Meet Captain Dave Hegel

About the Captain:

Captain Dave Hegel was raised in Charleston, SC during the early 1960s. From a young age, he joined his father, Henry “Skip” Hegel, aboard their boat on excursions across Santee Cooper and the salt marshes of Charleston. Captivated by the thrill of catching Bass and Redfish, known locally as “Spottail” bass, Captain Dave developed a deep passion for fishing. Following his father’s return from multiple tours with USMC 2nd Force Recon in Southeast Asia, he established Berkley Marine Center in Monks Corner, SC, shaping the Hegel family’s lifelong dedication to fishing and boating.

Captain Dave's career path led him through Sea Ox Boats, Johnson/Evinrude Outboards, and Genmar Boat Holdings (which included Ranger, Lund, AquaSports, and Hatteras). In 2019, he played a pivotal role in the launch of Vanderbilt Luxury Pontoons. During his tenure as Promotions Manager at Johnson/Evinrude in the mid-90s, Captain Dave oversaw various pro-fishermen, guides, TV shows, and sponsorships, an experience that solidified his enduring passion for fishing.

Among his most cherished memories are the opportunities to fish alongside legends such as George Poveromo, Mark Sosin, Denny Brauer, Larry Nixon, and many others. These experiences, both in saltwater with icons of the sea and in freshwater with bass legends, enriched Captain Dave's skills and knowledge profoundly.

While engaged with Johnson & Evinrude Outboards in the early 1990s, Captain Dave competed in tournaments like the FLW tour and Red Man Tournament Trail. Yet, his heart remained devoted to saltwater pursuits, leading him on fishing expeditions to Hawaii, Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and beyond, where he learned from some of the world's top captains.

Captain Dave’s deep-rooted connections within the industry, shaped by his father’s roles with Hydra-Sports, Donzi, Chris Craft, and later Mercury Marine, as well as his sister Kim’s involvement with Boston Whaler and World Cat Boats, have been pivotal throughout his career. The moniker "Pirate" pays homage to the rich maritime history of the region and Captain Dave’s alma mater, East Carolina University, known as the Pirates

Boat Details

Captain Dave followed closely in the footsteps of his father, nicknamed "Skip," in his love for boating, fishing, and the industry surrounding it. Once submerging himself fully into the business, colleagues began calling Captain Dave "Skiplett" after his father. As decades passed, the Captain's father, a former marine and dedicated family man, lost his battle to ALS. Before passing, Captain Dave had begun the process of building his boat to guide on the Neuse/Pamlico. Thus, once the Captain's father passed, the nickname that was once a funny joke became the name of the Captain's vessel as a tribute to his father. "Skiplett" is to honor his father and his legacy to the marine industry. 

Pamlico Pirate Fishing Charters runs a 2021 300 HP Suzuki 4 Stroke Outboard with Jack Plate on a 23' Boca Bay made by AquaSport. "Skiplett" is made perfectly for the conditions and fishing styles of the Neuse and Pamlico Sound-- getting extremely shallow and running in difficult seas. 

The Captain's vessel has a T-Top for shade for the sunny days at sea and two live wells aboard. In addition, "Skiplett" is fully equipped with 12" Garmin Side and Down Scan, a GPS, Stereo, and a Minn-Kota 36 volt Riptide trolling motor. Due to the fact that the Captain intended for this boat to be precisely a fishing boat when designing it, the seating is the leaning post at the helm and a console cooler seat. Most people prefer standing behind the leaning post or sitting on the forward console seat.