My love for paddling and fishing began at a very young age. I grew up on a beautiful lake in DeLand , FL. My dad bought a red Old Town Canoe for us to paddle around the lake. My next door neighbor on the lake was a Pro Bass fisherman who regularly stocked our lake with all types of freshwater species. When I was 9 years old, my dad and neighbor bought me my first spinning reel for my birthday. I was blessed to have this great introduction to the water at such a young age. I spent much of my childhood on that shiny red canoe paddling the lake every day, catching Largemouth Bass, Stripe Bass, Speckled Perch, and Blue Gill.
I moved to the west coast of Florida when I was 14 years old. I hadn’t ever really done any serious saltwater fishing before that, except off of docks, beaches, and piers. We had left the canoe with the lake house when we moved. I continued fishing from land and from friends’ boats, but I kept thinking about how fun it would be to get back to paddling around catching fish. As soon as I was old enough to get my first truck, I was ready to get something to paddle! Kayaks were just starting to become popular for fishing, so, I invested in my first kayak. It was called the Dawn Tracker by Ocean Kayak. At the time it was one of Ocean Kayak’s top of the line sit-in fishing kayaks. Man, when I got in the water with that thing, I felt invincible—the unlimited places I was able to go with it. I can’t even begin to tell you how many fish that I caught out of that yak.
Now, over 15yrs. later I am a Pro Kayak fishing Angler and a fulltime Kayak Fishing Guide. The proud owner of Casting Kayaks, LLC out of Sarasota , FL. Through the years I have tried out many different kayaks. Then recently my good friend Pat let me borrow the Predator 13 to do some filming for sponsors. When I sat in the P13 the first time I couldn’t believe how comfortable it was. I couldn’t believe how nice it handled for being a large, wide kayak. Then as I began to fish out of the yak, my mind was blown-- everything on the kayak was so well thought out. Everything I wanted in a kayak, the P13 had! Towards the end of the trip I took the Prowler Big Game 2 out for a spin and it solidified my confidence in Ocean Kayaks. I immediately knew I was ready to change my whole fleet. I pride myself in using nothing but the best products. I’m very thankful to have my new fleet so I can give my clients the best possible experience every time we are out on the water.
One of my greatest enjoyments in life is helping friends and clients experience the beauty and thrill of kayak fishing. Teaching them how to use different types of lures (I specialize in artificial baits) and watching them catch the biggest fish of their life! My mission in life is to get anyone and everyone into a kayak on the water and to show them my life through their eyes… to bless them as I have been blessed. Experiences like these can be life changing.
