As a young boy I lived for the weekends that my dad would wake my brother and me up while it was still dark outside and tells us “Hey, get up, it’s time to go fishing!” We had been planning and discussing the trip all week, so by Friday night the anticipation was overwhelming. Now that I am the father of two young boys, I feel like I am reliving these days all over again. There is nothing more special than being able to pass down the knowledge and passion that was given to me by my father and grandfather. I recently had the pleasure of meeting the Delaney family who also embody this family spirit.
Chris, Cassie and their daughter Hunter are from Brevard County, born and raised. Chris’s father moved to Brevard from Cincinnati, Ohio, when he was 5 years old. Chris explains, “Growing up here back in those days there was nothing but orange groves and cow pastures, nothing was here.” It was Chris’s uncle Johnny who first introduced both him and his brother Matt to saltwater fishing in and around Sebastian Inlet. Chris shares, “Back then, there was no cost to get into the inlet, all you needed was $3 for gas and a ride there.” Chris cut his teeth fishing Sebastian Inlet and surrounding grass flats for trout, redfish and snook, but soon picked up an interest for going offshore on some of the party boats such as the Simbar and Miss Sebastian. Pardon the pun, but immediately he was hooked! Not long after this baptism into ocean water, he and his brother purchased their first offshore boat, which they eventually ended up flipping in Sebastian Inlet on a rough outgoing tide. If you are familiar with the inlet you know it’s not that hard to do. Sebastian can be downright treacherous at times, and navigating it is not for the faint of heart. Many years later and a couple of boats in between, it was Chris’ turn and time for a new boat. Chris decided on a 2350 Bluewater he purchased at the Miami Boat Show and it quickly became the playpen for his young daughter Hunter. They even named the boat, The HeadHunter after their daughter and what Chris’ occupation is as a professional job placement consultant.
Chris would let Hunter play in the boat when she was a little bitty thing and when she was four she experienced her first offshore fishing trip. Saltwater fishing is not Hunter’s only passion. From the moment she could hold a rod and could walk, she has been freshwater fishing in small ponds and out on dad’s airboat, The Head Hunter II, around the St. Johns area.
In addition to her love for fishing, Hunter’s newest passion is hunting. Chris has been taking her with him the last couple of hunting seasons, and this past season she shot her best deer, a 14” wide 8 point. In addition, she also killed her very first alligator this season, which measured 10’4”. Did I mention she is only 9 years old? This is truly an Outdoor Sportswoman in the making!
I first noticed Hunter at the Florida Sport Fishing Association (FSFA) Awards Banquet this past January. The FSFA is Brevard County’s longest running fishing club founded in 1968. Currently, there are approximately 200 members. Each membership is a family membership that covers the entire family living in the home. One of the elements and benefits to being a club member is points earned for fishing. Members submit their catches throughout the year and the angler with the biggest fish and most points win incredible trophies. It’s not just the trophies but the bragging rights are nice, too. True to her competitive nature, after her mom was Ladies Champion in 2012, determination set in and Hunter swept just about every junior category that the club has. To say the least, it was very impressive! Chris commented, “As a young boy I didn’t have the opportunity to go offshore fishing or hunt like we do now on private land, I feel like I am living my youth again through Hunters eyes now. I am doing stuff for her to help set her up for future success, I guess.”
“Part of being a responsible parent, is teaching her respect, manners, importance of good grades and appreciation for everything she has. In addition, being introduced weekly to the outdoors and how to respect the environment, Cassie and I are truly blessed with a well rounded daughter we are very proud of.”
Indeed, I agree. As parents I believe we all strive for much greater things for our children and when our time is up, it is these memories that last a lifetime and beyond. For more information about the Florida Sport Fishing Association (FSFA) visit them online at www.fsfaclub.org.
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