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When Weather Forecast are WRONG!

by Capt Juls on 05/14/14

I'm not sure what other Captains do when they have bad weather forecasts, and people driving in from far away? Do they just let their customers arrive in town and wait until that morning to make the call? Or, do they contact them and let them know what the forecast is, and let the customer make the decision to come, or reschedule for a better weather day?

My charter for today was a husband and wife, and I called them yesterday to let them know that the forecast was calling for NW winds, cooler temps, and most likely a lot of rain (80% today). They decided to reschedule for a date next week instead. He said his wife would be happier with nicer weather. I can't blame them for that decision.

I woke up this morning to find the forecast changed a little bit, but not by much, it is definitely fishable, but we would have been rained on while we were out there. (The thunderstorm part of it was removed until later in the afternoon now though).

Now, I'm kicking myself, and wondering if I should just let people show up and make the call the morning of the charter.

But, on the other hand, if they would have driven all the way here, paid for a stay in a hotel, and then had weather they were not comfortable with, and called it off, they would be out time and money.

I have to believe I made the right decision to let them make the call on what they wanted to do with the information we had at the time I called them yesterday, and a reschedule is better than losing a customer....right?

What would you want me to do if you were the customer that had a charter and the weather was less than desirable and you were bringing your wife? Would you want me to call you and let you know the forecast? Or, would you rather just show up and take a chance and decide that morning?

I'm thinking I did the right thing, but I'm curious what others think.

Maybe I should stop second guessing myself and just have another cup of coffee.....deep sigh...

Have a great day everyone!

Capt Juls

Comments (4)

1. Tim Becker said on 5/14/14 - 06:26AM

As a customer (next week) I say you made the right call. I for one would respect you more as a business person to make the call and being up front leaving them with the option vs. hard nose rules are rules....

2. Ben said on 5/14/14 - 06:42AM

My experience with fishing guides is that the client is on the hook (hee hee) unless the situation is dangerous. The weather forecast the day before should be pretty good, and if the forecast calls for a serious chance for dangerous conditions, then the captain is obligated to call off the trip. If the forecast is iffy, and if it's a matter of comfort or inclement weather, the client is obligated to pay the guide and proceed with the trip, or pay the guide and forfeit fee without fishing (done that before). I HAVE had guides who were flexible enough to allow me to re-schedule if I wanted to due to heavy chop leading to discomfort, but then again I've had a guide take us out in 6 to 7 footers on Erie with the patriarch of our group chumming the entire time. So I guess what I'm saying is perhaps call the client the day before if there's a possibility of dangerous weather and indicate that it could be a "launch-time decision," which sounds like what you did. The client may very well not mind making the trip to the area, even if they can't fish. If they're coming from out of town, particularly with a spouse or S/O, the trip may be a weekend away where the fishing is only one part of it. There's lots to do in that area that don't involve getting on the water.

3. NUF said on 5/14/14 - 07:08AM

You made the right call. Let the customer be a part of the decision making. This way you will have a repeat customer in the future and not someone who feels like he was taken advantage of.

4. Boyd said on 5/14/14 - 08:57AM

Well, I can try to share my message from a few perspectives. Since I also live a few hours from the ramps, I religiously scan and check weather outlets to determine if my "gang" makes the trip with me. Now my gang would be my 3 boys (10,11&14yo) that would fish in 8 footers if they could. Being a parent (or a responsible guide in your case) I would not let them go out in conditions that I think are questionable, where they may be injured or worse.They will enjoy the experience more when the weather is better which is what keeps them asking for more fishing trips. Now if its me and a couple guys coming up and there are 3-4'ers forecast, I can honestly say we have made that drive. Sometimes only to turn around after breakfast and drive back home. Everyone's threshold for wind and waves is different, and being a conscious guide by letting your clients know of potential weather in advance, not only makes you good human being but a great guide. If you allow them to reschedule(not refund) because of less than desirable weather but not dangerous, then that's just a bonus.

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1.	Tim Becker said on 5/14/14 - 06:26AM
	As a customer (next week) I say you made the right call. I for one would respect you more as a business person to make the call and being up front leaving them with the option vs. hard nose rules are rules....
2.	Ben said on 5/14/14 - 06:42AM
	My experience with fishing guides is that the client is on the hook (hee hee) unless the situation is dangerous. The weather forecast the day before should be pretty good, and if the forecast calls for a serious chance for dangerous conditions, then the captain is obligated to call off the trip. If the forecast is iffy, and if it's a matter of comfort or inclement weather, the client is obligated to pay the guide and proceed with the trip, or pay the guide and forfeit fee without fishing (done that before). I HAVE had guides who were flexible enough to allow me to re-schedule if I wanted to due to heavy chop leading to discomfort, but then again I've had a guide take us out in 6 to 7 footers on Erie with the patriarch of our group chumming the entire time. So I guess what I'm saying is perhaps call the client the day before if there's a possibility of dangerous weather and indicate that it could be a "launch-time decision," which sounds like what you did. The client may very well not mind making the trip to the area, even if they can't fish. If they're coming from out of town, particularly with a spouse or S/O, the trip may be a weekend away where the fishing is only one part of it. There's lots to do in that area that don't involve getting on the water.
3.	NUF said on 5/14/14 - 07:08AM
	You made the right call. Let the customer be a part of the decision making. This way you will have a repeat customer in the future and not someone who feels like he was taken advantage of.
4.	Boyd said on 5/14/14 - 08:57AM
	Well, I can try to share my message from a few perspectives. Since I also live a few hours from the ramps, I religiously scan and check weather outlets to determine if my "gang" makes the trip with me. Now my gang would be my 3 boys (10,11&14yo) that would fish in 8 footers if they could. Being a parent (or a responsible guide in your case) I would not let them go out in conditions that I think are questionable, where they may be injured or worse.They will enjoy the experience more when the weather is better which is what keeps them asking for more fishing trips. Now if its me and a couple guys coming up and there are 3-4'ers forecast, I can honestly say we have made that drive. Sometimes only to turn around after breakfast and drive back home. Everyone's threshold for wind and waves is different, and being a conscious guide by letting your clients know of potential weather in advance, not only makes you good human being but a great guide. If you allow them to reschedule(not refund) because of less than desirable weather but not dangerous, then that's just a bonus.