If you’re looking for water temperatures, moon phases, and enough technical information to make your head spin, there are plenty of places to find that.
This column isn’t going to be one of them. My goal is simple: share what I’m seeing on the water, what’s actually working, and hopefully get more people excited about getting offshore. Whether you’ve fished your whole life or you’re just thinking about booking your first trip, this column is for you. A little about me… I’m Capt. Shane Gentry, owner of Nanny’s Revenge Fishing Charter, based in Morehead City, North Carolina. Believe it or not, I’ve only been running charters for about a year and a half. That probably surprises some people because this isn’t something I got into on a whim. It’s something I’ve dreamed about for years.
The name Nanny’s Revenge means everything to me. “Nanny” was my mom. Cancer took her far too soon, and this boat is my way of making sure she still gets to ride along every single day. Every time I pull away from the dock, she’s part of the trip.
Life’s too short to spend waiting for “someday.” That’s a big reason I pursued a second career to chase this dream. Every sunrise over the Atlantic reminds me I made the right decision. As well, it’s so important to realize that I am as excited about fishing as YOU ARE!!
Over the coming months, we’ll talk about the fishing that’s happening right here off the Crystal Coast. We’ll cover offshore trolling for mahi, wahoo and tuna, reef and wreck fishing, and one of my biggest passions—Deep Drop Slow Pitch Jigging. If you’ve never heard of slow pitch jigging, don’t worry. I promise by the end of this series you’ll understand why so many of us become completely addicted to it. There’s nothing quite like feeling that unmistakable thump hundreds of feet below the boat and knowing you’ve fooled a fish into eating a piece of metal you worked by hand.
We’ll also talk about the days that don’t go according to plan. Fishing isn’t always easy, and that’s part of what makes the great days so special. I’ll share the wins, the lessons, and maybe even a few mistakes along the way. You’ll always be able to count on the integrity of this column.
We will celebrate those epic days and have a good chuckle at those days that remind us that no matter how much planning or how many apps you have on your phone, we are not in control. We will take the Trophies and Groceries when MAMA OCEAN allows it. Most of all, I hope this column reminds you why we all started fishing in the first place.
It’s not always about filling the cooler. It’s about watching the sun come up with friends and family. It’s hearing a drag scream. It’s celebrating someone’s first fish. It’s creating stories you’ll still be telling years from now. As charter captains, we can get caught up in the “job” and it’s an important goal of this article to remember that each client that comes on your boat and catches that first fish or has an incredible experience, you are now a small part of that person’s story, FOREVER! The story of “the one that got away” or the story they tell their family about how they caught the very fish they are sharing for dinner that night will be told for years to come.
I’m honored to have the opportunity to share this journey with you each month.
Until next time…Life’s short. Go fishing. Stand By for FUN!