June 18, 2017 — For many on the Cape and beyond, Father’s Day is a time for children to take a break from their busy lives to visit their dad. Father-son fishing duo John and Mark Shakliks will be taking a break from work, but they already see each other daily. In fact, they are each other’s only colleagues.
John is the captain of the charter fishing boat Luau based out Rock Harbor. His son Mark is his only crew member. “It works great,” said John when asked about how they work together. “You couldn’t get a better combo of guys.”
They will celebrate Father’s Day together today, as in the past, marking another year in their family’s three — soon to be four — generations of fishing on the Cape.
John and Mark Shakliks fish primarily for bass and bluefish aboard the Luau. “I almost don’t need to tell (Mark) anything. We’ve been doing it together for so long” said John. “We’re like a well-oiled machine. Me and my father were the same way.”
John Shakliks began fishing with his father, also John, when he was 8. He took a break in 1966 at 19 to join the Navy, and then got his own fishing license in 1969. John taught his son Mark, as well as his other children, how to fish.
“It’s the best working relationship I’ve ever had,” said Mark, who also has worked as a carpenter. “Twenty-seven years and he still teaches me new things.”
Mark says he plans to take his 7-year-old son fishing on the boat soon too. “He’s already caught fish,” Mark said.
Mark will take over the Luau from John, as John did from his father. Mark says he’s looking forward to running the boat himself when John finally retires, but not the end of their working relationship. What’s the most valuable lesson he’ll take from his father? “Patience,” he said. “Some times are harder than others, that’s why we call it fishing.”