Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrew Hammond.
Hi Andrew, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I grew up in the small town of Brooksville, FL and spent most of my life fishing on Florida’s Nature Coast near Homosassa and Crystal River. That’s about an hour north of Tampa Bay in a region we call the Nature Coast. It’s all natural coastline the same way it was 200 years ago. No beaches or diverted water. It’s very abundant with natural rivers, creeks, springs, and tributaries. As a young kid I spent what seemed like everyday after school bass fishing all the surrounding local lakes and ponds. Me and some friend would hop on the bikes and fish until the yard light came on. That was the sign it was time to get home. When I became old enough to drive to the coast myself I caught the salt bug. I started chasing Redfish, Speckled Trout, Snook, and Tarpon on fly up and down the Gulf of Mexico. At the age of 21he started to really enjoy putting other people on the pursuit of these game fish and loved the challenge. I loved it so much I had to move away from the distraction to pursue a “normal” career. You know, one of those office deals that doesn’t involve fishing. In my late 20’s I left the Nature Coast Gulf waters and moved to Georgia. It wasn’t long before I discovered these huge beautiful reservoirs we have here including Lake Lanier. With a saltwater background I was intrigued by these sodium free Stripers introduced into our freshwater lakes and I have been chasing Stripers in Georgia’s deep water lakes ever since. After multiple attempts seeking different paths they all lead back to my one true life passion. The mornings are very early, the days are very long, and weather conditions get extreme in the summers and winters. The work never ends. When your day is complete, whatever daylight you have left is spent on boat and equipment maintenance and repairs. Don’t forget the business side of things. Returning messages, phone calls, marketing, book keeping. You work around the clock 24/7. Of my failed attempts seeking what we classify as a “successful” career, I found the most rewarding job to me. The reward that got me hooked over 20 years ago that keeps me going isn’t just the pursuit of angling. It’s the smiles, memories, and experiences in the outdoors with families and friends that last a lifetime time. Years back one season the Powerball lotto hit a record high jackpot. I don’t remember exactly maybe 2 billion. My clients that day on the boat were discussing their dreams and what they would do if they won the lotto. What they would buy, places they would travel things like that. When they asked me what I would do, I replied, “the same thing I’m doing now, take people fishing.”
Some extra info:
I am a U.S. Coast Guard Licensed Captain. I’m an avid outdoorsman. When I’m with clients I hunting and even more fishing! I have over 30 years experience fishing the Gulf Coast of FL from the panhandle down to the 10,000 Islands. I still guide seasonally out of Homosassa, FL when I’m not on Lanier. Since relocating to Georgia, I has over 16 very successful years chasing Stripers on Lake Lanier and many other surrounding reservoirs.
I’m recognized as a “Florida Friendly Fishing Guide.” This is special training for fishing guides offered by the The University of Florida (UF/IFAS), Sea Grant Florida, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Even though he primarily guides in Georgia, this program recognizes fishing guides who are committed to preserving the future of fisheries through sustainable boating and fishing techniques. “Florida Friendly Fishing Guides,” provide a richer fishing experience for their clients through their angling expertise and environmental stewardship. To assist keeping our clients healthy and happy, and to preserve sustainable fishing habits for future generations, we anglers must ensure that we follow the best practices when out on the water. This course offers an in-depth background in fishery management, marine ecology, ethics, catch and release techniques, understanding of waterways, sustainable waste management and fueling, seafood safety, onboard materials, and simply giving back. We believe our conservation efforts as anglers are one of the most important values and practices where we can all do better. We should educate our fellow anglers and clients as part of the daily fishing experience we offer.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, in the guide business it’s never a smooth ride. You will have your rough seas with calm water mixed in but for the most part you are always faced with challenges. Things like equipment failures, blown engines, faulty wiring. tough fishing, Everything. These are daily and weekly hurdles we encounter. And when you have done this long enough you have to be handy and good at troubleshooting shooting. We don’t call mechanics and drop off our trucks or boats for a week or 2. We have no choice but to figure it out and do our best to get back out on the water the next day.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I joke around with clients after they had a great day of fishing and they are thanking me I reply “oh I’m just the bus driver.” I don’t claim to be an expert at any of this. We are still learning every single day. Conditions and bites change everyday, every hour. But there are a few things that sets me apart from others from what I’ve been told by my colleagues. One is I don’t rely on what caught them yesterday. With the everyday changes I adjust tactics daily and hourly. I wish it was always the same but it isn’t. Water temp, cloud cover, moon phase, atmospheric pressure are examples of conditions that can change bite patterns. If I have to stray from traditional methods I’m the first one to do it. My saltwater background has played a huge role in what helped me and my guide business grow. Simply using some methods I used growing up saltwater fishing and implementing them on a freshwater reservoir has changed the way a lot of us fish. I did not grow up learning the local traditional fishing tactics so over the years I have fine tuned my own versions that have been proven very successful. I would also say I’m known for the guide who is great for families and kids. Seeing the excitement and sharing these outdoor adventures and experiences with kids, watching their faces light up with what seems like one of the best moments in their life is truly something hard to beat in life.
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
I think the biggest lesson as far as guiding goes I’ve learned is to not try to be like someone else. When you first get started you see may see someone or something else and want to mirror their accomplishments. If you do, what do you have to offer that they don’t? Nothing. You’re the same. Be yourself. There is more to just putting fish in the boat in the guide business. It’s about having a great experience. If I have new clients I’ve never fished with before we are stuck on a boat for hours. Have some conversation and some laughs. It’s about having a good time.
Pricing:
- Pricing and more info available on the website: www.BigBiteCharters.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.BigBiteCharters.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/capt.andrew_hammond
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/bigbitecharters
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/@capt.andrew_hammond
- Other: https://maps.app.goo.gl/o3rax3Dm4tHAgaf88?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
