Wilmington School Captains
Wilmington School Captains
Capt. Dave Tilley
Continental Shelf Head Boat (910) 458-3145
Currently the captain of the head boat Continental Shelf based in Morehead City, Dave considers his offshore specialty to be “grouper groping” and has been fishing the offshore waters of NC professionally for the last 19 years.
Capt. Stu Caulder
Gold Leader Guide Service (910) 264-2674
Stu is a native fishing guide (fishing our waters since age 6) based in Wrightsville Beach. He specializes in artificial bait fishing for speckled trout, striped bass, and reds in the areas from New River to the Cape Fear River.
Capt. Jim Sabella
PLAN 9 Charters (910) 367-2224
Jim works out of Masonboro and New River Inlets specializing in nearshore light tackle fishing adventures, including fly fishing, spinning, jigging, light tackle trolling, and bottom fishing.
Capt. Rick Croson
Living Waters Guide Service (910) 620-7709
Rick started working on a 53′ Davis out of Oregon Inlet, and has fished WB locally for the last 10 years. His crew also captured the 2009 SKA Class of 23’ National Championship crown. In addition to chartering, Rick also takes clients on their own boats teaching them how to use their own systems.
Capt. Scott Collins
Sea Tow (910) 452-3798
Scott spent six years in the Coast Guard, then got a degree in Marine Science and Technology, and has been working locally for SeaTow for the past five years.
Capt. Rob Koraly
Sandbar Safari Charters (252) 725-4614
Rob is a light tackle guide who grew up fishing in the Swansboro/Emerald Isle area and has 10 years experience as a first mate and 6 years as a licensed captain. He specializes in live bait and light tackle fishing for everything from flounder and redfish to king mackerel and grouper.
Capt. Jon Huff
Circle H Charters (910) 617-2619
Jon has been fishing blue water tournaments up and down the entire east coast for 20 years, sometimes as mate and sometimes as captain. He also operates an inshore fly and light tackle guide service.
Capt. Mike Pedersen
No Excuses Charters (910) 352-2715
Mike’s expertise and interests include chasing redfish on the flats, flounder and trout in the deeper inshore water, and nearshore fishing for gag grouper, king and spanish mackerel, Atlantic bonito, and more.
Capt. Rick Bennett
Rod-Man Fishing Charters (910) 520-7661
Rick’s specialties include light-tackle action for speckled trout, red drum, and flounder from Wrightsville Beach to the Cape Fear River, and chasing predators like spanish and king mackerel, Atlantic bonito, and false albacore just of the Cape Fear coast.
Capt. Arlen Ash
Ultimate Reaction Charters (910) 620-7046
An employee of Tex’s Tackle and Star Rods Pro Staffer (along with his charter business), Arlen specializes in exploring new and innovative ways to fool offshore fish, such as jigging and popping, as well as traditional live and dead bait fishing.
Capt. Jody Gay
Blue Water Candy Lures (910) 270-3718
Jody’s extensive experience with tournament, commercial, and charter fishing led to the creation of his tackle company—Blue Water Candy Lures. His specialties span most any offshore pursuit, from king mackerel to bluefin tuna, and he not only has the know-how, but he makes the tackle to get the job done.
Capt. Jot Owens
Jot It Down Charters (910) 233-4139
A Wrightsville Beach native, Jot’s passion for saltwater fishing started young. He puts clients on flounder, speckled trout, and red drum in the local inshore waters, striped bass in the Cape Fear River, and king mackerel, dolphin, and more offshore of Masonboro Inlet.
Capt. Mark Henderson
Liquid Fire Fishing Team (910) 376-4144
Mark and the family Liquid Fire Fishing Team went from pin-rigging the piers for kings to local and SKA tournament competition. They’ve been connecting with trophy king mackerel in competitive events since.
Capt. Tim Barefoot
Barefoot Fishing (910) 264-9118
Tim has extensive experience charter and commercial fishing all over the state, with a particular focus on offshore bottomfish and pelagics. His Barefoot Fishing company specializes in innovative offshore tackle that helps anglers catch more and bigger fish on lighter tackle.