May 17, 2017

Meet Mike Losoya of Get Bent Galveston Fishing Charters in Galveston Island

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Losoya.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in a great middle-class family in a farm town south of Dallas. As a child, I didn’t really have any avid hunters or fisherman as influences in my life. However, my parents did like to take us on family camping trips to different state parks in Texas. I can still remember catching my first Bass on a Rooster Tail lure as a young boy like it was yesterday. From that point on, I was a total fishing junkie. I kept fishing every chance I got all throughout my school days. By chance, I ended up attending Texas A&M University at Galveston. Little did I know, but this would change the course of my life in ways that I could not have imagined. While studying Marine Biology, I began to dabble in the sport of saltwater fishing. With nothing but my Bass rod and lures, I made my first wade out into the bay. With my very first cast, I hooked into a fish like nothing I had fought before. The fish on the end of my line turned out to be a 27″ Redfish, I couldn’t believe it. As graduation neared, I hatched a plan. What if I could do what I love for a living instead of what I had studied for the past four years of my life? I hatched a plan and began taking the steps necessary to get my captain’s license and to secure a boat loan.

Now I spend my days sharing my passion for fishing with others, hoping they can derive a small fraction of the joy from being on the water that I do. To me, it’s more than fishing, it’s about getting away from all your worries and the daily grind to be a part of nature. It’s about being connected to the world, and to a fish with nothing but a hook and line. There is no greater pleasure to me than feeling a fish fighting on the end of my line, other than seeing others fall in love with it as I did. Providing a fresh, tasty, natural and sustainable food source also makes for a great feeling.

For over 4 years now, I have strived to be the best at what I do, providing quality guide services for Speckled Trout, Redfish, flounder, sharks and various other species. I know I won’t get rich, but that’s not an issue when every day is a new adventure on the water.

Has it been a smooth road?
Any sportsman knows that hunting and fishing are expensive hobbies. Running a fishing business is just like that, but on a much larger scale. Fishing is actually only a fraction of the work on my list. Boat and gear maintenance are never-ending chores, followed by occasional disasters such as blown motors etc. In the beginning, finding clientele was an issue, I was just a young guide with no reputation. Once people saw my passion and experience, word of mouth and referrals really got my business going. Now most of my customers are repeat, if not regular customers. I just run my business with customers in mind, their satisfaction is top priority. Being an outdoor business, I am constantly at the weather’s mercy. Some years have been great, others full of storms and cancellations. Being a mostly seasonal business, one bad weather summer can make or break an entire season. I am constantly getting busier and will continue to keep working hard to keep my business going. Maybe one day, my son will be in charge.

So, as you know, we’re impressed with Get Bent Galveston Fishing Charters – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
I specialize in various types of fishing, I do have my favorites though. I really like to target Speckled Trout, Redfish and Flounder on artificial lures in shallow water. This type of fishing requires a small boat and reaching places that most others have not. It’s great to get way back in the marsh away from everyone else.

In the summer, I drift the bays for trout and fish the Galveston Jetties for trout, Redfish and Mackerel. I cater to Anglers ranging from families of beginners to experienced fishing buddies looking for trophy catches or a stringer worthy of a fish fry.

I also frequently target large sharks such as Bull Sharks, Blacktops, Hammerheads and others for those looking for a serious fight. As much as I can, I practice catch and release for these elusive predators. People simply can’t believe what lurks in our Texas waters. Sharks are a misunderstood species and I think it’s important that people grasp their importance to our ecosystem. They are very abundant here, and they just don’t bother people.

This company is my pride and joy. Getting started was tough and my wife and I made a lot of sacrifices to get where we are today. I am so blessed to have parents, family and a wife that have always supported me and believed in me. Though it has been difficult at times, I get to do what I am truly passionate about for a living. Each day is different from the last and each season of the year has different types of fishing to be enjoyed.

The main thing I feel separates me from many other guides is that I’m not just out there to take people’s money. So many other guides will take customers out on bad weather, nasty days knowing that fishing will be poor. Some will take clients out into high seas when it just isn’t safe for a payday. I pride myself on being honest and setting realistic expectations with my customers. If a potential customer calls me to book a charter a day or two out and fishing has been poor or conditions look really bad, I just tell them it would be better to wait for a better day. I feel people really appreciate the honesty and will be more likely to book with me in the future. I hear fishing horror stories all the time about how they couldn’t believe another captain took them into a storm, or that a captain took out a boat that just wasn’t reliable or seaworthy. That’s not the kind of business I run, I strive to provide safe, quality and productive fishing trips that will make lifetime customers.

Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I really enjoy the diversity of our city, it has so much to offer in terms of people and experiences. There is a great sense of unity here that many places lack. We stick together and treat each other with a strong southern hospitality. The music, art, and food scenes are top notch in the city so there is always something to do.

I could definitely do without Houston traffic, it seems like there have been very few times that I have passed through downtown in 45 without it being slow.

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