A monster bug + the boat "Carolina Clipper" USVIs

Just went on a trip to the USVIs (St. John) and one of the guys on the trip looked over and said to us “I swear to god that’s the “Carolina Clipper” that ran bottom fishing charters in Charleston for 20+ years.” We went over and talked to the captain and sure enough… she currently resides in St. John USVI.

Also, we nailed some bugs while free diving – here is some footage of snagging a 10 lb bug in 35’ free diving and petting a 5-6’ nurse shark: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=595905828460

Marc Gaskins - Charleston local - is the one who made the dive in 35’ and his brother - Clint Gaskins - is who’s filming. Clint used to work on the Carolina Clipper when he was 15 cleaning fish which is how he instantly recognized the boat.

Cool video. Man 36 ft sound way to deep for me

You ain’t drunk, till you’re Tickle drunk

23 Sea Hunt “My Last Boat V”

What was the name on the boat?

I thought only locals could take lobsters in the USVI’s

Wow, that’s crazy you ran into the clipper. I miss that thing. I worked on that boat as a kid in the summertime too! I learned a lot about offshore fishing working for Billy. All we need is the Clipper and The Thunderstar back to solve Shem Creeks paddle board/kayak problem…

“Day Tripper”
Shamrock 20 cuddy
Ford 351W

The GulfStream 1 & II, Carolina Clipper and Thunderstar. I’ve fish off all of them years ago. Some good memories and a bunch of fish put in the freezer! I saw a post somewhere that the Thunderstar was a shuttle boat working down off gulf coast.

J Ford

@blackfin, the regulation on lobsters in USVI are open to anyone. Only limit I know of is 2 lobsters a day per person in the National Park on St John. In the BVI, only BVI residents can grab them in BVI waters.

@mopar1066, the new name of the boat is Independent Sea

Yeah…that would be unprecedented to not allow US residents to harvest fish in US waters.

I captained the clipper toward the end. Its a shame that it was regulated out of business. I could put that thing on top of the fish!

Wow! I worked on that boat as a kid! Nice to know she is still fishing:smiley: