Episode 173: Baker Bishop - Tarpon, Triumph, & Second Chances

Baker Bishop is an avid fly fisherman, surfer, husband, father, and mentor whose life has been shaped by a lifelong connection to the water. He picked up a fly rod at just ten years old, taught by his mother, who passed down the skills, traditions, and passion she had learned from her grandfather—a bamboo-rod builder and lifelong angler. What began as a childhood passion has grown into a way of life. In the mid-2000s, Baker began fishing some of the biggest tarpon tournaments in the Florida Keys alongside renowned guides Kris Suplee, Brian Helms, Robert Klein, and eventually Craig Brewer & Alonzo Sotillo. In 2009 and 2010, Baker and guide Brian Helms won the Golden Fly Tarpon Tournament, establishing him as a formidable competitor among the country’s top tarpon anglers. Baker also served as chairman of the Don Hawley Tarpon Tournament for six years before stepping down in 2024. Baker’s journey, however, extends far beyond the water. After overcoming addiction, he developed a deep appreciation for health, happiness, and living with purpose. Today, that perspective shapes the way he approaches life, family, fishing, and the people he mentors. For Baker, time on the water is about more than the pursuit of fish—it is about connection, gratitude, challenge, and being fully present. Whether chasing tarpon across the flats, spending time with his family, or helping another person find their way, Baker brings a perspective forged through both triumph and adversity. His story is ultimately one of passion, resilience, and the pursuit of a life well lived.