Capt Kyle Johnson

Captain Kyle Johnson is a saltwater fishing guide operating along the Mississippi Coast. He is 35 years old, married to the woman of his dreams, and blessed with two beautiful children. He served 11 years as a full time Mississippi Army National Guardsman aircraft avionics mechanic with the 1108th TASMG. Working primarily on UH-60 Blackhawks troubleshooting complex electrical avionics systems. His time in the service taught him core values that he implements into everything he does. He loved his job and serving his country but felt there was always something missing in his life. Therefore, he made an extremely tough decision to pursue his passion full-time. He received an honorable discharge as a Staff Sergeant with a near perfect record.  

Being a Mississippi Coast native, fishing was instilled in him at an early age. He was raised by a phenomenal speckled trout fisherman. When he came of age to really start fishing with his Dad it was straight to artificial baits. Most trout fisherman start off using live bait seeing as it is easier to catch trout that way. Not Kyle. His first trout came off a MirrOlure 7m fishing over an oyster bed in early fall. He remembers it vividly. He practiced over and over again days before working that lure just right to entice a trout to hit his bait over anything else. When he finally accomplished that goal of a trout on that bait his obsession began. That feeling was like nothing he had ever felt before in his life. It was a feeling that he couldn’t even comprehend. All he knew is he wanted to do it again and again as much as possible. His father is a very successful Veterinarian who approached fishing from a technical and scientific point of view. Which lead Kyle down the same path to targeting fish. As his obsession grew he was not just satisfied with catching a targeted species. He was determined to understand why he caught that fish at that time, in that place, and on that bait. These events lead him to become very efficient at catching fish. 

At a younger age Kyle had no aspirations to be a full time fishing guide. He loved fishing and was extremely obsessed with it, but being a guide did not appeal to him. In 2009 he enlisted in the Army and began his aviation career. While still being obsessed with fishing he found another equally addictive love (besides his smoking hot wife) and it was photography. Once again he was fortunate enough to be taught by someone who was a master of their craft. After being taught the basics by a close friend, Heather Rafferty Phillips, he ran with it. By applying his same passion and drive that he has with fishing he was able to quickly become a notable photographer. Around 2015 he utilized this skill along with journalism and pure passion for the sport to dip his feet into the fishing industry. Within one year as just an “average fisherman” (not a guide) he made the cover of Coastal Angler Magazine, and became affiliated with multiple top brands in the industry such as: Egret Baits, MirrOlure, Engel Coolers, Fins Braid, and Temple Fork Outfitters. He has been with these brands ever since. He wrote an accompanying story to go with the cover and also wrote multiple stories for the national magazine after. He also wrote a monthly column for South Mississippi Living Magazine’s outdoor section . He was also very grateful to have been featured in multiple articles for Mississippi Sportsman and Louisiana Sportsman. Egret Baits invited him to work at multiple boat shows where he was able to interact with potential customers and explain the benefits of their products. He then began doing seminars for large crowds at boat shows, CCA meetings and multiple fishing groups all along the coast sharing his knowledge of fishing. After getting noticed in the industry he was also offered to be on a nationally televised fishing show called Gulf South Outdoors for two episodes where he demonstrated his inshore and offshore abilities. He did all of this to share what he loved with everyone. It was not for monetary gain or self satisfaction. He received all of that from the Army, but the more he got involved with the industry he found it harder to balance his career, family, and sharing his passion. 

As he evolved as a fisherman he began to understand the importance of the conservation of this great resource. He had no real direction that he was going towards in the fishing industry and began to question what he was even pursuing. At this time he decided to use the following that he had gathered to teach the importance of conservation. He did not approach it with a in your face style, but yet very subtle style while educating people on the importance. As time went on he found great joy in changing the mindset of an angler to enjoy the true purpose of fishing. It’s not about filling a box with fish. It’s about the pursuit, the thrill, the ups and downs, sense of accomplishment, camaraderie on the water and being one with nature. After teaming up with the Speckled Truth to help grow the brand he also joined the local Coastal Conservation Association and quickly became heavily involved. Currently he is the Chapter President for the Ship Island Chapter, on the state board of directors, and serves as the co-chair for the government relations committee. He has also teamed up with nationally known marine artist Marty Wilson to serve as the foundation director for the One Gulf One Goal foundation (http://martywilson.com/onegulfonegoal/). 

As his obsession grew even stronger he knew there was only one way he could balance everything and truly be happy. He decided to take a leap of faith and pursue guiding full time. Coastal Waters Outfitters is an inshore and offshore charter service that provides an experience like no other. Using the skills that he has developed over the years, Capt Kyle is able to offer more than just a fishing trip. He provides all of his clients with professional photography at no extra cost. He doesn’t just capture clients holding a fish, he captures the moment. The majority of the pictures he takes are of fish that are released right after the picture. Every picture on this site was taken by Capt Kyle. Although he does still practice and preach conservation, he has no problem harvesting fish for clients. Capt Kyle has self imposed limits on his boat that he feels help protect the resource. These limits are in place so clients can still enjoy a good meal without overindulging on the resource. His goal is to portray his company as professional and a good steward to the industry. Book a trip with Capt Kyle to find your new obsession too!