First Mate Robby
My name is Robby, I’m 25 years old and I live in St Petersburg, FL. I’m originally from Waterbury, CT. I was raised by the best, most loving parents anyone can ask for and I have an older brother (who I live with today) and a younger sister. Our family is and always was very tight knit. We like to say “see ya later” over “goodbye” and never miss an opportunity to say “I love you”, which made losing my father unexpectedly in 2014 so tough on us all. Growing up I had many hobbies and pastimes, from sports like baseball, football, swimming, and weightlifting to activities like hiking/exploring, cliff diving and motorcycle riding. But none of those compare to my love of fishing. My dad got me started while I was still in diapers. He had a 17′ Mako center console that he’d take my brother and me out on and I’ll never forget the feeling of hooking my first fish. It was an excitement I had never known and from that day forward I spent all the time I could spare on the water with a rod and reel. From freshwater ponds, lakes, creeks and streams, to salt water rivers, jetties, beaches and piers all along Long Island sound. I started working when I was 15 and never went more than a day between the few jobs I’ve had in the past 10 years, I’ve always loved working hard and the sense of fulfillment I get after a long day. Which works out because I have expensive taste in fishing gear. I would get my eye on something I wanted and save every nickel I could to get it. I’ve spent countless nights from dusk to dawn wading beaches and casting plugs into the surf on the hunt for big Striped Bass. But, as I expanded my knowledge of the different fisheries around the world, I became fascinated with Florida, and Tampa Bay’s estuaries that hold an abundance of one of my favorite gamefish; Snook. So, when my sister in law landed a job in St. Pete right out of college and announced she and my brother were moving down here, I decided I was ready to pull the trigger, too. I moved down with no plan but I knew my ultimate goal was to get into the fishing industry. I got a serving job at Romano’s Macaroni Grill to pay the bills, then one day by the Grace of God I crossed paths with some of the greatest guys I’ve ever had the pleasure of working with, and I became a mate for Tampa Fishing Charters. For over a year now I’ve learned so much about our inshore and nearshore fishing which is unique to our bay, and I love every minute of it. Getting to share that knowledge with curious clients, and seeing their eyes light up when we put them on a fish is absolutely priceless. Words cant express my gratitude for this daily opportunity. It’s only a matter of time before I get my captain’s license and start guiding trips myself, and with the way our team works together the sky is the limit!
