Sensation Jarrett Bay Boatwork's 

Hull #1

I grew up in New Bern, North Carolina, fishing the Neuse River from a little Jon boat and loving every minute of it. Like a lot of kids around Eastern North Carolina, being around the water was just part of life. But everything changed the first time I went offshore fishing. My dad introduced me to one of his business partners, and from that first trip offshore, I was completely hooked.

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As much as I loved fishing, I realized early on that offshore sportfishing wasn’t cheap. I decided that if I wanted to fish at the level I dreamed about, I needed to focus on building a successful career first. So for nearly 20 years, I stepped away from serious fishing and concentrated on making a living and building a future.

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But the ocean has a way of calling you back.

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Eventually, the opportunity came along to purchase the Sensation, and from the day I signed the paperwork, I knew this was more than just buying a boat. The Sensation already had a legendary history long before I ever stepped aboard. As Jarrett Bay Boatworks’ very first hull, she’s more than a sportfishing boat — she’s a floating piece of North Carolina sportfishing history.

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I often tell people that I don’t really feel like I “own” the Sensation. I simply hope to be a good chapter in her story.

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Owning and operating the boat has been an incredible journey. There’s something special about fishing out of Morehead City. The Crystal Coast truly is a fisherman’s paradise. Whether you fish inshore, nearshore, offshore, or tournament fish on the blue water, there’s something here for everyone year-round.

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One of the things I love most is seeing first-time anglers experience offshore fishing for the first time. Watching someone’s eyes light up when a fish comes up behind the spread or seeing a marlin crash a teaser never gets old. That excitement and connection to the water is what makes this sport so special.

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The Sensation has become known as a true fish raiser over the years. Some people say it’s the single-screw design, others say it’s the hull harmonics, prop vibration, or the way the boat was built. Whatever it is, this boat has a reputation for raising fish, and it’s amazing to watch it happen day after day.

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Of course, no conversation about the Sensation would be complete without mentioning the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament. Fishing in events like the Big Rock is something I dreamed about long before I ever owned this boat. We’ve experienced incredible highs and heartbreaking lows, including the unforgettable 2023 Big Rock where we landed a 619.4-pound blue marlin that was later disqualified. Even through moments like that, the support from the fishing community has been overwhelming, and it only deepened my respect for this sport and this town.

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Today, I’m fortunate to work alongside an incredible crew including Captain Brock Tatalovich and mate Charlie, whose chemistry and professionalism make this operation what it is. We fish hard, compete hard, and most importantly, work together as a team. That’s why everything we do carries the name “Team Sensation.”

At the end of the day, our goal is simple: create unforgettable experiences for people who love the water as much as we do. Whether someone steps aboard as a lifelong angler or a first-time fisherman, we want them to leave with memories, stories, and hopefully a cooler full of fish.

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Because around here, it’s not just about fishing.

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It’s about family, tradition, competition, teamwork, and preserving the incredible sportfishing legacy of the Crystal Coast.

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— Captain Ashley Bleau
Sensation Sportfishing
Morehead City, North Carolina