Captain Frank Riccio, a Charleston-based boat expedition guide, said every day on his job feels rewarding, especially when he’s leading tours with visitors.
“Sun’s coming up, you don’t have to think about much except having a good day, locating some fish and learning about a new group of people,” Riccio said.
Riccio started his boat tour company, Lowcountry Coastal Excursions, 10 years ago, but he said it offers more than just fishing.
“Anything you want to do, from going to the beach and just having lunch with your family to fossil hunts,” Riccio, 43, told the Charleston City Paper in a recent interview at Shem Creek.
“It’s very specific to the type of group that comes to Charleston. It’s lots of bachelorette parties, lots of families that want to go fishing and lots of families that just want to go on a sunset cruise.”
On weekends off, Ricchio said he still gets on his boat with friends and family — even if he doesn’t have a charter. He said there’s just something about being on the water that makes him forget about his worries.
“You forget about everything when you get on the water.”
Highlights of a weekend day in his words (lightly edited for space):
An early bite. First thing in the morning, I make the bed and get the dog out. I think about making breakfast or getting breakfast. If I go get breakfast, I usually go to Page’s Okra Grill or Johnny’s. While I walk the dog, I sometimes stop for coffee because there are multiple coffee shops near Coleman Boulevard where I lived.
Getting the boat ready. I’ll get the boat on the water and then meet up with people. For the most part, people are usually never on time. It’s always waiting for somebody. Whatever time you usually plan on starting, it’s always another hour added to it. And it’s never the same number of people that it started with. It’s always more.
Afternoon beach trip. We usually go to the beach somewhere, as there are a few places to stop in the immediate area, like Drum Island or No Name Island [Fort Sumter]. Mainly on Drum Island. We usually just hang out there. For the most part, everyone just hangs out in the boat or gets into the water till they’re hungry.
Lunch on the water. Usually, on the way back, wherever it’s convenient to stop. Probably go to Crab House or California Dreaming. Those two are good spots to go to on the water as they have convenient access to the docks.
Going back slowly. It’s a slow ride getting back, as the rest of the day is just relaxing. It’s usually a ride back to Shem Creek over there and coming to Red’s [Ice House]. Everybody slowly goes back home or comes over.
Dinner at home. We usually have dinner at home, especially on the weekends. Either order food or bring food home. Just make it nice and easy, as we’re not having to make dinner that night. We usually make dinner the rest of the week.
Movies with the family. After dinner, we might watch something like a TV show, movie, or if a game is on, I’ll watch that. When it’s my family [with me], it’s usually my son’s choice. Lots of Disney for sure. But also movies that he wants to watch, but he can’t watch. Fast and Furious, though, he loves that. Those movies are some of his favorites.
Nighttime. I am usually in bed by 9 p.m. I let the dog out again for the second time. She gets most of the attention when I am at home. She misses it all day long, so she deserves it. In bed, I usually get on social media for five to 10 minutes until the blue light experience gets my eyes tired.
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