Florida Fishing Captains Oral History Project
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Interviewer
Terry L. Howard
Publication Date
1-4-2019
Date
2018-10-11
Abstract
Terry Howard interviews longtime Florida fisherman Charles Bowen and his son, Mason Bowen. Born in Fortescue, New Jersey, in 1929, Charles has been fishing and working on boats since he was 12. He worked on party boats in the Delaware Bay; harvested oysters, crabs, and tuna in New Jersey; and even served in the US Navy before finally moving to Fort Pierce, Florida, in 1963. Like other Fort Pierce fishermen, Charles has primarily made his living by catching kingfish. Throughout the interview, Charles discusses popular Florida fishing locations, practices, species, and tools, providing insight into how these trends have evolved over the decades. Charles also describes the changes he has witnessed in fish populations, fishing regulations, and the greater commercial fishing industry. Finally, Charles shares a number of anecdotes from his many decades as a hook-and-line fisherman.
Keywords
Fish industry, Commercial fishing industry, Fishing boats, Anglers, Fishermen, Kingfish, United States. Navy, Oyster fishing, Yellowtail, United States. Coast Guard, Drug smuggling
Extent
01:30:37; 58 page transcript
Subject: geographic
New Jersey; Fort Pierce (Fla.); Jupiter (Fla.); Loxahatchee River (Fla.); Gulf of Mexico
Language
English
Digital Date
2022
Media Type
Oral histories
Format
Digital Only
Identifier
F70-00002
Recommended Citation
Bowen, Charles Wood Jr. and Bowen, Mason George, "Charles Wood Bowen, Jr. Oral History Interview" (2019). Florida Fishing Captains Oral History Project. 9.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/fl_fishing_ohp/9
Rights Statement
