Breaking Waves and Glass Ceilings: Being a Woman in the Offshore Fishing World

The offshore fishing world is wild, raw, and thrilling — but for women trying to break into it, it can also feel like navigating a storm with no radar. It’s not just the unpredictable ocean you’re up against; it’s the old boy club mentality, the side-eyes on the dock, the whispers behind your back, and yes — even the mean girls.

People love to romanticize the sea. And I get it. There’s nothing quite like feeling the tug of a big fish on the line, the hum of the engines at sunrise, or the camaraderie that happens when you’re 70 miles offshore, chasing tuna or marlin. But behind the highlight reels and the Instagram-worthy catches, there’s a quieter, tougher truth that women in this space know all too well: it’s hard to earn respect here. Really hard.

The Gatekeeping is Real

Breaking into this world feels like trying to walk through a door that was never meant for you. It’s held shut by assumptions — that we’re not strong enough, not tough enough, not skilled enough. That we’re just “tagalongs” or there for the photo op. I’ve had people question whether I really love this life or if I’m just playing a role. Spoiler alert: I’ve gutted fish, cleaned boats, handled gear, studied patterns, and earned my place here — but sometimes it still feels like I’m knocking on a door that only opens for a chosen few.

Mean Girls at Sea

And it’s not just the guys.

I didn’t expect the biggest hurdles to come from other women. But in a space where we should be building each other up, I’ve run into plenty who are stuck in a high school mindset — competitive, cliquey, and territorial. Maybe they feel like there’s only room for one woman on the boat. Maybe they had to fight so hard for their own spot that they’ve grown bitter and guarded. Either way, the result is the same: you walk into a room and feel the energy shift. You smile, but it’s not returned. You try to connect, and you're met with cool indifference or thinly veiled condescension.

But here’s the thing: I refuse to shrink to fit someone else’s comfort zone. I have also been able to find like minded women and have been successful in building lasting friendships with these women.

Battling Insecurities

When you constantly feel like you’re being judged — for how you look, how you cast, how you talk about fishing — it’s easy to let insecurities creep in. You start to question yourself. Do I belong here? Am I good enough?

The truth is, those questions never fully go away. But I’ve learned that the answer has to come from me. Not from how many likes I get on a post. Not from whether someone invites me on a trip. Not from someone else’s approval. I’ve learned that my worth isn’t determined by their standards — it’s built every single time I choose to show up, learn something new, work harder, and stay true to myself.

Finding the Right Crew

The good news? There are people who will cheer you on. There are crews who see your passion, who teach without condescension, and who are genuinely proud when you hook up and land your own fish. There are other women who are also fighting the same battle and who understand the unspoken rules we’re all trying to rewrite.

Those are the people I hold onto. those are the people I am so thankful to have made lasting connections with.

Why I Keep Showing Up

I keep showing up because the ocean calls me in a way nothing else ever has. Because fishing heals something in me. Because every time I get back on the boat, I prove to myself — and the world — that I belong here. And because I know there’s a little girl out there watching, wondering if she could ever be part of this world. I want her to know she can.

So to the women out there who love this life but feel like they don’t have a place — I see you. Keep going. Keep learning. Keep showing up. You do belong here. Let the waves wash off the doubt. Let your instincts guide you. And when someone tries to tell you there’s no room on the boat, build your own damn vessel.

The ocean is big enough for all of us.