Fishing

George Gozoz

Jensen Beach, Florida

According to George, he’s just a normal guy with two kids and a really cool job. But don’t let his modesty fool you. He’s at the peak of his career as a fishing guide in some of the most sought-after waters in Florida, he’s a U.S.C.G. Licensed Master Captain, and hosts the “Unfathomed” TV fishing show. Sounds to us like he’s really following in his hero Flip Pallot’s footsteps.
What goes through your head when you first wake up in the morning?
“What’s going on with the weather?” One of the most critical factors affecting my fishing life is the weather. I’m either guiding on my home waters in the Jensen Beach or traveling the state filming Reel Time Florida Sportsman and the conditions outside determine what direction my day will go. First thing in the morning I usually scan the weather apps and begin formulating a plan for the day in my head.
Where is your favourite place to fish?
I live in paradise. The diversity of the ecosystem in my area is incredible. We can easily be offshore catching dolphin, sailfish, or cobia in the morning and in the afternoon head inshore and catch snook or tarpon.
Tell us a favourite story from a day out guiding.
Probably one of the highlights of my guiding career was having the ability to take Michael Jordan fishing. I got the call from one of my clients at 7:30 at night and he said to me, “Hey, do you want to take Michael Jordan fishing tomorrow?” I thought it was a joke but it wasn’t. I cancelled what I had planned and spent the day on the water with one of the greatest athletes of all time.
How do you up your game year after year?
Staying at the top of your game requires humility. I’m just a normal guy who’s raising 2 kids and has a really cool job.
Who are your heroes? Who do you look up to?
I grew up watching Walkers Cay Chronicles and have always admired Flip Pallot. He’s a true gentleman, environmentalist, and ambassador to our sport.
What haven’t you accomplished that you aspire to do in your lifetime?
I’ve never caught a blue marlin- it’s on my bucket list.
If there is any love-hate relationship with any aspect of what you do, can you describe what that is?
Turning a passion in to a profession sometimes comes at a cost. It seems like a dream job to be on the water five days a week until you’ve done it for 14 years. I still wouldn’t trade it for anything though.