IAMA: 24 year old saltwater fisherman with 15 years of experience ask me anything

Where do you normally do your angling?

I love in Tampa. Florida. So mainly along the west coast of Florida down to the keys

What do you angle?

Red drum, Tarpon, snook, flounder, speckled trout, sheepshead

What's your biggest catch?

150lb tarbon

What's the pay like there?

How many people on board at a time?

Is it your only source of income?

Well my boat can only hold 6 people. Its a 19ft sea king with an Evinrude E-tec 115. I usually only take it out on weekends and don't charge anyone other than gas $. Its not.my source of income.

My parents are thinking about retiring in Florida, from Alaska. My dad is an avid fisherman who mainly goes out for halibut and salmon in his 24' aluminum hard top. Do you prefer the west coast of FL (compared to the east coast) for saltwater fishing? Why or why not? I would really appreciate your input on this, as fishing is pretty much all he lives for.

West coast. The water stays warmer in the winter so fish are more active. Tampa is a great place to fish because they bay attracts all kinds of fish, and you can take a 30 min boat ride out deeper for game fish like tuna, kingfish, grouper and mahi

What would be the best place to learn to saltwater fish for an amateur?

Inshore like from a beach or pier

What is the deal with the jumping fish? I think they are mullet. I've seen them while kayaking in the bay.

They are mullet. Well if they are on their side they are. Some fish will strike the top of the water like tarpon or ladyfish. But mullet are the only ones who jump for no apparant reasons

What's the most common newbie mistake while fishing?

I ask because I never catch anything. This is fresh water I'm talking about, by the way.

Bait, you have to use the right kind of bait for certain fish. Earthworms catch a wide variety of species like. Bass, perch, sunfish and catfish, lures and crankbaits work for bass, muskies, and other predatory fish

What goes good with a 2lb lake trout?

Lemon butter caper dill

I have been wanting to use more lures for red and specks. Any good recommendations?

Love the Johnson's sprite for reds. I use gold over silver. Its a spoon

Is it fun? I've thought about becoming a fisherman before. It sounds like a chill job.

Its fun I mainly just take friends and familu but am trying to get my charter lisence

Do you have your own boat? If yet, what's it's name?

Its a 19ft sea king named Triton

Have you ever limited out on specks(25) and reds(5) and had some lemonfish and white trout or flounder or amberjack in there too? Have you ever been to louisiana?

Its one red a day flounder is 10 per day here. Hit.my limit sometimes not always

They changed the rules to allow 2 reds per person now.

Only in the Northwest region. Here in Tampa its still only one red

I live on Davis Island. What can I catch here, and what bait works best? Thanks.

Fish off the wall. Or near Bayshore. Live shrimp with a cork. Or a mirror lure. Use braided line. 10lb test. Also green backs or white bait work

What led you to fishing as a career? Is there a legendary fish which fishermen prize above all others and have you caught one???

I always grew up surfing and fishing in Cali. Nebraska, and here in Florida. Its just always been a part of my life

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Damn auto correct on my phone. My laptop is broken. :(

Have you seen any marked decline in the numbers of fish, or species of fish, what do you think is the best way to conserve fish stocks?

Well recently in the last few years it got really cold here and the snook died. Large breeder fish survived but the numbers declined rapidly. They put a ban on harvesting. Season is still.closed. its seriously to reopen in September I believe

I dont mean to rain on your parade but saltwater fishing is different in nearly every country because most countries have different fish species and locations.

I have been saltwater fishing for over 30 years now and have fished all over the world. I fish nearly every day but I would never call myself an expert angler.

No worries know. Not trying to be a know it all. Fishing Is my life and I love being able to share it. Its my peace and serenity.

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Every day. I live one minute walking from the water