“From a lifetime of professional sport fishing I got to know a lot of the marlin/sailfish tournament boats. My career started in 1995, and as I continued to work on different boats and become more experienced, my career excelled and I began to fly to exotic locations where the tournaments were hosted to participate. In 2010, while fishing one of these tournaments, I was introduced my wife Erica. A year later we were married and we now have three beautiful children. I enjoy taking our children and their friends fishing so much that I decided to turn it into a business. “Whippersnappers Fish Camp” was born. This program caters to children and helps them develop their fishing skills. Whippersnappers Fish Camp teaches children the fundamentals of fishing while having loads of fun. Your children will learn about some of the biodiversity in Biscayne Bay while enjoying the natural beauty of South Florida. There is always something biting and the children love it!”
EXPERIENCE
Mate, Defiance, 36’ Boston whaler, Port Aransas, TX, Captain Ralph Ray —
My first paying job on a private charter boat. I fished summers in the Gulf of Mexico doing your typical offshore fishing charters.
Mate, Shut up and fish, 40’ Hatteras, Port Aransas, TX, Captain Matt Sherwood —
My first private sport fishing tournament boat. We traveled fishing gulf coast tournaments such as Poco Bueno, “The Rock”(Rockport Texas Tournament), Texas International Fishing Tournament, Texas Woman’s Anglers Tournament, Mississippi Gulf Coast Billfish Classic out of Biloxi, MS( that was the year the Gulf Blue Marlin record was broken with a 1054.6 lber) With extended stays in Venice, LA
Captain, Grassy Ass, 21’ Triton, Port Aransas, TX, Captain Matt Coffen
I ran my own Bay charter service out of Port Aransas, TX for a few years but the allure of chasing Blue Marlin around the globe was too great and I packed my bags.
Freelance—Captain, Mate, Angler, Wire man, Delivery Captain — 2004- present
Francesca, 60’ Hatteras, Port Aransas, TX Captain Rickey Darlin
Outlaw, 65’ Viking, Port Aransas, TX Captain Mark Nixon
Deguello, 40’ Cobo Express, Port Aransas, TX Captain Bill Diamond
Deguello, 48’ Cobo, Ft. Lauderdale, FL Captain Bill Diamond
Last Stall, 60’ Hatteras, Captain John Teal
Reel Attitude, 68’ Viking, Port Aransas, TX Captain Ray Dunn
Omigosh, 64’ Viking, Rockport, TX Captain Travis Brignon
Play Time 40’ Lures, Stuart, FL Captain Darrin Cobb
Tico Time, 65’ Hatteras, Rockport, TX Captain Mike Hester, Travis Brignon, Matt Coffen
Gander 22’ Tran Sport XLR8, Coconut Grove, FL Captain Matt Coffen
Whippersnapper 24’6” Robalo 246 Cayman, Coconut Grove,FL Captain Matt Coffen
See profile