Homegrown Experts

Rick Maxa has been with FLTS since 1995. In almost 30 years I have got to see a lot change in our fishing industry. I grew up like most of us did fishing with my dad. We primarily fished saltwater with lots of bay and kelp bed fishing that eventually gave way to more offshore fishing for tuna and marlin. We always had an inshore private boat while growing up, but I would say we spent an equal amount of time fishing on sport boats. For me the passion of fishing came quickly, and I never looked back. What started as a high school and collage summertime job has morphed into a career that God willing, I will do for the rest of my life.

I think like a majority fisherman I am the most stoked just getting to go. Over the years some fisheries can get under your skin to the point of obsession, and I have been no stranger to that. San Diego bay, Calico bass, costal Sea Bass, local Marlin and the current cycle of big Bluefin tuna have all been favorites and I have really enjoyed the years getting to pursue them. With that said, if I were to pick a favorite, it would be surface iron yellowtail fishing, or big yellowfin tuna fishing from our San Diego based long range trips. I have been extremely lucky in life to commit lots of time learning and experiencing these fisheries firsthand. Just like when growing up, about a 50/50 mix of doing it on my own 25’ Parker and with our local sport boat fleet. In addition to fishing at home, I have been very fortunate to participate in quite a bit of fishing abroad which has made me very comfortable with helping our customers outfit for most any location. Alaska, Baja and mainland Mexico, most all of Central America, and more.

 

Ray Benedict Jr. has worked with the Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop for 7+ years. He is born and raised locally in San Diego CA. A devoted husband and father of three, that Inherited a strong passion for the ocean and outdoors at a very young age from his father and grandfather who taught him to fish. He has fished mainly throughout his younger years for saltwater bay bass and largemouth bass competitively and recreationally. Gaining a wealth of knowledge and experience to fish the bays and lakes around southern California. He also inherited lots of tackle, gear and knowledge from his father who passed in 2016. Opening a strong passion for pursuing big game fishing and taking on long-range trips that promoted greater experiences, knowledge and relationships with the fishing community and has developed into a lifelong career in the fishing industry.

I have been very fortunate to work for one of the finest premier saltwater tackle stores in the country. Working for Fisherman’s Landing Tackle Shop has given me a great opportunity to learn from true legends and some of the best in the fishing industry guiding me to be successful as possible. I pride myself to provide the best service and guidance for the best opportunity to catch a fish wherever angler plans to go fishing in the world saltwater or freshwater. I was in the medical field for 5 years before I changed careers. I graduated medical school with my medical assistant’s degree but never found a true interest or passion working in the medical field. My life changing fishing career started after my very first Let’s Talk Hook Up trip on the Islander Sport Fishing Kayak Mothership Charter. One of the best decisions I have made is joining the FLTS family.

Truly honored and blessed to have the opportunity to be able to turn my passionate hobby into a lifelong career.

Born and raised in San Diego, I've been a fixture at Fisherman's Landing Tackle shop since 2009. I caught my first fish as a toddler at Lake Wohlford. That began a life long journey of sportfishing both fresh and saltwater. I've been fortunate enough to travel around pretty extensively in pursuit of my fishing dream. I still try and fish a couple days a week in order keep my knowledge sharp. I'm always ready to share my knowledge and help anglers find whatever they may need.

Dylan Gerritsen is a fisherman who grew up surrounded by all things sportfishing. His father owned, and operated sportfishing, and commercial fishing boats out of San Diego for all of Dylans life, needless to say it was only a matter of time before he’d found his place in the industry, with nothing short of a passion for the Southern California sportfishing world; where better to earn a living than Fisherman’s Landing?

Dylan having grown up only a fifteen minute drive from the border, he’s spent endless days and nights in Baja California. From last minute Sea of Cortez fishing and diving runs, to long awaited surf trips to the Pacific Side; when it comes to Baja, Dylan has earned his stripes.

“I’ve been part of the Fisherman’s Landing Tackle family for 3 years now, and truthfully, I cant imagine my life without the influence my mom and dad had on me, without this place, and the people I’ve been lucky enough to work alongside. What started as a summertime job to make a couple bucks, very quickly became a love for the industry, and a love for helping people put fish on the boat.”
“Much like all my colleagues, I love all forms of fishing. From lift-poling albacore, to freshwater bass, its really tough to choose a favorite. But I’d have to say nothing beats the surge of adrenaline when you fool a big Cabrilla into eating that jig. The inshore fisheries of the Sea of Cortez have me concerned, maybe it’s the Cabrilla that have ME hooked.”