For many of us, our first fishing memories are tied to one person, Dad. He was the one who woke us up before sunrise, packed the tackle box, and handed us a rod that probably felt twice our size. Whether it was a quiet morning at the local pond or a full-day trip to the coast, those early moments spent on the water with Dad weren’t just about catching fish—they were about learning, bonding, and building memories that would last a lifetime.
This Father’s Day, we’re celebrating the dads who passed down their love of fishing, one cast or thread wrap at a time.
Fishing is more than a hobby—it’s a tradition, a skill, and for many, a way of life. And for countless anglers, that tradition started with a father or father figure. It wasn’t just about the mechanics of tying a knot or casting a line; it was the patience he showed when your hook snagged a tree for the third time, the pride in his eyes when you reeled in your first fish, and the stories he shared while waiting for a bite.
Dads teach us the importance of patience and the thrill of the unknown. They show us how to appreciate nature, respect wildlife, and take a break from the noise of everyday life. Fishing gave us a reason to spend time together, and through that time, we learned more than just how to fish. We learned life lessons—how to lose gracefully when the fish don’t bite, how to keep trying even when the conditions are tough, and how to enjoy the moment regardless of the outcome.
Father’s Day is the perfect time to say thank you. Thank you for the early mornings, the advice (even when we didn’t want it), and the quiet moments spent side by side on the water. Thank you for showing us the joy of the outdoors and for making fishing a part of our story. Whether your dad is still by your side or casting lines in calmer waters, his impact lives on with every cast you make.
I took a lap around Mud Hole and asked for pictures or good stories about their dads. It did not disappoint. So without further ado, let's celebrate the dads that shaped the Mud Hole Team!
Leaving The City
First stop was our Director of Operations, Jorge Gonzalez. Growing up in the Northeast he talked about his dad always enjoying getting outdoors. “My dad, while well intentioned, was directly responsible for my addiction to fishing. Growing up, he always made time to get me out of the city. Whether it was chasing trout in the rivers and streams of upstate NY, to spending countless nighttime hours either jetty hopping the south shore of Long Island or wading the beaches of the north shore. He made sure to get his kid off the block and onto the water. It has been one of my greatest achievements to be able to return the favor and take him on one of our many adventures.”
That is a very common theme when speaking to a number of our team members here. The joy of taking your dad into the outdoors is just an incredible feeling.
No Pain, No Gain
My next stop was to our sales and customer service team and Jack Conrad. I know he is a fellow fly angler so I was hoping he had a good photo and story, he didn't disappoint. Jack laughed as he said, "His favorite thing to do is watch me catch a fish the "most stupid or ignorant" way, in his opinion. He often tells me the simplest most effective ways he has grown up doing his whole life and shakes his head and me sometimes."
Jack recalls his favorite dad story, "We ran into a huge school of yellowfin tuna while trolling teasers for sailfish for me to get one on fly. I mentioned to the captain to pull teasers up since yellowfin tuna was not my target and to have the others throw poppers. My Dad hears this and knows I have no tape or gloves wanted to see my fingers smoke yells up to the captain, "he wants the biggest tuna he can get on fly." Grinning from ear to ear as a 40 minute fight and the 50lb yellowfin was brought to the transom, the gaff knocked the leader and popped the fish off. Nothing but a big laugh came out as he watched me look at my hands in pain. Gotta love the ole man."
The photo of Jack pulling while his dad rests comfortably in the chair with a cold one is a great photo!
A Fernandez Family Affair
The next stop downstairs is Capt. Mo Fernandez and if you have ever spent time around him or spoken to him on the phone, he lives and breathes anything fishing. Mo, describes how it was just more than him and his father, it was a family driven event.
"The photo is of my brother (right), uncle (middle), and me (far left) with my father in the boat. The prized Mahi is what you would think is most special about the photo. To me, it holds more sentiment than the fish."
"My family was instrumental in feeding my passion for fishing. Dad was a self-proclaimed yellowtail master, and for as long as I could remember, I looked forward to him pulling me out of school early one Friday every month to target reef fish. He taught me everything he knew about bottom fishing and free-lining. I still thirsted for big game and learning how to troll for sailfish, wahoo, and mahi."
Capt. Mo recalls how no matter the circumstances, if he or his brother wanted to go fish, his father was right there to take them, "Even though he hated the countless hours spent burning fuel looking for birds, weed lines, and current rips for a potentially fruitless endeavor, he often expressed his displeasure from one end of the Gulf Stream to the other. He did it for me! In feeding my passion, Dad always gave me the greatest chance at success for my goals. Happy Father's Day, and thank you, Dad, for never giving up, putting up with my obsession, driving the boat for what seemed like endless days, and taking lots and lots of pictures with me holding fish!
Team Dalton
Another member of our service team is running round, catching bass and cashing checks. Dalton and his Dad showed up to the Seminole Jr. Anglers fundraiser event looking like they just stepped off a Bassmaster magazine cover shoot—matching pro angler shirts pressed to perfection, Hey Dudes locked in like they were sponsored.
These two weren’t just fishing for compliments—they were out there crushing it with charisma, casting dad jokes like lures. If there had been a style division, they’d have taken 1st place, hands down. Watch out, world—Team Dalton isn’t just angling… they’re angler icons. Not only can they fish but the vibes are high too!
Big Fish Harris
Our Service Team Lead, Jake Harris has always been a big fish guy. He chases big redfish and seatrout here locally and when the big snook are in, you better watch out. I think it is only fitting the look on his face in this photo. I believe we found the exact moment he was going to dedicate himself to chasing big fish only. 
On The Tournament Trail
Caleb, an Account Specialist in our Mud Hole Advantage program is more that just knowledgeable at rod building, he is like many of our team members here, an angler to his core. Throughout his high school career he fished and competed with Seminole Jr. Anglers right here in Seminole Co.
He recalls what it was like being able to compete right alongside his dad, "First tournament my dad and I ever fished together. My dad always got to watch me tournament fish growing up and it made one hell of a life for us from all the different people we met that are basically family now it changed our lives completely. But I owe everything to my dad for helping me through it and all the support he showed me. Weather was not on our side for this tournament on our home water the St Johns River got lucky with a very early bite but the river completely shut off after that. Did not matter about how we were going to place in the tournament that day though. I was just excited to finally fish one with him we still had a hell of a time.
Memorable Adventures
I love a good tradition and Rob, our Sales Data Analyst has a great one going with his father. For over a decade, Rob and his dad have been taking trips and booking guide for an annual father/son trip. What all started as a birthday gift has turned into a wonderful tradition they both look forward to each year.
Here is a great photo of them from last years trip to fish the beautiful tidal creeks of Georgia and with a milestone birthday coming up they have planned to visit Alaska for this coming year!
Friends, Family and Colleagues
Heading over to our Purchasing Department I stopped by Alex Heim who has been fishing for as long as he can remember. He is not only our Purchasing Manager but he recently got his captains license and is a guide in Mosquito and The Indian River Lagoon. Think you could work all day with your dad and then still be fishing buddies? Well Alex and his dad have been doing it for years!
When I asked Alex for a story and some possible photos, he said, how much time do you have and how many you need? He wasn't lying. He and his dad fish a ton of days each year together.
Alex said, "I fish with my dad more often then anyone else so there's tons of stories but most notably, he’s the one I call to fish with whenever the weather is bad and signs point towards it being a tough day. He's always willing to give it a go and we more often than not end up having stellar days when others choose to stay in. Some days come to mind from this last winter where it was blowing 30-35+ and could barely push the skiff. We were the only skiff out and ended up landing 20+ solid reds plus some black drum. Definitely memories made!"
The tough days always mean more!
Passing the Torch
With so many great father and son stories from our team at Mud Hole, it really brought back great memories as we compiled the photos and tales of the fish caught and the bigger ones that were lost.
Our office is filled with avid anglers and around here, our stories run deep. As you have seen, we are all forever grateful of time spent on the water or in the woods with dad.
We know it is the generation coming behind us that will now need direction and that spark one can only get from the great outdoors. I wanted to leave you with a great photo our of our Creative Director now taking his son out on the water to create those memories that he fondly remember with his dad.
So here's to all the dads out there. The ones that shaped us, taught us and gave us memories that will last a lifetime. We hope you all have great memories from the outdoors, and do not forget to pass along that same great knowledge to you son or daughter. It means more to them than you think.
Happy Father's Day.
Dedicated to my dad, Rocky. I miss you man.
P.S. Yes, that is him and me in the header photo, circa 1992.
