Koji Sumalde
When people think about inshore fishing in Florida, they often envision a trip to the bait shop, loading up on live bait, recommended tackle, popping corks, circle hooks, and several bags of ice—preparing for a day of fishing to feed the family. That’s the typical formula. But beyond the mangroves, a deeper question arises: “Are you willing to venture into the unknown?”
Born in the Philippines, Koji immigrated to Florida at the age of two with his mother and sister, neither of whom shared his fascination with the outdoors. However, his stepfather put a fishing rod in his hand, and together they would walk the Emerald Coast, searching for schools of redfish and casting big spoons for the occasional Spanish mackerel. True to his Filipino heritage, even hardtail and ladyfish found their way into fish head soup. By the time Koji started kindergarten, he had already developed a love for sight fishing.
Believing he thrives near the equator, Koji feels naturally connected to warm climates. Growing up in Florida’s panhandle, his father often told him that all they needed was an electric chicken paddle tail on a jighead. This proved true, as they caught countless redfish and speckled trout on the grass flats of the Intracoastal Waterway and Choctawhatchee Bay. In that region of Florida, backcountry terrain was sparse, consisting mostly of grass flats and salt marsh. It wasn’t until he ventured down to South Florida that he became acquainted with mangrove shorelines.
Now a resident of Saint Petersburg in the Tampa Bay area, Koji has explored countless backwater canals and brackish estuaries. Instead of relying on the electric chicken and jighead combo, he has embraced the art of fly fishing.
When the weather cools and the sun’s intensity eases, he finds bigger snook, juvenile tarpon, and upper-slot redfish in areas inaccessible to boats and even technical poling skiffs. His preferred method of transportation is a Live L2 board. There is something addicting about pulling himself through narrow mangrove-lined canals and banana spider webs to find unsuspecting fish that have never felt the pressure of persistent bait anglers and inshore guides.
From scouring Google Maps in search of canals that might lead to something resembling Narnia, to retracing his steps after hitting dead ends, Koji understands that exploration is its own reward. Whether the destination leads to a new personal best or simply the joy of discovery, his experiences in Tampa Bay have shaped his perspective on inshore fishing and backcountry exploration forever.