Captain Chip Michalove

Owning and operating a fishing charter in Hilton Head is a dream come true. When I was 5 years old my parents booked a fishing charter with infamous guide Fuzzy Davis. I contracted a fishing fever that morning that never left. From that moment forward I knew there was nothing else I'd rather do with my life. I mostly grew up in Louisville, Kentucky fishing the Ohio River and surrounding lakes with my father for Largemouth and Striped Bass with an occasional saltwater fishing trip to the Carolinas or Florida. As time went on I grew more and more passionate about saltwater fishing, spending countless hours reading saltwater species identification books and dreaming of catching them all. In 1988, after many annual trips to Hilton Head, my family permanently relocated to Hilton Head and my inevitable pursuit of my goal was within reach. I spent the rest of my childhood days fishing on the beach, on a boat or playing beach volleyball while waiting for the tide to change. In 1998, at age 22, I took a determined step toward my dream and bought my first boat. In a very competitive business, I knew I needed a niche to exploit, something to build on. I loved live bait fishing for King Mackerel, Cobia, Mahi and Sailfish, but I stumbled upon an incredible inshore shark fishery that was untouched and unknown. Nervously, I spent my first 3 years guaranteeing an 8ft shark on all my shark charters or the trip was free. Luckily, in those 3 seasons, we never came up short of the goal. I discontinued the guarantee due to nearly having a nervous breakdown daily, but it paved the road for my career and firmly set my feet into the business. Here I am, 33 years since my parents booked my first fishing trip and entering my 17th season as a full time guide. With numerous tournament wins and state records under my belt, it most definitely is a dream come true.

I pride myself on integrity, professionalism, and knowledge – as these are the traits I admired in my favorite fishing guides years ago.