I am fortunate to get to enjoy a lot of perks with my job. Most of the time it is fishing with some great captains and anglers from all over the Southeast. As a former charter captain and guide service owner, I found a huge importance in trying to target corporate business to bring in businesses and have them offer incentive programs for employees that would include guided fishing trips. Most businesses have a budget for employee incentives, and it can be awarded as a prize in a sales contest or just a thank you to a group of special employees that may need a little “Reelaxation.”
Recently I was invited to join one of these trips with my partners from Sparks Toyota as they had done a incentive contest in the service department in June. The winners were made up of service writers and service technicians from the local dealership here in Myrtle Beach. Brian Malcolm, the service director, and I had set up to join my good friends on Fly Girl Charters and Fishful Thinking Guide Service. The group consisted of five people who had never been in the ocean fishing, and they were greeted by a flat calm ocean that we all appreciated.
On board with me were Brian, his daughter Gracie, Capt. Jay Baisch, Cory and Steve. Our plan was to try and stay busy all morning ripping lips. We were going to target some spadefish on a reef then try for some flounder and Spanish mackerel. While we had success at catching everything we targeted, the morning was a little slow as far as keepers, but the crew had a great time.
The other boat had a lot of success on flounder and even decided to kill a big stingray and bring back to filet since one of the guys had said that he enjoyed the taste of stingray. I can’t speak for everyone involved, but the conversation at lunch following the trip was very exciting with so many firsts being discussed. In a day-to-day work environment, these employees are probably more focused on business and job performance and rarely get to be together in this relaxed atmosphere. Just like any corporate outing, it is a great way to get some employees that may otherwise never interact outside of work together for a fun time.
In the past, I have had large corporate groups and small local businesses that will entertain employees as well as customers. With the economy on an upswing, local marina owner Seth Williams, of Crazy Sister Marina, tells me he has seen an increase in corporate outings this year at the marina. He said it is up substantially from the last couple years. The marina is great at organizing these trips, and you can find out more by visiting their website at www.CrazySisterMarina.com. Don’t forget that while everyone is busy with family vacations and such in the summer, that the spring and fall are both great times to do these outings. The fishing is sometimes the best these times of the year, and the crowds are at a minimum. I hope that you will consider getting your business involved in getting outdoors and enjoying the resources that we are blessed with and that so few get to enjoy.
Tight Lines, Capt. E.
“Reelin’ Up The Coast” is a dynamic fishing show hosted by Captain Englis Glover that takes place in the waters off the South Carolina coast. But it isn’t just about catching fish. Capt. Englis Glover (Capt. E.) uses his vast knowledge of the water to educate the viewer as well as entertain. PHONE: (843) 655.5459. EMAIL: CaptainE@reelinupthecoast.com. WEB: www.reelinupthecoast.com
[easy-social-share]