Tabby walked across Cross Street with her energy drink in one hand and phone in the other.
The screen displayed a forum website discussing the nearest—and best—sportfishing charter service in her general area, and according to the route information she had pulled up earlier, the location was approximately one hour away via public transit. If she departed within the next hour, she could complete her reconnaissance mission and return home before the afternoon heat became unbearable.
I should have checked the weather forecast before selecting my outfit for today.
Her choice of black fitted jeans and a long-sleeved black cotton shirt had seemed passable when she dressed in the air-conditioned comfort of her bedroom, but now the dark fabric was absorbing heat from the morning sun and making her irritably warm.
The material clung to her skin in ways that would only worsen as the temperature climbed, and she could already feel perspiration beginning to form on her palms and fingertips, which would inevitably leave greasy smudges on her phone screen.
Tabby thought about it more. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to wear this at all during summer.
She exhaled slowly and wiped the phone screen against her shirt in vertical motions, cleaning away the fingerprints that had accumulated during her research session.
After returning the device to her grip, she continued scrolling through the charter service's information pages while maintaining her steady pace toward the harbor district.
Her destination was Crown Pier Marina, where she intended to conduct informal interviews with boat operators and recreational fishermen who might possess practical knowledge about saltwater fishing or any licenses need to partake.
Of course, she could have consulted the internet... But you can never be too reliant on people online! Especially when you have old-head professionals a brisk walk away.
The decision to focus on saltwater rather than freshwater fishing had occurred to her during her online research session at the gas station.
While freshwater fishing would certainly be easier to arrange and require less specialized equipment, something about the ocean environment appealed to her. The complexity of tides, weather patterns, and marine ecosystems presented variables that would make the learning process more stimulating.
She decided on this plan to keep herself stimulated naturally during the final days of summer anyways.
Saltwater fishing will require significantly more preparation and coordination than lake or river fishing, but the additional complexity may provide more opportunities to demonstrate competence to potential collaborators. Also, if I am going to undertake this project, I should pursue the version that offers the most comprehensive experience.
The proximity of Flormart to the marina had also influenced her decision to travel in this direction.
While she had no intention of purchasing fishing equipment before consulting with knowledgeable individuals, she wanted to examine the available gear and price ranges so that she could ask informed questions when she began recruiting classmates for her fishing expedition.
Understanding the financial requirements of the activity would be essential for planning group participation.
She could now see the marina complex ahead of her, the cluster of white buildings and boat masts were visible against the blue sky. The smell of salt water and marine fuel grew stronger as she approached the entrance, and she could hear the distinctive sounds of rigging clanging and idling engines.
Crown Pier Marina was larger than she had expected based on the website photographs, with several docks extending into the harbor and dozens of boats of varying sizes secured to the floating platforms.
Some appeared to be private recreational vessels, while others had the commercial appearance of charter fishing boats with their multiple fishing rod holders and professional equipment visible on deck.
Good. The higher variety of vessel types suggests that this location attracts both amateur and experienced fishing enthusiasts. Which increases the probability of encountering individuals with diverse knowledge and skill levels.
Tabby approached the marina office, a modest building with large windows overlooking the main dock area. Through the glass, she could observe several people engaged in what appeared to be casual conversation, some were wearing fishing attire and others dressed in the polo shirts and khakis.
Before entering the office, she decided to walk along the main dock to observe the boats and equipment more closely. This preliminary observation would provide context for the questions she planned to ask.
The dock was constructed of weathered wooden planks that felt solid beneath her feet, though she could sense the subtle movement of the floating platform responding to the gentle harbor waves.
The boats moored along the dock ranged from modest recreational fishing vessels to larger charter boats capable of accommodating groups of tourists or serious fishing enthusiasts.
She paused beside a well-maintained charter boat named Seaworthy Dreams and studied the array of fishing rods secured in holders along the boat's rail. The equipment appeared substantially more complex than the basic fishing gear she had seen in online photos, with reels that looked both expensive and specialized for particular types of fishing.
"You thinking about booking a charter trip?"
The voice came from behind her, and Tabby turned to see a brown haired middle-aged man with sun-kissed skin and confident posture. He wore a navy blue polo shirt with the marina's logo embroidered on the chest and carried a clipboard that suggested he was conducting some form of routine inspection or maintenance check.
"I am researching saltwater fishing opportunities for educational purposes," Tabby replied, maintaining her direct tone while studying the man's appearance for clues about his level of expertise. "I have limited experience with fishing and wanted to gather information about equipment requirements and safety considerations before making any commitments."
The man nodded approvingly and extended his hand in greeting. "I'm Captain Morrison, and I run charters out of this marina three days a week. Heh. Been fishing these waters for about twenty years, so I can probably answer most questions you've got."
How fortuitous.
"Thank you. I have several specific questions about the differences between saltwater and freshwater fishing, particularly regarding equipment specifications and the learning curve for inexperienced participants."
Captain Morrison gestured toward a bench positioned near the dock's edge where they could sit and continue the conversation while observing the harbor activity. "Well, saltwater fishing is definitely more challenging than lake fishing, but it's also more rewarding in my experience. The fish are bigger, the environment is more dynamic, and you get to deal with tides and weather patterns that make every trip different."
Tabby settled onto the bench and removed her phone to take notes, though she was careful to position the screen away from the direct sunlight to avoid glare issues. "What would you consider the essential equipment differences between saltwater and freshwater applications?"
"The main thing is that saltwater is corrosive, so all your gear needs to be designed to handle that environment. Saltwater rods and reels are built with materials that won't corrode, and you need different line weights because ocean fish are generally stronger than freshwater species." Captain Morrison pointed toward the charter boat's equipment display. "You also need different bait and lures because marine fish have different feeding patterns than lake fish."
The corrosive properties of saltwater represent a significant equipment consideration that was not emphasized in the online resources I reviewed earlier.
"Are there safety considerations specific to saltwater fishing that would not apply to freshwater environments?"
"Absolutely. Heh. Ocean conditions change quickly, and you need to understand tides, weather patterns, and navigation basics even if you're fishing from shore. If you're going out on a boat, you need proper safety equipment and someone with marine experience." Captain Morrison's expression grew more serious. "I've seen too many people get into trouble because they treated ocean fishing the same way they would treat fishing at a local pond."
Tabby typed notes about safety requirements and marine navigation into her phone, already beginning to formulate a list of skills and knowledge areas that would need to be covered by her prospective fishing group members.
"Would you recommend that inexperienced individuals begin with charter trips before attempting independent saltwater fishing?"
"Definitely. A good charter captain can teach you proper techniques while keeping you safe, and you get to use professional equipment before investing in your own gear." Captain Morrison stood up and checked his watch. "Actually, if you're serious about learning, I run educational charters specifically for beginners. Smaller groups with more instruction time and focus on teaching rather than just catching fish."
A potential solution to the initial learning phase of my fishing project. Participating in an educational charter could provide baseline knowledge that would make me a more valuable member of a fishing group.
"What would be the cost and time requirements for an educational charter experience?"
"I run half-day beginner trips for sixty dollars per person, minimum of four people per trip. We cover basic techniques, safety procedures, equipment familiarization, and usually manage to catch some fish too." Captain Morrison handed her a business card with the marina's contact information. "If you can put together a small group, I'd be happy to set something up."
Tabby accepted the business card and studied the information printed on it. The cost seemed reasonable for the educational value provided, and the four-person minimum requirement aligned well with her plans to recruit knowledgeable classmates for her fishing project.
"I will consider this option as part of my preparation strategy. Thank you for the information." Tabby nodded to Captain Morrison.
"Of course, anytime!"
She stood up from the bench and walked back toward the marina entrance, her mind already processing the new information and adjusting her approach to the fishing project.
Morrison watched her off. "Man, that kid sure does have a way with words. That makes me wonder... Does she use all those fancy words internally too?"
The proximity of Flormart to the marina made it logical to examine fishing equipment before her hour long departure, though she would limit her investigation to price research and basic familiarization rather than making any purchases.
Tabby also felt unsatisfied with just one interview, she would have to revisit the marina quickly on her way home today. She discarded her empty can at the blue recycling bin near the entrance of Flormart.