Angling for a Catch: On the Water with Courtney Woznak
Meet Courtney Woznek, vice president of marketing and advertising for Fishbites, a manufacturer of specialty baits and lures based in St. Augustine. As any follower of her Instagram account @life4reelfishing knows, she is reel-y into spending time on local waterways, fishing pole and bait at the ready. We caught up with Woznek as she explored Ft. Clinch State Park on the north end of Amelia Island.
When did you start fishing?
Oh gosh, well I'm from the South, so when I was knee-high to a grasshopper (that's really young). I used to follow my dad around the ponds in a diaper and was fishing with a cane pole before I learned a lot of things during childhood.
What’s your favorite part of fishing?
All of it. But if I had to pick, it's the anticipation of the bite mixed with the moment you set the hook. But don't get me wrong, the fight keeps me on the water. Also, conservation is really important to me so taking in the beauty of a fish as I release it to swim another day is special. Lastly, with fishing, you never stop learning.
Any aspect of fishing you don’t enjoy?
I love every part, even the bad days. The bad days make you a better angler.
Where is your favorite spot to fish, and why?
I've fished all around the world and still believe that Northeast Florida is my favorite place to fish. It's challenging, always changing, and I love my home waters.
Describe your best catch.
The last tarpon I caught from the beach. Every single moment was magical. We (the fish and I) looked directly into each other's souls and I felt a connection with this fish that I'll never forget. "Whoever catches the big fish carries the spirit of the ocean inside of them." That’s a quote from the movie Given that I love.
