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

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

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.

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.

We had a cold morning that wasn’t optimal for fishing but it could just as easily have been warmer.

We hesitate to give a rating as we have nothing to compare it to. We haven't fished in enough different areas to give an informed rating.

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.

Be patient and understanding "its called fishing not catching." Enjoy the experience and you'll have a great time.

Definitely call fishing booker to schedule a fishing trip..many trips are available to target various species of saltwater fish

Don’t put it off, get out there and enjoy yourself, these captains know their stuff!