Gulf Breeze Guide Service Your Guide

MEET CAPTAIN BAZ

Fishing has always been a big part of my life. My dad John Yelverton ran the first charter boat in Pensacola in the 1940's, and I started fishing as a little guy. We lived in Gulf Breeze where I spent my childhood in the water whenever possible throwing a mullet net or casting topwater plugs for speckled trout. 

I was introduced to saltwater fly-fishing 30 years ago in the Florida Keys by famous Marathon guide Capt Cal Cochran. We fished together each year for 11 years and caught countless bonefish and tarpon. Capt Cal taught me how to cast the big fly rods, plus he shared his passion for tarpon and schooled me in the secrets he learned during his 25 years in the Keys. 

The fly rod was magical to me, and I quickly became addicted. I put my spinning tackle down and dedicated the next few years to learning how to catch all our favorite local species on fly. Sight-fishing the sandy flats for trout, redfish, and pompano was incredible, and I'll never forget hooking my first false albacore. The first jack crevalle was a mind blower, and then I hit the jackpot in 2002 by landing the first-ever Pensacola giant tarpon on fly.    

That was about the time Ed Story, owner of Feather-craft Fly Fishing, asked me if there were any fly-fishing guides in the area. There were none, so I earned my USCG Captains License and opened Gulf Breeze Guide Service in 2004.    

Over the past 20 years it's been my pleasure to introduce hundreds of fly-anglers to our outstanding fishery, and I'm as excited about it now as ever. You just can't beat sight-fishing with a fly rod. We spend most of our time stalking fish in clear, calm, shallow water either from a flats skiff or on foot. It's a team effort with me on the poling platform and my client on the casting deck. When we spot a fish, I quietly position the boat for the shot. My client has the thrill of casting the fly in front of the fish without spooking it, stripping the fly to entice the take, and strip-setting for the hookset after the fish eats the fly. After landing it, we snap a quick photo, remove the barbless hook, and gently resuscitate and release the fish unharmed. It's an exciting yet kinder, gentler, and sustainable way of spending time on the water with fish.

Our sight-fishing is thrilling but challenging. The fish tend to be spooky, and good casting is important. You need to be comfortable casting 50' with 8wt tackle, and every 10' you add to your cast doubles your chances of catching fish. Double-hauling is critical when there's wind, and you should at least have the basics down when you get here. I'm good at offering casting tips to intermediate and advanced casters, but teaching beginners is not my thing. I've teamed up with FFI Certified Casting Instructor Capt Richard Montgomery to take care of those just starting out, plus he is available for "tune-up" lessons to casters of all levels. There is a link below to Capt Richard. 

The Fly Fishers of Northwest Florida is our robust local fly club that does a fine job promoting fly-fishing in the community. They are also very active with Project Healing Waters which benefits our disabled veterans. I write a fishing report for their monthly newsletter and reading it will give you a good update on what's going on. There's a link below. Also, the fly club puts on a free casting and fly-tying clinic on the 3rd Saturday of each month. It's open to all, and lunch is provided. Details are provided in the newsletter. If you happen to be in town on one of those Saturdays, it's a great time to get a free casting lesson and learn more about the area from the locals.

For up-to-the-minute photos follow me on Instagram.

When we fish together, I want it to be your best-ever day of saltwater fly-fishing. Sometimes it works out that way, but even when it doesn't, we always have a great time trying. 

Feel free to call or text me anytime.

CATCH and release  - a beautiful thing

Casting instruction

Captain Richard Montgomery

If you are unfamiliar with the terms "double-haul" and "strip-set", consider a lesson with our local FFI-certified casting instructor Capt Richard Montgomery before booking a trip. I want your time on my boat to be well worth the fee.
Reach out to Capt Richard through this link.

Local fly club

Fly Fishers of Northwest Florida

Our area has an active group of fly fishers who work tirelessly to promote the sport of fly-fishing in the community.  Please read about them at their website:    https://ffnwf.org/.

The club's monthly newsletters contain my fishing reports and infomation on the Saturday free casting and fly-tying clinics: https://ffnwf.org/newsletters.

CONTINUING EDUCATION

When not guiding, I work on improving my skills by travelling with colleagues and select clients to cool places in search of exotic species. Here is a short 3-part video from a tarpon trip to the Costa Rica jungle and some fun photos from my "continuing education" travels.  