Waterman's Choice

Waterman's Choice Purveyor of fine Carolina shellfish. Now harvesting fresh from...
- Topsail Sound - Stump Sound -

Can't rush the tide.Clams are looking good but still need a little more time to grow. These will go back overboard until...
09/05/2026

Can't rush the tide.

Clams are looking good but still need a little more time to grow. These will go back overboard until the spring. 2 years down, 6 months to go.

09/05/2026

DeepReef, Part II: The Neighborhood

Oysters grown subtidally in Topsail Sound might enjoy cooler waters and plenty of feed. But they don’t get a free pass.

The depths harbor colossal stone crabs, Atlantic Rays with wingspans the size of car hoods and a resident population of drum that always seemed to know where the oysters are at.

Oysters respond to predator cues by investing more in itself. Thicker shells and a strong adductor muscle are the ROI.

And when I started harvesting DeepReefs, the results were obvious.

Thick and rugged shells. Bigger, meatier oysters. And a flavor that tasted unmistakably of where it came from. Brine, seaweed, and fresh seagrass.

DeepReef isn’t an raised apart from its environment.
It’s an oyster developed by selective pressure. Mother Nature culls what wouldn't make the grade to start.

And the depths of Topsail Sound have plenty of ways to make you earn your keep.

Who's gettin' theirs?
09/01/2026

Who's gettin' theirs?

Fine Carolina Shellfish. Raised here and meant to be shared.
08/27/2026

Fine Carolina Shellfish.

Raised here and meant to be shared.

The story of DeepReef begins beneath the surface.Grown subtidally their entire lives, these oysters are shaped by the co...
08/25/2026

The story of DeepReef begins beneath the surface.

Grown subtidally their entire lives, these oysters are shaped by the cool currents that creep into the sound from New Topsail Inlet. Now they’re making their way to market....and they’re first up on the harvest list.

A perfect oyster to welcome the early season.

What does “premium” actually mean?It means...- GROWN on the right site, with environmental stewardship always in mind. -...
08/23/2026

What does “premium” actually mean?

It means...
- GROWN on the right site, with environmental stewardship always in mind.
- Meticulously GRADED for size and quality.
- WASHED, with seawater on the farm. Freshwater never touches the product.
- HANDLED with care from the farm to the table.

Premium is a process. Not just a label.

08/16/2026

Feeding strong and growing fast

Coastal North Carolina is, at its foundation, a land of sand. Much of the sediment along our coast is made up of quartz ...
08/15/2026

Coastal North Carolina is, at its foundation, a land of sand.

Much of the sediment along our coast is made up of quartz sand. Hard, resistant grains carried downstream and reworked by waves, tides, and currents. But that is only one part of the sediment equation.

Move from the high-energy beaches into quieter estuaries and the sediment becomes progressively richer in silt, clay, and organic material. Shell fragments and other biological material add another layer to the mix.

Coastal geology is a gradient. The energy of the wind and water determines what stays, what moves, and what accumulates.

Bottom type can influence what an oyster tastes like and how it grows. Especially if grown close to or on it. In my experience, I find that oysters grown over sand tend to be leaner and those grown over organic, muddy bottoms are much fatter. Can you see the difference below?

When looking at the NC coast, it’s important to recognize the distinctions between its two major regions. One way of doi...
08/13/2026

When looking at the NC coast, it’s important to recognize the distinctions between its two major regions. One way of doing this is by dividing the coast based on its geology.

The Southern Province is older and can be defined by its overall higher elevation and small, tidally driven estuaries. The northern coast is younger and characterized by its vast, flat landscape, which is drowned by the wind-driven Pamlico Sound.

The forces that shape the Oyster Coast are the same forces that shape our oysters. To fully appreciate the craft of shellfish cultivation, it’s important to know the place.

Address

Topsail, NC

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Waterman's Choice posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Waterman's Choice:

Shortcuts

Share

Category