Michael Ortiz

Mike started fishing in Colorado when he was 4. "My grandfather taught me the art." When his grandfather passed when he was 14, Mike put down the pole and didn't pick it up for 13 years...

At 27, Mike met his biological father, and 4 other brothers...all of whom were hardcore cold stream trout fisherman. "My father retaught me the art, my oldest brother Rick taught me the science of the rod, and again I was hooked."

Moving to San Antonio in 2009 with a deep passion for fishing, he took to the beaches of Corpus, where he saw, for the first time, an angler on a Kayak. Upon seeing the kayak fisherman, as Mike puts it, "I knew that was me."

"I started off a bit lost until a streak of luck linked me up with Heroes On the Water, which teamed me up with Dean Thomas. Dean introduced me to the sport in a way I never imagined and I have not looked back sense. A true friend who has turned me into the angler that I am now."

Now it was time for Mike to teach someone else the art. He introduced kayak fishing to his family, which, he says, has braught them all even closer, and "being a Soldier, closeness to family far away is always hard to find."

"Fresh water or salt, its an addiction that I plan on passing on to my daughters and all those that cross my path. For me, being on the water is the calm I rarely am able to find, having seen the worst of the world through war after war... fishing is my peace."

State/Hometown: Denver, CO

Must-Have Accessory or Gear: AT Paddle (Fish Stix), Ray-bans, a hat and a random energy drink

Favorite Place to Fish: Aransas Pass, TX... Termianl Flats from sun up to sun down.

Favorite Species to Fish: Texas Redfish and Trout

Favorite Rod 'n Reel: 6'6 TFO HOW Rods and Shimano reels

Favorite Bait/Lure: Super Spook JR in Bone or Spectrum or a DOA Shrimp in pink or gold flake, Skinny Water Arsenal Stoker TT

Angling

Michael Ortiz