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Episode Show Notes
Rufus Wakeman is a lifelong angler born and raised in Palm Beach, Florida, who started fishing at age five when his grandfather took him on a charter boat out of Lauderdale. What began as a childhood passion became a career and lifestyle, with Rufus fishing nearly every day for the last 30 years. In this conversation, Rufus reveals how 80% of the sailfish he catches come from one specific type of structure, shares the story of getting lost in the Guatemalan jungle while trying to navigate back to camp using only stars and landmarks, and explains how he found sailfish fishing in a landlocked country. If you're curious about billfish, FADs, or what it takes to turn fishing from a hobby into a life's work, this episode delivers.
What Are FADs and Why Do They Matter for Sailfish Fishing?
FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices) are floating structures in the ocean with a buoy on top and netting or lines hanging underneath that create cover and structure in the middle of the ocean. Baitfish and smaller fish come to these structures to feed, which attracts larger predator fish. Rufus explains that 80% of the sailfish he catches are around FADs, making them incredibly important for billfish fishing.
Who is Rufus Wakeman?
Rufus Wakeman is a lifelong angler from Palm Beach, Florida, who started fishing at age five with his grandfather on a charter boat. He has fished nearly every day for the last 30 years, catching thousands of sailfish and developing deep expertise in billfish fishing, FADs, and fly fishing for sailfish across destinations including Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Bolivia.
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This episode is brought to you by Star brite, the marine care products Rufus and Tom trust to keep their boats clean and protected after days spent chasing billfish on the water.
How a Five-Year-Old Charter Trip Started a 35-Year Obsession
Rufus remembers the exact moment fishing grabbed him and never let go. At five years old, his grandfather took him on a charter boat out of Lauderdale, and the feeling of reeling in that first fish hooked him literally from day one. His grandfather was a big captain down there, out on the water all day, and that lifestyle became ingrained in young Rufus. What makes his story unusual isn't just the early start—it's the consistency. Rufus has fished just about every day for the last 30 years, turning what started as a childhood memory into something far deeper than a hobby. Hear how that first charter trip shaped everything at 00:02:28.
Why Palm Beach Made Billfish the Only Choice
Growing up in Palm Beach gave Rufus something most Florida anglers don't have: immediate access to world-class billfish. While most people fish for bass, tarpon, or snook, billfish has been the sport fish of choice in Palm Beach for generations. Famous tournaments, legendary captains, and a culture built around sailfish and marlin surrounded Rufus his entire life. His first sailfish came when he was 12 years old, and he remembers that fish so vividly—the power, the jumps, the way they throw the hook—that it became the defining moment of his fishing life. From that day forward, he knew exactly what he wanted to do. The story of that first sailfish and what it taught him starts at 00:04:07.
Hear Rufus explain what makes FADs so effective for finding sailfish
The 80% Rule: Why FADs Are Everything in Billfish Fishing
When Rufus says that 80% of the sailfish he catches come from FADs, he's not exaggerating—he's sharing the result of three decades of pattern recognition. Fish Aggregating Devices create structure where there otherwise would be none in the open ocean, and that structure draws baitfish, which in turn draws the predators. The key to finding good FADs isn't just locating them on a map—it's reading the signs. Bird activity tells you where the baitfish are, and if the birds are diving, the sailfish are probably close behind. Rufus has developed an eye for this over thousands of days on the water, and his approach to FAD fishing combines technical knowledge with instinct. The full breakdown of what makes a good FAD starts at 00:06:24.
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SubscribeLost in the Guatemalan Jungle: When Adventure Goes Sideways
Rufus has traveled all over the world chasing fish, but one trip to Guatemala stands out as his most adventurous. He and a buddy were fishing in a remote area when they got lost trying to get back to camp. The jungle, the approaching darkness, and the need to navigate using only stars and landmarks turned what should have been a routine return into something far more intense. They eventually made it back, but the experience captures what Rufus loves about fishing—it's not just about the catch, it's about the adventure and being out there in situations that demand everything you've got. The full story of that Guatemalan night starts at 00:08:52.
Don't miss this one.
A conversation about fishing as a way of life, family legacy, and the pursuit of adventure
Key Takeaways
- Rufus started fishing at five years old on a charter boat with his grandfather in Lauderdale, and that single trip sparked a 30-year career on the water
- Growing up in Palm Beach surrounded by billfish culture led Rufus to catch his first sailfish at 12 years old—a moment he remembers so vividly it defined his path
- 80% of the sailfish Rufus catches come from FADs, and the key to finding productive ones involves reading bird activity and baitfish presence
- Rufus found incredible sailfish fishing in Bolivia—a landlocked country—by fishing rivers in the Amazon region where the fish are incredibly aggressive
- Getting lost in the jungle in Guatemala while trying to navigate back to camp using stars and landmarks represents the kind of adventure that makes fishing more than just catching fish
- Fishing has become Rufus's way of connecting with family across generations, from his grandfather who started it all to his kids and nephews today
- After fishing nearly every day for 30 years and catching thousands of sailfish, Rufus's advice for beginners is simple: just get out there, find a mentor, and respect the ocean and the fish
Final Thoughts from Tom
This conversation with Rufus reminded me why I love doing this podcast. Here's a guy who turned a childhood charter trip into a lifetime on the water, and he's done it with intention and consistency. The way he talks about that first sailfish at 12 years old—you can hear it in his voice that the memory is as vivid today as it was then. That's what real passion sounds like.
What struck me most was Rufus's perspective on adventure. Getting lost in Guatemala wasn't a disaster—it was part of the experience. That mindset of embracing the unknown, of seeing fishing as more than just the catch, is something I think every angler can learn from. And the family connection piece, passing the sport from his grandfather down to his kids and nephews, that's the legacy part that matters.
Whether you're into billfish or just want to hear from someone who's lived fishing as a way of life for 30 years, this episode is worth your time. Listen to the whole thing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What percentage of sailfish are caught around FADs?
According to Rufus Wakeman, approximately 80% of the sailfish he catches come from FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices). These floating structures attract baitfish, which in turn attract predator fish like sailfish, making them highly productive fishing locations.
What are Fish Aggregating Devices (FADs)?
FADs are floating structures in the ocean consisting of a buoy on top with netting or lines hanging underneath. They create cover and structure in open water, attracting baitfish and smaller fish that come to feed, which subsequently draws larger predator fish like sailfish and marlin.
How long has Rufus Wakeman been fishing?
Rufus Wakeman has been fishing since age five when his grandfather took him on a charter boat out of Lauderdale. He has fished nearly every day for the last 30 years, making fishing more than a hobby—it's his way of life and career.
Where has Rufus Wakeman fished for billfish?
Rufus has fished extensively across multiple destinations including the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Guatemala, Costa Rica, and Bolivia. He grew up fishing in Palm Beach, Florida, which is known for its billfish culture and tournaments.
How do you find productive FADs for sailfish fishing?
According to Rufus, the key is finding FADs with a lot of baitfish around them. Bird activity serves as an indicator—if you see birds diving around a FAD, there are baitfish present, and sailfish are likely nearby since they prey on those baitfish.
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Rufus Wakeman (Guest) – Lifelong angler and billfish specialist from Palm Beach, Florida
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Tom Rowland Podcast Knot GuideAbout this Guest
Rufus Wakeman
Rufus Wakeman is a lifelong angler born and raised in Palm Beach, Florida, who started fishing at age five when his grandfather took him on a charter boat. What began as a childhood passion became a career and lifestyle, with Rufus fishing nearly five days a week for decades. He is deeply experienced in billfish fishing, FADs (Fish Aggregating Devices), and fly fishing for sailfish, having traveled extensively to destinations including Guatemala, Costa Rica, Bolivia, and beyond. With over 30 years of fishing nearly every day and thousands of sailfish to his credit, Rufus brings unparalleled experience and insight into the world of offshore billfish angling.
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