The trip was awesome, Captain Dave kept us moving around to get fish in the boat and Cole worked his tail off setting and changing lines. At the end of the trip we 4 gaffer mahi, a shark, black seabass and blueline tilefish. Everyone on the boat had a blast. Despite their beat efforts the tuna weren’t cooperating for us to haul any in, but again we had a blast.

Our family included my parents (70+), my brother (41) and his kids (6 & 8), and myself (42) and my husband (47).  There is a wide range of freshwater fishing experience in our crowd, but none of us have much experience with saltwater.  We also happened to be in the area the week that a tropical storm was passing by offshore (Imelda), so there was more wind and waves than usual.  The crew were attentive to our needs and abilities.  They made sure that we were able to catch fish AND feel good.  Though we didn’t end up going far off shore, we still ended up in some pretty choppy water which caused two of us to feel out of sorts.  The captain noticed and offered to take us back into the sound.  He explained that we’d likely feel better, but we’d catch different (and likely smaller fish), so the experience would be much different.  We appreciated his attention to our condition, honest assessment, and the opportunity to choose how to proceed.  We did opt to move into the sound where everyone felt much better. We seemed to catch fewer fish in the sound, and they were smaller, but with everyone feeling good we had a much better time.  We are eager to try again hopefully with calmer seas!

We booked the #C Jill Louise for a private morning charter for our family group of ten. Dave and Cole were ready to go on time and welcomed us on board to a clean and well outfitted boat. The weather was not ideal and the water was quite rough, but we had a wonderful time. After limited success trolling, they took us further out to sea and got us into some great fishing. The crew worked hard to keep up with getting fish off, checking bait and getting our hooks back in the water as fast as possible. It was obvious that both Dave and Cole were genuinely engaged and eager to make sure we had a successful outing. It was also obvious that they were experienced and knew what they were doing. We will definitely book again next time we visit the Outer Banks.

If you’re considering a fishing charter—stop looking and book with Captain Dave. From the moment we stepped on the boat, it was clear we were in for something special. The vessel itself was spotless—so well-maintained that it felt like stepping onto a brand-new boat. Clean decks, organized gear, and a comfortable setup made the entire experience that much more enjoyable.
But what truly sets this crew apart is their expertise. Captain Dave and his support mate Cole were absolute professionals—knowledgeable, attentive, and clearly passionate about what they do. Thanks to their skill and sharp instincts, we reeled in Bluefish and Spanish mackerel, and let me be clear: we wouldn’t have caught a thing without them. Their strategic approach, ability to read the water, and constant guidance made all the difference.
I can’t stress this enough—spend the extra money for the private trip. The personalized attention, the flexibility, and the sheer amount of knowledge you gain from having such an experienced crew all to yourself is worth every penny.
This wasn’t just a fishing trip—it was a masterclass led by two pros who know the waters like the back of their hands. We’ll be talking about this day for a long time.