We recently connected with Justin Ravenel and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Justin thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Parents play a huge role in our development as youngsters and sometimes that impact follows us into adulthood and into our lives and careers. Looking back, what’s something you think you parents did right?

My mother showed perseverance more than anything. She decided to be a commercial Crabber in the early 90s. At that time there were no female Crabber’s on the water anywhere near here. Her good friend in commercial Crabber fell sick and had to go in for treatment. he asked my mother if he would run the business while he was in the hospital? It would only be a short time. My mother, being in between jobs at the time decided to take him up on the offer. She ran the business for a few months, and one day when she pick me up from school she told me she was buying it from him. I remember being a bit surprised, but at the same time, excited! Being the only female commercial Crabber in the area for the first year or so, she struggled with competing Crabber’s. One of local Crabber’s didn’t take kindly to seeing her out there at first. I remember my mother picking me up from school in tears, because someone stole her catch and or cut the lines of the traps so that she wouldn’t only be able to make any money that day, but would also have to replace the traps entirely costing even more money. This is where, I learned a valuable lesson from my mother. She decided to persevere and keep going, even though the odds were against her. She stuck it out, and after a while she gain the respect of all of the Crabber‘s in the area. She continued to be the only female Crabber in the area for 20 years, and still to this day. She’s known as crab lady!
After seeing my mother, overcome this struggle and not only survive, but also thrive in the industry, I knew that I could do anything as long as I put my mind to it and put the idea of giving up out of my mind completely. My mother taught me how to fish, how to run a boat, and how to read the water. However, the most important thing she taught me was never quit, no matter what.
I am now four years in to being a second generation commercial fisherman. I have two beautiful daughters, and I make sure that they spend as much time out on that water as possible!

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

When I got out of the Navy I started working in healthcare. I was never passionate about it but it was comfortable. I dreamed of following my Mothers footsteps but I was nervous about taking that leap of faith. In 2019 I finally took that leap. Edisto offers excellent year round fishing! Spot tail bass and speckled sea trout are ready to eat year round but our winter months offer the hottest bite.
Bull reds and big sharks and tarpon are ready to give you the fight of your life in the summer months.
If you aren’t interested in fighting fish then let’s go out on a sunset dolphin experience. Nothing is more relaxing than the silhouette of a pod of female dolphins in font of a sinking fireball sun. Or maybe you would like to take the kids on a buried treasure hunt? Maybe while watching dolphins we just happen to find a treasure map floating in a bottle? You know we’re going to go look for it!
I offer any and every option to get you and the family out on the water.
Need a place to stay? Come stay at our fish camp! Nothing fancy just a little apartment on out 100 acre horse farm. Wake up and watch the horses run out of the barn and into the pasture before we embark on our adventure!
Whatever it takes we’re going to make sure you have an experience you will never forget!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

Growing up on the water; it’s easy to take what you see each and everyday for granted. However seeing folks light up with delight when dolphins swim along side us or when a child catches their first fish. That’s when I realize how special each moment out there is.

Contact Info:

• Website: [email protected]
• Instagram: @Justin_Ravenel
• Facebook: Ravenel Fishing Charters
• Youtube: Justin Ravenel
• TikTok: @ravenelfishing