Episode 137: Phil O'Bannon - Chief of Boca Grande

Episode 137: Phil O'Bannon - Chief of Boca Grande

Author: Mill House April 24, 2025 Duration: 1:27:26
Phil O’Bannon is a sixth-generation Boca Grande fisherman whose life has been defined by the water. He left college to chase giant bluefin tuna across the white sands of the Bahamas, a move that launched a global fishing career—from big-money marlin tournaments to captaining motherships for the elite. But it was fly fishing for tarpon in his home waters that made him a legend. Now 72, Phil is still regarded as the most respected name in Boca Grande—widely known as the Tarpon Fishing Capital of the World. He’s chased Tarpon with the best, from John Emory in the Keys to Billy Pate in Homosassa, and to this day, he still fishes IGFA leaders with old-school precision. But it was his guiding career with the Bush family that secured his legacy, and having President Bush as his friend for two decades remains as some of his fondest memories. On today’s podcast, we talk about the early years, his father “Fingers,” a life on the water, and the enduring magic of Boca Grande.

The Mill House Podcast digs into the rich, often overlooked narratives that flow through the world of fishing and the wider outdoors. While the cast of a line provides the starting point, these conversations quickly travel into deeper waters, exploring the lives, philosophies, and pivotal moments of the people who shape these pursuits. Each episode is built on a foundation of genuine curiosity, offering long-form discussions with innovators, legends, and quiet pioneers you might not have heard of before. The result is a collection of untold stories that are as much about human character, dedication, and connection to the natural world as they are about any specific sport or technique. Listening to this podcast feels like pulling up a chair in a weathered lodge after a long day outside, where the tales exchanged are compelling, authentic, and far from finished. You’ll hear the nuances behind industry shifts, personal epiphanies born on remote rivers, and the hard-earned wisdom that comes from a life spent looking to the horizon. It’s an audio experience for anyone who finds education in leisure and sees the wilderness as a source of endless story. Mill House weaves these threads together into a consistently engaging listen that redefines what an outdoor show can be.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

Mill House Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Episode 133: Capt. Karl Anderson - Bluefin Tuna & Grander Marlin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:47:49
Capt. Karl Anderson embarked on his professional career at just 13 years old, securing his first paid job as a mate in the competitive world of big game fishing. Over the years, he has risen to become a globally recogniz…
Episode 132: Capt. Greg Dini - Flywater Expeditions [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:11:48
Capt. Greg Dini is a highly respected flats fishing guide with expertise in saltwater fly fishing and light tackle angling. Born and raised in Orlando, Florida, he developed a love for fishing early on, spending his high…
Episode 131: Guy Harvey - Marine Artist, Angler, & Conservationist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:27:06
Guy Harvey is one of the most prolific and influential artists in the world of fishing. Known as the king of the fishing t-shirt industry, he has captivated generations with his iconic murals depicting billfish and marin…
Episode 130: John Abplanalp - Life of the Party [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:12
John Abplanalp has lived an extraordinary life centered around fishing, including being one of the pioneers on the flats of Montauk, where he was among the first to sight-cast for striped bass from his skiff. His family…
Episode 129: Lenny Berg - Fishing Florida In The 1950's [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:34:35
Over the years, as I’ve participated in various fishing tournaments, I’ve often noticed the names etched on the trophies from past events. One name that always stood out to me was Lenny Berg. He made history by winning t…
Episode 128: Carter Andrews - "The Obsession of Carter Andrews" [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:21
One lesson we’ve all learned over the years is to never judge a book by its cover—especially when the subject is Carter Andrews. This towering figure, both in size and hair, is eclipsed only by the immense love he has fo…
Episode 127: Tim Choate - Sport Fishing Visionary [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:20:03
Tim Choate is a pioneering force in Billfish Conservation and one of the most influential figures in the world of sport fishing. Growing up in Islamorada, Florida, Tim was introduced to the world of blue-water fishing by…
Episode 126: George Anderson - The River Rhino [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:47
George Anderson is the owner of Yellowstone Angler in Livingston, Montana, a fly shop he founded in 1979. His fly-fishing journey began in the Catskill Mountains of New York and was further honed in the Rocky Mountain We…
Episode 125: Kelly Galloup - Streamer King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 2:00:31
Kelly Galloup’s personality is as vibrant and electric as a bag of smelling salts. He’s as raw and beautiful as my tarpon brothers in Homosassa. All this energy is exemplified by how he aggressively pursued the truth abo…