CAPTAIN JAMES QUILLIN

I’m Captain James Quillin and I love my job. I’m a family man and enjoy teaching the younger generations how to fish. When I was six years old, I knew that I wanted to be a Charter Guide.  The name Lucky Strike comes from my Grandfather John Blane (Papa John). Papa John smoked Lucky Strike cigarettes and was a major influence in my life. He took me on my first charter as a young man with Capt. Tom Chaya of AMI. My father, Emerson Quillin, a local AMI cartoonist/artist introduced me to fishing. So I'd like to give them both the credit for introducing me to my lifelong fishing obsession. My family has owned a place on Anna Maria Island since the 70’s, and I think visiting the area my entire life helped me kindle that fire. I have always had a love of fishing from a very young age, and I am always striving to try and master my trade. I have years of experience in the industry before starting the Lucky Strike Fishing Charters. I was fortunate enough to have fished in many high stakes Offshore Tournaments with Galati Yacht Sales including the Blue Marlin Grand Championship in the Gulf of Mexico; The Buccaneer Sailfish Cup in West Palm Beach; Also, the three tournament Old Salt Loop in this area. Whether its a Blue Marlin coming up in the spread or the thump of a Tampa Bay Grouper I still get adrenaline and fired up! I spent many years commercial fishing for Mullet, Mackerel, Ladyfish, and Stone Crab with the use of nets, rods, and traps in the Tampa Bay Area. I love our Anna Maria Island and our fishery that surrounds it, give me a call and we can talk about booking a fishing trip and make some lifelong memories!