BD would like to introduce you to Shelby Sharp, our next Fishing Chick. She spends some time explaining her background and her love of fishing and more.
BD:Where do you live?
Shelby Sharp:I currently live in Solana Beach (in San Diego), but it’s kind of temporary/complicated. I jump between there, Silverstrand Beach (in Oxnard), and Hawaii.
BD:What is your occupation?
Shelby Sharp:I am a flight attendant! I absolutely love it. I live a go-go-go (and go some more) kind of lifestyle. It can be exhausting at times, but the adventure and fun are always worth it. When I’m working, I’m usually hopping back and forth between the East & West coast, and on my off days, I’m usually flying somewhere to go fish, surf, or free dive. I try my best to incorporate my ocean passions wherever I go, too, whenever I have layovers in cities that allow me to do so!
BD:What are your other hobbies?
Shelby Sharp:In addition to fishing, surfing, and freediving, I love to spearfish, do yoga, hike, run, and be on the water. I love boats, but I’m not really a sailboat girl (at all). You can’t go-go-go on a sailboat.
BD:Who or what got you into fishing?
Shelby Sharp:I grew up at the beach and on boats, so I guess I’d have to give credit to my dad (and grandfather). It kind of just runs in my blood. My ex-boyfriend also was/is super into fishing so I used to go with him a lot. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly who/what got me into fishing because it’s been a part of my life pretty much my whole life!
BD:What types of fishing have you done and where?
Shelby Sharp:I’ve done quite a bit of offshore/sport fishing in California, Hawaii, and Mexico. I’ve recently gotten more into spearfishing. While I was in college, I didn’t have many connections in terms of getting on boats. So, I took things into my own hands and got a speargun. You don’t need much (except maybe a dive partner/safety diver) to get the job done when you have a speargun in your hands.
BD:What is your favorite kind of fishing so far?
Shelby Sharp:I really love sport fishing. It’s really fun and exciting, and I love big fish. I also love big boats…
I also really love spearfishing, but there’s something special about being out at sea. It’s like meditation for me.
BD:What are some future goals or plans pertaining to fishing?
Shelby Sharp:My future goals for fishing are to spear a big tuna. The tuna have been running off San Diego all summer (it’s no secret) and I’m hoping to get on those before it’s over. I also really want to fish and spearfish in Fiji, and the Caribbean/Florida. Hoping to check those off my list before the year is over!
BD:What part of fishing do you like most?
Shelby Sharp:To me, doing anything in or on the water is like meditation — fishing included. It keeps me sane and makes me feel good. I also love the rush of having a big fish on, it’s an excitement like no other.
BD:Tell us about some of your proudest moments in fishing.
Shelby Sharp:I haven’t done any tournament fishing (yet), however, whenever I go dive/spearfish with my [younger] brother it’s always sort of like a tournament… we’re both super competitive. I usually out fish him so that’s pretty exciting to me (lol). But in all honesty, I just really love spending time on the water with the people I love, regardless of who does the best.
BD:What other “aspects of you” would you like to portray if any?
Shelby Sharp:I am just an all-around water girl and lover of adventure and my goal is to live my life around the ocean. I’m pretty much up for anything when it comes to trying new things, and I’m always striving to learn more. I am not the best at everything I do, but what matters (in my mind) is whose having the most fun. So, I always make fun the main goal!
