What’s your “why”? What are your goals in life? What are your motivations? Why do you fish? These are all questions I’ve asked myself and still ask myself today. I’ll tell you my purpose today and hopefully it will help you find your purpose tomorrow.
Goals in life are the desired outcomes or achievements that individuals strive toward to give their lives direction, meaning, and purpose. My main goal is to make a lifelong career in fishing—not just competing in tournaments but also guiding and helping to educate young and new fisherman as much as possible. I find just as much joy in helping others catch fish as I do in reeling one in myself. Sharing the experience, teaching the techniques, and seeing others succeed on the water is what makes fishing truly rewarding for me. That’s the reason I started my guide business on Santee Cooper in 2023, specializing in bass fishing, catfishing, and striper fishing. There is no better feeling than watching a few kids reel in 25 catfish on a day’s trip.
Motivation is what gives you the energy and direction to do something, whether it’s getting out of bed early to fish, training harder, or helping someone else succeed. My main motivation is failure. Failure doesn’t defeat me, it fuels me. Every setback is a lesson that drives me to get better, stronger, and more determined. Whether I’m casting a line or helping someone else do it, I see every failure as a chance to learn and grow. That’s what keeps me hooked. I just had the worst finish of my nine career NPFL tournaments at Douglas Lake. I was 77th, and I have never been more motivated. After the tournament was over, all I wanted to do was stay at the lake and figure out what I missed.
Why do I fish? I fish because it’s where I find purpose, peace, and passion. It challenges me, humbles me, and teaches me something new every day about nature, about others, and about myself. I fish for the thrill of the catch but even more for the joy of sharing it with others. It pushes me, centers me, and lets me give something back whether its knowledge, inspiration, or just a great memory on the water. It’s not just a sport; it’s a way of life and it’s been my way of life for 35 years. I am a third generation fishing guide and USCG captain that grew up saying “fish” instead of “smile” for family pictures, had weekly family fish fries, and started as the “first mate” for my grandad’s guide business as a young boy.
My “why” is to make every moment on the water count whether I’m chasing wins in a tournament or helping someone catch their first fish on a guided trip. I’m driven by the thrill of the sport, the lessons in every failure, and the joy of sharing it with others.
Fishing isn’t just something I do. It’s how I grow, connect, and give back. I’m here to compete, to teach, and to inspire … one cast at a time.
Corey Casey – Angler Profile
