Tom Rowland Podcast

Joe Simons is the co-founder of Salt Strong, one of the largest fishing communities in America — built from scratch with his brother Luke to teach the world how to fish. Over 600 podcast episodes later, Joe joins me to talk about the journey from startup to acquisition, what it means to stay true to your mission, and how community, content, and faith built something much bigger than a business. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The early days of Salt Strong — from t-shirts to teaching anglers How Joe and Luke grew to 60,000+ members without investors The inside story behind Salt Strong’s acquisition by Sportsman’s Guide What it takes to stay authentic after a sale Why building community will always beat chasing followers The vision for a Fishing Theme Park and the next five years Lessons from selling a company, leadership, and family legacy 🔗 Visit Salt Strong → https://www.saltstrong.com 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #SaltStrong #FishingPodcast #Entrepreneurship #TomRowlandPodcast #SaltwaterExperience

Dan Dillon is the founder behind Aquaphobix, a heat-applied, non-ablative marine coating that started in swimming pools and is now being tested on fiberglass boats. In this conversation, we dig into the torch-on application, why copper-based bottom paint is still everywhere, and how certifications like Marine Life Safe and Drinking Water Safe translate from pools to marinas and beyond. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: How a pool coating ended up on boats — and why the blowtorch is part of the magic The honest breakdown of copper paints, “ablative” flakes, and microplastics in our water and fish Certifications that actually matter (not greenwashing): marine life and drinking-water safe Real-world cases: SeaWorld exhibits, a 102-year-old public pool, and what marinas care about (hint: sanding revenue) The ROI angle for anglers: fewer haul-outs, better performance, less mess — and where this could go (buoys to cruise ships) Timestamps 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Dan’s background (pool contractor → Aquaphobix) 03:45 What Aquaphobix is (pneumatic thermal plastic) 06:20 Torch-on application: epoxy, powder, and bond strength 09:55 Why traditional bottom paint leaches (ablative vs. hard) 13:10 Microplastics, copper, and environmental impacts 16:05 Certifications: Marine Life Safe & Drinking Water Safe 20:00 SeaWorld & “Venetian Pool” case — draining into aquifer 24:35 Greenwashing claims vs. what’s actually in the can 28:40 Marina economics: sanding, haul-outs, fees, and ROI 32:30 Performance, fuel burn, and efficiency tradeoffs 36:15 Big-boat use cases (buoys, cruise ships testing & fines) 40:05 Family-owned company, exclusive rights, patent-pending 43:10 The viral video effect and dealing with comments 46:00 What’s next & how to get in touch 🔗 Visit Dan Dillon / Aquaphobix – https://aquaphobix.com 🔗 Connect with Aquas / Aquaphobix: Instagram → @aquasofficial Website → https://aquaphobix.com 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #BoatLife #SaltwaterLegends #BottomPaint #Aquaphobix #Conservation

Captain Scott Moore is a West Coast Florida legend — 50+ years on the water, a conservation bulldog, and the namesake of Manatee County’s finest public boat ramp. He’s guided through countless cycles of boom-and-bust fisheries, fought for preserves, and helped push pivotal policy from the snook/redfish era to today’s water-quality battles. We talk hurricanes and recovery on Anna Maria Island, why mangroves are the best windbreak on earth, the real “groceries” fish need, and how law, science, and local knowledge collide on the water. We also get into gear evolution (from nylon cast nets to braid), guiding as the entertainment business, snook lights, canal aeration, aquaculture at Mote Marine, and why respectful advocacy beats shouting every time. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The community response after four feet of storm surge — and how a true island steps up. Why trimmed mangroves often fare better in storms, and what black mangroves need to survive. “It’s about the groceries”: managing forage and estuaries, not just gamefish. Guiding wisdom: safety, teaching, hospitality — then fish. The net-ban era, law enforcement realities, and what policy actually moves the needle. Practical water quality fixes: septic conversions, canal aeration, turf buffers, and realistic tradeoffs. Honoring legacy: why the county named a boat ramp after Scott — and what that really means. Visit Captain Scott’s home waters — Anna Maria Island, FL Connect with local conservation groups mentioned: Captains For Clean Water Coastal Conservation Association Waterkeepers Florida Free Resources Saltwater Knot Guide — https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP Tom Rowland Podcast — https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversationshttps://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 Follow the Show Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #CaptainScottMoore #AnnaMariaIsland #FloridaFishing #Mangroves #Snook #Conservation #WaterQuality #Hurricanes #MoteMarine #TomRowlandPodcast #SaltwaterLegends

Carey Chen is a world-traveled marine artist and lifelong fisherman who turned a passion for blue water into a career—painting billfish from memory and chasing giants with some of the best crews on earth. Born in Los Angeles to Jamaican parents, raised in Jamaica, and later based in Miami, Carey went from motorcycles and video stores to fishing tournaments across the Caribbean, licensing deals, and live painting at world-class events. In this conversation, we get into how a first sailfish on a kite lit the fuse, why sonar is changing offshore fishing (and why he thinks it’ll soon be on every boat), what it’s like to fish with the Bad Company program, and how a lifetime of travel turned into 3,000+ paintings “stuck in his head.” Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The first sailfish on a kite off Miami—and how one fish can change your life From fisherman to painter: leaving retail, painting live, and getting “discovered” at boat shows Fishing the world with Bad Company: Mag Bay marlin numbers that sound impossible until you see them The sonar debate: why new tech doesn’t replace skill—but rewards crews who master it Big-fish mindset: chasing granders, tagging programs, and letting the big breeders go Seychelles, Cape Verde, Madeira: what “no-pressure” fisheries really feel like Growing up around legends—boxing promoters, Bob Marley, and the value of giving back through art Timestamps 00:00 Intro & who is Carey Chen 01:35 Jamaica → Miami → first sailfish on a kite 05:10 From fisherman to artist: the boat show breakthrough 10:42 Touring the Caribbean tournaments & live painting 15:28 Bad Company stories: Mag Bay marlin madness 21:40 Sonar, strategy, and the “is it cheating?” debate 28:05 Chasing granders: Africa, Cape Verde, Madeira 34:20 Seychelles & the magic of low-pressure fisheries 40:55 Flats talk: triggers, bumpheads, bonefish, Andros 47:10 Art from memory: anatomy, light, and getting it right 52:25 Business today: licensing, dropship, 3,000+ pieces 57:30 Growing up around champions & giving back 1:02:10 Final thoughts on passion → profession 🔗 Visit Carey Chen’s Website – [custom link] 🔗 Connect With Carey: Instagram → @[guest_handle] Website → [guest_website] 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #MarineArt #Billfish #BigGameFishing #Fishing #SaltwaterLegends

Shane Reynolds is an award-winning producer, explorer, and storyteller who’s worked on Discovery Channel, Nat Geo, and Travel Channel shows in more than 65 countries. You might know him as Color Earth on Instagram, where his camera drops reveal the hidden world under piers, bridges, and reefs. In this conversation, we dive into: How a simple 360 camera drop turned into viral content. The wildest behind-the-scenes stories from Nat Geo and Discovery expeditions. Sharks, aggregations, and what’s really happening under Florida’s waters. Survival in the Guyana jungle while filming “Shane Untamed.” 🔗 Visit Shane’s Work – https://www.colorearth.tv/ 🔗 Connect With Shane: Instagram → @colourearthpro YouTube → youtube.com/shanereynolds 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe

At 16, Jordan Thomas lost both legs in a Keys boating accident—and turned it into purpose. He launched the Jordan Thomas Foundation to help kids get the prosthetics and community they need through age 18, and he’s now a top adaptive golfer competing at the US Adaptive Open in Pinehurst. We get into mindset and trauma, why running blades aren’t covered, real talk on water safety, community beats hardware, and pushing policy so access is affordable and durable. Big heart, big mission—tons of practical takeaways. Connect with Jordan Instagram — @jordanthomasfoundation Website — https://www.jordanthomasfoundation.org Free Resources Saltwater Knot Guide — https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP Tom Rowland Podcast — https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversationshttps://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 Follow the Show Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok — https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/tvswe

Conway Bowman is a legendary San Diego fly-fishing guide and pioneer of sight-fishing mako sharks from a 24’ bay boat. He’s a former wetlands manager who grew up in San Diego, spent summers in Idaho, and built a career around putting anglers eye-to-eye with apex predators—and sending them home safely. In this conversation, we talk about why makos have gotten so big, the exact conditions he looks for, and the discipline it takes to keep people safe when a 400- to 800-pound shark turns on the afterburners. 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #MakoShark #FlyFishing #ConwayBowman #SanDiegoFishing #BluefinTuna #SaltwaterLegends

Jimmy Armel, an Army Ranger veteran and founder of Not Lucky Veteran Fishing, shares his inspiring journey from combat to healing. He discusses the traumatic realities of military life, including concussions and the impact of stolen valor on veterans. Jimmy highlights how fishing became his lifeline, leading him to create free trips for veterans. He also dives into the transformative power of psychedelic therapy, recounting his experiences with ibogaine that ignited a passion for service and purpose, emphasizing community over pity in supporting fellow veterans.

Captain Blair Wiggins — known to many as the Mogan Man from Addictive Fishing — has spent decades shaping saltwater fishing on Florida’s Space Coast. Today, he’s leading the charge on one of the most ambitious conservation projects in the state: planting over 96 million clams to restore the Indian River Lagoon. In this conversation, Blair and I go deep on fishing history, the birth of Addictive Fishing, the boom and bust of the clam fishery, his new show Blair Wiggins Outdoors, and why restoring water quality is the fight of our generation. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: The wild story of how “Mogan” became his nickname and brand. The rise of Addictive Fishing and what it was like to film all over the world. His first trip to Alaska — and how it changed him. The shocking scale of clam overharvesting and the black water years in the Indian River. How the Clam Project is filtering Florida’s waters and changing the future for fish, anglers, and families. 00:00 Introduction 01:10 The Origin of the “Mogan Man” 03:45 Addictive Fishing & Early ICAST Days 10:15 Adventures Filming Worldwide 14:30 Blair Wiggins Outdoors & Working With His Son 19:00 The Indian River Clam Project Story 23:45 Funding, Partners & Education Efforts 28:10 Water Quality Challenges & Fertilizer Impact 32:00 Final Reflections & Call to Action 🔗 Visit the Indian River Clam Project – https://irlclamproject.org 🔗 Connect With Captain Blair Wiggins: Instagram → @blairwigginsoutdoors Website → https://blairwigginsoutdoors.com 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #ClamRestoration #BlairWiggins #FishingConservation #MoganMan #SaltwaterLegends

Wesley Brough — better known as Cabo Surf Caster — has been fishing the beaches of Baja for over 25 years. From trophy roosterfish to monster Pacific cubera snapper and mahi right from the sand, Wesley has dialed in one of the most unique surf fisheries in the world. In this conversation, we talk about Baja’s seasons, species behavior, lure tactics, guiding in Cabo, and what makes land-based fishing so addictive. Wesley also shares the behind-the-scenes strategy behind his epic social media clips that get millions of views. Some of the moments I found most meaningful in this conversation were: How Baja’s beaches have changed — and where the fish still thrive The seasonal game plan from January to December for multiple species The insane story of landing a 73-pound Pacific cubera snapper on a surface lure Roosterfish “Godzilla mode” and how to time your cast perfectly The thrill (and heartbreak) of hooking big mahi from shore 00:00 Introduction 01:10 Growing Up in Cabo 06:45 Beach Access & Changing Coastlines 12:15 Seasonal Fishing Calendar in Baja 19:00 Tactics for Sierra Mackerel & Needlefish 28:10 Cubera Snapper on Topwater 39:30 Roosterfish Behavior & “Godzilla Mode” 51:15 Mahi in the Surf & Lost Giants 1:02:20 Life as a Full-Time Surf Fishing Guide 1:13:45 Social Media Strategy & Content Creation 1:21:00 Best Times to Visit Cabo for Fishing 🔗 Visit Wesley’s Website – https://cabosurfcaster.com 🔗 Connect With Wesley: Instagram → https://instagram.com/cabosurfcaster2 YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/@CaboSurfCaster 📘 Free Resources: 🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP 🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0 📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1 📱 Follow the Show: Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/ TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe #Roosterfish #SurfFishing #CaboMexico #FishingPodcast #SaltwaterLegends