Becoming a
Florida Surf Fishing Guide
Began with two strangers on a pristine beach in Tampa Bay.
They were avid watermen on vacation in Florida and dreaming of surf fishing to land a Snook from the beach.
When I happened upon them, they were frustrated, telling me “they still didn’t know what they were looking at” even after spending hours “going down the YouTube rabbit hole” attempting to learn surf fishing for Snook. I offered to help and the three of us spent the rest of the day stalking Snook and wading the cuts. After we parted ways that day, I realized I had experienced more than fishing. I had spent the day with fellow watermen on a fishing adventure that lit me up and I wanted to do it again. So I started Watermen Fishing to help others learn Florida surf fishing, but also to experience the same adventure and comradery that continues to this day.
I hope you’ll join me. This isn’t your average fishing charter — it’s an adventure.
What’s up fam.
My name is Dan Watson, Florida Surf Fishing Guide. You’ve found me because you want to go fishing….and I do, too! Honestly I’m probably out there right now and you should be also! But first, you’re here because you want to hire a guide and I’m really thankful for that. I’ve been fishing the Tampa Bay area since I was in diapers. Specifically, whether it’s on fly or conventional, I love fishing our insanely beautiful beaches for Snook and any other sport species I can throw a line at. I look forward to showing you some really beautiful spots, sharing some helpful tips for spotting fish, and teaching you how Florida surf fishing works. It’s not just about fishing…but sharing some of the knowledge I have picked up along the way.
I look forward to hitting the water with you!
Living the Dream — a Sailboat, a Beach, and Surf Fishing
You could say being a Florida waterman is in my blood — which probably has something to do with the fact that my parents raised me on a sailboat in St. Petersburg, Florida for the first two years of my life.
When they could no longer contain me, they purchased a timeshare in St. Pete Beach where we vacationed every summer only ten minutes from our home. I spent those weeks wading the cuts between the shore and the sandbar stalking Snook.
As a teenager, I lived the dream as a lifeguard at Fort Desoto State Park, literally voted one of America’s Best Beaches for years. I don’t mind admitting that more often than not, you could find me fishing when I was supposed to be at school. I did graduate high school, and then joined the U.S. Coast Guard where I was stationed in Morro Bay, California.
My most memorable Coast Guard experience was being temporarily stationed in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where I had the immense privilege of spear fishing the pristine waters of the Caribbean. Cuba is also where I met my lovely wife, Ericka — my ultimate catch!
Now, as a father of four children, I carry on the waterman legacy, still vacationing in the same spot — but now over 40 family members join us on a pristine beach for a week at the end of summer. Each morning, fishing poles in hand, we stalk the beach, wetting the lines before the sun begins to bake us. In the evening, we reconvene on the channel side of Boca Ciega Bay and night fish for hours. I never grow bored surf fishing Tampa Bay’s best beaches!
It’s this passion for Florida’s saltwater in general and surf fishing specifically that I hope to bring to you.