East Pass Podcast

Affectionately known as the "Grimmel," Captain Olaf Grimkowski's love for fishing has taken him from the Azores and Ascension Island to Ghana, Croatia, Cape Verde and more. Listen as we sit down and talk about the early days, his first Marlin, world records, world-cup wins and a whole lot of adventure along the way.

Captain Marty Bates is a world-renowned fisherman, but there was a time when he was traveling the globe, walking the docks and trying to work his way onto a boat. Listen as we sit down and talk about the early days, his love for all things fishing and some of the adventures he's amassed from a lifetime at sea.

Sam Peters is the owner of Release Marine, Sta-Stuk hooks, the G&S “The Release Man” (the original “Sound Machine”) and more. He’s an avid angler and his passion has taken him all over the globe fishing, researching, developing and adventuring. Listen as the Savannah, Ga native sits down on a rooftop in Cape Verde, Africa and recounts a life spent in the industry.

Anthony Hsieh got his start at an early age with pier fishing, deck handing and 17' Boston Whalers, but has since expanded his operation into a world wide phenomenon. He's the driving force and mastermind behind the "Bad Company" world tour where he's assembled an armada that travels the globe in search of giant sea monsters. Listen as we sit down and talk about everything from the early days and "Young Guns" to swordfish, blue marlin, the world tour and a whole lot of the in-between!

Captain Larry Pentel has been involved in multiple facets of the industry over the past 40+ years, giving him a unique perspective on the ins and outs of it. Not only is he one of the original fishermen to launch charters off Grayton Beach, FL but he also owned and operated his own fish market with his wife Mary, is part of the “100 lb cobia club” and is apparently so good at what he does that there are songs inspired by it. Listen as we sit down and talk about Cobia, Beach Launching, Tarpon, Fish Mongering and more!

The Team Supreme crew has only been fishing together as a unit for a couple of years now, but in that time they've won two Gulf Coast Triple Crowns as well as setting the new record for the most Marlin caught in the Gulf in a single year. Listen as I sit down with Captain Chase Lake and mates Seth Brennan and Hunter Smith to talk about some of the adventures that have gotten them here, as well as what's coming up for the 2025 season.

Charles Morgan has been a pillar in the Destin Community for nearly half a century. He's a fisherman/restauranteur/Fishing Tournament Director/philanthropist and the list goes on... His resume covers everything from running boats and opening one of Destin’s most iconic restaurants and fish markets – Harbor Docks – to starting and hosting the Cobia World Championships, Take a Kid Fishing, American Lunch and more!

Captains Buddy Gentry, KP Burnett, Tommy Browning, Tommy Norred and Jeff Shoults sit down and talk about everything from memories of the early days, pranks, G&S boats Triggerfish slime, how to get rid of the gout and more!

Captain Jimmy Beason's resume doesn't just span many decades, but also many different facets of the industry. He's well-known for being the harbormaster of Orange Beach Marina for the last 30 years, but he got his start in Destin, FL charter fishing back in the 1970s and from there it took him in a few different directions and on many adventures! Listen as we sit down and recount everything from charter fishing, private boat fishing and tournaments to marinas, motorcycles, tracking groupers and more!

Captain Randy Baker has been at the top of the world-wide, game fishing scene for decades. Dozens of world records, super-slams, quadruple-slams, most Atlantic marlins caught in a day and the list of accomplishments goes on and on. Listen as we sit down and talk about a lifetime of adventure that started here in Destin, FL and  proceeded to span the globe.

Happy Rodeo month! October is the Destin Fishing Rodeo here in Destin, FL and this month's episode is a compilation of Rodeo stories from over the years. Listen as I sit down with Captains Kirk Ogden, Judah Barbee, Harold Staples and Robert Michelson as they share some of their favorite Rodeo stories from over the years!

Captain Tony Davis is still hitting it hard after more than 50 years in the industry. His career started in Destin and has been centered around mastering these waters for the majority of that time, however, his passion for catching everything that swims has taken him to Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, Hawaii and many other locations. He’s caught giant Marlin, countless Cobia, set fly fishing world records, taken innumerable people on adventures they’ll never forget and more. Listen as we sit down and recount some of the stories from over the years.

Captain Jim Lamarque has spent over 60 years in the fishing industry and has experienced more than his fair share of adventures. From Redfish and Blue Marlin to capsized boats and being kidnapped and held for ransom in the jungle, he’s seen it all! Listen as we sit down and recount some of the life and times of Captain Jim Lamarque.

Captain Jason Hallmark got his start in the industry three decades ago running the deck on the old “Capt Dukes” in Destin, FL.  He's been a charter boat captain, a commercial boat captain, a Gulf Coast Triple Crown winning private boat captain and a whole lot of craziness in between. From giant makos to giant tunas, marlin and more, he's had quite the run. Listen as we sit down and discuss a career full of adventure!

Captain Gary Jarvis has accumulated quite the list of adventures and accolades since he got his start in the industry nearly 50 years ago. From charter and commercial fishing to tournament fishing and fisheries management, he's done it all. Listen as we sit down and talk about how it started, where it went and all of the twists and turns along the way.

Captain Chase Lake got his start in the fishing industry nearly 30 years ago. His innate abilities, combined with years of learning from some of the best in the business have proven to be a wildly successful combination that, in 2023, earned him and his team the Triple Crown as well as the title of Furuno Gulf Coast Captain of the Year. Listen as we sit down and talk about everything from washing boats and falling off of them to leading the pack.

Captain Peter Wright has been busy shaking up the fishing world for more than 50 years. From working on charter boats and private boats to servicing and selling them, he’s covered it all. His obsession for the industry has taken him from Destin and the Keys to St. Thomas, Australia and beyond. Listen as we sit down and attempt to capture some of the stories that have gotten him to where he is today.

Alex Fogg is one of the leading Lionfish experts and hunters in the world. What started a decade ago as concern for the waters they were invading and research for his master's work has since grown into his mastery of the subject being a widely sought-after resource. It has also led to him starting the largest Lionfish tournament in the world - the Emerald Coast Open! Listen as we sit down and discuss all things Lionfish!

Captain Dewey Destin’s family heritage of fishing the beautiful waters of the Emerald Coast dates back to the very founding of Destin, FL. Many may know the name today as it relates to some of the best seafood in the area, but that’s just part of the story. Before the restaurants and before the passing of what has been called “probably the most contentious fisheries management measure implemented in Florida,” Captain Dewey was a seine fisherman, with generations of experience, who was running the biggest operation in town. Listen as we sit down and talk about everything from early Destin to seine fishing and sea lions.

Captain Steve Haeusler's hard work and dedication have kept him at the top of the charter industry for decades. He has remained a constant, regardless of the changes and challenges presented over the years and his ability to consistently perform at such a level is mind-blowing. He’s a world-record holder and a world-class human being. Listen as we sit down and talk about his career and he shares some stories of his years out in the Gulf of Mexico.