Nick Honachefsky | From Forum Posts to Fishing Media | Tom Rowland Podcast Ep. 609

Nick Honachefsky is a veteran fishing writer and editor with over 23 years in the saltwater fishing industry. He currently serves as editor of Guy Harvey Magazine and previously held the position of editor at Saltwater Sportsman. Nick also hosts Saltwater Underground on the Sportsman's Channel and is based in New Jersey. In this episode, Nick reveals how a single forum post led to a career-defining opportunity with Pure Fishing, why he turned down the editor job at Saltwater Sportsman the first time it was offered, and the behind-the-scenes story of how his TV show came together. If you've ever wondered how fishing media really works—or how to turn a side hustle into a full-time career—this conversation delivers.

From Forum Post to Pure Fishing

Nick's path into the fishing industry wasn't traditional. While working another job, he was active on fishing forums and posting content online. One day, someone from Pure Fishing—one of the largest fishing tackle companies in the world—reached out after seeing his forum posts. That single connection opened a door that would reshape his entire career trajectory. The conversation reveals how digital presence and authentic engagement can create opportunities that no resume ever could. Nick explains exactly how that forum interaction turned into a professional relationship that changed everything. The full story of how a forum post led to Pure Fishing starts at the beginning of the episode.

Why He Said No to Saltwater Sportsman

When Nick was first offered the editor position at Saltwater Sportsman—one of the most prestigious jobs in fishing media—he turned it down. The timing wasn't right, and he had other commitments. But the story doesn't end there. Nick and Tom discuss what changed between that first offer and when he eventually took the role, and what it taught him about career decisions and timing. The conversation gets into the realities of working in fishing media, the pressures of editorial leadership, and why sometimes the right opportunity at the wrong time is still the wrong opportunity. Nick explains why he initially turned down Saltwater Sportsman and what brought him back later in the episode.

Building Saltwater Underground

Creating a fishing TV show isn't as simple as grabbing a camera and going fishing. Nick walks through how Saltwater Underground came together—from concept to production to getting it on the Sportsman's Channel. He talks about the editorial vision behind the show, how it differs from other fishing content, and the challenges of producing television while maintaining editorial integrity. The conversation reveals the business side of fishing media that most viewers never see, including what it really takes to keep a show on the air and how sponsorships and content decisions intersect. The behind-the-scenes story of how Saltwater Underground was built starts midway through the conversation.

Life as a Fishing Editor

Nick has spent over two decades in fishing editorial roles, and in this conversation, he pulls back the curtain on what that life actually looks like. From managing Guy Harvey Magazine to his years at Saltwater Sportsman, he discusses the daily realities of editorial work—the travel, the deadlines, the relationships with brands, and the constant balancing act between content quality and business needs. Tom and Nick dig into what makes good fishing content, how the industry has changed, and what it takes to stay relevant in a media landscape that's constantly evolving. This isn't surface-level talk; it's a real look at the fishing media business from someone who's lived it for decades. Nick's insights on the fishing editorial world and how it's changed unfold throughout the episode.

Final Thoughts from Tom

Nick Honachefsky has lived in fishing media longer than most people stay in any career. What I appreciate about this conversation is how honest he is about the path—the opportunities he took, the ones he passed on, and what he learned from both. There's no posturing here, just real talk from someone who's been in the trenches.

If you're interested in fishing media, content creation, or just how the industry works behind the scenes, Nick gives you a perspective you won't get anywhere else. From forum posts to Pure Fishing to Saltwater Sportsman to his own TV show, he's done it at every level.

This is one of those episodes that's valuable whether you're in the industry or just curious about how it all works. Give it your time—it's worth it.