I first learned about Jason 2 years ago while I was living in Chokoloskee, Florida. Stuart Lee, owner of Canon and Apex paddle companies said I should look him up. I heard he was a young man who had gotten into kayak fishing big time and had a reputation as a terrific fisherman. I took his number and put it in my cell phone but never called as I didn't expect to be up that way then. Turns out Stu told Jason about me so we each knew about the other. Jason started contributing to KFM in our guide reports. When I determined that I was going to be in the Tampa area I gave him a call to say hello and we made loose arrangements to get together and fish while I was down there.

The weather was horrendous and I chronicled it in last month’s article Florida Road Trip 2010. However Jason put me on a lot of big reds and trout.  Also we got into some great snook action. He knows his stuff. While I was there he appeared on the cover of Saltwater Angler and he introduced me to a number of great people.

1) How and when did you start fishing and where?

I have been fishing since I was big enough to hold a pole in my hand. I grew up in a fishing family and have spent most of my life on the water.

2) When did you learn about kayak fishing and how/when did you start?

After I graduated High School I began working at my family’s owned and operated shop Canoe Country Outfitters. I was about 18 and went kayak fishing a couple times each day and got hooked on it.

3) What was your first fishing kayak and what do you use now?

My first kayak was a Wilderness Systems Tarpon 120.  Now I have a fleet of Wilderness Systems that include the Tarpon 120, 130t, 140, 160 and the Ride 135.  Primarily I use the Tarpon 160 because it allows me to cover more water in a day.

4) What types of fishing do you do from your kayak, methods, species, environments and which do you like the most?

The West Central coast of Florida offers a variety of options from flats, docks, beaches, rivers and estuaries.  The seasons are a big factor in determining where I am going to fish and what my target species is.  I love when big snook get way back in remote areas where other boaters can’t get to them.  I also love target large game fish using top water lures.

5) How did you end up guiding?

I began guiding while I was working at Canoe Country Outfitters and having people begging me to take them out fishing.  I find it very rewarding to put a client on a prized game fish.

6) What are some of your kayak fishing goals?

This year I plan on targeting large offshore fish using a kayak such as wahoo, tuna, grouper and billfish.  Another goal of mine is to use a mother ship boat to do a variety of different kayak trip options.  A dream of mine is catching big fish all over the world in the kayak.