Captain Ashley Bleau’s passion for offshore fishing began with a childhood spent on the waters of eastern North Carolina. Growing up in New Bern, Ashley started fishing from a small jon boat on the Neuse River. His introduction to offshore fishing came later, when his father connected him with one of his business partners and Ashley joined him for a trip into the ocean. From that first offshore experience, he was hooked.

Ashley eventually went to college and focused on building a career that would allow him to afford the kind of fishing he loved. After approximately 20 years of concentrating on business and making a living, he decided it was time to return to the water in a much bigger way. That decision ultimately led him to the Sensation.

Becoming Part of the Sensation’s Story

Ashley spent nearly three years searching for the right boat with the help of his friend and broker, Daryl Brower. When the Sensation first became available, another buyer purchased her before Ashley was ready. Missing that opportunity made him realize how strongly he felt about the boat.

Several months later, he learned that the Sensation would be available again. This time, he was prepared. Ashley purchased the boat and began what he describes as a magical journey.

For him, ownership is not simply about possessing a sportfishing vessel. The Sensation already had decades of history before he stepped aboard, and Ashley sees himself as its temporary caretaker. His goal is simple: to become a good chapter in the boat’s continuing story.

A Floating Piece of Carolina History

The Sensation holds a special place in North Carolina boatbuilding history as the first boat built under the Jarrett Bay name. Ashley describes her as a floating museum. Multiple generations of anglers have fished aboard the boat. Some current guests grew up hearing stories from parents and grandparents who had their own experiences on the Sensation. Ashley values those stories almost as much as the fishing itself. The boat’s classic Carolina design, single-screw configuration, and distinctive bow flare reflect the tradition of local custom boatbuilding. More importantly, the Sensation has earned a reputation for raising fish.

Ashley had even fished aboard her approximately 20 years before becoming her owner, making his eventual purchase feel like another chapter in a much longer connection.

Team Sensation

Although Ashley is a licensed captain, he describes himself as the backup captain and the “maestro with the orchestra.” Captain Brock Tatalovich runs the boat full-time, while Charlie Mate works alongside him in the cockpit. Ashley credits much of Team Sensation’s success to the chemistry between them.

He describes Brock as talented beyond his years and says Brock and Charlie work together almost without words. Their roles are clearly understood, and their movements remain coordinated when the action begins. Ashley’s responsibility is to ensure the team and the boat have everything they need to succeed. The shirts and apparel do not simply say Sensation. They say Team Sensation because Ashley believes everyone involved—from the captain and mate to the anglers and supporters—is part of the same effort.

Making Big Rock More Accessible

The Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament has always held special meaning for Ashley. He did not grow up with the financial resources usually associated with high-level tournament fishing. Because of that, he wanted Team Sensation to offer ordinary anglers a realistic opportunity to participate in one of the East Coast’s most prestigious fishing tournaments. Rather than requiring one group to carry the entire expense, the team divides its Big Rock participation into shares.

Anglers can purchase a share for one fishing day or buy several if they want to participate throughout the tournament. Any winnings are distributed according to the number of shares owned, even when a shareholder is not aboard on the day the winning fish is caught.

For Ashley, this model reflects the same team-first philosophy that guides the boat. It gives more people the opportunity to experience Big Rock without needing to fund an entire tournament campaign themselves.

The Highest High and Lowest Low

Team Sensation became the center of one of the most unforgettable moments in recent Big Rock history during the 2023 tournament. The crew brought a 619.4-pound blue marlin to the scales. For a brief time, it appeared they had caught a tournament-winning fish worth approximately $3.5 million. The fish was later disqualified after officials determined it had sustained an injury from another marine animal, creating concerns under tournament and International Game Fish Association rules.

Ashley described the experience as feeling the highest he had ever felt and the lowest—all within a few moments. Despite the disappointment, he did not allow the outcome to diminish his respect for Big Rock. He continues to view the tournament as an event he has admired throughout his life and considers it an honor to participate.

He also remains grateful for the community that rallied around Team Sensation during and after the controversy. The experience taught him a great deal about himself, his team, and the strength of the support surrounding the boat.

Fishing from Morehead City

Ashley considers Morehead City a fisherman’s paradise. Whether someone prefers inshore fishing, offshore fishing, or anything in between, the area offers opportunities throughout the year. The variety of pelagic species moving through local waters makes it one of the strongest fishing destinations Ashley has experienced.

He has traveled and fished in many places, but Morehead City is where he chose to settle.

Today, Ashley is focused on protecting the Sensation’s legacy, supporting the talented crew aboard her, and giving more anglers the chance to become part of Team Sensation. The boat carried a remarkable story long before Ashley owned her. His responsibility now is to honor that history—and help write the chapters still to come.