COASTE | PERSONALITIES COASTE | PERSONALITIES
This Wednesday begins like most other Wednesdays during season in Southwest Florida — a season that (fortunately for our tourism economy) seems to be getting longer each year. Up at 4:30 AM, out the door of his Fort Myers home 15 minutes later, then about an hour’s drive to Captiva, where Rob McKay pulls into the Marina at ‘Tween Waters Inn Island Resort and Spa, and prepares for another day on the water. Captain Rob, as fishing guides are so anointed, has been repeating the same routine for 13 years now. McKay is co- owner of Santiva Salt Water Fishing Team, a renowned and highly respected group of guides that includes father-in- law Jim Burnsed Sr., and brother in law, Jimmy Burnsed. Captains Jim, Jimmy and Rob all operate out of ‘Tween Waters Marina — and with Captain Jim’s 30- plus years, that makes him the most experienced guide on the island. His definition of a great guide isn’t one who necessarily will deliver the biggest catch, or largest number of fish caught. As Captain Rob prepares his boat for the first excursion of the day — trips are $100 per hour and can be booked in two-, four- or custom-hour packages — he knows that if he’s lucky, he’ll be back home with his wife Amy and daughters Abby and Carly in about, oh, 15 hours or so.
18
Made with FlippingBook - Online magazine maker