True Grits Family Oriented Charter Fishing

Posted: January 6, 2012 by Bill Baldwin

There's a new charter fishing boat in town! True Grits, a 34-foot Fitz Fly Bridge Sport Fish with a distinctive red hull, is now docked at Shelter Cove Marina for near-shore and offshore, family fishing fun. The boat is owned by Hilton Head Sportfishing, LLC which also owns the beloved charter fishing boat, Gullah Gal.

"I found the boat docked in Naples, Fla.," said Captain Jeff Kline, owner. "It was a wreck-rusty metal, soft spots in the hull, and no engine. It had seen better days."

But, after a complete bow to stern refurbishment by Michael Fitz, the man who originally built the boat in 1988, True Grits underwent a sea odyssey, traveling from the west coast of Florida through the canals of Lake Okeechobee and up the Intracoastal Waterway to find its new home at Shelter Cove Marina.

As a fan of the classic John Wayne movie, Kline named the boat True Grits, also playing with the acronym for Girls Raised in the South (Kline has twin four-year-old girls).

"We specialize in family fishing," Kline said. "Kids and moms love the boat because we have a lot of shade and a bathroom and shelter if there is inclement weather. Younger kids particularly like our evening shark trips (usually 5:30-8:30 p.m.). It's a great three-hour introduction to fishing, and there's a lot of action in a short time. The sharks are big enough to give a good fight, but small enough to touch, hold and pose for pictures."

"True Grits is a wonderful boat for families," said Ruth Tubbs of Georgia. "It's open and wide and stable. When I took my five-year-old fishing, I had no worries that he would be safe."

Fishing trips range from the three-hour evening shark trip to a more challenging and a bit more hardcore eight-hour trip, which can include fishing for barracuda, cobia, king mackerel, and yes, even 1,000-pound tiger sharks all in the same trip.

"We've received some great reviews on Trip Advisor.com from our guests who've fished on the Gullah Gal, the sister boat to True Grits," said Kline. With only 10 trips on its log, the positive reviews have already begun for the Grits. Kate Kelly of Cleveland, Ohio, who reeled in a 30-pound red fish said, "What a rush!" She is already planning a return trip with her kids.

So stroll along the docks of Shelter Cove Harbour. Check out the cool shops and restaurants, listen to Shannon Tanner and enjoy the Tuesday night fireworks. While you're there, stop on by to see the new boat in town-the red hulled True Grits. Book a trip to see what the excitement is all about.

 

By: Shannon Mason 

True Grits is docked at the first dock in Shelter Cove Marina ("A" Dock). Trips can be arranged through the Ship's Store at the marina (843) 842-7001. For more information, visit HiltonHeadIslandCharterFishing.com