Craziest Fishing Tales Come to Life in Bluffton!
When it comes to fishing stories, nothing seems to top the wild tales that come from the waters of Bluffton and Hilton Head. As a local aficionado of fishing, hunting, and sportsmanship, I’m always itching to hear about exciting maritime adventures from fellow enthusiasts. One name that often pops up in conversation is Craig Everett. I hadn’t met Craig in person until recently, but based on what I’d heard, I was certain he had some fantastic stories tucked away. And wow, did he deliver!
Shark Fishing Gone Wrong
Let’s wind back the clock to the early 2000s, a peculiar Saturday night at the Boathouse on Hilton Head. Craig was out with his buddies when he overheard a lively group of tourist girls chatting about their desire to catch a shark. Naturally, this caught his attention—who wouldn’t want to help out a bunch of eager fishers?
The very next morning, with excitement buzzing in the air, Craig took them aboard his boat, the Boss Hogg. They jigged out to Port Royal Sound, where Craig knew just the spot to hook a shark. “Fish on!” he hollered with glee. The girls were ecstatic, taking turns feeling the thrill as they battled with the 45-50 lb. blacktip shark Craig had landed. He carefully held the shark for a group photo, nearly eye level with the flailing creature.
But as any seasoned fisherman knows, things can turn chaotic quickly. As Craig balanced the shark for one last picture, fatigue started to kick in. One girl was still waiting, and Craig thought, “Just for a second…”
Suddenly, the shark erupted into a frenzy as soon as it hit the deck! In a wild twist, Craig’s flip-flops didn’t provide as much protection as they should have. Amidst the screams of the girls, he discovered the chaos wasn’t just about the shark—the poor guy looked down to find blood pooling on the deck. One of the girls pointed and exclaimed, “It bit your toe off!” The sight of his toe hanging by a flap sure got the adrenaline pumping!
A Quick Fix at the Hospital
With quick thinking, one of the girls tore off her white tank top and wrapped it around Craig’s foot while he radioed the Boathouse, announcing they were “coming in hot!” As they returned, the gossip mill was already in full swing; a crowd of about 50 people anxiously awaited their arrival. News had traveled fast, and it seemed everyone was ready for the sensational tale that was soon to follow.
Once at the hospital, Craig recalled the doctor unwrapping his foot and flipping the injured toe back into place, almost like he was popping the cap off a bottle! “Don’t worry, I’ll stitch you right up, no problem!” the doctor reassured him. To this day, Craig chuckles as he mentions the many stitches he received, although he can’t quite recall the exact count. Thankfully, his feet still fit perfectly into his trusty flip-flops—a crucial factor for any fisherman, if you ask him!
More Adventures Await
Craig’s toe-snagging escapade isn’t the only story in his treasure chest. He recounted at least three other occasions where he ended up in the hospital due to fishhooks embedded in his head, shins, and feet. Was he worried? Not a chance! Each story concluded with Craig chuckling as if they were just minor bump-ins along a thrilling fishing journey.
As Paul Tollefson, local resident and sportsman who unearthed this tale, dove deeper into the vibrant culture of fishing here, it’s clear that Bluffton is not just a beautiful spot for anglers; it’s a hub for unbelievable stories that remind us all to embrace the unexpected in life. So, whether you’re casting a line or tying your shoes, keep the adventures rolling—who knows what tales await around the next bend!
