Captain Derek was born and raised in Highlands, New Jersey which is situated near Sandy Hook Bay. He started fishing at a young age and developed a passion for it. His first summer job at the age of 15 was at a bait and tackle shop and gas dock on the Shrewsbury River. At 16, he became a deckhand on the party boat, Miss Take II out of the Highlands. At 17, he was a mate on a corporate offshore boat heading out to the canyons in search of big game fish. At 18, he became a mate on the charter boat Eagle out of Atlantic Highlands. In 2005, he earned his Masters License and began this full time charter business in 2006.
Derek is not only a Captain but an avid fisherman. Derek has always had a passion for the water and an instinct for landing fish. From winter flounder in the rivers and bay, to live lining adult bunker for trophy striped bass, to jigging in the canyons for bluefin and yellowfins, Derek makes the most of his time on the water looking for trophy fish for his clients and himself. He has personally landed 5 striped bass over 50 pounds and 8 doormat fluke over 10 pounds. Derek continues to have the driving ambition to look for bigger and better fish, mixing new techniques with old reliable ones.
Once at the fishing grounds, don’t be surprised to see Derek with a rod and reel in hand and assisting customers in his techniques or helping them land fish.
