Captain
Ricky Caton

Member since June 2019 Hatteras, United States
Background
I started fishing because my grandfather was a commercial fisherman and I used to go with him. As soon as I graduated from high school, I moved to Hatteras Island, NC and started mating. I have fished from the Maryland, VA, line to South Carolina, as well as Florida, and in the Bahamas. I fished offshore as a mate for some of the icons of the Offshore Fishing Industry out of Oregon Inlet, NC. Tony Tillett, Buddy Cannady, and John Bayliss were 3 of the truly notable ones.
Techniques
After numerous years of offshore fishing, I bought the 'FREE AGENT' and choose to fish mostly inshore for Red Drum, Tarpon and Cobia. Red Drum & Cobia are mostly sight fishing. I do a lot of family trips trolling in the calmer inshore waters for Spanish Mackeral & Bluefish...drifting for Flounders as well as Spots and Croakers. I also do fun 1/2 day calm water educational fishing/crabbing trips. We also still fish offshore trolling for Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, King Mackerel and bottom fish for Seabass, Triggerfish, Sharks, and Snappers.

Hey, I'm Captain Ricky Caton

Hatteras, United States
Background
I started fishing because my grandfather was a commercial fisherman and I used to go with him. As soon as I graduated from high school, I moved to Hatteras Island, NC and started mating. I have fished from the Maryland, VA, line to South Carolina, as well as Florida, and in the Bahamas. I fished offshore as a mate for some of the icons of the Offshore Fishing Industry out of Oregon Inlet, NC. Tony Tillett, Buddy Cannady, and John Bayliss were 3 of the truly notable ones.
Techniques
After numerous years of offshore fishing, I bought the 'FREE AGENT' and choose to fish mostly inshore for Red Drum, Tarpon and Cobia. Red Drum & Cobia are mostly sight fishing. I do a lot of family trips trolling in the calmer inshore waters for Spanish Mackeral & Bluefish...drifting for Flounders as well as Spots and Croakers. I also do fun 1/2 day calm water educational fishing/crabbing trips. We also still fish offshore trolling for Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, King Mackerel and bottom fish for Seabass, Triggerfish, Sharks, and Snappers.

My Charter Listing

Excellent
4.8 / 5
(48 reviews)
Hatteras
 Instant Confirmation
Trips from US $750

Fishing Reports

2026 Red Snapper season finalized
2026 Red Snapper season finalized
May 6, 2026 Hatteras
May 4, 2026 North Carolina recreational Red Snapper season will open for 62 days MOREHEAD CITY โ€“ The recreational Red Snapper season will open for 62 days this summer for anglers willing to participate in a pilot project to test a data collection program that will use a mobile application to monitor the recreational Red Snapper season. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Qualityโ€™s Division of Marine Fisheries is one of four Southeastern states that received a Red Snapper Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries to explore whether states can collect near real-time data to monitor the Red Snapper fishery. This initiative is supported by a $300,000 grant from Yamaha Rightwaters, a conservation program from Yamaha Motors focused on sustaining marine resources and recreational fishing opportunities. Anglers participating in the pilot project will be required to have a copy of the EFP with them. To participate and receive a copy, private recreational anglers must download the VESL mobile application and agree to record their Red Snapper harvest and discard information. Charter and headboat owners/operators must fill out an online request form to receive a copy of the EFP. Those captains must agree to continue to report their Red Snapper harvest and discards through the NOAA reporting system they already use. 2026 North Carolina Red Snapper Season Information Dates: July 1 โ€“ Aug. 31 Gear: Recreational hook and line only Size limit: None Bag limits: Private Recreational โ€“ 1 fish per person or 4 fish per vessel (whichever is more restrictive) Charter Boat (up to 6 passengers) โ€“ 1 fish per person or 4 fish per vessel (whichever is more restrictive) Headboat (Greater than 6 passengers) โ€“ 1 fish per person or 20 fish per vessel (whichever is more restrictive)
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Customer reviews

Rating summary
Excellent
4.8 / 5
out of 5 stars from 48 reviews
Boat
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Crew
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Experience
Excellent
4.9 / 5
Photos & videos by reviewers (34)
Fishing with Ricky
Great Trip
Great Trip
+31
Angler rating
37
5
1
0
0
Anglers claimed
Good experience
100%
Friendly captain
100%
Recommend this charter
88%
Appropriate for children
97%
Satisfied with the boat
100%
Caught fish
97%
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Showing:
5 of 48 reviews
Bryan C.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Great Trip

VERIFIED   All Day Wreck/Live Bait/Trolling on June 28, 2025
We had a great time! The Captain was very patient, and took us several different spots to fish.. The first mate work for us...
Bryan C. recommends Free Agent Sport Fishing
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Bryan C. recommends Free Agent Sport Fishing
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John H.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Blue fish bonanza

VERIFIED   Half Day Tripโ€“ Inlet Adventure (AM) on July 10, 2025
We hit the blue fish hard using special rigs made by mate josh it was awesome
John H. recommends Free Agent Sport Fishing
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John H. recommends Free Agent Sport Fishing
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Kelly M.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Fishing with Ricky

VERIFIED   Half Day Tripโ€“ Inlet Adventure (AM) on September 2, 2025
Kelly M. recommends Free Agent Sport Fishing
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Kelly M. recommends Free Agent Sport Fishing
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Carroll H. I.
Roanoke, Virginia
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

Half-day in-shore trip...

VERIFIED   Half Day Tripโ€“ Inlet Adventure (AM) on June 26, 2023
I arranged for me, my wife, three sisters, and one of my sistersโ€™ husbands to do a half-day in-shore trip while we were doing...
Carroll H. I. recommends Free Agent Sport Fishing
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Nicholas C.
Henrico, Virginia
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Experience:
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Boat
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Crew
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Overall

May fishing trip

VERIFIED   Half Day Tripโ€“ Inlet Adventure (PM) on May 22, 2023
What an amazing time. I would have to say me and my family had such an amazing time on this charter one of the best days of...
Nicholas C. recommends Free Agent Sport Fishing
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3 persons find this review helpful
You and 3 people found this review helpful
  Ricky Caton Captain replied