Jack Sprengel

Captain Jack Sprengel of East Coast Charters, who coordinates the Providence Boat Show Sport Fishing Seminars, is known for his edgy style and unique approach to the sport. An active writer and photographer, his work has been featured in publications such as Saltwater Sportsman, Field and Stream, Coastal Angler and others; he has also appeared on major network television series for the National Geographic and Animal Planet channels. Captain Jack has traveled the world in search of trophy game fish, landing species from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico as well as numerous freshwater lakes, rivers and streams in the United States, Central & South America, and Europe. He has been a two-time Rhode Island Saltwater Angler “Angler of the Year,” has five RISAA Hall of Fame catches, and in 2011 co-set the new Rhode Island state record for Broad Bill Swordfish with teammate Captain Lou Defusco. In 2015, he and Captain Lou set a new Rhode Island state record for Wahoo. Captain Jack has given hundreds of cutting-edge audio/video lectures, and in 2016 he will be an instructor at the National Saltwater Seminar Series for George Poveromo.

Lou Defusco

Captain Lou was born in Rhode Island and practically raised by the Point Judith Fishing Community. He has fished in many different regions of the world--allowing him to land a variety of species. In addition to his home turf here in the North Atlantic, Captain Lou has worked as a captain and guide in places such as Costa Rica, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Key Largo, Bermuda, and Isla Mujeres. He won the Snug Harbor Shark Tournament an astounding five times and placed in the money many other years. Captain Lou holds a Rhode Island state record for Broadbill Swordfish of 440 pounds, landed on his 40-foot center console Hot Reels with his teammate Captain Jack Sprengel. Captain Lou has been featured on Animal Planet/Discovery Channel, and in many regional and international sport-fishing publications. He’s an accomplished writer--and even a fishing artist. While he has a knack for landing very large bass near Block Island, he is also well known for his successful trips to the North East Canyons.

Jon Huberman

After growing up on Long Island and Martha’s Vineyard, Jon Huberman lived in Indonesia for over 20 years and travelled extensively while spearfishing in that region. He is the owner of Ulusub Spearfishing Company, located in Middletown, Rhode Island, which is known for handcrafting quality equipment for the underwater hunter. Jon is in his workshop seven days a week making Wahoo and Tuna Guns—unless there are waves!

Brandon Lake

Captain Brandon Lake of the AFTCO (American Fishing Tackle Company) pro team was raised in the sport-fishing lifestyle and has participated in it actively since the age of two. Although he has placed at the top in several regional tournament series, he's a sportsman who normally avoids the limelight. Captain Lake gets on the water in the North East just about every day and his passion, personal character and notable skill sets have made him an essential player for the East Coast Charters team. Lake specializes in using spinning tackle for big game species and has a knack for targeting large striped bass in Rhode Island’s Narragansett Bay.

Rene Letourneau

Captain Rene Letourneau has been fishing in freshwater ponds since the age of 5, and he started fishing saltwater in his teens in Narragansett Bay and its tributaries. During the 80s, he worked as a commercial shell fisherman in Narragansett Bay and he also started saltwater fly-fishing in 1988. For the last 14 seasons, Captain Letourneau has been guiding clients around the Ocean State at On the Rocks Charters. He’s an Orvis- endorsed fly fishing guide who believes strongly in conservation, and he releases the majority of the game fish he catches. Spring starts his season, pursuing large bass chasing adult Menhaden in Narragansett Bay. During the summer he can be found fishing from Newport's rocky shore. In the fall, the False Albacore and Bonito become his prime target—a real challenge for fly and light-tackle enthusiasts. As his season draws to a close, he likes to pursue the abundant ground fish for the table.

Robbie Bobcat Taylor

Captain Robert Bobcat Taylor of Newport (R.I.) Sport Fishing Charters/Perigree Outdoors has been fishing Newport, Block Island and Narragansett Bay for over 12 years. A Newport resident, he has extensive knowledge of New England area waters and prides himself on finding fish and ensuring his customers leave with a great hands-on, educational fishing experience. He has been featured on television shows, such as Season on the Edge with Ken Baldwin, and is currently on the Perigee Outdoor Pro Staff. Although he is busy commercial and charter fishing, in his free time he is surfcasting at his new secret fishing spot, talking on the phone about the daily catch, or surfing the web for fishing reports.

Iain Sorrell

CEO of Saxon Tackle, Iain Sorrell lives in Connecticut and mostly fishes local lakes and rivers throughout New England. A renowned short-session angler, Iain is recognized for the capture of hundreds of 20- and 30-pound carp. While he rarely carp fishes more than 200 hours a year he still manages to bank an average of 40-50 carp over 20 pounds and 10-15 carp over 30 pounds each season. A focus on preparation, observation and well-planned baiting campaigns has allowed Iain to target the optimum feeding times to maximum effect. The result is that most of his carp are caught in incredibly intense 6-hour sessions, his largest being a 46.04 Mirror in 2013. A dedicated all-round angler, Iain also enjoys fly & light tackle fishing for a wide range of fresh and saltwater species, and he has travelled around the world to pursue his angling passion—catching bonefish and tarpon in the Caribbean, Atlantic salmon in New Brunswick, and Yellowtail in Australia. Since moving to the U.S. from Great Britain, Iain has been involved in the importation and distribution of leading carp & fly fishing products. He is also recognized for his involvement with government agencies & environmental projects.

Brian Bacon & Shamus Mara

Captains Brian Bacon and Shamus Mara are two of the three founders of Big Game Sport Fishing in Snug Harbor, Rhode Island. They have been fishing the southern Rhode Island waters for the better part of their lives and have a vast combined experience of fishing in these waters. The Big Game crew has a true passion for the thrill of the hunt and a love for the ocean and putting fish in the box. Fishing from inshore to the Canyons, the Big Game team uses a number of proven tactics in targeting the variety of species Rhode Island waters have to offer and prides themselves on teaching all anglers—including children and novices--the proper techniques for hooking and landing fish. Over the years, the Big Game crew have either won or placed in many inshore and offshore fishing tournaments.

Landon Cohen

Born in Rhode Island and raised in Maine, Landon Cohen began fishing in a small stream behind his house at age seven. Growing up in Maine gave him the opportunity to fish in ponds, streams, lakes and the Atlantic Ocean. He later expanded his reach into the waters of Cape Cod. On a quest to explore more water, he purchased a kayak and fished rock piles and ledges with both conventional and fly gear. With his kayak, he has gained access to waters that are difficult to reach by land and has come to know the flats and salt ponds of New England while honing his skill of sight fishing for huge bass. He has most recently begun targeting large gamefish in New England waters.

Eric Thomas

Captain Eric Thomas, owner of Teezer 77 Guiding Service, has been fishing the waters in and around Newport for his entire adult life. But he also has a passion for teaching others how to fish. At Teezer 77 Guiding Service, he offers guided fishing trips in the waters off Newport and southern New England.

B.J. Silvia

Captain B.J. Silvia of Rhode Island’s Flippin’ Out Fishing Charters has been fishing Newport, Block Island and Narragansett Bay his whole life. A lifelong Aquidneck Island resident, he has extensive knowledge of the local waters and prides himself on finding fish and ensuring his charter customers have a lot of fun! He has been featured on TV shows such as Fishing the Ocean State with Don Coyne and On The Water TV. Captain B.J. has been commercial and charter fishing for over 20 years and practices catch and release whenever he can. He is a member of RISAA, Newport County Fishing Club, and the Aquidneck Island Striper Team. Although he is busy charter fishing, a lot of times you’ll still find him throwing plugs in the surf.