Captain Buddy “Love” Smith has been in the fishing business for 21 years and has a lifetime of stories, 5 IGFA small-fry world records, and over 600,000 dollars in tournament winnings to show for it. Buddy began his career in South Carolina at the age of 12 working on charter boats out of Murrells Inlet. Although Buddy has fished up and down the east coast and even destinations like Bermuda, Mexico, and the Bahamas; he has decided to settle down in his home waters of South Carolina. Fishing out of Little River runs in his roots as his great grandfather was a career commercial fisherman in the area during the 1950s. 

Throughout his high school days, Buddy worked on local charter boats and fished as a boat washer on board several boats fishing the Governor’s Cup billfish tournaments. Boat washing paid off and at the end of his high school career, Buddy found himself as first mate on board a 61 foot custom boat; a job which would launch him into his dream. A graduate of CCU, Buddy held a job as first mate on a boat throughout his whole college life. After graduation, Buddy was lucky enough to spend several years fishing and learning from the best in the world as a first mate out of Pirates Cove and Oregon Inlet Fishing Center in the Outer Banks of NC. While fishing aboard the Dream Girl, Buddy Love won 1st place in the Mate’s Pool for largest Blue Marlin at 626lbs. Captain Buddy still can be found along the Outer Banks in the winter chasing giant bluefin tunas, his favorite fish.

Buddy Love has been fortunate to have spent the last two seasons obtaining a PHD from Captain Smiley and his great group of captains and has quickly learned the details of the inshore game. Captain Buddy and the “Migration” stay rigged up at all times for any kind of inshore and nearshore fishing. From shallow water redfish, flounder, and trout, to sharks, and fishing inside of 20 miles Buddy loves it all and looks forward to spending a day on the water showing his passion for fishing to others.

As a young boy who was on these tidal waters daily, little did Captain Patrick Kelly – “Smiley” know that his hobby would become a lifelong commitment to fishing, conservation and being a good steward to his home.

As a light tackle specialist, Smiley has assembled a team of highly knowledgeable and friendly Captains to insure that your fishing charter will be an experience to be treasured.

Inshore fishing is our specialty… making the world smile is our goal.

Growing up in a family operated bait and tackle shop was a kid’s dream, so it isn’t a surprise that United States Coast Guard certificated Captain Harold Rohrback has been running fishing charters for over 30 years.

In addition, he served on the Maryland Public Safety Review Board for over 10 years during a dual career in law enforcement.

This combination of both practical and technical experience, along with a love for life, people and the environment, is a recipe for a fun day on the water.

Captain Curtis Smith grew up in the mountains of Virginia where he was very fortunate to have his father, grandfather, and uncles to teach him all about Fishing.

When he moved to the area in 2001, he was introduced to and fell in love with the marsh and inshore saltwater fishing.

He has been blessed to have awesome and patient teachers and thrilled to pass on these experiences with new friends.

Mark grew up in Southern California and became an avid waterman early in life. At the age of five, he started fishing with his dad and grandfather and picked up surfing soon after. For the last 60 years, he’s fished and surfed his way across the globe: Baja, Hawaii, the Caribbean, Fiji, and Central America are just a few of the highlights.

In 1977, Mark moved to the Grand Strand and started fishing the local inlets and estuaries along the Carolina coast. After a 40 year career in the surf industry, Mark joined Captain Smiley in 2018 to help develop the Palmetto Kids Fishing Camp. With his enthusiasm for being outdoors and his knowledge of some of the best inshore fishing spots, anglers of all ages will have a memorable day on the water with Mark as their guide.

Chris grew up in the beautiful mountains of West Virginia. From an early age he grew to love the outdoors. Fishing, hunting, and hiking became his passions. Without knowing what could sprout from catching his first fish at a young age his love for fishing sparked and guided him onto a path full of adventure seeking new areas to fish and new species to catch. Along this journey, Chris grew fond of saltwater fishing more specifically redfish became his favorite fish.

He spent a lot of time in the Myrtle Beach area where his family owned a home. He would spend every moment he had on the water just enjoying the scenery, fishing with local and professional guides and learning all he could.

After completing his college degree, he became a full-time resident of North Carolina. With his knowledge of the area, water and passion for fishing and boating he spends all his time helping others explore, fulfill dreams, learn and catch fish.