Getting on a fishing crew
Fishing crews are small, close-knit, and mostly hired by word of mouth -- here's who's on a typical crew and the realistic way to get a spot with no experience.
Key facts
- Entry-level roles
- Bait boy, junior deckhand
- Typical crew
- Captain, plus one or two sternmen
- How hiring happens
- Word of mouth, asking captains at the wharf
- Best time to ask
- The weeks before a season opens
Who's on a typical crew
A lobster or crab boat crew usually centres on the captain (often the licence holder), one or two sternmen, and sometimes a bait boy. Around the fishery, wharf hands help with loading and unloading, buyers and processors handle the catch once it's landed, and trap builders, marine mechanics, and boat builders keep the fleet running. Some captains lease a licence rather than owning one outright -- see our pay hub for how leasing and share pay work.
The realistic way in with no experience
Most entry-level hiring happens the same way it always has: showing up at the wharf before the season opens and asking captains directly if they need a hand. There's no central job board most crews use. Being known in a wharf community -- through family, a friend on a boat, or just being reliably around the docks -- makes a real difference, but plenty of people get their first spot as a genuine outsider by asking enough boats. Bait boy and junior deckhand are the standard entry points; wharf hand or plant/processing work are fallback options if a boat spot isn't available right away.
What captains look for
Reliability and a strong work ethic matter more than prior experience for an entry-level spot -- captains are looking for someone who will show up on time, every time, in bad weather, and work hard for long hours without complaint. Being comfortable on the water and not prone to seasickness helps. Some captains prefer a known quantity (a relative or a friend's kid) for a first-time hire, but plenty of crews bring on someone with no connection at all.
First-season expectations
Expect early mornings -- often well before dawn on opening days -- physically demanding repetitive work in cold, wet conditions, and long hours while the season is open. See our safety hub for what to know about the physical risks before your first trip, and our seasons hub for when hiring for the next opening typically happens. If you want to run the boat rather than just crew it, see our tickets page for the Transport Canada certificates -- MED-DVS, SVOP, ROC-MC, and the Fishing Master certificates -- that gate those roles.
Frequently asked questions
How do I actually get on a boat with no experience?
Show up at the wharf in the weeks before a season opens and ask captains directly if they need a hand -- most hiring for entry-level deckhand spots happens by word of mouth and in-person asking, not job postings. Being known in a wharf community, or having a family or friend connection to a boat, helps a lot but isn't required.
What roles are open to someone with zero experience?
Bait boy and junior deckhand are the standard entry points. Wharf hand and general labour around a processing plant are other no-experience options if a boat spot isn't available right away.
What should I expect on my first season?
Early mornings (often before dawn), physically demanding work in cold and wet conditions, long hours during the open season, and learning boat-specific routines from the captain and more senior crew. See our safety hub for what to know before your first trip out.
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