05/31/2026
It has been a long time since I posted anything about fishing. A podcaster approached me to see if I would feel comfortable talking about my fishing career. He is especially interested to hear more about my impressions of Boston Harbor. Some of my former sports have also told me it’s time to share my memories from my 40 years in the fishing industry.
Well, I was fortunate to have owned the biggest independent outdoor sports store south of Boston specializing in fishing. This allowed me access to some amazing anglers. I also was a successful charter skipper running my own boats, first on the South Shore and the Cape before concentrating on the “Harba”. Crewing on other boats, especially during tournaments, put me in front of even more great anglers. I authored numerous articles about my adventures for the Fisherman Magazine, New England Anglers’ Guide, and On the Water, some of which are still available on those publications’ websites.
Well, it is time that I give back to our fishing community. My biggest piece of advice is to be a sponge…take in everything that is offered. Today some anglers spend extreme amounts of time browsing the internet, which might have merit and be helpful at times. However, active involvement is much more valuable than passive viewing of online ideas.
My career began in BC times (before computers) so I will tell you there is no substitution for experience. And that is something you cannot buy…if you are not out there trying, you are missing opportunities to gain experience and improve your skills. The 80/20 rule applies to fishing. We know that 80% of the fish are caught by 20% of the anglers, and that is not just luck. We also know that 80% of the fish are found in just 20% of the water and those areas change constantly during the season and daily due to tides. Begin your journey by focusing on understanding better the fish you are targeting and the areas you are fishing.
That is enough for this post.
Tight Lines
Captain Bill
