What would you recommend to anglers fishing in Calabash, North Carolina for the first time?

Make sure you have a cooler full of drinks and sunscreen, the heat/sun can be sneaky. If you are the slightest prone to sea sickness or are motion sensitive, make sure to take your dramamine or meclizine at least 30 minutes prior to getting on the boat.

Take a dramamine the night before the trip if you think you even might get sea sick! Once the boat stops and you're still rocking and rolling in the waves it hits you hard! But definitely take the trip! It was so much fun for the one that wasn't sea sick :)

I would give 5, but didn't only because of the wild weather we had this day only! For the weather (rainy, windy, 10ish mph winds, 4-6 ft waves preventing us from doing a lot), we killed on Spanish Mackerel! These guys know what they are doing in ALL weather conditions if you have the stomach for it.

Be patient, everyone expects to bring a bunch of whales in and they don't realize this is fishing. We caught a lot of fish, not a lot of keepers but had a great time. I don't think you can get any more for your money with this group, crew was awesome and the Captain was great.

Opt for a clear day, NOT right after a hurricane. The 1/2 day or full day trip is needed for better fish. The six hour trip is just an extension of whatever you might catch in 4 hours. Still a good time!

My fist time catching ocean fish. The captain and crew member was very helpful. I am allergic to fish. The crew made sure I had an awesome experience. I may not be able to eat or touch fish. But on this boat they made sure I was never left out. Captain Shane thank you very much!!!

Watch the weather. Do research on the season and what is biting and what trip is best for what is biting

Be on time and ready to go. These guys have schedules and clients waiting. Be courteous and be on time.

Dress lightly, bring hand sanitizer, a small towel, a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and lots of water.

if you’re not used to ocean water, make sure you take motion, sick medicine or you will be miserable HaHa

Smaller charter boats mean bigger hooks and bait which also mean bigger catches. The bigger boats only fish with small hooks for small fish

Water temps are high and not the best time to fish, but we’re here on vacation and made the most of it.

Bring your own bait. All we had was squid and it made a big mess because we have to cut most of it up ourselves

Maybe go at a different time? If you’re just wanting to catch something to say you caught something and throw back, it was a good time for the sea bass.

The crew knew what was what and what was where. There are some other things we'd like to try next time, but for a first trip it was excellent.

Just enjoy the ride and ocean. Look out and see the beautiful waves and don't cast out or your line will get all tangled lol. Just let it fall straight down

If you think you may get sea sick. Get the ear patch and bracelet. Dramamine doesn't work. Don't worry about the fishing part they will take care of you.

Don't let a little sea sickness interfere with going out and having fun. I really want to come try again and we caught a total of five fish despite my sea sickness.

Dont forget to put your phone somewhere waterproof and safe. Take lots of water and sunscreen as it is very sunny.

It’s different then other places, be patient and trust your captain and first mate they won’t let you down.

Be prepared to see a lot of sea motion sickness! But crew is quick to clean up any mess. Crew request you to lean over and release the sickness over the water.

It's was a bit chilly but expected for February. Take motion sickness medication if you are in doubt.

Manage your expectations about the fish - we didn't catch anything larger than about 12 lbs. That said, we had a great time on the water and our family loved the experience.

Ask the captian if what you are targeting is biting, if it is not ask him/her what is. In any case the scenary will be great.

Take the half day fishing trip had a great time Crew was very polite and very experienced in what they do they took very good care of all of our needs

For your first time, definitely take a heroic dose of Dramamine if you don’t have sea legs...lol. Have a good time!!!!!

Trust the Captain and his deck mate. Made the trip feel safe and relaxing. We had an awesome time and have memories that will last a lifetime!

Even on a cloudy and cool afternoon, we had a blast. Dress in layers, just in case, and enjoy the great outdoors!

Be aware there is not a whole lot of biodiversity closer to shore in May so the shorter trips are going to be limited in what's available to catch.

Expect the unexpected but not too set your expectations high,you will have a great time and you will catch fish