By Capt. Mike Zajac
Photos by Josh Jedry
“All right guys, let’s talk about safety. Life jackets are up on the bridge …” – the captain starts his pre-trip safety talk as the charter settles in for hopefully the trip of a lifetime – one way or the other.
(Inner monologue as the captain finishes up heads to the bridge) “This is going to be awesome, the boys are going tuna fishing on the Canyon Runner!!!!” “Oh shit, what did I get myself into? I’m going to puke my brains out.” “Last year when I was out with these guys, we crushed them.” “Oh Christ, there’s the jinx.”
VRRROOM, VRRROOM. “Mikie, all right, let’s go.”
A typical beginning to a trip on the Canyon Runner. I have always been curious to know what is going on inside the head of each customer. While I can only surmise the pros outweigh the cons due to the fact our customer base is 90 percent repeat customers, it interests me to know what the thought process is when going offshore. Here is a take from my pea-sized brain.
“When were you out here last?” (Asks one of the members of the charter who right now probably thinks fishing for a living is the greatest gig ever as he’s been stuck in an office all summer. But the grass is not usually greener…)
“Six hours ago.”
“When do you sleep?”
“When I get a chance.”
“Did you sleep today?”
“I didn’t
