Tammy King: Surfcasting, Island Life, and Building a Fishing Community | Saltwater Edge Podcast

In this episode of the Saltwater Edge Podcast, we’re joined by Tammy King — a Nantucket native, surfcasting expert, and founder of Fish Girl Guides. Raised in a charter captain family, Tammy shares how her early beach days turned into a lifetime passion for fishing, teaching, and community building.

We explore growing up on Nantucket, surfcasting sandy beaches, empowering women in fishing, and Tammy’s adventurous trips beyond the island.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Introduction to Tammy and her Nantucket roots
01:16 – Growing up with charter captain parents
02:27 – Discovering a love for fishing early on
03:12 – What made Nantucket special — and how it's changed
04:12 – Fishing culture, local tournaments, and community spirit
07:17 – How Tammy built her guiding business
09:04 – Surfcasting access on Nantucket: beaches, trucks, and tides
11:11 – Hotspots: reefs, jetties, and where to find fish
12:09 – How to read sand beaches and surf structure
14:19 – The impact of erosion on fishing spots
15:50 – Tammy’s clients: beginners, weddings, and learning to fish
17:09 – Year-round fishing at Nantucket Anglers’ Club
20:03 – Freshwater action: white perch, crappie, and pond stripers
21:14 – Tammy's Louisiana redfish adventure with Journey Outfitters
23:26 – Challenges and safety tips for women in fishing
26:43 – Tammy’s women-only surfcasting course
29:14 – Gear struggles: women's waders and boots
31:12 – Dream fish, surfcasting travel goals, and roosterfish
34:02 – Targeting striped bass from the sand: tips and strategy
38:16 – Nantucket’s first striper arrivals in spring
40:52 – Tammy’s favorite lures for sand beaches
44:06 – Resources Tammy recommends for learning fishing skills
46:12 – Teaching casting basics and common beginner mistakes
48:12 – Watching new anglers grow and succeed
49:19 – Why women are natural surfcasters
50:14 – Tammy’s dream “last fishing day” on Nantucket
51:25 – How to book a trip with Tammy King (Fish Girl Guides)

Follow Tammy:
Instagram @fishgirlack
Recommended by local tackle shops on Nantucket!

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