For many captains and guides, the end of summer feels like the end of the season. Labor Day passes, the tourists head home, and the docks start to look quiet. A lot of captains pack it in, pick up side work, or take the winter off.
But here’s the thing: in almost every market, there are captains who fish all year long. They’re still running trips, still bringing in revenue, and still building their businesses.
So what makes the difference? It usually comes down to three things.
1. Mindset: Decide You’re Year-Round
Before you ever change your marketing or add new trip types, you have to make a decision: you’re a year-round captain.
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If you believe your market is seasonal, you’ll act like it.
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If you decide you’re going to make it work 12 months a year, you’ll find ways to do it.
Every market has operators who stay booked in the off-season. The only thing separating them from the captains who quit is the mindset that it’s possible.
2. Execution: Do What Seasonal Captains Won’t
Captains who fish year-round market differently than captains who don’t. They:
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Keep ads running and optimize them for slower months.
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Post content consistently (reports, updates, photos).
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Build partnerships with marinas, hotels, and local businesses.
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Show up at trade shows and expos to keep their name out there.
Instead of going quiet in the off-season, they double down. That steady execution is what keeps the phone ringing.
3. Diversify: Give People Reasons to Book Off-Season
Not every trip depends on warm weather or peak tourism. Smart captains broaden their calendar by offering:
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Sunset cruises
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Eco and dolphin tours
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Seasonal species trips
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Specialty outings (photography, birding, shelling, etc.)
When you diversify, you make it possible for different types of customers to book you year-round — not just summer vacationers.
The Bottom Line
If someone in your market is doing it full-time, so can you. The difference is usually mindset, execution, and diversification.
Instead of planning for your season to end, plan to be the captain who’s booked all year.
🎙️ Listen to the Full Episode on Spotify
Episode Show Notes
[0:02] Welcome to Chartering Growth
Andre introduces the topic: how captains and guides can keep fishing year-round if they’re willing to make three important shifts.
[1:20] Mindset: Decide You’re a Year-Round Captain
Why belief drives action — and why some captains shut down too soon.
[7:15] Execution: Do What Year-Round Captains Do
Marketing, networking, and planning differently for slow months.
[14:40] Diversify: Offer More Than One Type of Trip
How sunset cruises, eco-tours, and seasonal trips can keep bookings steady.
[21:00] Final Thought
If someone else in your market is year-round, you can be too.
👉 Ready to build a marketing system that keeps you booked in every season? That’s exactly what our Get Booked System is designed to do.
