How it all started.

Like most of us, fishing probably started as a fun idea your friends came up with on a nice spring day—or maybe a parent or guardian decided it was time to introduce you to something new. I hope your first time out was a success, but if you’re like me—it wasn’t!

I had no idea what I was doing. I was using a saltwater rod and reel, trying to catch a three-inch bluegill in a small pond in Staten Island, New York (not the mecca of freshwater fishing—lol). I’m sure I got laughed at a few times that day, but I didn’t let that stop me. As I grew, so did my fishing skills. I stuck with it, learned from my mistakes, and started seeing success.

A lot of people put the rod down at some point—life gets busy, and responsibilities take over. It happens to the best of us. But for me, fishing isn’t just something I enjoy—it’s part of who I am. It’s my way to unplug, find my Zen, and challenge myself. Every time I’m out on the water, I learn something new. It never gets old, and it’s never boring.

Fishing is a skill you can always improve but never truly master, and that’s what makes it exciting. The lessons I’ve learned from fishing apply to so many other aspects of life, and I’m excited to share that knowledge with you. I can’t wait to see you succeed!

Mike Maratea