May 31, 2022

Captain (& Dad) George Gozdz: Nurturing what’s most important

George Gozdz likes to describe himself as just a normal dad with two kids. But this Maui Jim ambassador has a career many “normal dads” might envy. When he’s not guiding clients through the waterways of Florida in search of record catches, he’s showcasing the wonders of the outdoor lifestyle to a global audience on the Outdoor Channel.

The lure of the water

In a state where many residents are transplants, George is a rare native. He’s called Florida home for all but five months of his 50 years. And over those years, he’s spent thousands of hours fishing its waters — especially the Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River system.

As a kid, George learned to fish from his father, and his dream was to become a famous angler like the ones he saw on TV. His career took him down a different path, however — at least for a while. He spent 15 years working in the high-stress field of emergency medicine. Fortunately, fishing was always there to serve as an outlet and a respite, and an activity to teach his children to carry on to future generations (recently, George took his entire brood—significant other Heather and kids Marin & Zane—on a fishing expedition to Guatemala where they were able to experience the thrill of international travel with the opportunity to spend so much quality time together on the water).

In 2004, George decided it was time to turn his passion into his full-time pursuit. He gave up medicine, got his captain’s license and started a business as a saltwater fishing guide — quickly earning a reputation for being able to “find the fish.”

That led to invitations to appear on popular fishing shows, often as a guest host. In 2010, he became the regular host for “Reel Time Florida Sportsman,” a series with a unique concept: George would scan social media posts and fishing forums for the hottest angling action in Florida, then hook up his boat and pack up his gear to fish with the person who found it.

Casting a wider net

After eight seasons and more than 100 episodes of “Reel Time Florida Sportsman,” George was ready for something new. It arrived in the form of “Unfathomed,” a TV series that’s aired 45 episodes since its debut in 2019.

With fishing as the spine that binds it all together, “Unfathomed” uses cinematic storytelling to showcase fascinating destinations, intriguing personalities and quality fisheries — appealing to anglers and non-anglers alike. The goal is to make fishing accessible to all through a unique combination of fishing instruction, nature conservation and education.

Hooked on Maui Jim

As a popular fishing guide and TV personality, George gets plenty of opportunities to try out new products — and lots of requests for endorsements. He proudly counts Maui Jim sunglasses among his “must-have” accessories on and off the water.

“Having a high-quality pair of polarized glasses not only helps me see the fish better, they protect my eyes from the harmful rays of the sun and prevent eye strain which can cause annoying headaches,” George says. “Off the water the benefits are just as important. Daily activities such as driving are more enjoyable because they cut annoying glare and increase contrast even in low-light conditions. Life is better with Maui Jim!”

We agree — and we’re proud to have this “normal dad” as a Maui Jim ambassador! You can follow Captain George on Instagram at @CaptGeorgeGozdz and tune into episodes of “Unfathomed” here.