Captain Karl Helmkamp (USCG OUPV licensed) was born and raised in the woods and on the waterways of Northeastern North Carolina. Karl grew up in nearby Hertford County with a fishing pole in one hand and a duck call in the other. Spending nearly every day he wasn’t in school on the water taught Karl a tremendous amount about the outdoors. By the time he was 15 he was taking groups out on the Albemarle Sound and the Chowan River to hunt waterfowl in the morning and pursue rockfish in the afternoon.
The natural pull of the ocean led him to the beach every chance he had. There Karl learned to fish for Spanish Mackerel, Ocean Rockfish, Tuna, Dolphin, and Marlin and gained invaluable experience navigating the unpredictable inlets and waterways of the Outer Banks.
Karl appreciates knowing how to catch everything from a white perch to a white marlin. He understands the benefit of being well-rounded. His relentless passion for the water and the species he pursues, his appreciation and knowledge of his surroundings, and his ever present wide open personality combine to create an incredible outdoorsman.
First Mate Ellis Sanders (USCG OUPV licensed) is a true native to Northeast North Carolina. With a childhood filled with time on the back waters of our inland rivers and tributaries to chasing every species from the sands of our beach out to the bluewaters of the Gulf Stream. His excitement over catching anything from bluefish to blue marlin is contagious and he provides every charter with fun, friendly service. Ellis works hard everyday to make your trip all that it can be and more.
Administrator Kathy Dornblaser (USCG OUPV licensed) grew up on the ocean and waterways of North Florida with her family. She relocated to North Carolina over 25 years ago and her experience ranges from fishing the quiet backwaters of the Albemarle Sound to running through Oregon and Hatteras Inlets in search of any species that will bite.
With an extensive background as a business owner, Kathy understands the importance of great customer service to the success of any charter operation. This knowledge, coupled with her experience on the water, gives her the ability to make your fishing trip what you want it to be. Her main goal is to find what kind of experience you want to have and make it happen on the Fistful.
