02/02/2023
Introduction
by COO John F. Bailey, Jr. aka Johnny Hogfish
I was born and raised on the Gulf Coast of West Central Florida in Madeira Beach, aka Mad B*h. The first time seeing the Gulf Waters was a "one of a kind day" for young John Bailey. I swam and rode waves for hours till my mom said, "we have to go!". Let's just say the experience was something that lives on in my life till this day. My days from that point on were spent at the beach learning to skimboard and master the Gulf, as only a young kid can!
I met Shawn Downey a couple of years earlier in Midtown St. Pete, when CIndy Chivas, his mom, found me playing in a field next to our houses. She said to me,, "boy 'whatcha’ doing in that field by yourself?". I ran away. Later she tracked me down and again said, ""whatcha’ doing in that field boy!". I looked up and said, "playing ma'am". Laughing she said “I want you to meet someone”. That's how I met Shawn, and from that point on we became lifelong friends.
We would skimboard the Gulf Coast from morning to dusk, up and down the beach from Treasure Island to Indian Rocks without missing a beat. Those were the days!!! As we got older, we would fish all along Boca Ciega Bay and the Gulf Coast with our childhood friends, affectionately named, The Sunshine Cracker Boys. In no particular order, included: Eric Sheeler, Jason Sheeler, Trevor Liljestrand, Chas Beasley, Tommy Thompson and Gary Kuitunen. We proclaimed ourselves the Guardians of the Gulf Coast.
It wasnt always fun and games though, enter The Frank Chivas Experience, as I remember it. We thought we knew it all until the summer of 1984, when the Frank Chivas Experience went into full swing. We were 13 years old when Shawn's Uncle Frank shaped us into young adults within one summer, such a long summer that was. Oh, boy!That’s when we learned the value of a dollar and were transformed into working machines. Those life lessons I have valued highly in my life ever since. Pep's Sea Grill 4th Street, one of five of Frank’s Pep's Sea Grill franchises that Shawn and I worked, also where our careers in the seafood business began. From Jupiter to Boynton Beach Pep’s, we discovered the Gulf Stream in the Atlantic Ocean, just a few miles out of the Jupiter Inlet and you were in 90 to 120 feet of water right on the Gulf Stream. Our fishing days changed forever! From Mutton Snapper to Yellowtail Snapper to Dorados and Big Ass Sharks, our days were filled with beautiful fresh fish and awesome seafood creations we would make back at Pep’s Sea Grill. Such great times!
Similar to Shawn meeting his wife at Jupiter Pep's Sea Grill, I met Kate at Boynton Beach Pep’s Sea Grill and we had a beautiful Daughter, Sailor Bailey. Sailor is my inspiration in life and one of the reasons Offshore Pro is now a company.
I took a talent I hadn't used in years and worked to refine my drawings. I hope that my favorite artwork becomes your favorite too. Shawn and I will work to bring you the higest quality fabrics, decorated with our most treasured designs. The first products are for sale online now.
Please join us on our journey. Live with purpose, fish with passion! Cheers!
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