John Anthony

Port St. Lucie, FL

The term “Transplanted Yankee” was never more appropriate than when used to describe our own John Anthony… Better known in some fishing circles as “Bucketmouth”. John was born in Bayshore, New York, and lived on Long Island most of his life. He began his fishing career at the ripe old age of 4, thanks in no small part to his Grandfather. Gramps would take him to the beach to enjoy some surf fishing for Striped Bass and Bluefish. They would also adventure to some of the local canals on Long Island to try their luck on Fluke and Flounder. I’m not too sure how he got the nickname “Bucketmouth”? Could be from his love of fishing for Largemouth Bass? Or it could have something to do with his love of cheeseburgers, fries, steak, pie, cake, and just about anything else that can’t outrun him. If the latter is the case, well then, he fits right in with this group!

John soon discovered that fishing was “in his blood”, and it didn’t take him long to realize that this was something really special that he could excel at and would pursue like no other sport he had ever been involved with.

He began bass fishing in 1990, when one of his friends invited him for a trip to the local lake, for a day of fun and fishing. With catching his first bass, he was “hooked” for life. Bass fishing, and the professional bass fishing circuit, on a full time basis, has been one of John’s dreams for many years.

He started fishing with the Long Island Bassmasters, a local bass club and one of the oldest B.A.S.S. chapter clubs in the country. With a one-time membership of over seventy members, it would present John some stiff competition to help hone his bass catching skills and knowledge. It wasn’t long before John became one of the club’s “Tournament Directors” and the “Chairman of the Youth Committee”. It was his duty to help set up the club’s “Tournament Schedule” each year, and schedule and oversee all youth events.

In the fall of 1999, John’s employer asked him if he would be interested in transferring down to the state of Florida? That’s like asking a fox if he would like to transfer to the hen house! John didn’t hesitate for a moment and packed up his wife and two children, and the family dog, and moved to Port Saint Lucie, on the east coast of the sunshine state.

He started fishing professionally in January of 2000, with limited success on the “Everstart” tournament trail and the Wal-Mart BFL “Gator Division”. But John never lost heart. He knew he was gaining valuable experience and knowledge of the very different fishing techniques used in fishing “down south”, and knowledge of the lakes in Florida.

The year 2001 was a “break-out” year for John, as he finished 35th overall in the “Gator Division” of the Wal-Mart BFL circuit. He also had his best single tournament finish with a 7th place in the two-day “Super Tournament” on Lake Okeechobee, in October of 2001.

John started his own bass fishing guide business in 2002 with five of the best guides Florida has to offer, on some of the best bass fishing lakes in the state. His service covers “Stick Marsh”, “Farm Thirteen”, “Lake Okeechobee” and many of the other top producing waters of central Florida. He can also accommodate anglers in pursuit of Tarpon, Snook, Bluefish, Redfish, Jack Crevalle and a host of other species. Or he can set you up for an enjoyable air-boat ride through the Everglades, or on some of the most beautiful waterways on the “Treasure Coast” of Florida. You can contact John through the link at E-Bait Express, by e-mail at Bass975@aol.com , or visit him at his web site… www.FloridaHawg.com. Or give him a call at 772-871-1005 during regular business hours or evenings. Mention E-Bait Express and you will receive a 20% discount on any trip or marine service.

John also operates a mobile marine service and maintenance business, which offers an exclusive carbon removal system for your outboard engine, featuring BG WakeRunner Marine Products, along with synthetic lower unit oil service that will protect, out perform and out last any other product on the market today.

The “gang” here at E-Bait Express are glad to welcome John Anthony “on-board” and we are certain that his knowledge, abilities and talents will help us to further improve and strengthen our foundation of top quality products, fish catchin’ productive lures, and customer satisfaction and service. GO GET’EM JOHN!!