. It’s somewhat of a luxury thing—business was phenomenal before the economy collapsed and it dropped probably 30%, plus fuel cost is up—Bahama trips are tougher to do when fuel is $6.00 a gallon there. Is kind of like a balloon, it only takes a second for one to pop but it takes a lot longer to blow one up.
Q: What is some of the latest technology you have on your boat?
A: Of course we have all the creature comforts, full air conditioning, flat screens, killer sound. Most importantly we have state of the art radar for traveling, and sonar with CHIRP technology. This sonar is incredible; when you get on top of something you can distinguish predators from bait fish from a shipwreck. Most charters simply don’t invest in something this expensive. Our boat is constantly upgraded and we are real sticklers for maintaining a first-class boat.
Q: What else is unique about your operation?
A: We have a very high end boat, probably the most expensive boat in the area. We believe in 100% quality and we cut no corners when it comes to providing a great, entertaining experience for our customers.
Q: From a fishing conservation standpoint, what does the general population need to know?
A: We are finding that most fishermen are very conversation-minded and even the novices understand that Earth is an exhaustible resource. More people are abiding to the law in terms of bag limit, and more are using circle hooks vs. J hooks which can cause much more damage to the fish.
Q: Tell us about some of the interesting people you have taken out.
A: Of course, we take out sports and entertainment figures, movie stars, people like that; President Nixon and Bebe Rebozo and Henry Kissenger, but what I enjoy the most is first timers who get their mind blown and have a real unique fishing experience—that’s a real treat for me.
Q: Everyone has a “craziest” fishing story—what is yours?
A: Well, in 1988 we were fishing off the Outer Banks in North Carolina and hooked a 1085 pound marlin; we were in a tournament and it took us 5 ½ hours to land the fish. As we backed into the slip at the marina so we could weigh the fish, I joked to one of my buddies, “we will break the scale with this one”. And we did! The scale literally broke. So, we had to load the fish back on the boat and go get it weighed at another marina. As weight goes, breaking 4 figures is like getting a super bowl ring.
Q: If you weren’t a charter boat captain, what would you be doing?
A: Wishing I was a charter boat captain!
Q: For readers of our magazine, what advice can you impart on hiring a charter?
A: Do your research. Ask the locals. Ask the bartender. Find out, “is it steak or is it sizzle?” Talk to the captain beforehand. Visit the boat. Meet the crew. Look for a well maintained, clean boat with a sharp crew.
Mark Danley and his crew are doing it right in Deerfield Beach. When we were wrapping up the interview, he said, “being a charter boat captain is a quality of life vs. a quality of income. I tell people, “it’s not a great living but it’s a great life.”
I believe him.
Poseidon Too Sportfishing
2 Georges at the Cove Marina, Deerfield Beach
954-224-FISH
Poseidontoo.com
