Guide at a Glance
Company
Locations
Beaufort, Fripp Island, Hilton Head, South Carolina, United States
Activities
Adventure, Boat Tour, Charter Cruise, Fishing, Heritage-History Tour, Sightseeing
Guiding Experience
46 years
Languages
English
Awards
Army B-STAR, LIFE SAVING for saving boats 25miles offshore
Favorite Trip
Fishing Charters
Guide Bio
Get To Know Fishing Guide Captain Wally Phinney

I was in the sixth grade when I first went camping and fishing, down the river with two other guys for the weekend, and I started learning a lot of skills in fishing. My father used to take me fishing all the time when I was a young man. After I graduated from Clemson University, I spent 20 years in the Army and I came back. I was going to teach Math and Science, but then the more I thought about it, I’d catch myself looking out the window, so I decided to get into the charter boat business to see what it was.
What really got me hooked on it was the people that I met: I saw families having a good time and I was part of it, and I was showing them how to fish, and I brought a lot of fun and joy to people. That’s how I got into charter boat fishing and I’ve been in it ever since.
In the ninth grade I worked one summer on a shrimp boat and then I ran crab pots when I was a sophomore at Clemson.
You guide in the Lowcountry of South Carolina, including Beaufort and Hilton Head Island. What makes these areas unique, and good fishing spots?
I cover Hilton Head Island, Fripp Island, Harbor Island and Beaufort. I’ve taken out 18,000 people during the time I’ve been chartered with no accidents. What makes the area neat is Beaufort County is a county which is about 72 islands. We have salt water, brackish water and fresh water and we have two high tides and two low tides in a 24 hour period. At one time we probably the most varieties of shark in Port Royal Sound, but we don’t anymore.
I do mostly bottom fishing and trolling, and most of the time I go about 15 miles or more out because we have artificial reefs offshore.

We have a lot of porpoises, in the rivers and offshore, and at times we’ll see them jump out about six feet. You’ll see loggerhead turtles, and of course, you’ll see pelicans. You’ll see sea ospreys around, but they leave during a certain time of year.
I do more five hour trips than anyone: that’s the best one. That takes them 15 miles offshore on an artificial reef plus another reef and some other fishing spots. I go about 10 miles down the river to the ocean and then I always give a safety briefing. I explain a lot of what they’re going to do, how they’re going to do it, the safety factors, and then we get out and start bottom fishing. It might take about an hour to get out and an hour back, so they’ve got three hours. If they know how to fish, they’ll have enough for dinner that night.
What is the best part of your job?
The safety part of it. Nobody gets hurt. I’m in the flybridge looking down on the people I have, and I make sure nobody gets hurt. I have never had a safety accident in the 30 something years that I’ve been chartering because I always keep an eye on them.
My main job is safety and making sure they have a good time. I have satellite weather on my boat and music, and I usually get over 50% repeat customers. And I enjoy it, it charges my battery, it takes me an hour or two to wind down after a trip because I’m still excited. I enjoy meeting people, seeing them have a good time and sharing that little part of their life. My trips are mostly family trips because it’s a big boat, and they’re bonding together. It’s a good feeling to see that going on because you read so much bad news, but basically I enjoy seeing people have a good time and screaming and yelling when they get a fish on.

One time there was a daddy and a girl of about 13, and the little girl had a seasickness patch under her ear. The daddy didn’t take anything and he got seasick, and the little girl became the mummy and the daddy became the kid. And that little girl, she loved it, she was saying “Daddy, can I do this?” and “Daddy, can I do that?”, and you could feel the love pouring out from that little girl to her daddy.
Another time, there were calm seas, and the music playing was beautiful, and one lady was down here, dancing with herself. I told her I’d come down and dance with her, and I started going down the flybridge. Her husband was in the cabin and he came out and started dancing with her. That’s what she wanted, to get him out, so I got him out for them, and they started dancing.
Your website has an article from Saltwater Sportsman which mentions motion sickness cures, such as Smooth Sailing (ginger ale) and Dramamine – in your experience with your clients, which one works the best? Do you have any personal remedies you use?
The best thing for motion sickness is that patch under the ear, that you have to get from the doctor, there are no side effects. With Dramamine and other stuff, your mouth gets dry and you might get a headache and you just don’t feel like fishing, you feel groggy. Caffeine will make you seasick, and so if you have to have a cup of caffeine first, drink one cup but then eat something, because if you don’t eat, you’ll get the dry heaves and you won’t get the sugar up in your blood. Ginger snaps are good for your stomach, and ginger ale too.
Do not eat greasy stuff the night before. That’s heavy grease, like spare ribs or fried chicken, and in the morning you don’t eat fried eggs or fried sausage – you’re gonna get seasick.

The benefits are knowledge of the locations, the right rigs to use, what is running, the weather, the conditions, the right items to have on the vessel, safety on the water and when not to go.
In your view, what makes a good tour guide?
A good guide should be physically fit, honest, put 100% effort into his work, keep the vessel in good condition, look neat, speak nicely and not use bad words, be on time and ready to go fishing, take care of the customers to a high standard, leave before the time is up if conditions go bad, not smoke or drink while fishing and speak only when asked a question.
If you liked this, you might also like Explore South Carolina.
Captain Wally is licensed by the US Coast Guard with his experience in the Beaufort River and Hilton Head South Carolina waters dating back to 1946. He has 20 years of experience in the Army, and is a retired Major. He graduated from Clemson University in ’62 as Captain of the swimming team.
As past Commander and present member of the United States Power Squadron, he has had considerable expertise dealing with marine related issues. For example, he has taught extensively on the subjects of boating safety, handling, maintenance and navigation. He is also a PADI Master Scuba Instructor and has made many dives offshore.
Captain Wally worked on both crab and shrimp boats while growing up and has been featured in several boating and fishing magazines. He is also active in local and national sport fishing clubs and assists with fishing reports in several publications as well as fishing charts.
Together, all Captain Wally’s life experiences have contributed to making his Beaufort, South Carolina fishing charter and boat tour service the highest quality available. His 35 foot vessel allows you to enjoy your charter in the utmost comfort, and his personality and demeanour is known throughout the community.
Email re: Santa Elena Ship Escort
Captain Wally,
Roy and I want to thank you for all that you do.
You are representative of a truly wonderful person on many levels.
It is obvious your family, faith and friends are a premier part of your world.
Your exhausting efforts to support our Squadron, the Community and
events beyond the borders of this unique place on earth are also very
evident; especially through the actions you display without any
expectations from those you touch.
You are a mentor deluxe to every one of us who are lucky to call you friend.
Thank you again for all that you do.
Cookie & Roy
I give Capt. Wally 5 stars
Hi capt. Wally it’s me my family and I had a great time catching all those fish.
Capt Wally is awesome!! Didn’t catch anything due to sea sickness, but was very accommodating and he knew his stuff. Will definitely recommend to all my friends and family.
Captain Wally took at group of 15 very excited passengers out to Port Royal Sound to see the replica of the 16th century Spanish sailing ship “El Galeon” sail into the sound to recreate the passage that was made 450 years ago by Pedro Menendez when he settled Santa Elena on what is now Parris Island. The Sea Wolf was spotlessly clean and well maintained. Captain Wally was excellent. He explained our trip, the tentative timing to meet El Galeon and went over all safety instructions as he passed out life jackets to all. The ride was smooth and in no time we could see the tall ship in the distance. He was able to follow along side the historic vessel until it docked at Port Royal. He was a true professional and I would highly recommend his charter service for fishing or touring. Your safety and enjoyment are his utmost concern.
First time out with Capt. Wally, I had my son and 2 of his friends. All the boys had a blast and Capt. Wally put us on Spanish Mackrel and could not reel them in fast enough. We had a great experience and highly recommend his services and will be back next year.