Children surf fish in Carolina and Kure beaches with Christopher Shulstad of Carolina Coast Kids
Fishing Camp.
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CAMPERS learn about
a variety of species, go
crabbing, cast drift nets,
and cool off on shallow
sandbars when the temperatures
climb.
“The kids really love to go clam-ming,
do shore-side excursions and
catch fiddler crabs and mussels,” says
Nason. “Some of the species we catch
when fishing include croakers, puff-ers,
pinfish, pigfish and sea bass.”
When the ocean is calm, Nason
takes campers offshore to fish for
larger species including Spanish
mackerel and king mackerel. In
response to the demand for more
camps and a desire from older
campers to venture offshore on
a more regular basis, he recently
purchased a larger vessel, capable of providing a comfortable ride
in rougher conditions.
“This has allowed me to create a niche for family and fun. I
wanted to do something that would be more impactful, and I’m
thrilled that I get to share my passion for the marsh and fishing
with the kids,” says Nason, who is currently raising funds in an
effort to provide Brigade Boys and Girls Club participants with
similar experiences.
Aside from the intrinsic rewards, the popularity of the program
appears to be a solid indicator of its value. Nason reports that camp-ers
from as far away as Korea and Texas have visited the Wrightsville
Beach area to take part.
Similarly, Shulstad has hosted visitors from all over the country,
and has a return rate of 89 percent.
Shulstad operates a surf-fishing camp from the beaches at Carolina
Beach and Kure Beach.
“It’s really wonderful to get to give back to the kids,” says Shulstad,
who founded Carolina Coast Kids Fishing Camp three years ago and
ran it personally for two years.
Shulstad is experiencing many of the challenges facing other
business owners. Though the demand for his camping experiences
is substantial, the ongoing labor shortage has made it difficult
to find help. As a result, Shulstad is only able to offer camps on
weekends.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF CAROLINA COAST KIDS FISHING CAMP