The Coolest Fishing Job Ever?
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Boats are the marine equivalent of magic carpets that transport anglers to the places and experiences that fill our cups and recharge our souls. James Simcics job is to take care of them and to take their owners fishing.
Because fishing and boating create so much joy, some people find ways to put them at the center of their livelihood. James Simcic of Marathon, Florida is one of those people, and his jobs cool factor is off the charts.
A husband, father of two, tournament angler, and licensed U.S.C.G. Captain, Simcic started Spearcrazy Charters 21 years ago as a way of sharing his love of fishing, diving, and spearfishing with others while supporting his family financially. His skills, personality, experience, work ethic, and affinity for the wild blue quickly opened new doors. I ended up going from full-time chartering to running a 68 Viking sportfisherman in tournaments around the world, Simcic says. The experience seriously padded his resume and threw additional coal on a career already ablaze in passion. Being responsible for a boat like that and operating it in varying competitive settings and environments teaches all kinds of lessons. You quickly learn and come to appreciate all it takes to maintain a vessel of that caliber.
Simcic took his expanded knowledge and expertise and applied it to a brand-new business a couple years ago. We have a lot of second homes here in the Florida Keys and a lot of those property owners also have boats, he says. Since theyre only here on occasion, they need someone locally who can give their boats the care and attention they require. Thats my job at Keys Yachts Management. I take care of about ten exceptional vessels full time, and fish with their owners when theyre down here. We have Contenders, Freemans, SeaVees, and many other beautiful machines in the fleet.
Sound amazing? Simcic says the services he and Keys Yachts Management provide run deeper than one might expect. Each client is different, but it generally goes beyond keeping these boats clean and in optimal mechanical and aesthetic condition. I provide a full range of services, and that often extends to the maintenance or provisioning of tackle or anything else that might be needed. I take care of all of their rods and reels as well.
Simcic says hes a fan of St. Croix Rods. As a brand, St. Croix aspires to deliver anglers the Best Rods on Earth, and that combined with the companys American manufacturing heritage and family-owned roots resonates with my clients, he says. They want and appreciate the best, so its a perfect fit. Gas doesnt matter to my clients, so we get to run way offshore and do a lot of really fun and exciting stuff. We use a lot of Rift and Legend Tournament Inshore rods. The Tackle Box here in Marathon is a St. Croix dealer and provides me and my clients with excellent service.
Simcic is also bullish on St. Croixs Sole Saltwater Fishing Systems. Sole delivers pre-matched St. Croix performance, and weve caught some really nice fish on them, including permit up to 30 pounds and chunky, five-pound mangroves, he says. They far surpass everyones expectations and challenge what a saltwater combo can and should be.
Whether casting swimbaits to snook or redfish; free-lining live bait to tarpon, cobia, or permit; or fishing jetties for sheepshead or snapper, Sole is conceived and offered to help any angler enjoy better, worry-free inshore-fishing experiences.
St. Croix Sole saltwater fishing systems begin with all-new, handcrafted, premium SCII carbon blanks a new formulation of SCII that includes St. Croixs Fortified Resin System (FRS) technology. FRS greatly increases blank strength and durability while allowing St. Croix to build even lighter rods for a better, more balanced fishing experience. Sole includes four versatile, medium through heavy power, fast-action one-piece models that support anglers with high-performance choices well suited for a wide variety of inshore saltwater species and techniques.
Beyond the blank, Sole inshore spinning models are finished with equally impressive componentry, angler-tuned ergonomics and progressive aesthetics. Full cork handles feature the most-durable agglomerated cork material ever tested by St. Croix. Nylon and stainless-steel locking reel seats combine with a fingers-forward grip design to support comfortable and balanced all-day fishing. Lightweight and durable, braid-friendly stainless-steel and aluminum oxide guides further promote crisp, balanced, and light-in-the hand performance. Sole rods are finished in a striking Blue Metallic finish with deep-blue accents. The color is fantastic, adds Simcic, who admits to liking Soles Blue Metallic finish so much that he had his own boat wrapped in the same color.
Medium, medium-heavy and heavy power 7 Sole models are matched with precision-engineered 3500-size Sole spinning reels, while the 76 medium-heavy power model receives optimal balance and performance from a 4500-size reel. Strong, lightweight, skeletonized composite saltwater-grade Sole reels derive silky smooth operation from six ball bearings, one roller bearing, and a proven stacked carbon drag system, while featuring a versatile 6.2:1 retrieve ratio. Aluminum, large-arbor spools are designed for optimal performance with a full range of todays braided, fluorocarbon and monofilament lines, while a rubberized paddle grip provides optimal handle comfort and control. Silver Sole reels with blue accents compliment the Sole systems appealing aesthetics.
Eliminate the worry of selecting the right inshore rod and reel and start enjoying fishing more. New St. Croix Sole Saltwater Fishing Systems will appeal to any angler seeking precision-balanced, elevated and handcrafted performance in an optimally matched inshore rod and reel from a brand they can trust. Four lightweight, sensitive, balanced, smooth and powerful Sole models are available.
Keep up with James Simcic @spearcrazy on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.
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About St. Croix Rod
Headquartered in Park Falls, Wisconsin, St. Croix has been proudly producing the Best Rods on Earth for 75 years. Combining state-of-the-art manufacturing processes with skilled craftsmanship, St. Croix is the only major producer to still build rods entirely from design through manufacturing. The company remains family-owned and operates duplicate manufacturing facilities in Park Falls and Fresnillo, Mexico. With popular trademarked series such as Legend®, Legend Xtreme®, Avid®, Premier®, Imperial®, Triumph® and Mojo, St. Croix is revered by all types of anglers from around the world. |
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