Regional Coaching Program

We’re excited to introduce our new Regional Coaching Program for Insider members! In addition to Pat & Tony who have been dropping expert info for years, we’ve brought on nine regional coaches from key areas across the Southeast to help you dial in your fishing game. Each coach knows their local waters inside and out and will be sharing weekly game plans, in-depth spot breakdowns, and regional tip videos tailored to where you fish. Whether you’re wading the Texas coast, chasing bull reds in the Panhandle, or working the flats in North Carolina, these guys are here to help you catch more fish and make the most of your time on the water. These coaches will be posting a majority of their content exclusively in the Insider Community.

Greyson Roberts

Florida Panhandle

Bio: I am a local YouTuber, Charter Guide and general outdoor enthusiast in the Panama City, Florida region. I absolutely love anything water related. If it floats, let’s throw a trolling motor on it and pluck up some hawgs! I primarily fish inshore in the bay out of tiny boats. I love fishing off any boat, any size! My favorite fish to catch hands down is Bull Redfish under the DuPont Bridge in Panama City off my kayaks. There’s nothing like it! That’s the center of attention for my entire fishing charter during the Spring and Summer months. It’s beyond addicting. Especially in late Summer when they’re smoking topwater baits at bridges! If you’re interested in catching the biggest fish off the smallest boats or general tiny boat fishing questions, hit me up! My whole thing is building the coolest boats for the absolute least amount of money! Fishing doesn’t need to be expensive.

Why I joined Salt Strong: I actually joined Salt Strong from a random guy I met on the water. He was actually a fan of my tiny boating content on YouTube and told me if I want to start catching fish, I need to join Salt Strong. Fast forward, that “fan” I met on the water is a Father to me now, taught me absolutely everything I know about Saltwater fishing (in addition to Salt Strong) and even led me to my faith in Jesus Christ. Salt Strong has been an absolute blessing in my life for so many reasons beyond catching fish.

Areas of Specialty: I am a Tiny boat builder – so fire away questions on building inshore capable micro-vessels on a budget.

Vessel(s): I have a 10′ mini pontoon boat, 12′ jon boat as well as a fleet of Old Town Sportsman Autopilot 120 kayaks I use for my local fishing charter.

Favorite Species to Target: My favorite fish to catch for sure changes all the time. If I could only target one fish for the rest of my life it would be Redfish. However, sometimes I want to go out and catch 30 Speckled Trout or a million Spanish Mackerel. Sheepshead are beyond addicting and Black Drum put up such an amazing fight! Can’t forget the Flounder bite. Have you ever been sight fishing for sharks offshore in a 15′ micro skiff? That’s fun too! However, Redfish has my heart!

Fun Fact: I have a fiddler crab habitat full of crabs on my back deck and my cat likes to bully them.

Click here to follow Greyson in the Insider Community

Wader Dave

Florida West Coast – Wading Expert

Bio: I grew up in Michigan as an obsessed freshwater fisherman and quickly became an obsessed saltwater fisherman upon moving to the Tampa Bay area in 1980.  I started wade fishing in tennis shoes a tee shirt and cutoff shorts as that was all I could afford at the time. While other fishing methods have became an option over the years, I continued to fish almost exclusively while wading. I started guiding on a part time basis in 2001, fitting in charters whenever I could, while working as a restaurant owner and developer. In 2016, I retired from my “real job”, became a Salt Strong Insider, was dubbed Wader Dave by Joe Simonds on a podcast, and started guiding on a full time basis.  I have three amazing grown children and an incredibly talented and beautiful wife of 40 years.

Why I joined Salt Strong: Until I discovered Salt Strong and became an Insider in 2016, most of the fishing knowledge I accumulated came as the result of a whole lot of trial and even more error. With the resources available through Salt Strong, anyone new to saltwater fishing can now learn in months what it took forty years for me to learn. Salt Strong opened up a whole new fishing world to me, that has literally changed my life.  I was lucky to find Salt Strong and will always be grateful to be part of a community with people as passionate about fishing as I am.

Areas of Specialty: I am Wader Dave – need I say more?

Vessel(s): I wade fish almost exclusively but often use a boat, kayak or SUP to get to spots that I can’t reach on foot.

Favorite Species to Target: My favorite fish is and always has been the fish on the end of my line but it’s tough to beat summer snook fishing along the beach, winter trout fishing the morning after a brutal cold front passes or hunting reds on the flats any time of the year.

Fun Fact: One of the most important factors I consider when deciding where to fish, is whether or not there’s a great local restaurant nearby to eat at before or after fishing.

Click here to follow Dave in the Insider Community

Scott Ray

Upper Texas Coast

Bio: I’m Scott Ray and I’m from a small town on the marshy Texas coast near Winnie. I grew up fishing with my family, as many of them are or were high level anglers and guides, and my father loved to wade the mouth of the legendary Rollover Pass, and I grew up to carry on the tradition. I have fished most of the Texas coast but lately focus on just the upper Texas coast from East Matagorda to Sabine Lake. 

Why I joined Salt Strong: I initially joined Salt Strong because I saw the ad video for the tweaker and it interested me. So, I joined for 1 lure but quickly realized there was so much more. Once I found the community, I knew I had found my home. The community is likely the most valuable thing you get as a Salt Strong Insider!

Areas of Specialty: I once owned and operated a reel repair and supertuning shop and was the foremost expert on the Texas coast for baitcasters, with a huge following. If you have a question about anything baitcaster related, I’m your guy! I also specialize in wading the surf targeting speckled trout, and any land-based fishing or wading, so if you don’t have a boat, I can still put you on some great spots!

Vessel(s): Currently, I spread my time evenly between wading/land based fishing and fishing in a multitude of different vessels, as I have a great network of friends that are guides, influencers, and lifelong tournament partners with nice vessels. I also own a small aluminum flats boat that drafts shallow, however with my busy fishing schedule, it seldom gets taken out. I also got into Kayak fishing for a while but have not been on a kayak in many years. 

Favorite Species to Target: I mainly focus on Speckled Trout, as they are my favorite species to fish for sport, and Flounder take the top spot for the table fare. I also love to chase the Triple-tail on occasion. Proudest moments were all the Trophy trout, I’ve caught many as I have been fortunate in that category.

Fun Fact: I was once an MMA fighter and Coach, owning my own gym for a while, and even have ex-students still in the UFC. Nowadays though, the only thing I fight are the fish!

Click here to follow Scott in the Insider Community

Anthony Milligan

Lower Texas Coast

Bio: My name is Anthony Milligan, but you may know me by the name Fishigan Milligan from my YouTube channel. Born and raised in the Rio Grande Valley, I’ve been fishing down here in the Lower Laguna Madre for quite a few years. When I’m not on the golf course or shooting a bow, I’m fishing almost any chance I get. From wade fishing the Lower Laguna Madre flats to kayak fishing the channels, drift fishing in a boat or just hanging out on the beach chunking bait, I’m all about just catching fish.  My favorite catch thus far has been finding my PB trout while wade fishing in Port Mansfield.

Why I joined Salt Strong: I joined Salt Strong a couple years ago and I’ve learned a lot about saltwater fishing. The courses on  redfish and trout coupled with the Smart Spot features have helped me become a better fisherman in my area. Also, the Insider Community page is a great way to keep up with the seasonal trends going on in my area and link up with other like minded anglers to succeed on the water.

Areas of Specialty: Most of the time, I’ll be found fishing down in the lower Laguna Madre, wading the flats with a baitcaster and tossing lures.  If you have any questions about how to use a baitcaster, wade fish the flats, or things to look for to catch these inshore fish. 

Vessel(s): My main method of fishing is to wade, so whether I’m in my kayak or on a boat, I’ll usually hop out of the vessel and walk the flats casting around pot holes and grass lines.

Favorite Species to Target: My favorite fish to target is gator trout in the winter months and on into the spring. Tossing Corkies on a baitcaster for these big fish and feeling that THUMP! There’s just nothing quite like it.

Fun Fact: My wife never used to like to fish until she started dating me and now as a married couple we still go out and fish together.

Click here to follow Anthony in the Insider Community

Perdido Blane

Gulf Coast – Surf Expert

Bio: This is Blane Roberts, owner and operator of Panhandle Salt. We’re a land-based and kayak guide service with a physical location on Perdido Key, Florida. We also create engaging social media content for our brand and other well-known companies in the industry. One of my favorite guiding memories involves a Boy Scout working on his fishing merit badge. His father would have been happy with a simple pinfish, but I wanted the Scout to have a truly memorable experience. We employed a Carolina rig with cut bait and fished from a pier. I anchored him near the pilings, secured his rod in a kayak holder, and waited. BAM! A 30-inch Reddrum exploded on the line! The fight was incredible, and the Scout’s smile reached the moon when we finally landed that beast in the kayak. To this day, it remains one of my most rewarding catches.

Why I joined Salt Strong: I joined Salt Strong in the summer of 2023, and it was a great decision! For years, I’ve been captivated by their content. I was finally convinced that these two brothers were true fishermen, not just businessmen trying to make a quick buck. The time and effort they pour into creating their products is truly inspiring. As a seasoned land-based fisherman myself, I still learn something new every time I engage with Salt Strong content. The Insider fee is worth it – it’s an investment in my fishing success.

Areas of Specialty: I have more experience surf fishing than any other fishing discipline. This style of angling has completely captivated me, and I dedicate all my time and effort to mastering it. From casting techniques to seasonal fish migrations, I feel confident in my ability to provide sound advice to aspiring beach anglers on the scene.

Vessel(s): My primary focus in fishing is land-based, specifically surf fishing. I also dedicate significant time to fishing the backwaters in my kayak. Our guide service offers both surf and kayak fishing options to cater to a wide range of angler preferences.

Favorite Species to Target: Even though I earn my living by targeting pompano, I’d have to say my favorite fish to target is flounder in the surf. Perhaps it’s because I’m not that great at it, which is why I often spend my days off pursuing them. I think it’s largely due to the simplicity of surf flounder fishing. When running surf fishing charters, I’m burdened with a lot of gear: 6-8 rods, sand spikes, a beach cart, coolers, and so on. Targeting flounder from the beach, however, only requires a backpack cooler, a small tackle box, and a single rod. I cover a lot of ground when I attempt to catch them.

Fun Fact: Every year, I welcome back the daylight with a 3 to 4-day camping trip to an island. Since 2019, I’ve been heading to St. George Island in March, bringing my kayak, camping gear, and fishing rods. I sleep in a hammock, eat what I catch, and completely unplug from the world. It’s a much-needed recharge after the long, dark winters.

Click here to follow Blane in the Insider Community

Cory Furlough

North Carolina

Bio: Hi, my name is Cory Furlough and I am your N.C. Salt Strong Coach. I was born and raised in North Eastern North Carolina. I am a proud U.S. Army Veteran and spent the majority of my time while in service stationed with the “82nd Airborne” out of Ft. Bragg after going all over the country and beyond with various units. Having my boat on a trailer lets me cover a lot of ground. My main area of fishing is anything around the Pamlico Sound or basically from New Bern north to the VA line and all the way over to the OBX! Inland pretty much anything that the Pamlico Sound and Albemarle Sound touches including the rivers and creeks are all in play depending on the time of year and what is biting best. My favorite catch to this point would probably have to be a 44” Redfish that I caught on a 7’ MF rod with a 2000 series Spinning Reel on 10lb braid and a 20lb Fluro leader on a 4” soft plastic! She put up a great fight and after 25 minutes of chasing her down with the trolling motor so she would not spool me we got her in the boat for a quick picture and sent her on her way! I have caught a 49.5” Redfish but there was nothing like that 44” on light tackle!

Why I joined Salt Strong: I joined Salt Strong about 5 years ago after being introduced to their free videos on YouTube. I wanted to increase my knowledge as an angler and just get away from the negative groups on Facebook where so much hate and belittling exist. I enjoy the since of community and comradery that we share here and how everything we do fosters continual learning and being in a great Christian centered positive environment! I naturally like helping people and learning so it was a great fit for me!   

Areas of Specialty: Knowing how to break down Inshore Salt Water and Brackish water to find the fish depending on the time of the year, structure available, winds, and weather. Our waters in Eastern NC are unlike any other in the country. The fish that we love to catch such as Trout, Reds, Rock, and Flounder move many miles from the coastal inlets on the barrier islands inland to spawn in the sounds and then winter deep up our rivers and creeks before moving back out to the ocean. It is a year around cycle and knowing how the fish behave and where they will be at a given time is a science of water temps and other factors. I pride myself in getting away from the crowds and being able to find the fish. I also love photography, videoing, and podcasting about anything related to fishing. I enjoy sharing my love of fishing here on Salt Strong and also from my YouTube channel “Bling Hog Adventures” with Cory Furlough. I also have a N.C. focused podcast called the “Blind Hog Adventures Inshore Saltwater Podcast” that highlights people, places, and businesses that make NC special on all major podcasting platforms.

Vessel(s): After having a 19’ Skiff for a number of years I have recently moved to a Key West 20’3” C.C. aka “The Blind Hog”. This has allowed me to go into bigger bodies of water, take rougher areas comfortably, and yet still draft only 12” of water. I also enjoy fishing pier fishing and hope to wade fish in TX someday since our waters are normally too deep to do so.

Favorite Species to Target: My favorite fish to target is a Speckled Trout by far! There is something about that THUMP!

Fun Fact: I named my boat, podcast, and YouTube channel “The Blind Hog” because just 7-8 years ago every time a good friend of mine and I used to go out fishing we said we were like “Two Blind Hogs Looking For An Acorn To Eat!” That is how bad we were at fishing! So when I began putting the pieces of the puzzle together through learning online, Salt Strong, time on the water, and just listening to other fishermen much smarter than me and having great success I chose to keep the name as a reminder to always stay humble and teach others! I am now currently going through my USCG Captains Course to become a Charter Captain so I can expand that reach and help others in their fishing journey.

Click here to follow Cory in the Insider Community

John Menchyk

Lowcountry
Bio: My name is John Menchyk and I am the new Salt Strong Coach for the low country region. I mainly fish the Charleston/Edisto area. I grew up freshwater fishing in the upstate of SC, chasing striper and crappie mainly. Then, in 2015, I moved to the Lowcountry and started my saltwater fishing journey. I quickly caught on to catching these inshore fish and have been “hooked” ever since. So I started a YouTube channel (Fishful Thinking Fishing) in hopes of helping those who may be struggling to catch fish! 

Why I joined Salt Strong: The reason I joined was to take my knowledge to the next level, elevate my fishing game, and mainly, the fellowship and positivity spread throughout the entire club. I had no idea how much I would learn! I learned more about inshore saltwater fishing from the insider club in 3 weeks than I did in 3 months of being on the water. Salt Strong taught me everything I needed to know to be successful out on the water and now I am blessed to be able to teach you all my knowledge as a Salt Strong regional coach. 

Areas of Specialty: I am a big fan of cooking, I love to take a fresh catch home and try different recipes. Flounder is definitely my favorite inshore species to make a delicious meal with. I really pride myself on knowing how to be a versatile fisherman. I really don’t “specialize” in one area, rather I aim to be great in all areas. I want to know how to do it all. So I taught myself how to surf fish, fish from my kayak, boat, and pier fish. 

Vessel(s): Boat, kayak, surf/pier.

Favorite Species to Target: My favorite fish to target is definitely redfish! The fight, the excitement, and the adrenaline of hooking into a big one is unmatched compared to any inshore fish. 

Fun Fact: One fun fact about me is that I am a sports fanatic. While I’m a fan on all LSU sports, I also enjoy following the NFL, MLB, and College Basketball.

Click here to follow John in the Insider Community

Benjamin McMillan

Mississippi

Bio: I’m an avid fisherman and even more avid fisher of men. I was born and raised in Pascagoula, MS. I fish all through the coast of Mississippi. Right now my favorite catch was a 40+ inch redfish I caught fishing in my kayak. It was a sleigh ride for sure.

Why I joined Salt Strong: I was tired of getting skunked more than I was catching and Salt Strong had all the info perfectly put together. It also helped that Salt Strong openly shared their faith as the core of their lives. Crazy enough Salt Strong even led me back to the faith. 

Areas of Specialty: Creek fishing is my expertise but I also flounder gig quite a bit during the summer and fall. If you ever need any help rigging your kayak I can help with that too.

Vessel(s): I mainly fish out of my 12ft old town salty pdl kayak but occasionally fish or gig with friends on their boats. 

Favorite Species to Target: Redfish for the fight and the taste.

Fun Fact: God saved me and he can save you too!

Click here to follow Benjamin in the Insider Community

Matt Lanier

Florida Big Bend & Panhandle

Bio: Life-long angler, started fishing when I was just an infant, going with my grandfather on his boat, catching bream or largemouth on Lake Seminole where he lived, I was hooked ever since I felt the tug of that first fish.  More recently, a quick success at inshore fishing tournaments, I have managed to learn quite a bit in my experience over the past few years since joining Salt Strong and ultimately becoming a Fishing Coach within.

Why I joined Salt Strong: I joined Salt Strong in 2020 during the covid scare and used the extra time to learn as much as I could about fish in the saltwater, and more importantly how to catch them.  I joined for many reasons, but if I were to put just one reason at the top, it would be because I was drawn to the sense of community that Salt Strong provided to us as Members.  I wanted to connect with others in my areas that had the same interests and desires as me, wanting to catch more fish in less time.

Areas of Specialty: In short, my area of specialty would be shallow water, inshore fishing from a kayak, and targeting redfish has become a bit of a niche for me over the past couple years in my adventures tournament fishing.  Finding redfish in all conditions, and finding different ways to get them to eat in those different situations has been a personal journey and I have developed a knack for it.

Vessel(s): I own two Hobie Fishing vessels, both an Outback as well as a 360 XR ProAngler, and have achieved tournament victories in both vessels.  I also have a Live Watersports X4 paddleboard that has been converted into a micro-skiff by the great folks at SupCustoms, adding a 6HP Suzuki Motor to the back as well as a Rhodan GPS Spot lock trolling motor to the front.  While the micro-skiff can cover more water, the kayak’s near-silence and ability to remain stealthy is tough to beat when those are the necessary tactics.

Favorite Species to Target: My favorite fish to target from a kayak, is not even one you would think of when thinking of kayak fishing, but Black Fin Tuna would be up there at the top of the fish I like targeting in my kayak. It can be tough work, pedaling and trolling without a target to cast at, but when the drag starts going off, peeling line from the spool, the fun begins.

Fun Fact: One fun fact about me is, when I was only 6 years old I won a chitlin eating contest.  At the ripe old age of six, I bested adults from near and far in eating quite a large bowl of the culinary delight. You never would have expected it, but not only am I a Fishing Coach, but I hail from a throne of chitlins.

Click here to follow Matt in the Insider Community

New Regions?

Want to see more coaches in different regions? Let us know what area you would like to see covered next in the comments! Email cameron@saltstrong.com to coordinate.