American Fishing Wire - Pro Staff: Freespool

Johnny Gay with a fine looking redfish Hailing from Merritt Island, Florida, Team Freespool is captained by Johnny Gay and rounded out with Capt. Jim Ross. Running a Ranger Ghost with a Yamaha power plant, they can be found fishing for kingfish, redfish, tarpon, cobia, and trout in tournaments throughout the southeastern region. The team is involved with FLW, the Southern Kingfish Association (SKA), and the Inshore Fishing Association (IFA).
Find out more at the team website: www.teamfreespool.com

Team Members

Captain Johnny Gay: Johnny Gay is proud to have kept Team Freespool in the top ten percent of competitors throughout a long and successful SKA career – and especially of the 1999 SKA National Champion victory. A native Floridian and full-time fisherman, he uses his knowledge and experience to promote boat safety, angling ethics, and conservation issues through his numerous personal appearances and seminars throughout the Southeast. He competes in the Inshore Fishing Association, SKA professional division tournament trail, and FLW Redfish Tour and has led Team Freespool to multiple top 25 victories.
Capt. Jim Ross: Capt. Jim Ross is a U.S.C.G. licensed captain and the owner of Fineline Fishing Charters in Rockledge, Fla. A native Floridian and a full-time fishing guide, Ross is an expert on central Florida’s waters and the behaviors of the fish he pursues throughout the year. He holds an International Game Fish Association fly fishing world line class record certificate and is credited for pioneering the sport of shallow water “sight” fishing.
Mike Mann: Mike Mann started fishing the rivers and lakes of Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama at his grandfather’s knee. A fishing guide in Florida and just plain hooked on shallow water flats fishing, Mann states, “Hooking a 20 lb. redfish in a foot of water is an awesome feeling with the sound of your drag peeling off and the water coming alive!”