Ambar Ramirez Carmen Macri
There are plenty of fish in the sea.
Words by Ambar Ramirez and Carmen Macri
We recently came across a report ranking Florida as the second best fishing state in the U.S. — just behind Alaska. And it got us wondering: What makes Florida such a top-tier fishing destination? Honestly, the only fishing expertise we had came from endless Instagram posts and dating profiles of guys proudly holding up their latest catch, grinning like they just discovered fire. In other words, we knew absolutely nothing. So we got to digging, or should we say, we got to fishing (and quickly found out Ambar does not have her sea legs)
Fishing in Northeast Florida, as you can imagine, has been around since the dawn of time. The Timucua people, an indigenous tribe predating European colonization, were heavy fishers, making the most of the region’s geographical goldmine. With the St. Johns River, Intracoastal waterways and Atlantic Ocean right at their doorstep, the Timucua used weirs, plant fiber nets and bone hooks to reel in their catch from the river and nearby tidal creeks. Shell mounds — giant piles of discarded oyster shells — can still be found in parts of Northeast Florida, a testament to just how central seafood was to life here.
Once the Spanish settled in St. Augustine, fishing in Northeast Florida had already become an essential player in the economy, and by the 1800s, Jacksonville developed into a port town. Commercial fishing also expanded in tandem with the city’s growth during this period. Fishing wasn’t just about dinner now, it was about business.
The 20th century, though, is when fishing truly hit its stride. In the early years, the shrimping industry took off, especially around Mayport and Fernandina Beach. Small, family-run boats would head out daily, returning with massive hauls that didn’t just feed Florida but much of the southeastern U.S. As Mayport shrimp became a regional delicacy, the need for places to eat it arose — enter the fish camp. What started as informal gatherings where fishers camped out, fished, and swapped stories while cooking their catch over a campfire soon morphed into something bigger. By the mid-20th century, more evolved fish camps popped up all along the East Coast, offering bait and tackle sales, boat rentals and seafood dining. It was a reflection of the growing love for recreational fishing and the lifestyle it spawned.
Recreational fishing really took off during the post-WWII boom. More folks had boats, extra cash and the free time to use both. The post-war era marked a new wave of enthusiasm for outdoor activities, and fishing was no exception. Charter captains began operating out of Mayport, offering offshore trips targeting kingfish, snapper and other prized species. The rise of boating culture also meant people could fish in both saltwater and freshwater, exploring the city’s many creeks and riverbanks for bass, catfish and bream. As demand for fishing grew, so did the infrastructure. Piers went up, got stocked and were quickly packed with anglers. Fishing clubs were formed. Tournaments kicked off. And magazines jumped on the bandwagon.
In July of 1981, the very first Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament hit the water. The idea came from a group of local businessmen who’d been casting lines in other coastal tournaments and thought, “If they can do it, why not Jacksonville?” Turns out they were onto something. The tournament ended up being a game-changer for kingfish competitions across the Southeast. Fishing, once divided into recreational, commercial and charter categories, suddenly had a fourth contender — tournament fishing. And with it came pride, camaraderie and a boost in tourism. It wasn’t just about the catch anymore — it was about the bragging rights.
And that leads us to the current state of Jacksonville’s fishing hub. Today, the fishing scene is a hybrid of old-school grit and high-tech gadgets. While there’s now sonar, GPS, fish-finder and faster boats, there are still grandpas teaching their grandkids how to cast a net barefoot at sunrise.
Now that we got that out of the way, let’s dive into the people who keep the culture alive and well in Northeast Florida.
Commercial Fishing
Dustin McIntire is about as salty as they come — and that’s a compliment. A Jacksonville native through and through, McIntire grew up with a rod in his hand and saltwater in his veins. Right after graduating from Fletcher, he went straight to the docks, joining Captain George Strait aboard the Mayport Princess as a licensed mate. He spent the better part of a decade on that boat, cutting his teeth and chasing fish. Eventually, he took his talents out west, relocating to San Diego to work aboard The Spirit of Adventure, a legendary long-range fishing vessel, where he spent a few years adding Pacific trophies to his resume.
After spending several years working on a boat for stretches of 6 to 12 days at a time, seven months out of the year, McIntire once again shifted gears.
“I bought my commercial boat right after that and commercial fished here at Safe Harbor with the rest of the commercial fleet for another six years,” McIntire shared. “And then I started selling my fish here to Ben Groshell; that’s how I got the job here [Southern Provisions].”
Commercial fishing is the large-scale harvesting of fish and other seafood to sell for profit, usually to markets, restaurants and other distributors. It’s fishing for business, not pleasure. Though, McIntire did enjoy his time out on the water.
“I would get up, and I would fish until I basically couldn’t stand up anymore. You have to figure out when the fish want to bite. They don’t bite all day, all night. So each trip, I would try to figure out the first day when they’re biting the best and then you capitalize on that time period,” McIntire recalled. “So if they’re biting from 3 to 3, you better be fishing from 3 to 3. It’s a whole lot of fishing. I definitely love it. I’ve been, like I said, fishing my whole life.”
Relying on Mother Nature for your paycheck makes living a sustainable life tough. Add the stringent National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulations on fishing seasons, and McIntire decided it was time to switch gears once again.
“And that’s another reason why I got out of full-time commercial fishing,” McIntire shared. “Before, commercial fishermen would go out for, you know, 5 to 7 days at a time and come back with like 4 or 5,000 pounds of fish. Nowadays, you can’t put a lot of fish on the boat. They only give us a three-month season commercially, and you’re only allowed 75 pounds of shrimp, which is kind of a joke. Everything else, you’re allowed 1,000 pounds.”
Now, McIntire manages Southern Provisions while doing part-time commercial fishing on his boss’ 40-foot catamaran, The Invincible.
“It has commercial permits on there, and I take it out as much as possible. I’m not full-time by any means, but I take it out in the summertime,” McIntire explained. “All that fish goes straight from the boat and straight here.”
Southern Provisions is the trusted source for top-notch fish and seafood across some of the area’s best spots, including North Beach Fish Camp, Julington Creek Fish Camp, St. Augustine Fish Camp, Palm Valley Fish Camp, Valley Smoke, Billy Jack’s BBQ, Dockside Seafood, Marker 32 and AB Kitchen.
Charter Fishing
“Mother Nature is my boss.”
Adam Petnuch is a true Illinoisan — with his waders firmly planted in the Great Lakes. But his real fishing roots came during his adolescence, spending countless hours with his dad on the waters of northern Wisconsin, reeling in memories — and plenty of fish — that would stick with him for life.
“I always had a love for fishing,” Petnuch shared. “I’ve been fishing my whole life.”
Around 18, Petnuch started making regular trips to Florida to fish in our diverse waterways. That’s when he realized what he’d been missing out on — he was hooked. So, in 2016, at the age of 21, he packed up his bags, rods and reels, and made the big move to St. Augustine, ready to cast his lot in the
Sunshine State. A year later, Petnuch started his fish charting business — the Reel Dream.
“I went down to the Keys when I was a little bit younger and booked my first charter down there that I paid for myself. And I remember thinking to myself, ‘Wow, I just paid this guy to go fishing, he’s got it figured out, he’s getting paid to go fishing, I should do this for a living,” Petnuch explained. “I did personal training at the time, and it was fine, but it just wasn’t fishing for a living.”
Charter fishing is essentially hiring a pro to take you out on the water for a personalized, guided fishing trip on a boat that’s operated by a licensed captain and crew. These trips are all about giving you the chance to catch some serious fish without having to worry about the boat, gear, or where the fish are hiding and it’s a big part of Northeast Florida’s coastal culture.
“I enjoy this way more. Getting to be on the boat and take people out that, you know, haven’t ever caught a tuna or mahi or wahoo and they get to catch their first, is memorable,” Petnuch said. “I don’t get that same excitement from every wahoo or every tuna myself anymore, so I get to see their excitement, and it’s kind of like that first time catching that trophy fish every time.”
Charter fishing comes in a few flavors — inshore, offshore and specialty trips. What sets the Reel Dream apart is that they don’t just stick to one lane — they offer all of the above.
“There aren’t a lot of guys in Northeast Florida that will offer yellowfin tuna fishing or swordfishing. For both, you have to have a fast boat to get out to that area,” Petnuch explained. “The speed of our boat allows us to go to those further spots and target those more elusive, bigger fish. And, you know, the cool part about having a fast boat is that you’re able to do those different kinds of fishing.”
Petnuch believes there are great fishing spots all over the world, each offering something unique. While he hasn’t fished everywhere, the places he has been to each have their own strengths. What stands out to him about Jacksonville is its versatility — if you have the right boat, you can target just about everything. That’s exactly why he built the Reel Dream. From running east of the Gulf Stream to catch yellowfin tuna to landing big mahi or going swordfishing, Jacksonville offers it all. Sure, it might take a longer run and more effort, but it’s possible. Unlike other areas where certain types of fishing are off the table — whether due to geography or overfishing — Jacksonville still has strong opportunities across the board. That variety and consistency, he says, are what makes it one of the top fishing destinations.
“When we go out fishing, it’s usually me and one or two deckhands, just depending on the day. And sometimes, they just want to go because they know the fishing’s good, and they don’t want to miss out,” Petnuch shared. “And sometimes they just want to ride along for the day and just be out there because we all love it. That’s one thing that I look for when I get people asking me if I’m hiring. If I don’t see the love for it, you know, if their first question to me is how much do you pay? Or what’s the compensation? I don’t even respond. Because you have to have the love for it. You can make a lot more money a lot of different ways. We do it because we love it.”
Tournament Fishing
Marcus Nelson grew up with salt in his blood and a cast that’s been practiced since childhood. Growing up in Jacksonville Beach, Nelson caught his first flounder before he could tie his own shoes. Raised on bait and sea breeze, Nelson fished in his first tournament when he was only 7 years old.
“I started fishing in tournaments when I was seven with Randy Nader, a local guy here. He introduced me to tournament fishing, and I knew how to fish, but he was the first person that was like, ‘Hey, do you want to do these tournaments?” Nelson shared. “There’s junior anglers that come in fish junior angler tournaments, but he actually asked me if I wanted to come fish with the adults. So seven years old was when I first actually started doing this.”
Tournament fishing is a structured, competitive event where anglers fish under a defined set of rules for a specific goal — typically to catch the biggest or most fish of a certain species. These events are organized by clubs, organizations or sponsors and range from small-town derbies to massive, internationally known competitions with hundreds of boats, TV crews and six-figure payouts.
Nelson’s been fishing for three decades and tournament fishing for nearly 28 years with over 250 tournaments under his belt. From his early days as a junior angler, he’s racked up more than 20 wins, proving he’s not just in it for the fun — he’s in it to dominate.
“I get asked this a lot, like why do we do these tournaments and why do we really deprive ourselves the sleep. To point my finger on a favorite trip would be really hard. But the experiences that we get during these tournaments, not everybody can say they have,” Nelson said. “We’ve woken up in Jacksonville, put the boat in the Mississippi, drove through the Mississippi River across the Louisiana Delta and almost hit Texas to go fishing. The experience alone is what I look for, not necessarily the trophies. The trophies are good and the money’s good, but having fun doing that, that’s me.”
As a tournament fisherman, Nelson is not just casting lines when there’s a trophy on the table — he’s out there at least twice a week, every week of the year. When tournament season heats up in the summer, he kicks it into high gear. One week, it’s five days straight, the next might be three, then right back to five. It ebbs, it flows.
“The biggest misconception is that it’s all fun. People see our Instagrams and our fishing photos and they say, ‘Hey, I want to go fishing,’ but then when you tell them what time to be at the boat or how long we’re going to be out for, and then you go 250 miles out in one day and not catch a fish and then come home. It’s not what it’s cracked up to be,” Nelson explained. “People who fish and love to fish actually love it, it’s not a fad. But nobody knows the actual work that goes into it and how many days I have not caught a fish. It’s a lot of work; you have to love it.”
Nelson remembered that when he was younger, fishing was something a lot of people his age did, while the older crowd stuck to the weekend warrior routine. But over the years, he’s seen the sport grow, with more people getting involved. He thinks that’s partly why politics have crept into fishing — to manage the increase in interest.
“I think NOAA and the regulations are kind of overzealous. I think it’s not research, it’s just businessmen trying to make business decisions without any experience or knowledge of the actual population of the fish,” Nelson said.
He also pointed out that his generation fishes more than the one before it — whether it’s after work, during the week, or at night on weekends. And in his eyes, today’s fishermen have a much better understanding of the water than ever before. With bigger, faster boats, anglers can explore more of Florida’s waters than in the past. Adding on that fishing has taken on a bit of a cultural shift, especially with social media. Where people once flaunted flashy cars, now it’s all about showing off fish photos — sometimes, it seems like people are even looking for fishermen for that reason.
For Nelson, who’s spent most of his life on the water, fishing has always been about the thrill of the catch. While he’s hooked some impressive wahoo and redfish over the years, it’s the rush of king fishing that keeps him coming back for more, sleep deprivation and all. As Nelson put it, it’s one of the best feelings offshore.
While we’re on the subject of kingfishing, it’s worth tipping a hat to Chris Ebreo—a familiar face in Jacksonville Marine Charities for over 17 years. He’s earned the respect of more fishermen than you can count, all while serving on the board for events like the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament.
“Events like the Greater Jacksonville Kingfish Tournament and the Redfish Roundup are two highlights of the local fishing calendar each year that people look forward to and that I’ve had the pleasure of helping with. However, they are just part of a larger scene. Most tournaments in Jacksonville support charitable causes, which is what initially drew me to Jacksonville Marine Charities many years ago,” Ebreo explained. “These tournaments attract anglers from various backgrounds and experience levels, ranging from charter captains and fishing teams to first-timers eager to catch that big one and win it all. Jacksonville’s extensive waterways offer a diverse range of fishing opportunities, making it an ideal location for tournament fishing.”
Sport Fishing
Cade Macri has been hooked on the ocean since he could walk. Growing up with the Intracoastal as a backyard, rigging tackle became second nature to him. He started out fishing rivers, ponds and creeks, but once he made his way offshore, there was no looking back.
Macri kicked off his offshore career like so many others — diving into a kingfish tournament. Right from the start, he was hooked by the thrill of it all, constantly chasing that next adrenaline rush. As time went on, he found himself gravitating toward a different kind of fishing. One where the goal isn’t to take the fish home, but to release it back into the wild. Sounds simple enough, right? Except the fish they’re after aren’t your average catch — they’re some of the fastest, most elusive creatures in the ocean.
“It was on the 4th of July in 2015, I was with Hayden in the Bahamas on a family trip and it was one of our last days fishing,” Macri recalled. “I caught my first Blue Marlin. First one I’ve ever seen, first one I’ve ever caught, and the biggest one I’ve ever caught. I was hooked from then on out.”
Florida is the sport fishing capital of the world and is less about filling a cooler and more about chasing the thrill. It’s casting lines for the fun of it — for the quiet, the technique, and maybe that one perfect fish. It’s fishing for fun, skill, and sometimes a challenge — usually trying to catch specific species, using certain gear and practicing catch and release.
Macri found himself drawn to billfishing in particular. Billfishing focuses on species with long, sharp bills, like marlin, sailfish and swordfish. These fish aren’t just massive — they’re built for speed, power and endurance, making them a real challenge for any angler. It’s a test of skill and stamina every time. There is a certain level of tactical strategy used, specifically in billfishing, that other types of line-and-reel action don’t adhere to.
“Everyone’s kind of getting into the meat fishing. They’re going out there and trying to catch a wahoo or trying to catch a kingfish. And there’s really a sport behind it,” Macri explained. “But you know, this is kind of a different type of fishing. This one’s a little more tactical.”
Billfishing tournaments are few and far between, overshadowed by the plethora of offshore tournaments. They also have to adjust for anglers who aren’t as keen on the idea of catch-and-release, preferring instead to take home their catch. The Bluewater Tournament in St. Augustine is a prime example. Its main focus is on the catch-and-release of blue marlin but includes a kill portion for other blue-water species to attract more participants.
“I love catching blue marlins because they’re one of the toughest fish to capture in the ocean, for me. Some people would say otherwise, that a red snapper might be the hardest here, but I think the blue marlins are kind of tricky to catch, and there’s an art to it,” Macri said. “From tying the hooks to respooling the rods to rigging the bait to building the dredges to building the squid chains, you know, there’s so much that goes into just trying to capture one of these fish that are fairly difficult to catch.”
Alongside his passion for sport billfishing, Macri found a bit of relief working as a part-time freelance mate. After graduating, he quickly realized that being broke outside of college wasn’t all it was cracked up to be. “Once you graduate, it’s time to find a real job,” he says.
“Well, what we’ll do is we’re the guys in the cockpit. So you got a captain who runs the boat, and then somebody who has to rig the bait, tie the hooks, you know, make sure everything’s turnkey, there’s a lot that goes behind the scenes. You can’t just go out there with some Walmart fishing pole and try and catch something,” Macri explained. “You got to put some sweat equity into it.”
With freelance work, you’re on call with no set schedule. So when the call comes in—“We’re fishing tomorrow” — Macri’s off to the races. He and the crew gather the bait, rig it up, prep the boat and head offshore. He’s one of the guys who hooks the fish. A fish shows up on the chain, and he’s the one pitching the bait and handing off the rod when the moment’s right. A lot of times, it’s hook-in-hand action from the jump.
Whether he’s strictly working as the mate or out there fishing with friends depends on the operation. Some days, he’s all about the technical work — hooking and handing. Other days, he’s got a rod in hand, right in the mix with the rest of the crew.
Lady Anglers
Born in Charleston, South Carolina, and raised under the Florida sun, Shannon Spalding was practically destined to fall in love with fishing. She swears she caught the bug back in high school, when afternoons meant casting lines with friends instead of hitting the books. Since then, it’s been all water, all the time—whether she’s offshore chasing big game or tucked into the riverbanks reeling in the day. If there’s a rod and reel involved, chances are, Spalding’s not far behind.
“Being a female fisherman in a male-dominated sport has provided me a unique and enriching experience. Of course, there are some challenges, but all of my challenges have been overcome due to the amount of support the fishing community provides. In order to be respected as a true fisherman, you feel the need to break stereotypes by demonstrating your skills, knowledge and passion for the sport,” Spalding shared. “Female anglers often bring unique perspectives and approaches to fishing, including different communication styles and techniques. I think there are many men who appreciate these perspectives and enjoy having females on the boat as much as their male friends.”
Spalding is just one of many women who is breaking the stereotype that fishing is a man’s sport. While fishing was a fun pastime for Spalding, her passion grew when she got into tournament fishing. On average, Spalding competes in about six or seven tournaments a year.
“I did not start to compete in tournaments until later on and it added an exciting layer to my passion for fishing. The competitive environment fosters teamwork and camaraderie, which is very rewarding for me,” Spalding said. “I also appreciate the structure of being on a team for the tournaments where everyone has a role and is held to the same standards. I do not like to be underestimated, and I want to be able to provide the same amount of value as everyone else on the boat.”
Spalding finds it hard to pinpoint a single moment that defines her love for fishing—each outing serves as a reminder of why she’s so passionate about the sport. Whether it’s a long, cold day spent chasing Wahoo without catching a single fish or a successful trip with a full cooler, she always steps off the boat with a smile. For her, every day on the water is different, full of unexpected sights and new experiences.
“No matter how good of a day of fishing you have you are always going to have some time to enjoy the calm and peace being on the water brings to you. It may be the ride out to your spot or a period where the bite is slow,” Spalding shared. “Any chance that I am on the water, I love every minute of it, whether it is the chaos of catching a monster fish and getting it in the boat or enjoying the beauty of the scenery around me.”
Superstitions
Let’s be honest — fishing isn’t just about rods, reels and the right bait. There’s a whole world of rituals, lucky charms and downright bizarre beliefs lurking beneath the surface. That’s why we had to ask these fishermen about their superstitions. I mean, how else are you supposed to explain why bananas are banned from boats or why someone swears by wearing the same “lucky” hat that hasn’t been washed since ’08? In a sport where the catch can hinge on the tiniest twist of fate, these quirks aren’t just fun—they’re practically sacred.
Folio: Fishermen are known for their superstitions. Are there any that you believe in?
McIntire: I’m not very superstitious. Just no bananas on the boat.
Petnuch: No, no, no bananas on the boat. It’s a joke at this point; we know it’s not a real thing. There’s guys that actually go fishing with bananas jokingly because they, you know, want to disprove it. They’re like, look, we catch fish with bananas, but bananas are bad luck on boats.
Nelson: Well, everybody knows no bananas. That’s a big one. I really don’t know the history behind no bananas; I just know it, and I follow it. No banana peppers on sandwiches. No banana boat sunscreen. No banana-scented sunscreen. For me, it’s no fruit, no watermelon, no anything. I’ve been known to have fruit on the boat, not know it, not catch a fish, throw the fruit in the water, and then catch a fish.
Spalding: We never bring a banana on the boat, and we never wear a shirt that’s brand new, but hats are OK. I won’t even eat a banana before getting on the boat.
Macri: I don’t follow the banana rule. I bring bananas on the boat all the time. It’s like the arrow or the bow, right? Sometimes it’s not the arrow, it’s the guy shooting it. You know what I mean? So bananas or not, I’m just saying I bring them all the time. Eat your potassium out there.
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