Anglers with Sheepshead and Speckled Trout.

Every fisherman has a story to tell and Fishingbooker.com is doing everything possible to make sure that the story is a positive one.

The online booking service connects customers to local captains who can provide the type of trip and services that are almost guaranteed to produce a fun and productive fishing experience. They recently released their 2021 Angler’s Choice Award and 14 local captains made the grade as the best-of-the-best.

The award is based on the captain’s actual performance, professionalism and customer service. Only about 10 percent end up meeting the strict criteria, so it’s important to recognize their achievement to encourage them and others to give customers the finest trip possible. Just what makes this group stand above the rest?

Captain Chris Ossmann, aka “Tuna Boy,” has made a name for himself as a Redfish and Speckled Trout specialist. He fishes with Fish On Charters and Captain Smiley Fishing Charters. The Captain has a nose for finding fish and a heart for lighting up a kid’s face with a big fish. He even jumped in the water once to retrieve a customer’s wallet that dropped overboard.

“Top-quality boat and tackle, a positive attitude and catching fish make for a fun trip,” says Ossmann. Given his love for the ocean, it is no surprise that his girlfriend is a mermaid at Ripley’s Aquarium.

(Left) Captain Chris Ossmann (far right) with his customers holding a giant flounder; (Right) Angler and son with Redfish.

Captain Bob Strange with Strange Magic Fishing Charters is no stranger to catching inshore fish. Not everyone has his degree of patience, but he especially enjoys working with novice fishermen.

“Customers have different skill levels, so it’s important to work with them to teach and educate. Fun is still always first,” says Strange. He notes that recently a couple from Indiana were fishing saltwater for the first time on his boat and they desperately wanted to catch a flounder. Strange hit every one of his spots until both had caught a photo-worthy flounder.

Captain Randy Elliott with Fisher of Men Charters and Captain Danny Juel with Fish Screamer III are both Atlantic Ocean fishermen who run their boats outside of the inlet to deeper waters. Juel has remained one of the top fishermen in the area for over 40 years, which speaks volumes about his skill. Elliott frequently fills up the fish cleaning table and has top-quality mates.

Whether you are looking for shallow water inshore or deep-water offshore fishing, the Grand Strand offers professional, quality captains to make it the trip of a lifetime. 

Anglers Choice Award Winners 2021

Captain Chris Ossmann 
Captain Bob Strange 
Captain Randy Elliott 
Captain Danny Juel 
Captain Lee Thomas 
Captain Jason Burton
Captain Joe Ziegler
Captain Dan Conolly
Captain Ryan Isabelle
Captain Lee Carver
Captain Perrin Wood
Captain Kerry Gehman
Captain Adam Goodwin
Captain Ronnie Atkinson