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Capt Rick, give us a summary of your background
and how you got into fishing as a hobby and a profession? |
| Capt Rick: |
I think it started with my grandfather. My father
told me that he always had a boat but never owned a car. He passed
away about a month before I was born. He was a full-blooded Cherokee
Indian. I wish you could hear some of the fishing stories my dad has
told me about the two of them fishing together.
My father
took me out from the time I was about six years old. We still go
when he wants (Or when I have time).
I mated on a 42' Ocean
sports fisher for about four years and fished on a lot of other
boats inshore and offshore in my younger days..
I started
running charters when a friend of mine talked me into it. This was
something that I thought about for a year,,I didn't want to turn
something that I liked to do into a job. But I did,,and I wish I
would have done it a long time ago. I enjoy meeting people and
showing them what Charleston has to offer. We have one of the best
fisheries on the east coast here. |
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What is the largest or most memorable
catch on your boat by a customer? |
| Capt Rick: |
We have caught a lot of big fish over the
years. Too many to remember. The trips I like the most are
with the children. I took a few children, who had brain
tumors, fishing for a charity event a few years ago and we won
the red drum division. |
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What is your favorite fish to catch?
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| Capt Rick: |
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There are so many to chose from. I
would have to say the King Mackerel, as far as offshore,
and the Trout inshore. Then again a 30" red drum on
light tackle is a lot of fun inshore. I like all types
of saltwater fishing and a lot of freshwater. I don't
think I could do the "Ice" fishing thing.
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If someone has booked a trip with you
during the summer and the conditions are right - what fish
might they have an opportunity to catch? |
| Capt Rick: |
Good gracious, where do I start? Lets start
with everybody's favorite, the Red Drum. My clients catch them
anywere from 12" all the way up to 47". Typically, I catch a
lot of the giants in the 40" range during the summer. Then
there is the Trout and the flounder. We also have jack
crevalle, sheepshead, sting ray, shark, lady fish, bluefish,
black drum, whiting and spot. |
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Jack Crevalle are a fun light tackle species -
can they be caught close to shore in Charleston? |
| Capt Rick: |
"Close to shore"...How about way up the rivers!
Yep, we can catch them at the jetties, in the harbor, and all of the
rivers that feed off of the harbor. They include the Ashley river,
Cooper river, and the Wando river. |
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We read that you helped out with a college
redfish research project - do you participate in research and
conservation regularly? |
| Capt Rick: |
Yes,I have done a couple of projects with the state
and I'm sure they will ask me to work with them again. I like
helping out no matter what it is. We can all benefit from this. Here
is a link to more info.
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/marine/mrri/insh_fish/reddrum/guides.htm
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We have heard you talk about using
super-braid as your main line and even sometimes - as leader
material. Can you elaborate on that? |
| Capt Rick: |
Its been around for a few years now, and I
won't do without it when Im fishing inshore. I don't think
I'll ever go back to using mono. All of my rods (Light and
Ultra-Light) have braid on them. I'll use 6 or 8lb on the
ultra-lights, and no less than 20lb on the other rods.
If I'm fishing around a dock or oysters for the red
drum, I'll even use the braid for a leader. Heavier braid is
much more durable than mono. I'll use 12lb - 20lb fluoro
leader if I'm fishing for trout. |
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Is there anything else you would like to pass
on to our light tackle audience? |
| Capt Rick: |
The tip I have for fishermen coming into the
Charleston area is to visit the tackle shop in the area closest to
where you plan on fishing. This can be a big help to familiarize
yourself with the local fishing trends and to seek locations as to
where “the bite is on”.
A few more things to think about
when booking a professional guide for the day...
- Come with
an open mind and listen closely to the guide. Listen when he/she
talks about where to cast and when and how to retrieve the
offering.
- Wear appropriate weather-related clothing and be
preapred for bad weather to pop up at any time (especially summer
thunderstorms).
- Most important - have fun! |
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| "I took this shot of my crew aboard
the Duncan's Trophy Hunter while fishing the Miracles
tournament here in Charleston last season.
This photo
made the cover of the "Fish and Hunting Guide Magazine" last
September!" | |
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