SD Area Lakes Fishing Report - James Nelson

[sTony]

Here's an audio fishing report from Capt. James Nelson for San Diego Area Lakes:

http://www.westernbass.com/dotcom/radio ... id=0002858

Captain James Nelson
http://www.thefishicon.com/
(619) 395 07999
contact@thefishicon.com

[bassman619]

No offense....just curious. How did james nelson earn the captain prefix? Military,fishing charter ext

[sTony]

Isn't it required to have a captain's license to guide in places like San Diego and Mission Bay?
Pretty sure he's got that accreditation.

sTony

[JJCJR]

James Nelson is accredited and licensed to captain commercial vessels.

One of his side jobs is captaining the "Seal" tour boats that run on San Diego Bay. You have to have an accredited, commercial license to qualify for that job...to begin with.

James is also licensed, bonded, insured, and CPR Certified. He offers guide services on San Diego Bay and San Diego Area Lakes. .

He's done everything the right way to get to where his is today.

[wccjanel]

bassman619,
I only wish I could have earned the "Captain" title by serving this country.

sTony,
Yes, you do need a USCG License to charge passengers aboard a vessel on Coast Guard navigable waters.

The question does not offend me. I actually like sharing the steps involved.
There are three basic grades for a Master (Captain). Then there is a level I will never get. These guys can take a 100GT vessel over open seas extending beyond 200 miles offshore. All Master levels require different degrees Practical Application (on-water hours) & Testing. There are study course style vocational schools that aid in pretesting. You can take the tests without a course, but I can't stress enough how great it was to do the class work with The Maritime Institute first. It made taking the tests a lot easier. I earned a lot of my on-water hours via private boat ownership, and by travelling various bass tournament circuits for two and a half years. These are the three grades, of which I have testing completed for the highest Master level, but only have on-water hours applicable to the two mid level Master, and my guide business rarely stretches me beyond the basic level (6-Pack License).

Here are the 3 Most Common Levels:

BASIC REQUIREMENTS OPERATOR OF UNINSPECTED PASSENGER VESSELS (6 passengers or less)
(18 years old): 360 days of experience in operation of a vessel. 90 days of the 360 days on ocean or near coastal waters or may be limited to inland. License will be limited to vessels of less than 100 gross tons and limited to near coastal waters not more than 100 miles offshore. If not U.S. citizen, the license will be limited to undocumented, uninspected vessels.

MASTER, Inland, Not More Than 100 GT (19 years old): 360 days of experience in operation of vessels on any waters. License will be limited to vessels of not more than 100 gross tons and limited to inland waters. Endorsement for Sail or Auxiliary Sail available with 180 days of Sail of Auxiliary Sail time (may be part of the 360 days and may be prior to license issuance).

MASTER, Near Coastal, Not More Than 100 GT (19 years old): 720 days of experience in operation of a vessel. 360 days of the 720 must be on near coastal waters. To be eligible for a 100 GT license, 360 days must be on a vessel of at least 35 GT otherwise, the license will be limited to 25 GT or 50 GT. License will be limited to vessels of not more than 100 gross tons, limited to near coastal waters not more than 200 miles offshore. Endorsement for Sail or Auxiliary Sail available with 360 days of Sail or Auxiliary Sail time (may be the same or part of the 720 days).

jjcjr,
Thank you again for your help with the Warrior Foundation Tournament.

God Bless,
James (ya doesn't hasta call me captain) Nelson