Meet Captain Gary Strickland

Captain Gary Strickland is the owner and lead guide of Reel Shallow Fishn Charters, delivering personalized inshore fishing experiences across Hernando County and Florida’s Nature Coast. With over a decade of full-time guiding experience, Captain Gary has dedicated his career to mastering the shallow-water fisheries of the Gulf Coast. His deep connection to these coastal ecosystems allows him to share not just his technical knowledge, but a genuine passion for the unique marine environment that makes this region a world-class angling destination.

Specializing in shallow-water tactics, Captain Gary targets popular inshore species including redfish, snook, spotted seatrout, and shallow-water grouper. Operating out of the pristine waters surrounding Hernando Beach, Spring Hill, Weeki Wachee, and Bayport, he tracks the complex interplay of local tides, weather shifts, water clarity, and seasonal migrations. This detailed approach ensures that every charter is strategically planned around real-time conditions to give guests the best possible opportunity for a productive day on the water.

Beyond finding fish, Captain Gary’s primary focus is creating a welcoming, safe, and educational environment for every guest on board. Whether hosting a family introducing their children to fishing for the first time, visiting travelers exploring the Nature Coast, or seasoned anglers honing their shallow-water skills, he tailors the day to match your preferences. His patient, easygoing demeanor and thorough instruction ensure that every angler feels confident, comfortable, and fully engaged throughout their time on the water.

The Vessel: Custom 22-Foot MicroDraft

To access the region's most productive backwaters, Captain Gary fishes aboard a custom-built 22-foot MicroDraft flats boat, crafted in nearby Crystal River specifically for Florida’s shallow estuaries. Designed to draft in just inches of water, this specialized vessel reaches skinny-water flats, shallow creeks, and secluded mangrove shorelines that remain completely inaccessible to larger boats. Outfitted with advanced GPS navigation, a silent trolling motor, shallow-water Power-Poles, and a hydraulic jack plate, the boat offers exceptional stability, quiet maneuvering, and precise positioning across the shallow fishing grounds of Hernando County.