Tom Rowland Podcast

As saltwater anglers, we've all dealt with the ugly reality of bottom paint. You spend six figures on a beautiful boat, only to have someone slap what looks like an "ugly wig" on the hull. Then you're paying divers constantly to scrape it clean, dealing with toxic chemicals leaching into our fishing waters, and repeating this expensive, environmentally damaging cycle every single year. But what if I told you there's a game-changing technology that could eliminate bottom paint forever while actually protecting our marine environment? That's exactly what Dan Dillon from Aquaphobix has developed, and it's unlike anything I've seen in 30+ years of saltwater fishing. All of my other socials can be found here : https://linktr.ee/TomRowlandPodcast The Tom Rowland Podcast is presented by Star brite! Clean and protect with Star brite, a leading manufacturer of appearance, maintenance, and performance chemicals and accessories, serving the marine, RV, automotive, powersports, hardware, and home care industries for

Sam Root is a content creator in the fishing industry and a key part of the team at Pure Fishing — one of the biggest fishing companies on the planet. We go way back (forums, early DSLR days, the first years of Saltwater Experience), and in this conversation we get into what’s actually changed in fishing media… and what hasn’t. We talk about the death of gatekeeping, why attention spans are getting weird (3 seconds or 3 hours), why polished “commercial-looking” videos often underperform, how AI is already changing photo/video work, and the wild travel stories that remind you fishing is fishing — whether you’re in the Everglades or 30 hours from the nearest runway. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The gatekeeping is gone — and that’s a blessing and a whole new kind of grind. High-end production can actually hurt performance because people can smell an ad in half a second. New product hype sells… until it doesn’t — credibility is what carries the long gam

When I started the Tom Rowland Podcast, I never imagined we’d hit this milestone… and definitely not with a lineup like this. To celebrate 1,000 episodes, we put together a best-of conversation reel featuring some of the most impactful guests to ever sit down with me: Bill Dance – The legend himself. We talk about joy, longevity, and why fishing is still fun after a lifetime on the water. Michael Chandler – UFC superstar. Discipline, doubt, and what it really means to bet on yourself when the lights are brightest. Monte Burke – Author of Lords of the Fly. The obsession, history, and culture behind chasing truly giant fish. Michael Waddell – “Bone Collector.” Family, faith, hunting culture, and how to stay grounded when the cameras turn on. Chris Fischer – Founder of OCEARCH. Great white sharks, conservation, and why wild places still matter. These aren’t just highlight clips. They’re the moments that stuck with me long after we stopped recording – the stories, one-liners, and

Chris James is a self-taught holistic wellness coach and the creator of A Healthy Alternative, a fasting-based wellness community that’s helped thousands of people lose 100+ pounds, reverse disease symptoms, and feel at home in their body again. A Healthy Alternative+1 In this conversation, we get into how Chris helped his brother lose 100 pounds in just 90 days without loose skin, how his own mysterious infection disappeared when nothing else worked, and why strategic fasting and hydration might be the most underrated tools for getting truly healthy — not just “less sick.” Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: When Chris broke down how his brother went from 420 pounds to losing 100 pounds in 90 days — and what they learned about autophagy, plateaus, and that “shrink week” in a long fast. His story of battling a 10-year infection doctors couldn’t diagnose, trying every pill and test, and finally seeing it disappear when he changed his diet and started water fastin

What happens when you give an oceanographer a pile of ROFFS® fishing reports, decades of ocean data, and access to Simrad® electronics? You get FishCast® — an AI-powered offshore fishing forecast that can highlight high-probability zones days before you ever leave the dock. In this conversation, Dr. Taylor Shropshire from Fathom Science and I break down how FishCast works on Simrad MFDs, how 3-day, 3-hour forecasts help you plan offshore trips, and why AI should be a tool that makes fishing more fun rather than a shortcut that replaces hard-earned experience. We also talk about ocean models, hurricane prediction, safety, and what better forecasting might mean for anyone who lives and fishes on the coast. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend, rate the show, and stay tuned for more unfiltered conversations.

Joe Simons is the co-founder of Salt Strong, one of the largest fishing communities in America — built from scratch with his brother Luke to teach the world how to fish. Over 600 podcast episodes later, Joe joins me to talk about the journey from startup to acquisition, what it means to stay true to your mission, and how community, content, and faith built something much bigger than a business. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The early days of Salt Strong — from t-shirts to teaching anglers How Joe and Luke grew to 60,000+ members without investors The inside story behind Salt Strong’s acquisition by Sportsman’s Guide What it takes to stay authentic after a sale Why building community will always beat chasing followers The vision for a Fishing Theme Park and the next five years Lessons from selling a company, leadership, and family legacy

Dan Dillon is the founder behind Aquaphobix, a heat-applied, non-ablative marine coating that started in swimming pools and is now being tested on fiberglass boats. In this conversation, we dig into the torch-on application, why copper-based bottom paint is still everywhere, and how certifications like Marine Life Safe and Drinking Water Safe translate from pools to marinas and beyond. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: How a pool coating ended up on boats — and why the blowtorch is part of the magic The honest breakdown of copper paints, “ablative” flakes, and microplastics in our water and fish Certifications that actually matter (not greenwashing): marine life and drinking-water safe Real-world cases: SeaWorld exhibits, a 102-year-old public pool, and what marinas care about (hint: sanding revenue) The ROI angle for anglers: fewer haul-outs, better performance, less mess — and where this could go (buoys to cruise ships) Timestamps 00:00

Captain Scott Moore is a West Coast Florida legend — 50+ years on the water, a conservation bulldog, and the namesake of Manatee County’s finest public boat ramp. He’s guided through countless cycles of boom-and-bust fisheries, fought for preserves, and helped push pivotal policy from the snook/redfish era to today’s water-quality battles. We talk hurricanes and recovery on Anna Maria Island, why mangroves are the best windbreak on earth, the real “groceries” fish need, and how law, science, and local knowledge collide on the water. We also get into gear evolution (from nylon cast nets to braid), guiding as the entertainment business, snook lights, canal aeration, aquaculture at Mote Marine, and why respectful advocacy beats shouting every time. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The community response after four feet of storm surge — and how a true island steps up. Why trimmed mangroves often fare better in storms, and what black mangroves need to survive.

Carey Chen is a world-traveled marine artist and lifelong fisherman who turned a passion for blue water into a career—painting billfish from memory and chasing giants with some of the best crews on earth. Born in Los Angeles to Jamaican parents, raised in Jamaica, and later based in Miami, Carey went from motorcycles and video stores to fishing tournaments across the Caribbean, licensing deals, and live painting at world-class events. In this conversation, we get into how a first sailfish on a kite lit the fuse, why sonar is changing offshore fishing (and why he thinks it’ll soon be on every boat), what it’s like to fish with the Bad Company program, and how a lifetime of travel turned into 3,000+ paintings “stuck in his head.” Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The first sailfish on a kite off Miami—and how one fish can change your life From fisherman to painter: leaving retail, painting live, and getting “discovered” at boat shows Fishing the world with

Shane Reynolds is an award-winning producer, explorer, and storyteller who’s worked on Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, and Travel Channel shows in more than 65 countries. You might know him as Color Earth on Instagram, where his camera drops reveal the hidden world under piers, bridges, and reefs. In this conversation, we dive into: How a simple 360 camera drop turned into viral content. The wildest behind-the-scenes stories from Nat Geo and Discovery expeditions. Sharks, aggregations, and what’s really happening under Florida’s waters. Survival in the Guyana jungle while filming “Shane Untamed.”

At 16, Jordan Thomas lost both legs in a Keys boating accident—and turned it into purpose. He launched the Jordan Thomas Foundation to help kids get the prosthetics and community they need through age 18, and he’s now a top adaptive golfer competing at the US Adaptive Open in Pinehurst. We get into mindset and trauma, why running blades aren’t covered, real talk on water safety, community beats hardware, and pushing policy so access is affordable and durable. Big heart, big mission—tons of practical takeaways. Connect with Jordan Instagram — @jordanthomasfoundation Website — https://www.jordanthomasfoundation.org Free Resources Saltwater Knot Guide — https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP Tom Rowland Podcast — https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversationshttps://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 Follow the Show Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/tvswe

Conway Bowman is a legendary San Diego fly-fishing guide and pioneer of sight-fishing mako sharks from a 24’ bay boat. He’s a former wetlands manager who grew up in San Diego, spent summers in Idaho, and built a career around putting anglers eye-to-eye with apex predators—and sending them home safely. In this conversation, we talk about why makos have gotten so big, the exact conditions he looks for, and the discipline it takes to keep people safe when a 400- to 800-pound shark turns on the afterburners.

Captain Jimmy Armel is an Army Ranger veteran, founder of Knot Lucky Veteran Fishing, and a man on a mission to heal others through the ocean. After 11 years in the military—including brutal combat deployments—Jimmy faced the battles of PTSD, brain injuries, and addiction. Through fishing, plant medicine, and service, he found a path back to purpose. In this conversation, we go deep on combat, trauma, forgiveness, psychedelic therapy, shark tagging, and how fishing changes lives. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: How fishing gave Jimmy purpose when everything else was falling apart. The raw truth about combat, concussions, and what veterans really experience. Jimmy’s near-death experience — and how it changed his outlook forever. The power of psychedelic therapy (Ibogaine & Ayahuasca) in healing trauma. Why helping veterans isn’t about pity — it’s about purpose, community, and action.

Captain Blair Wiggins — known to many as the Mogan Man from Addictive Fishing — has spent decades shaping saltwater fishing on Florida’s Space Coast. Today, he’s leading the charge on one of the most ambitious conservation projects in the state: planting over 96 million clams to restore the Indian River Lagoon. In this conversation, Blair and I go deep on fishing history, the birth of Addictive Fishing, the boom and bust of the clam fishery, his new show Blair Wiggins Outdoors, and why restoring water quality is the fight of our generation. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The wild story of how “Mogan” became his nickname and brand. The rise of Addictive Fishing and what it was like to film all over the world. His first trip to Alaska — and how it changed him. The shocking scale of clam overharvesting and the black water years in the Indian River. How the Clam Project is filtering Florida’s waters and changing the future for fish, anglers, a

Wesley Brough — better known as Cabo Surf Caster — has been fishing the beaches of Baja for over 25 years. From trophy roosterfish to monster Pacific cubera snapper and mahi right from the sand, Wesley has dialed in one of the most unique surf fisheries in the world. In this conversation, we talk about Baja’s seasons, species behavior, lure tactics, guiding in Cabo, and what makes land-based fishing so addictive. Wesley also shares the behind-the-scenes strategy behind his epic social media clips that get millions of views. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: How Baja’s beaches have changed — and where the fish still thrive The seasonal game plan from January to December for multiple species The insane story of landing a 73-pound Pacific cubera snapper on a surface lure Roosterfish “Godzilla mode” and how to time your cast perfectly The thrill (and heartbreak) of hooking big mahi from shore 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Growing Up in Cabo 06:45

Jameson Reeder Jr. is a shark attack survivor, amputee, surfer, and one of the most courageous young men I’ve ever spoken with. At just 10 years old, Jameson was attacked by a 9-foot bull shark while snorkeling in the Florida Keys. What followed was a miraculous chain of events involving strangers, a nurse who swam through shark-infested waters, a faster boat, and a powerful spiritual encounter that Jameson says saved his life. He and his father Jamon recount the entire journey in their new book, Rescue at the Reef. In this conversation, we talk about trauma, faith, family, facing your fears, and how this young man chose purpose over fear—and joy over bitterness. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The unbelievable moment Jameson said, “Jesus is going to save me,” moments after losing his leg Jamon’s impossible decision to hand off his son to a stranger on a faster boat Jameson’s vision of Jesus and the peace that carried him through the ride back The family’s return t

Jonathan Gluck is an award-winning writer and editor who was diagnosed with multiple myeloma at age 38 and given just 18 months to live. Over 21 years later, he joins Tom to share how fishing helped him survive, how mindset plays into healing, and why he wrote An Exercise in Uncertainty. This episode covers purpose, parenting, diagnosis, remission, resilience, and how to live when you don't know how much time you have left. If you liked this episode, share it with a friend, rate the show, and stay tuned for more unfiltered conversations. Tune in to hear this inspiring story and learn from John's experiences. You can also buy Jonathan’s book, “An Exercise in Uncertainty” wherever books are sold.  00:00 Introduction and Greetings 00:18 Fishing in Idaho and Jackson 00:47 The Glory Days of Fishing 01:16 Challenges of the Salmon Fly Hatch 02:54 Introducing the Book: An Exercise in Uncertainty 03:17 John's Illness and Diagnosis 03:51 Fishing as a Lifeline 04:47 Writing and Fishing Adventures 08:17 C

How Jake Hutchison Built a Career in Fishing and Social Media In this episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast, I sit down with social media expert and fishing enthusiast Jake Hutcheson. Jake shares his unique journey from fishing in bass tournaments as a middle schooler to building custom rods and managing social media for Mudhole, a fishing rod company. Discover how growing out his hair became the best decision Jake made for his business development and hear his insights on using social media to drive sales and build a brand in the fishing industry. All of my other socials can be found here : https://linktr.ee/TomRowlandPodcast The Tom Rowland Podcast is presented by Star brite! Star brite is clean and protect with Star brite, a leading manufacturer of appearance, maintenance, and performance chemicals and accessories, serving the marine, RV, automotive, powersports, hardware, and home care industries for over 50 years. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and with its manufacturing plant in Montgomery, AL,

Over the last year, we got a little carried away trying to organize the podcast into its own channels and destinations. The idea was to make things easier, but I realize now—it just created more confusion. That’s on us. And I really appreciate your patience. So here’s what we’re doing to fix it: ✅ Every single episode of the Tom Rowland Podcast is now back where it belongs (Saltwater Experience YouTube Channel) ✅ We’ve built organized playlists so you can find exactly what you’re looking for — Full Lengths, How-To Tuesdays, Physical Fridays, Behind the Scenes, and more. From Here Forward…this is home!

I have followed Mark Quartiano who is better known as Mark The Shark for a couple of years. To say that Mark is controversial is an understatement. Mark seems to relish the role as the bad boy of Sportfishing and referred to himself as the Darth Vader of Sportfishing. This was interesting to me because he also seems to have a lot of kind of contrary opinions and actions to being the badboy. For example, Mark has no problem killing big sharks and posting the pictures on Instagram, however after talking to him for a while I also learned that he has tagged more sharks than anyone in the world. He doesn't just kill sharks for no reason, they are sent to biologists or he takes them to the homeless shelter. I wanted to learn more about what made him tick so I took a chance and sent him a message. To my surprise, he responded right away and we set up the podcast even though he didn't know what a podcast was. When I met him at his iconic office in Miami it was literally jammed with shark jaws, pictures st