Peacock bass being released in the everglades

bio: captain Eric

I was born in Bellville New Jersey, but my family moved to South Florida when I was four years old. That’s where I grew up, and have lived the majority of my life. However, my earliest memories of fishing lay back in New Jersey. Perched on top of a little red dock jetting out into Highland Lake, under the tutelage of my Grandfather. The red eared sunfish never stood a chance.

Growing up in South Florida, there was no shortage of lakes and ponds to hone my angling skills. Many days after school, I’d ride my bike to the local pond, and not uncommonly catch 30 largemouth bass before I had to come in for dinner. Today, these same ponds are no longer home to largemouth, but now their South American cousin, the Peacock Bass.

I graduated from Sheridan Technical College with an associates in Automotive Technology, during which was employed by South Florida’s largest Dodge, Chrysler, Jeep, Fiat dealer as an Automotive Technician, specializing in the Diesel platform. Armed with a wealth of Automotive knowledge, and a talent behind a computer, an opportunity opened up for me to become the lead merchandiser for a large online automotive parts and accessory retailer, where I spent thirteen years building a career.

However, the further i progressed in that career, the more unfulfilled i felt. my passion lies with fishing, and the outdoors. Catching those sunfish in Highland Lakes, New Jersey ignited a fire in me to become a great angler, a desire to catch fun and exciting species, and document some of it through my YouTube channel. Many of my friends, and peers I’d meet began to ask me to take them fishing to catch big fat bass, or the colorful peacocks I was constantly catching. I loved seeing their excitement fighting the fish, and watching their eyes light up when the fish was landed and in their hands.

I quickly  began to realize how much I enjoyed helping others catch their bucket list fish, and my passion has changed from being the angler, to guiding other anglers to catch that fish of a lifetime. It is such a rewarding experience to teach someone else the skills and techniques I’ve learned, and see it translate into results that fill their heart with joy, holding a catch they’ll never forget. I've now made guiding my full time career and I'm not looking back. i absolutely love it, and pour my heart and soul into every trip.
A young captain Eric showing off his catch