12 FATHOM PRO STAFF

Neil is a former professional baseball umpire who moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1993. He has fished Florida waters since 1975 and has concentrated on inshore fishing since moving here. Neil has fished exclusively in kayaks since 1998.

Neil Taylor fishes and takes guided trips in all of Tampa Bay, Clearwater, Dunedin, and Palm Harbor and on up the Nature Coast of Florida's Gulf Coast with light tackle to medium heavy spinning tackle. Trips cover the entire range of species available in the Gulf and inshore waters. Charters specialize in snook, redfish, speckled trout, flounder and sharks, and are successful with pompano, cobia, mackerel, sheepshead, black drum and tarpon.

Neil Taylor is a graduate of the University of Arizona, with a degree in finance and accounting, formerly on the Board of Directors for Pinellas Coastal Conservation Association and an active supporter of Tampa Bay Watch.

* Feature guest on Captain Mel Berman's radio show and special speaking events.
* Seminar speaker for the St Petersburg Times Fishing School seminar series.
* Seminar speaker for Boater's World, Largo; Boater's World Clearwater; and West Marine St    Petersburg
* Correspondent for the St Petersburg Times "Captain's Corner" articles

Capt. Mike Hakala, former owner and designer of Capt. Mike's Guide Proven Lures and current owner of Aqua Dream Inc. has been fishing and guiding on the waters of the North Indian River and Mosquito Lagoon for the last 25 yrs. If Redfish and Sea trout are what you’re after, Capt. Mike knows how to find and catch them. Capt. Mike is a willing teacher and is very happy to show you how to catch more fish. Capt. Mike can be reached at www.mosquitolagooncharterfishing.com
or 386 428 8530.

Captain Chris O’Neill is owner and operator of Tail Chaser Charter Services in Placida Florida. His boats run out of Gasparilla Marina, just minutes from the “tarpon capital of the world”. He is known around the state as a conservationist and mentor to anglers. His can-do attitude provides the perfect platform for catering to the most novice anglers to some of the world’s best.

In addition to being a full-time guide completing over 200+ trips a year, Capt. Chris co-hosts the top rated Reel Saltwater Outdoors Fishing Show which broadcasts six days a week in the Boca Grande area. His show has become the go-to source for anglers seeking tips on lures, locations and whats biting. He also works as the Senior Guide and Outdoor Writer for Sarasota/Bradenton’s Coastal Angler Magazine. Capt. Chris can be seen on various television shows in 2010 to include Shallow Water Angler, Mark Sosin’s Saltwater Journal and the Outdoor Channel’s #1 rated Big Water Adventures.

As a retired U.S. Army First Sergeant with an impressive teaching and mentoring background, Chris was recently hired as the Senior Inshore Instructor at The Feeding Frenzy Sportfishing Academy in Venice, Florida. Capt. Chris developed and implemented the curriculum that is now heralded and sought after by students throughout Florida. As a knowledgeable speaker, he conducts seminars for groups ranging from Corporations such as Cabella’s to local tackle shops.

Captain Ryan is the co-host of Reel Saltwater Outdoors Fishing Radio Show on WENG 107.5 FM and 1530 AM every weekday at 7:25am as well as Saturday afternoons between 1:00 and 2:00. He and Captain Chris let you know what's biting on the local waterways.

A love of fishing has been Captain Ryan’s passion for as long as he can remember. Born Ryan William Rowan in Atlanta, Georgia on November 11, 1971 his family relocated to Bradenton, Florida when he was a year old. Ryan remained in Bradenton until he was an adult and moved to the Charlotte Harbor area to pursue a fishing career.

Captain Ryan received his Captain’s license over 12 years ago when he began running backwater and tarpon fishing charters as well as participating in inshore tournaments and the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series in Boca Grande, Florida. Captain Ryan’s favorite time of the year is “Tarpon Season” (April – July) in Boca Grande, Florida when his steadily growing charter business is in full swing.

For the past five years Captain Ryan has been a member of teams participating in the Professional Tarpon Tournament Series in Boca Grande Florida. For the 2009 season Captain Ryan was a member of the Miller Chill Team which placed 3rd in weeks 2 and 4 of the PTTS. The Miller Chill team also made tournament history for earning the most points in one week of the 5 week series.