BD: Where do you call home and what do you do?
Hayley Shinn: I live in Cape Canaveral and I’m a bartender at the Sandbar Sports Grill in Cocoa Beach.
BD: How did you get introduced to fishing?
Hayley Shinn: Growing up on the Indian River, I’ve always fished off my family’s dock catching tarpon, redfish and snook. However, my offshore fishing interest didn’t start until about 5 years ago when I started commercial fishing with Capt. Dustin Rapp. I continue to fish and participate in fishing tournaments out of Canaveral with my boyfriend Capt. Kyle Larson.
BD: Please tell us about some of your experiences?
Hayley Shinn: At home (Port Canaveral) I usually bottom fish for grouper and snapper, troll for dolphin and sailfish, sight-fish for cobia, and live bait the reefs for kingfish and anything that bites. I’ve also spent some time in Key Largo yellowtail snapper fishing the patch reefs and free diving for lobster.
BD: Do you have any other hobbies?
Hayley Shinn: I’ve ridden horses my whole life and compete in hunter/jumpers. I’m also an avid and well-traveled surfer.
BD: Can you pick a favorite style of fishing?
Hayley Shinn: I enjoy sight fishing for cobia during their spring migration. It’s amazing to actually see a group of manta rays loaded with cobia and then try to catch one from beneath the ray. It is quite an adrenaline rush.
BD: Do you have a fishing wish list?
Hayley Shinn: I would love to take a surfing/fishing trip to Costa Rica and catch roosterfish. Another “to-do” on my bucket list is to fish for giant bluefin tuna off the coast of Nova Scotia.
BD: What aspect of fishing do you love the most?
Hayley Shinn: I love to be on the water period! It is very relaxing, yet exciting, especially when that big cobia swims right up to the boat! Some of my best memories with my friends have taken place when we were fishing offshore.
BD: What would you describe as one of your proudest moments in fishing?
Hayley Shinn: Probably catching my first red snapper over 20 pounds this year during the east coast red snapper weekend.
BD: How would you sum it all up?
Hayley Shinn: I love being outdoors! Whether I’m in the swamp, ocean or woods, I’m a happy girl 🙂
Thanks to Hayley for taking the time to talk to us.
