I'm Captain Jaime Hughes. I'm a real USCG Licensed Captain, I don't just call myself one. And yes, its spelled J-A-I-M-E . I've been fishing the Susquehanna River and local waterways since I was a little girl in the 80's. I ice fish, and love it but I'm feeling like of late winter is cancelled around here. I fly fish, although I newer at it, I'm obsessing!! Fishing has been my life long passion. I've traveled all over, in and out of the country to target fish on my bucket list. Hawaii. Mexico. All over Florida. Vacationed many years to Lake Anna. After many years of personal fishing and bass tournament fishing, I started a bank fishing club in 2009. That was when I learned my true TRUE passion was helping people fish. The smiles are awesome. The memories, priceless. Which all lead to what we know now as BreakLine Charters which was established in 2011. I started for hire on the Susquehanna River. Running multi-species. When bass was shut down for a few years, I needed to find a place to continue to earn a living. People knew I knew Chincoteagues fishery well from my personal adventures. My captains license allowed it, so I got what I needed to be legit to work there for a few years. My catfish clients sure loved holding sharks in the same boat they held catfish in! You can see our pics on the Chincoteague page.
CERTIFICATION
Captains Licenses aren't mandatory in PA except for those working on Lake Erie. If you know anyone that has one you know, it is a heck of a process and commitment. But also a huge accomplishment. Sea time. TWIC. Back ground checks. Medical training. Sea School/tests. Physicals. Drug tests. And more. But I wanted it! I didn't know I'd be putting it to actual use in VA when I got it, so that was a bonus! I also wanted full endorsements, because why not? I worked on some amazing water in all conditions, along side great Captains. I learned so much, about so much I can't begin to tell you. Several weeks a year on Lake Ontario. Various off shore trips all over, as far off as 70+ miles in the Canyons. Sometimes days at at a time, several weeks a year. Collecting all of my mandatory days was a task. I got that all done while also getting my business going and established. In 2014 I completed all of the tasks, seatime, school and earned my OUPV6PACK MMC. I earned the title Captain. As a Captain now, I still get drug tested regularly. I need to stay up to date on my paper work. I get physicals. Background checks. The Coast Guard even has direct access to our driving records. Yes, road driving, from PennDot. It is a federally issued credential. I take it very seriously and I would never do anything to jeopardize it. If you choose me to take your family out, you will be in very safe, overqualified, capable hands. I of course also carry the PA state guide permit.
I know it is not common public knowledge how relaxed the process of aquiring a PA guide permit is. It is $100 and is sold to anyone 16 and over, on the same site you buy your fishing license. Amazingly there is no background check. Not even any real life boating experience necessary. Passing an online boating test is enough. So I highly encourage you to do your research on the person you're considering trusting your family with. Research their character, experience, safety mindedness and overall quality of their vessel. The state does none of that for you. Anyone can catch big catfish and post pictures.
If I'm not the guide for you for ANY reason, let me know. I'd be happy to recommend ones that I trust. I would rather give fellow guides your business, than have you have a bad experience or worse. For good or bad, I hear it first hand. Some stories are funny, some are actually scary. All I do is shake my head and say "I'm sorry you had that experience."
I've been in business 14 seasons now. We don't always catch big fish. But I always make client safety and satisfaction my priority on my boat. Yes getting fish is part of that. But you will remember your entire experience, not just your catch. It is my job to make sure everything is wonderful. I will take good care of you and your family and you'll make memories that will last a lifetime.
"Off Season" Jaime
That just means I'm "ON" some where else. I don't take 6 months off. As member of Clam Outdoors Ice Team, I travel some over the winter. Doing demo's and presentations and getting on ice as much as possible. I also work at Mountainside Ski and Sports, 2024 will be my 25th year working in the industry. My focus is boot fitting. I make orthotic foot beds and do custom work for ski/snowboard boots and athletic/everyday footwear. Stance evaluations. 3-D scanning are just part of my every day, all winter long. Helping people ski/ride/walk better and feel better, from the feet up. Oh and I can get down a slope sort of alright too. On a board or skis, depends on my mood or a lot of times more so, the snow.
My daughter
My biggest life accomplishment though, is being a Mom. This is my daughter Ashleigh with me in these photos. She fished a lot with me over the years, she's a skilled angler and knows her way around the boat. She even mated for me on the bay! But she has moved on to pursue her passion. She is a PSIA Certified Ski Instructor. Great teacher, beautiful skier, also snowboards too. She goes to Pitt! I'm incredibly proud of her and so proud to be her mom!