I'm Captain Jaime Hughes. And yes, it’s 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 boat fish, I bank fish, I ice fish, I fly fish, I FISH! After many years of personal fishing and bass tournament fishing, I started a bank fishing club. 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. Right now I run for multi-species, exclusively on the Susquehanna River. Looking back though BreakLine made some great memories running on the bay as well. My clients sure loved holding sharks, founder and more in the same boat they held their catfish in! You can see our pics on the Chincoteague page.
CERTIFICATION
I carry a PA Guide Permit, which is required to run for hire on the Susquehanna River. Additionally NOT required, I also have my USCG MMC Captains License. Making me a permitted PA guide and a Captain.
In the last decade I've had numerous clients book me because they specifically wanted a Captain. It's what they were used to on other charters, off shore, Great Lakes, ect. One group booked me simply because someone they knew someone that had gotten their Captains license. I want to make folks like this aware of an unfortunate trend that has started with some newer Guides falsely advertising themselves as Captains. I feel sorry for those that are expecting a Captain, if they fall for this deception. People should be able to choose a Guide or Captain for thier family, based on honest and transparent business advertising. Hoping this helps spread awareness. If someone is presenting themself as a Captain and that qualification is important to you, look for on their site, or have them show their credentials. It's that easy. The BLUE and YELLOW one issued by PA makes someone a GUIDE, the RED one issued by the USCG makes them a CAPTAIN. The two credentials and how they are acquired could not be more distinct.
The PA guide permit is sold on the PAFISHHUNT website to anyone 16 and over. The PA Fish Commission does very minimal vetting. No background checks and no drug testing. USCG Auxiliary Vessel (boat) inspections are optional. They only want proof that you took an on-line boater safety course, took a first aid/cpr course, have insurance and pay $101.97 for the permit its self. We all buy a new permit at the start of every year. It's all we need. Which is great, it allows anyone to follow their dream of becoming a guide with minimal cost and commitment.
Captains licenses are USCG issued credentials. There are background checks, both criminal and with PENNdot, military medical physical, drug test, accumulated sea-time, seaschool, exams, acquiring a TWIC and much more. Its an extensive and expensive process to acquire a Captains license. And to uphold, we are always held to certain standards and get randomly drug tested. Renewing, oh don't get me started. Logistics/Paperwork/background checks/physical, its not quite AS bad as getting it in the first place but I just thank goodness its only every 5 years. My experience with earning my Captains and the sea-time to earn full endorsements, although the time away was a challenge and a huge financial commitment, it was all truly priceless. I worked/lived along side some great Captains on Lake Ontario and then at times as far as 70+ miles off shore in the Canyons. All of that sometimes days, sometimes weeks, at a time. The real-life experiences had, the crazy weather we'd encounter, the safety lessons, the boat maintenance, the client interactions and more. All of which, are in my heart, mind and as far as strictly credentials go, in those little red books.
As for my guide to Captain transition. I was excited and proud to be a guide and proud to call myself a guide. I pushed harder than ever those first several years. The abuse/hate/obstacles I encountered out there as a new and especially as a female guide, it was brutal at times to say the least. But I pushed through. As much hate and jealousy as I got, I also had great support from my family, my BreakLine community and some real stand up fellow guides. Which I will be eternally grateful to all. I stayed true to being the best me and best guide I could be. Learning through every good and bad experience. And I still am proud to be a guide and have full respect for my fellow guides that are doing what they love on the up and up. I just always had so much respect for the Captains I met and the more I learned about the process, I just knew I wanted to be one someday. I wanted to earn not only that title, but craved that education and experience that went into acquiring it. I worked hard and that someday arrived. I became Captain Jaime in 2014.
I've been in business many seasons now. We don't always catch big fish. But I always make client safety and satisfaction my priority on my boat. Yes catching 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 custom 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 but prefer a board though hands down.
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! She is a PSIA Certified Ski Instructor. Great teacher, beautiful skier, also snowboards too. She attends PITT. So smart and kind. She makes me proud everyday. She makes the world a better place.
BreakLine Kids! It's the aspect of my job that is my favorite and it does't even earn a paycheck. Everything BreakLine Kids has always and will always be free. From fishing on the Mad Catter to the classroom to little derbies at the lake. From day one BreakLine has been focused towards kids. In 2023 I added the "BreakLine Kids Zone" at shows. Totally free nautical craft, activity and game station. I also still do classes, camps and help with earning badges. I won't ever stop. I truly love my BreakLine kids.