Exploring the Great Outdoors with Nicholas Brown

A Little Something About Me

I am Nicholas Brown, and the thing that always gets me about fishing is that anybody can do it. Whether you are a beginner or a professional, fishing has something interesting to offer. It is for everyone to enjoy, and as a family man, it is an amazing opportunity for family and friends alike to bond with each other. Whether it’s for catching fish or just plain leisure, being in the waters is fun and relaxing for everyone. One other thing I like about this activity is that it allows you to go outside, breathe in the fresh air, and disconnect from the realities of everyday life for a while. It’s a great way to destress, especially before the start of a new work week.

When people ask me what my favorite fishing memory is, I honestly have a hard time answering because there are just so many. However, I will always remember the very first redfish I caught, and I did it with my father. I will never forget how it happened on a beautiful sunny day in Winyah Bay and just how much fight it gave me. It was exhilarating for the teenage boy that I was at that time. From that day onwards, I was hooked! Pun intended. To this day, I am still in love with fishing and enjoy every second I spend in the waters, whether it is with my family or with my guests.

The most unforgettable catch story got to be during the annual tarpon run here in Georgetown. During that period of time, the fish would pass through and stop here in our fishery to load up on food while the water temperature allows them to. The first tarpon I ever caught through that event was by far still the best catch I have had over the years. Locally, we call them the “Silver King,” and they put up a fight like no other. It was a sight to behold, though, whenever they ran around and jump out of the water as they did. It was so cool and breathtaking to watch, and it is definitely what people should book a trip for in order to experience for themselves.

Fishing Spots I Always Go To and Memorable Moments on the Job

Winyah Bay will always have a special place in my heart as it is where I fish every day. And with reason. The fishery is so big and different from anywhere else. It may be a bit tricky for those who are not that familiar with the place because three freshwater rivers dump into it but here, you can catch many different species of fish. It is a very interesting fishing spot because the water ranges from very salty to brackish to very fresh depending on rain and other factors, and those changes would require various tactics to ensure a productive fishing trip.

My favorite guide experience was just that: a really productive one for a father and his two sons. The father took his two sons fishing with him, who were aged 10 and 15. It was the trip of a lifetime because they managed to catch more than 60 pieces of fish of 6 different species. You would not be able to wipe the smiles off their faces. The sons even told me that the said trip got them hooked on fishing and that it was the best day they have ever had. That kind of feeling is something we at North Island Fishing Charters always strive to give to our guests and visitors.

My Favorite Catch and Ways to Cook It

With Winyah Bay being a naturally rich body of water, we catch different species of fish on every trip. My favorite, though, is the redfish. They can be found in deep water or in shallow flats of lower areas. Since we catch them all year round, the fight they give us is like no other, and they are extremely beautiful. Their colors vary depending on the location. Some give off a dark gold hue, while some are silvery light. There are a lot of options, but we tend to fish using artificial, live, and dead bait.

Do I have a favorite way to cook them? Yes, of course! They are healthy and tasty to eat. There are a lot of delicious options to cook them, but my favorite got to be searing them on a hot pan and squeezing some lemon juice on them. Simple and easy to serve, definitely one for every appetite. Especially in huge groups! One other way I like to cook them is by frying them in hot grease. Any person who has tried my go-to redfish recipe enjoys the taste.

Life Beyond the Waters

I am a huge family man who greatly enjoys the outdoors. If I’m not out on a fishing charter, then I am either with my family or out hunting whatever is in season. My beautiful wife and I have a darling one-year-old boy, and we have another little kid on the way, so I always make time to be with them. I enjoy spending time with them as much as I love exploring the world outside. I want to be a constant presence in their lives, and I cannot wait to share my passion and what I know about fishing with my children one day. Hopefully, they will find great joy in it as much as I do. I'd consider it a victory when they do.

One of these lessons I want to impart to them, and to you by extension, is how important it is to contribute to conservation efforts geared towards fisheries all over the world. I am a huge supporter of “Release Over 20”. It is an excellent program that would really greatly benefit marine conservation and fish systems if more people would join. The fish over 20 inches are survivors of cold snaps, predators, and multiple other things that can really hurt a fish population. They encourage anglers to catch only what they need and can eat in order to allow fish to reproduce and maintain their population on a healthy level.

Much of our lives are spent inside four walls of our homes or day jobs, but it does not have to be that way. Get outdoors and give yourself a change in perspective! Go put a fishing rod in your hand and just go to the closest body of water near you. Whether it is North Island Fishing Charters or another one, do it. It will keep you out of trouble and is something you can do your whole life and even pass on to future generations.

See and fall in love with the beauty of the great outdoors yourself and book us here.