Boat captains
The team runs on captains
Every boat needs an adult behind the wheel. No experience with tournaments required — just a boat, a Sunday, and a willingness to coach from the back deck.
What a captain does
Drive. Coach. Keep them safe.
Provide the boat
16 ft or longer, working livewell, kill switch. Fuel is reimbursed.
Own the safety
Life jackets under power, watch the weather, make the call to head in.
Coach, don't fish
Net fish, offer advice, run the trolling motor if asked — but never touch a rod during competition.
Get reimbursed
Fuel and travel costs are covered by the anglers' families or the team. Captains are never paid for time.
The fine print
Captain agreement, in plain English
- I'm 18+ and I'm in the boat with two student anglers at all times — never fewer than three aboard.
- Everyone wears a fastened USCG-approved PFD whenever the combustion engine is running; the kill switch is attached to me.
- Students never drive under combustion power.
- I don't fish, cast, or handle a rod during tournament hours. I can net, measure, and advise.
- I won't buy fishing information, hire guides, or share spots through closed groups within 10 days of an event.
- I attend the pre-tournament meeting and check in with both anglers.
- If weather turns dangerous, I bring the boat in — points be damned.
You can still captain. Several families have a boat but no adult free on Sundays — we pair captains with boats all the time. Or ask about the Kayak Division, where the captain rides in a tandem kayak or a chase boat.
Sign up
Volunteer to captain
Coaches see this list and match captains to boats and anglers.