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Happy To Be On The Water

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By LOIS KINDLE, The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 5, 2008

Updated: 01/03/2008 06:33 pm

APOLLO BEACH - Capt. Lori Deaton of Ladyfish Charters is one of the lucky ones.

As a fishing guide operating out of Lands End Marina in Apollo Beach, she said she thrives on her work and can't wait to head out into Tampa Bay on her 22-foot Pathfinder every day, weather permitting.

"I love being outdoors," she said. "Being on the water is peaceful, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity of meeting so many wonderful people and making new friends."

Deaton, 42, guides anglers of all skill levels, but she especially enjoys working with novices.

"The best part of my job is watching how excited people get when they catch their first fish," she said. "It's rewarding at the end of the day to know I've helped them create a wonderful memory.

"Clients come out here to have fun, to relax and leave their stress behind," she said. "I specialize in making that happen."

The Apollo Beach resident has owned her charter boat business since 1999. She specializes in inshore, shallow-water fishing using light tackle and near-shore fishing using medium to heavy tackle.
Ladyfish Charters offers four-, six- and eight-hour fishing trips for snook, trout, redfish, tarpon and cobia. The year-round charters include all bait, tackle live bait and artificials, a cooler of ice, bottled water and fishing license. Prices start at $350 for a four-hour trip for two.

"Part of what I do involves sight fishing, where I look for areas I think will be productive - places like oyster bars for tailing redfish, healthy grass flats for spotted sea trout and along mangrove shorelines for snook," Deaton said. "The other part is tarpon fishing - my personal favorite - which I do during May and June in Boca Grande."

Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, Deaton was always near the water. After graduating from Western High School, she left Fort Lauderdale and moved to Tampa, where she worked a number of years in the restaurant business. She began fishing seriously when dating her future husband, Larry, 15 years ago. They married and fished together competitively.

When she's not on the water, Deaton enjoys spending time with her family and friends, jogging with her yellow Lab, Pirate, competing in local running events and triathlons, golfing or playing tennis.

"I do everything I can to stay in shape," she said.

She is a member of the Florida Guides Association, Coastal Conservation Association, American Professional Captains Association and the National Association of Charter Boat Operators.

Deaton is an experienced tournament director, instructor and speaker, conducting seminars on a variety of fishing topics. Her charters are available for individual, group and corporate trips.

"I'd hire her again in a heartbeat," said Mike Escamilla of New Tampa, who purchased a two-day charter for himself and a cousin. "She is very intense about pleasing her customers and her boating skills are excellent."

Don Hyde of South Tampa said he would also use Deaton's services again.

"We had lots of action. We were pulling in fish after fish after fish," Hyde said. "She put us right on top of the fish and kept the action going the entire time."
LADYFISH CHARTERS

WHAT: A woman-owned and operated fishing guide service

WHERE: Lands End Marina, Apollo Beach
OWNER: Capt. Lori Deaton

INFORMATION: (813) 967-5032 or visit www.ladyfish charters.com

Reporter Lois Kindle can be reached at (813) 865-1553 or lkindle@tampatrib.com.

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