He grew up pond hopping around Charlotte, talked Liberty University into considering a college fishing team (they said no), transferred to UNC Charlotte to join their bass club and unknowingly spent two years grinding against guys who are now Bassmaster Elite anglers. Then one summer in Garden City changed everything. 🎣

This week Capt. Robert and the crew sit down with Capt. Caleb Hartley of Carolina Hook & Fly to trace the full journey: from freshwater bass tournaments to saltwater inshore slams, from standing at Marlin Cay cleaning jetty fish to running his own guide service. Along the way they get into the worst charter Caleb's ever had (a dad, five kids, a case of Bud Diesel, and a handshake refusal), the best tip he's ever received (a quarter deer in a trash bag and 350lbs of lead and the guy bought the boat), plus real flounder fishing tips straight from one of the inlet's most dedicated inshore captains.

Real captains. Nothing scripted. Every story is 100% true.

🎬 WHAT'S IN THIS EPISODE

- How Caleb went from Charlotte pond hopping to UNC Charlotte's college bass team — competing against future Bassmaster Elite anglers without knowing it

- What brought him to Murrells Inlet and why one summer job was all it took

- Worst trip: a dad, five kids, a case of Bud Diesel, 72 fish caught, no keeper, no tip — and a handshake refusal

- Best tip ever: 350lbs of lead + a quarter deer in a trash bag — and the client bought the boat the following Tuesday

- Caleb's flounder fishing philosophy: short leaders, big baits, and the ice cream cone theory

⏱ TIMESTAMPS

0:00 - Cold open highlights

1:12 - Caleb's origin: Charlotte, Lake Norman & college bass fishing

5:23 - The teammates who turned out to be Bassmaster Elite anglers

7:04 - One summer job in Garden City — and he never went back

13:00 - How bass fishing translates directly to inshore saltwater

24:27 - Worst trip: dad, five kids, Bud Diesel, 72 fish, no tip

30:02 - The handshake refusal

33:19 - Best tip ever: Randy, 350lbs of lead & a quarter deer in a trash bag

40:42 - Chartplotter tricks for keeping clients in the right casting zone

46:51 - Flounder fishing tips: short leaders, big baits, patience

51:34 - The ice cream cone theory of flounder fishing

55:13 - Wrap-up & tight lines

📍 ON THE BUS THIS EPISODE

Capt. Caleb Hartley — Carolina Hook & Fly, Carolina Hook and Fly Guide Service *(featured guest)*

Capt. Robert — Fish Finder I, Fish Finder Fishing Charters *(host)*

Capt. Quentin — Crazy Girl 2, Murrells Inlet Fishing Charters *(co-host)*

Capt. Jack — Black Diamond, Fish Finder Fishing Charters *(co-host)*

Capt. Joe — Fish Finder III, Fish Finder Fishing Charters *(producer)*

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🌐 Website: https://thecaptainsreportpodcast.com

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ABOUT THE CAPTAIN'S REPORT

The Captain's Report is a weekly show where charter fishing captains from Murrells Inlet and Myrtle Beach, SC share unfiltered stories from the water — wild fishing tales, charter chaos, tournament talk, and everything that happens between trips. Real captains. Nothing scripted.