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Rough seas, tough crew, great half-day..
Rough seas, tough crew, great half-day..
May 10, 2025
It's always a tough call when the weather is sketchy. Do I go out and risk a beating, or do I cancel the trip and hope the customers have flexibility to reschedule? The first consideration is safety, of course. I will always cancel for conditions such as extreme winds and seas or thunderstorms because they pose a risk to the fishermen. It would just be irresponsible for me to go out on those days. But it seems like it's becoming more and more common to have marginal forecasts, where the fishing is still safe, but it's not always so comfortable for the fishermen. In these cases, I try to base my decision on what I've learned from talking to the customers ahead of time. What is their experience level? Are they hard core fishermen, or is this their first time on an offshore boat? Are they nervous about going out on the ocean? Are there kids or older adults who might not be able to tolerate a bumpy sea? And then, of course, there's always the question of trusting the forecast. Can you count on the wind to diminish or the seas to subside? Will the wind shift to a favorable direction (never trust a north wind down here)? You have to err on the side of caution, but if you wait for perfect conditions you may never go out. This past weekend is a good example. Jeremy and his crew booked a half-day for May 10, and the forecast kept changing all week. Finally, on Friday the 9th, it called for rougher seas at first light, subsiding throughout the morning to a lovely, calm day. The wind was shifting a bit, but mostly out of the north and northeast. This is not my favorite wind. I made a judgement call and let Jeremy know the trip was on. On the 10th, over my morning coffee in the wee hours, the real time buoy data showed three and a half-foot seas on a four second period... which is just what the forecast had called for. Now, a note if you don't know, but what you like to see generally is a period (the time between swells) that is at least twice the wave height. So, in this case, I would hope for a period of seven seconds or more. I knew it was going to be rough, and this was confirmed when I reached the marina and all the wind socks were standing straight out. With the crew aboard, we hit Topsail inlet and I could see we'd be in for a treat. The inlet is usually the roughest part of the trip as the inland waters and ocean compete through a narrow channel... but this morning we had a favorable current to take us out. We bashed through a couple of steep waves in the inlet mouth and hit the open water. The wind drove the spray across the cockpit, and I'm afraid everyone back there got a bit of a chilly shower, but everyone stayed in great spirits.Those of us in the pilot house were, of course, warm and dry. With the wind pushing straight down the beach and stacking up the seas to well over four feet, the approach I always go to is to fish straight into the wind for part of the day, and then to turn around and fish downwind for a more comfortable ride home. Ordinarily, I would run zig zags and then circle or figure-eight over structure or schools of bait, but in these conditions, I didn't want to be broadside to the seas. I wasn't worried about the boat, but taking that beating from the sides makes it hard to keep your feet under you. We started catching fish after a bit, and while I checked in constantly to make sure everyone was feeling OK, they all agreed that they were having the time of their lives... although one person started to feel a little green a couple of hours into the trip. He wanted to tough it out, though, because everyone else was having so much fun. In regards to seasickness, here's a tip for folks who don't know... if you're feeling a little queasy, stay out on the open deck with the fresh air. Do not go down below. One more tip is, at least on my trips, if you or your crew are seasick you are welcome to ask me to cut the trip short. However, understand that I can't refund your fee if you do. What I will do instead is offer alternatives for the rest of your time, such as taking a tour along the Intracoastal Waterway or anchoring up in Topsail Sound for a swim. The forecast had promised that the wind and seas would subside and I waited for that to happen, but it never did. Still, everyone aboard was making the best of it and we were catching fish so the time slipped right on by. We did not find any Atlantic bonito, but the Spanish mackerel were there... including a couple of nice, chunky ones. We rolled back into the inlet a little beat-up, but smiling and laughing with 18 delicious fish for the crew to take home. So the season has started with some rougher conditions, and it looks like it's shaping up to be another windy summer. I do hope you'll call to book with us, and you can count on me to let you know (as best I can) exactly what kind of conditions you can expect during your trip.
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What anglers said about fishing in Topsail Island

Wear layers if going in March due to it still being a little chilly. Have fun and be patient. The fish will come.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Wear layers if going in March due to it still being a little chilly. Have fun and be patient. The fish will come.
Drifter Sportfishing And Charters
Drifter Sportfishing And Charters
The tide cycles and full moon affected the amount of fish active to some degree on our trip. That being said, everyone on the boat caught multiple fish. Also, as kids go back to school at the end of the month there are less charters on the water
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The tide cycles and full moon affected the amount of fish active to some degree on our trip. That being said, everyone on the boat caught multiple fish. Also, as kids go back to school at the end of the month there are less charters on the water
Carolina Flats Fishing
Carolina Flats Fishing
Listen to Mike! We had a boat full of people who have fished their entire lives but have little experience fishing inland waters. Mike was extremely knowledgeable and put us on a lot of fish considering the weather we were facing.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Listen to Mike! We had a boat full of people who have fished their entire lives but have little experience fishing inland waters. Mike was extremely knowledgeable and put us on a lot of fish considering the weather we were facing.
Topsail Inshore Charters
Topsail Inshore Charters
Watch the winds and tides - SW wind is best and these fish bite on the slack and rising tide while we were there. Lots of rain that week too - had them turned off a little bit. We had a NE wind and they got skiddish.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
Watch the winds and tides - SW wind is best and these fish bite on the slack and rising tide while we were there. Lots of rain that week too - had them turned off a little bit. We had a NE wind and they got skiddish.
Spring Tide Guide Service
Spring Tide Guide Service
Be open minded! Weather is not always perfect! Go out and enjoy the day the leisure time! Being on the water was therapeutic
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be open minded! Weather is not always perfect! Go out and enjoy the day the leisure time! Being on the water was therapeutic
Atlantic Blue Charters – 19'
Atlantic Blue Charters – 19'
Captain Taylor was kind and got us on the fish quickly. Matt, the first mate, was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave great instructions. A very family friendly experience that I would highly recommend.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Captain Taylor was kind and got us on the fish quickly. Matt, the first mate, was friendly, knowledgeable, and gave great instructions. A very family friendly experience that I would highly recommend.
South End Adventures
South End Adventures
The fish are there, but have realistic expectations when you charter a trip. Nature is nature and fish are fish. Sometimes things are great and the fish do what is expected, sometimes they don’t. Enjoy the experience for what it is. There’s a reason they call it fishing and not catching.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
The fish are there, but have realistic expectations when you charter a trip. Nature is nature and fish are fish. Sometimes things are great and the fish do what is expected, sometimes they don’t. Enjoy the experience for what it is. There’s a reason they call it fishing and not catching.
Carolina Flats Fishing
Carolina Flats Fishing
We had a great time Captain Taylor and his first mate did a great job during the whole trip. We had our 2 boys and their cousin and first mate drew did a great job teaching them all about fishing. It was a great first trip for our family.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
We had a great time Captain Taylor and his first mate did a great job during the whole trip. We had our 2 boys and their cousin and first mate drew did a great job teaching them all about fishing. It was a great first trip for our family.
South End Adventures
South End Adventures
Book with captain Chadwick Crawford (south end anglers) the pier/beach fishing is nothing compared to his charter! 100% worth the price!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book with captain Chadwick Crawford (south end anglers) the pier/beach fishing is nothing compared to his charter! 100% worth the price!
South End Anglers
South End Anglers
Find an experienced guide and let them show you the local rigs, tactics and bait. Split the cost with several friends or family and a fishing trip can be relatively inexpensive.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Find an experienced guide and let them show you the local rigs, tactics and bait. Split the cost with several friends or family and a fishing trip can be relatively inexpensive.
Carolina Flats Fishing
Carolina Flats Fishing Mohnton, PA
As always talk with your Captain and keep an eye on the weather so you can pick the best day and trip for success. I enjoyed the small town and easy going marina. It all made for a stress free trip.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
As always talk with your Captain and keep an eye on the weather so you can pick the best day and trip for success. I enjoyed the small town and easy going marina. It all made for a stress free trip.
Grassy Sound Charters
Grassy Sound Charters Mount Washington, KY
We lucked up for the first week in August. It didn’t get over 88 all week and cool at night. Typically late spring and early fall are better, but we did really good.
Excellent
4.7 / 5
We lucked up for the first week in August. It didn’t get over 88 all week and cool at night. Typically late spring and early fall are better, but we did really good.
Marker23 Inshore Adventures
Marker23 Inshore Adventures
Don’t put it off, get out there and enjoy yourself, these captains know their stuff!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Don’t put it off, get out there and enjoy yourself, these captains know their stuff!
Mullet Run Charters
Mullet Run Charters Marathon, OH
Trust your charters, they know the water better than anyone. No sense in going after fish that won’t be biting. Best thing to do is go with the flow and they’ll get you hooked into some fish!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Trust your charters, they know the water better than anyone. No sense in going after fish that won’t be biting. Best thing to do is go with the flow and they’ll get you hooked into some fish!
South End Adventures
South End Adventures Ulster, PA
Book your trip with South End Adventures! Captain Taylor and first mate Drew were the best period.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Book your trip with South End Adventures! Captain Taylor and first mate Drew were the best period.
South End Adventures
South End Adventures Charlotte, North Carolina
Be patient and understanding "its called fishing not catching." Enjoy the experience and you'll have a great time.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Be patient and understanding "its called fishing not catching." Enjoy the experience and you'll have a great time.
Spring Tide Guide Service
Spring Tide Guide Service Potosi, MO
Take it all in, even if the fish aren’t biting there’s plenty to enjoy around you!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Take it all in, even if the fish aren’t biting there’s plenty to enjoy around you!
Blue Heron Guide Service
Blue Heron Guide Service
Yes. Even though it was a bit early in the season, the captain was fantastic, and the experience was worthwhile!
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Yes. Even though it was a bit early in the season, the captain was fantastic, and the experience was worthwhile!
Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing Hornell, NY
Sun screen, water , and a hat. Spend the day and enjoy some of the sites and food. Don't forget the ice cream.
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Sun screen, water , and a hat. Spend the day and enjoy some of the sites and food. Don't forget the ice cream.
Native Son Guide Service
Native Son Guide Service Wallingford, VT
Listen to the captains advice , when told the seas are rough there not kidding , if they say seas are good there on point . Rough seas are for hard core fishermen .
Excellent
5.0 / 5
Listen to the captains advice , when told the seas are rough there not kidding , if they say seas are good there on point . Rough seas are for hard core fishermen .
Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing
Pelagic Hunter Sportfishing Gastonia, NC