Captain
Tom Cushman

Member since March 2018 Murrells Inlet, United States
Background
Capt Tom “Cush” Cushman has been a licensed USCG Captain since 1994 and has fished Murrells Inlet SC since 1997. Started out with a bamboo fishing pole as a 1st birthday gift when I came home from the hospital. It's been an addiction and fascination ever since. Went to Key West on spring break in college and saw a commercial Spearfisherman unloading his catch of Grouper and Snapper and Lobster at the Halfshell Raw bar as my friends were holding me upside down over a dock so I could get a better look at the Tarpon swimming around the marina. I begged him to take me out diving for Grouper the next day. He did and after going back the next couple spring breaks, I moved to Key West and worked spearfishing until getting lost at sea in a heavy current during a tropical storm. After that I worked as a mate on the big Sportfishing boats until I got my captain's license and started working as a guide catching Tarpon and Sailfish on 20 lb Spin as well as Blackfin Tuna. Seemed like fishing had a long future in it for me. I love the pull of the Redfish here in the Carolinas and the excitement of a Flounder “thumping” a bait or lure . Murrells inlet is a beautiful place with the Sea Turtle migration in the Spring and numerous birds of prey stalking baitfish in the Marsh, and the year round Dolphin pods that frequent our inlet and beach . Come on out and let me show you
Techniques
I try to match our tackle with our quarry. I dont want to be undergunned but the point of inshore fishing is to have fun and feel the fight of the fish , so I typically use 10-17 lb spinning gear for Redfish and Trout and Flounder. We step it up if we're cruising the beach looking for Cobia or Kings but usually 20 lb or 30 lb tackle can handle it. If you're like me , one of my favorite parts of the fight is hearing and seeing that drag scream as the fight gets going into 4th gear. Penn and Shimano have always held up good along with Ande fishing line.

Hey, I'm Captain Tom Cushman

Murrells Inlet, United States
Background
Capt Tom “Cush” Cushman has been a licensed USCG Captain since 1994 and has fished Murrells Inlet SC since 1997. Started out with a bamboo fishing pole as a 1st birthday gift when I came home from the hospital. It's been an addiction and fascination ever since. Went to Key West on spring break in college and saw a commercial Spearfisherman unloading his catch of Grouper and Snapper and Lobster at the Halfshell Raw bar as my friends were holding me upside down over a dock so I could get a better look at the Tarpon swimming around the marina. I begged him to take me out diving for Grouper the next day. He did and after going back the next couple spring breaks, I moved to Key West and worked spearfishing until getting lost at sea in a heavy current during a tropical storm. After that I worked as a mate on the big Sportfishing boats until I got my captain's license and started working as a guide catching Tarpon and Sailfish on 20 lb Spin as well as Blackfin Tuna. Seemed like fishing had a long future in it for me. I love the pull of the Redfish here in the Carolinas and the excitement of a Flounder “thumping” a bait or lure . Murrells inlet is a beautiful place with the Sea Turtle migration in the Spring and numerous birds of prey stalking baitfish in the Marsh, and the year round Dolphin pods that frequent our inlet and beach . Come on out and let me show you
Techniques
I try to match our tackle with our quarry. I dont want to be undergunned but the point of inshore fishing is to have fun and feel the fight of the fish , so I typically use 10-17 lb spinning gear for Redfish and Trout and Flounder. We step it up if we're cruising the beach looking for Cobia or Kings but usually 20 lb or 30 lb tackle can handle it. If you're like me , one of my favorite parts of the fight is hearing and seeing that drag scream as the fight gets going into 4th gear. Penn and Shimano have always held up good along with Ande fishing line.
Anglers Choice
Verified
Our Team
Tom C.
Captain

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.9 / 5
(32 reviews)
Angler's choice
Murrells Inlet
 Last booking: 3 days ago
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $299

Fishing Reports

Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.9 / 5
out of 5 stars from 32 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (66)
Great
Great
Great time with Captain Cush
+63
Angler rating
30
2
0
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
100%
Appropriate for children
100%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
97%
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Showing:
5 of 32 reviews
Carlotta M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Family fishing trip

VERIFIED   April Special on April 17, 2025
We had a great morning fishing with Captain Tom.  We had almost no fishing experience. He had so much information about the...
Carlotta M. recommends Capt Cush Calmwater Charters
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Jason S.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Amateur trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) on June 10, 2025
Good guy.  Tried hard to get us on the fish.  Was able to get to spots quickly.  Caught two that weren’t quite big enough. ...
Jason S. recommends Capt Cush Calmwater Charters
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Jason S. recommends Capt Cush Calmwater Charters
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Michael O.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great trip

VERIFIED   NEW  Half Day Trip (AM) on May 18, 2025
Captain Tom was awesome, knew the spots, found the fish, had a blast!
Michael O. recommends Capt Cush Calmwater Charters
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Gabriel F.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

July Fishing Trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Trip (AM) on July 14, 2024
Captain Cush was an excellent captain. The bite was slow, but he did everything he could to get us on some fish. He is clearly...
Gabriel F. recommends Capt Cush Calmwater Charters
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Dennis J.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great time with Captain Cush

VERIFIED   April Special on April 24, 2025
Took my young daughter out. Captain Cush made the trip great for her. I have been fishing for 50 plus years, this was one of...
Dennis J. recommends Capt Cush Calmwater Charters
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