The inshore fisherman is a small businessman, usually a sole proprietor, and active participation by him is required for his business to succeed. He has to spend long hours fishing. His success is measured in terms of providing for his family and maintaining his boat and equipment and his family's home and vehicle.
Most inshore operators are very individualistic.
There are several ways to differentiate between the two. The midshore fleet has elements of both, but is considered closer to the offshore in its basic characteristics. The distinction between the two has become somewhat blurred over the years with the emergence of a class of medium-size vessels capable of straddling inshore and offshore waters. These are commonly open-deck fishing boats, typically using fixed devices such as traps, weirs, gillnets and hand or longlines. Given size and fishing gear, the average inshore boat is restricted to fishing within the vicinity of home-port, and rarely ventures farther than a day's trip.