A successful unguided-guide fishing trip

As mentioned in an earlier story, I was intimidated by so much water, islands, canals and bridges in the Florida Keys. I needed help. And I found it in a young man named Blake.

He is 24 years old and is in the process of taking his tests to be a fishing guide. He fishes most mornings and works in a tackle store in the afternoons.

He can’t take people for money since he is not yet a licensed guide. But, I visited him several times in the tackle store. We agreed for him to take me in his boat and I would pay the expenses – paid fuel, chum, etc. It worked out great and I gave him a big tip each trip.