Adaptive Freshwater Fishing

Eddie Hall of Expedite Life assisted Bird Dog Boats to establish an adaptive freshwater fishing program in February of 2021.  At that time Bird Dog Boats had an established saltwater fishing program in areas like Cedar Key and Tarpon Springs.  Capt. Thomas Griffin of Bird Dog Boats explained “I fished freshwater with my family when I was very young but honestly, we need an experienced freshwater angler like Eddie Hall to show us the ropes in central Florida.” Eddie has decades of experience of adaptive fishing and knows many freshwater guides in the area.  And he had a few fireside chats at the local fish camps to bone-up on some fishing holes. 

What followed were some great days of fishing with Eddie on Lake Hatchineha and Lake Kissimmee, both located near Lake Wales, Florida. Also, Eddie enlisted the onboard services of local angler Clayton Keene.  Fish were caught!  Mainly speckled perch (black crappie), largemouth bass and bowfin.  While not for the dinner table, the bowfin is a real fighter.  One day Eddie landed a 5-pound bowfin with a light tackle Zebco 33, see the pic with Clayton.  The bass were running 2-4 pounds and did make it to the dinner table along with the specs.

Bird Dog Boats is eternally grateful to Eddie Hall and Expedite Life. Bird Dog Boats moved forward with a very successful adaptive freshwater fishing program which served many disabled Veterans on a VA Adaptive Sports Grant provided by the U.S Department of Veterans Affairs. “There is nothing like fishing with Eddie Hall” says Capt. Thomas, “thanks buddy, looking forward to many more days of that.”