Orange Beach, Alabama Fishing Charters Pro Staff

We have invited the best of the best to join our Elite Saltwater, Deep Sea Fishing Pro Staff. These staff members are some of the best saltwater anglers, outdoor writers and offshore and inshore fishing captains in the Gulf of Mexico. Their expertise and commitment to excellence in and promoting sustainable saltwater fishing is so renowned, they have become visionaries and leaders in the future of fishing in the Gulf of Mexico. Each pro staff member has demonstrated stewardship of the marine resources and works to promote conservation. Each of these professionals have impressive credentials, accomplishments, experience and insight that is a benefit to all saltwater fishing enthusiasts.

John E. Phillips - Founder of Night Hawk Publications and Creative Concepts - John is a pioneer freelance writer specializing in the outdoors. He is the 2008 Crossbow Communicator of the Year and the 2007 Legendary Communicator. He is also a graduate of the University of West Alabama.

John has been chosen for induction into the National Fresh Water Hall of Fame. He has over 6,000 magazine articles in over 100 outdoor magazines and several thousand newspaper articles published. He is a magazine editor, photographer for print media as well as outdoor and fishing industry catalogues. He has over 25,000 published photos and counting.

John spends most of his time lecturing, outdoor consulting, marketing and writing books. He writes daily internet content with an overview of the outdoors. He is affiliated with 27 radio networks, serving as their outdoor editor and writes syndicated columns for "Alabama Outdoors." John is also an editor with Saltwater Sportsman Magazine.

We welcome John to our pro staff and look forward to his guidance and professional contributions to saltwater fishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Captain Johnny Greene - was introduced to saltwater fishing as a child growing up in Pensacola, Florida. He cut his teeth at an early age by fishing the Gulf of Mexico and bays in the surrounding Florida Panhandle area including the Alabama Gulf Coast. He is also a pro staff member for Penn Reels and Braid Fishing Products.

Anytime Johnny was not in school, he could be found fishing. The enjoyment that saltwater fishing gave Johnny the ability to reach out friends and introduce them to his outside obsession.

He worked as a mate on a commercial fishing boat and a charter boat during the late 1980's through the mid 1990's. The hard work and his dedication to learning all he could about saltwater fishing led to his success when he started Intimidator Charters in 1996.

After working his 50' Guthrie Charter boat for four years, Johnny had the opportunity to lay the keel and began building the new 65' Intimidator Charter Fishing Boat in the fall of 2000. After 7 months of construction, the new boat was finished and was christened.

Johnny has taken thousands of customers deep sea fishing and has shown them the way to harvest fish while maintaining a sustainable fishery. He was such an effective leader in the sportfishing world, he was appointed by Governor Bob Riley (R-Alabama) to the National Marine Fisheries Service - Gulf Council where he currently sits. Captain Greene exemplifies what being a professional fisherman is all about. We look forward to serving with Captain Johnny as he continues to raise the bar on saltwater sportfishing in the Gulf of Mexico.

Captain Troy Frady - is a former corporate executive that went from the board room to the wheelhouse. He is a University of Alabama graduate (1986), that grew up fishing the coastal waters of Texas and Alabama. After working in corporate America for over 20 years, he walked away to pursue a lifetime dream of becoming a charter fishing guide and educator of anglers. He is an expert author and is known for his kind and gentle nature and loves to see kids and families spending quality time together.

Troy grew up in farming community of Uniontown, Alabama. It was there where he became addicted to the outdoors and all the hunting and fishing activities it provided. When hunting season was in, you could bet he was in the woods hunting. When the weather warmed up, you could find him out on the saltwater fishing.

Troy cut his teeth on saltwater fishing for Speckled Trout, Bull Redfish and King Mackerel as a child, but spent his teenage years fishing the waters of Mobile Bay, Dauphin Island, Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama.

His love for fishing was stronger than the suit and tie and he went and purchased his first Hatteras charter boat in 2002. He found his calling and has now grown Distraction Charters into one of the most respected family friendly fishing charters operating in the Gulf of Mexico. He took what he learned in his early years in corporate America and began changing the way people look at deep sea fishing. His conservation message, combined with the desire to offer a unique family friendly fishing adventure has made him one of the most requested charter fishing guides in on the Gulf of Mexico.

Troy is a member of the Board of Directors of the Orange Beach Fishing Association, Vice-Chairman of the Gulf Council's Data Collection Advisory Panel and currently sits on the Limited Access Priviledge Panel. He is a former member of the Kiwanis Club and Alabama Young Bankers Association, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Assn, Alabama Catfish Producers Assn. Troy is also a current pro staff member for Costa Del Mar Sunglasses.

Captain Keith Powell - is a native of Baldwin County, Alabama. He attended Foley High School and when he was not in class, he could be found out in his boat, catching Speckled Trout, Flounder and Redfish.

He is a professionally trained chef that specialized in Gulf Coast Seafood cuisine. After 7 years in the restaurant business, the smell of the saltwater was calling his name. He could no longer spend every working day indoors managing a kitchen and a staff. Everyone who knew Keith during his restaurant days knew about his love for fishing and meeting and serving new people. All of his friends and patrons encouraged him to live his dream and go out and become the best saltwater fishing guide in Alabama.

It did not take long for Keith to realize that he had to follow his dream and go into the charter fishing business. He knew he had what it took to be successful, so he purchased his first bay fishing charter boat in 2003. It was a 24' Kenner that he personally laid out to accomodate his guests. Keith maintains this boat immaculately and has served thousands of satisfied inshore anglers and families.

Keith knows the Alabama Coastal Waters from the Mississippi Gulf Coast to the Florida Panhandle as well as anyone. That is why he is successful at producing quality fish regularly. He is a master of customer service and promotes sustainable fishing practices.

His reputation has got him noticed by national sportswriters and fishing magazines. He does a weekly radio show that reaches over 10,000 listeners. He spreads his love for inshore fishing to kids and families and encourages everyone to be their best when fishing.

Keith is an active member in his church. He has participated in various events at local outreach throughout the years. He loves to do mission work and volunteer for local and national organizations.