Interviews by Tiffany Evers // Photos by Kelsey Walters
Patrick “Tupat” Eichstaedt
Licenses Carried: Fishing / Snook
Facebook: Patrick Eichstaedt (Personal) / Tupat’s Hawaiian Poke Sauce (Business)
Instagram: @TheRealTupat
Website: Tupats.com
Contact Info: (386) 405-7599 // Tupat@mac.com
Business Name: Tupat’s Hawaiian Poke Sauce
Q: What type of fishing do you specialize in?
A: I specialize in all backwater fishing from my Pau Hana Big EZ paddle board.
Q: Where is your favorite place to launch from?
A: I launch from my parents’ house in Bethune Beach where I grew up! That’s my favorite spot!
Q: What is your favorite species to fish?
A: I really like fishing in general but if I had to narrow it down it would be the snook. They are aggressive and very difficult at times to land!
Q: What is your go-to lure or live bait?
A: I’m very flexible when it comes to bait as I adapt to the conditions and the season. So, I really don’t have a go-to but my favorite style is Top Water plugs.
Q: What is your favorite knot?
A: I like the good old Uni knot…It’s fast, simple and effective! (see below for a guide to tying knots)
Q: Where do you typically buy your gear and tackle?
A: I’m always in search of tackle so wherever I’m at I am buying gear!
Q: Do you keep or catch and release?
A: This all depends on if I am hungry for fish come dinner time! Most of the time, it’s a release though!
Skye Burkhardt
Facebook: Inshore Adventures With Skye
Instagram: @BrassyHooker87 // Contact info: InshoreSkye87@gmail.com
Q: What type of fishing do you specialize in?
A: I am a kayak angler and specialize in the grassy flats of Mosquito Lagoon and the back country of the Tomoka Basin for tarpon and snook.
Q: Where is your favorite place to launch from?
A: Hmm, if I answer this it just may give away my spots! Just kidding – I prefer launching from Indian Mound and River Breeze Park! I am a wanderer of the lagoon. I prefer fishing out of my ‘yak so any little back creek canal and any spot that looks good for fishing off the side of the road, you just may see my big ol’ white diesel parked!
Q: What is you favorite species of fish to target?
A: I am a huge fan of hunting my catch, which is why I prefer sight casting and targeting redfish! The excitement of being out there in tune and becoming one with nature, poling around the flats and looking for wakes or tailing drum. Mastering and working an artificial that is appetizing to the fish I am targeting, leading to my drag screaming is very satisfying and leaves me feeling very fulfilled. You have to put in the work if you want it!
Q: What is your go-to lure or live bait preferences?
A: I am a huge fan of artificials, plus I get extremely bored with live bait and prefer to stay busy and not stay in one spot for any longer than 15 minutes. It is important to stay on the go if you want to be successful, but you do have to have patience when using artificials! I use VuDu and swear by them! Depending on the type of fishing and what species I am targeting, I alternate between their shrimp and mullet. Other artificial I love to use are old school spoons, Mirrolure twitchbait, Rapala jerkbait, soft plastic DOA, Bomber lures, Badonk-A-Donk popping corks… Can I share more?! I love my artificial baits! During our Fall mullet run, I am a fan of blue crab!
Q: What is your favorite knot to tie?
A: Oh, how I love to tie knots! I find myself sometimes sitting at red lights mastering a new knot or just tying for fun! The uni knot and double uni are my go-to, and when I have time and patience and plan ahead the FG knot.
Q: Where do you typically buy your gear or tackle?
A: I’m happy in any sports and hunting fishing store. Bass Pro, Cabela’s, Gander Outdoors, Academy or Dick’s Sporting Goods and online. I fish Mosquito Lagoon and stop in Indian Mound when I need tackle live baits or last minute refreshments. If I’m over in Ormond fishing the basin, Granada Pier Bait and Tackle has happy faces, friends, folks and great conversation. Stop in and say hello to Ike the owner if you are in the area!
Q: Do you catch and release?
A: I am strictly catch and release when fishing inshore. My heart holds a deep love and passion for fishing and our fishery! I strictly do it for the sport and love of angling. I live by respecting the fish. If I am offshore, however, I do catch to keep and stock the freezer to share with friends, family and loved ones.
Casey Collins
Instagram: @caseycolli
Licenses Carried: Recreational Fisherman
Q: What type of fishing do you specialize in?
A: I specialize in saltwater fishing.
Q: Where is your favorite place to launch from?
A: Wherever the fish are closest to, I guess.
Q: What is your favorite species to fish?
A: Flounder or snook.
Q: What is your go-to lure or live bait?
A: Artificial bait: jigs, plugs, DOA shrimp.
Q: What is your favorite knot?
A: FG knot for braid to leader, and loop knot to lure.
Q: Where do you typically buy your gear and tackle?
A: Beacon Restaurant in NSB for jigs, NSB Outfitters and Edgewater Bait on Park Avenue. Anetek Performance Gear for clothing.
Q: Do you keep or catch and release?
A: I keep fish upon family and friends’ request, but like to release the rest to ensure a healthy population.
Brandon “Kramer” Ferri
Licenses Carried: USCG Captain’s license, Refuge guide permit
Instagram: @Capt.Kramer
Website: OnTheSpotCharters.com
Contact Info: (386) 690-4824 or OnTheSpotCharters@yahoo.com
Business Name: On the Spot Inshore Fishing Charters
Q: What type of fishing do you specialize in?
A: Live bait fishing. The proper live bait and a little bit of education can turn even then newest angler into a veteran.
Q: Where is your favorite place to launch from?
A: Canaveral National Seashore.
Q: What is your favorite species to fish?
A: Redfish.
Q: What is your go-to lure or live bait?
A: Croakers or chunk ladyfish. Even lazy fish can’t turn those down.
Q: What is your favorite knot?
A: Uni knot. I like my knots simple but effective.
Q: Where do you typically buy your gear and tackle?
A: New Smyrna Outfitters. Their new location on Canal Street is by far the best in the area.
Q: Do you keep or catch and release?
A: Both. I like to catch and release so we can keep our numbers up, but I’m not against a good fish dinner.
Tony Pantuso
Licenses Carried: Captain’s license
Facebook: Skinny H20 Charters // @CaptTonyPantuso
Business Name: New Smyrna Fishing Guide
Q: What type of fishing do you specialize in?
A: Shallow water fishing for redfish, sea trout, snook and tarpon. I also fish for bull redfish in the intracoastal and near the bridges.
Q: Where is your favorite place to launch from?
A: I launch from Canaveral National Seashore and pick up at JB’s Fish Camp.
Q: What is your favorite species to fish?
A: Giant sea trout.
Q: What is your go-to lure or live bait?
A: Croakers.
Q: What is your favorite knot?
A: The one that doesn’t break!
Q: Where do you typically buy your gear and tackle?
A: Direct from the manufacturer.
Q: Do you keep or catch and release?
A: Catch and release 95 percent of the time…100 percent catch and release on redfish!
Bailey Ann Yancey
School: Burns Science and Technology Charter School
Pets: Blue, Beta Fish // Vienna, Dog // Brody, Dog // Pinto, Cat
Interests: Gymnastics, Art Club, Violin, Painting and Crafts
Bailey is the daughter of East Coast Current editor and co-owner, Tiffany Evers, and was excited to be included in the recreation of this Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving Dinner cover for the November 2019 issue (featured image).
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