Why 2 Brothers Quit Their 6-Figure Jobs To Teach Fishing
- By: Joseph Simonds
- on
Hey Salt Strong Nation, Joe Simonds like diamonds here.
10 years.
It still blows my mind to say that out loud… 10 years since my brother Luke and I walked away from six-figure jobs, burned our suits in the backyard, and went all-in on this crazy mission to teach the world how to fish.
And believe me… it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Check out the video below to see what I mean.
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We started with no YouTube channel… no blog… no audience. Just a stubborn belief that anglers deserved better.
Better education. Better products. Better community.
See, we got tired of wasting money chasing every shiny lure or expensive reel (guilty as charged)… tired of the fishing magazines and TV shows being controlled by the manufacturers… tired of learning the hard way.
We wanted to become the guide we wished we had when we were struggling to figure it all out.
And along the way, we made mistakes… a lot of them.
We almost sank the company trying to sell apparel.
We turned down big money from sponsors like Yamaha because we refuse to be bought.
We learned the hard way about exclusive licensing agreements (pro tip: don’t do it).
But we kept going. We pivoted. We built the Insider Club… launched Smart Fishing Spots… created our own gear and tackle like the 2.0, Slot Machine Rod and Otis 2500 Reel… and most importantly, we built a community that now spans the entire coast.
This isn’t just about fishing.
It’s about creating memories with your family.
It’s about teaching your kids and grandkids to love the outdoors.
It’s about building a legacy.
So whether you’ve been with us since day one or you’re just finding Salt Strong now…
Thank you.
We couldn’t do this without you.
Here’s to the next 10 years (and more fish, more memories, and more fun than ever).
Tight Lines,
Joe Simonds
Salt Strong Cofounder
Want to experience the difference? Join the Insider Club here and see why over 60,000 anglers trust Salt Strong to help them catch more fish, save money on tackle, and make memories that last a lifetime!
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STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish ever trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
STOP WASTING TIME ON THE WATER!
Do what the “SMART ANGLERS” are doing and join the Insider Club.
Here’s what you’ll receive today when you join:
- Weekly fishing reports and TRENDS revealing exactly where you should fish every trip
- Weekly “spot dissection” videos that walk you through all the best spots in your area
- Exclusive fishing tips from the PROS you can’t find anywhere else
- Everything you need to start catching fish more consistently (regardless if you fish out of a boat, kayak, or land).
Good morning,
Congratulations on your 10th year anniversary. I’ve been a proud member of SS since 2021. Learned a lot from this community, and still learning.
Joe and Luke,
Thank you for posting this video. Your story about the history of Salt Strong and how you have developed your business with integrity is incredibly inspirational. Your app, instructional videos and community have given me the power to put my friends and family on saltwater fish in Tampa Bay with only a few years of experience. Looking forward to what the future will bring as a Salt Strong member.
Thank you for the kind words, Denis! We appreciate you big time
Joe & Luke-congratulations on your success, especially given your decision to persevere in the face of adversity (James 1:2-3)!
A few thoughts after watching this video: 1). Business – I’ve been privileged to work with a number of small business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs, and I’ve learned (among other things) that a small business is more than a passion for the owners. It is the financial lifeline for each of the families who have someone employed there; for example, in my FL county ~90% of ALL the business entities here have <20 employees. Your efforts sustain a lot of lives!! 2). Memories – grateful that you highlighted this in your 10-year testimonial. I lost my wife in 2000 and my brother lost his teenage daughter a year later. Since then, he and I have enjoyed ALOT of eco-therapy on the IRL system and the teaching, coaching and encouragement from you/r coaches have led to some incredible memories. THANK YOU! 3). God’s Kingdom – grateful for your commitment to keep HIM at the center of who you are and what you do; it is most evident in how you project the Salt Strong brand. To God Alone Be the Glory!! RE
Hey Robert! Thank you so much for taking the time to share this. Very sorry to hear about your wife and niece. That’s heartbreaking. Glad to hear fishing has helped you and your brother heal. We appreciate you big time, my friend.
Congratulations. Have enjoyed watching your growth and success. Faith, family, friends, fishing and fun. Looking forward to seeing what the future brings.
Thank you, Sam! You’ve been an amazing member for a long time. We appreciate you!
God knows what he’s is doing thank for being in this club
Amen Charles! We appreciate you so much
I picture you two as the definition of “If you do what you love you’ll never work a day in your life!”
I love the SFS app, but another useful thing I think would be awesome is an app much like the FishVerify app I use, where you can hold your fish in front of the camera and the app will tell you the species along with the regulations for the fish according your location. Super helpful for me as I live on the border of what FWC calls the Northeast Region and the Central Region. The region boundaries aren’t the same for every species, so it can get a little confusing here between Flagler and Volusia counties!
Hey Nathan! Funny you mention the Fish ID… it’s coming very soon.
Keep the ideas coming. We appreciate you so much
I’m glad you guys started this. People can learn how to fish without spending years of trial and error or hiring Guides. I’m learning a lot, and saving $$$ by not buying the wrong gear. Plus, discounts. Love it!
Love it! Thank you, Kenneth. We appreciate you so much.
Congratulations on your continued success, I haven’t seen the video of you burning the suits until now. lol . Salt Strong is a huge reason I’m so content now, brought inshore fishing into my life and has given me and my family great memories. My wife will tell you how much happier I am now because of my success on the water. With God, family and tight lines I am truly blessed and grateful. Thanks for all you do.
Thank you so much, Jon! We’re blessed to have you in the Salt Strong family.