Interview with Chasten Whitfield: Fishbrain pro-staffer

This is part of our Pro Staff Interview Series; a series intended to help introduce anglers to the Fishbrain Pro Staff, their individuals skills and share a little bit of information about the person behind the fish.

Pro Staff Interview:  Chasten Whitfield

How did you get into fishing?  

We have always fished as a family ever since I was about 2 yrs old. Only started fishing competitively in the 7th grade, when the kids in school were making fun of me for being the only girl in school who fished. You see all my friends were doing all star cheerleading and I wasn’t the best cheerleader, but I tried. So when I started getting made fun of my mom talked me into doing a tournament. I did and won first place. 

What does fishing mean to you? 

From the time I won that first tournament, any tournament we won, we would donate the money to charity. I also began teaching other girls how to fish and now to this day I travel around the State of Florida where I speak at seminars teaching both girls and boys about fishing.  I also speak about real life issues, which includes topics such as bullying, social media and doing what’s right. I enjoy using fishing and my personal struggles to teach them when you do what's right or do what’s in our heart you win. 

Until summer of my Sophomore year, I was teaching a fish camp and met a young 5 yr old diagnosed with spina bifida.  He had never caught a fish or even been on a boat before. He caught like 6 snapper that day, and I promised him I would take him on a boat. 

I borrowed a friends boat where his wheelchair would fit so we could go boating.  That day changed my life. He looked up at me and said “Ms. Chasten, I am a real fisherman now. I caught a fish on a boat!” 

I set out to start a non-profit to take disadvantaged kids fishing, teamed up with Yellowfin, who made a boat where a child-sized wheelchair would fit, and have taken over 30 disadvantaged children fishing and still doing it to this day.

What type of fish do you enjoy catching the most?

What type of fish do you enjoy catching most? I love tarpon fishing!!  They are just a trophy fish but I love how they have been around for hundreds of years. And most important these tarpon put on the best show when they are hooked, literally so much fun to watch. The way the completely jump out of the water, almost as if they are dancing, they are incredibly giant fish. 

What’s your favorite place to fish?

My favorite place to fish would have to be the keys and Everglades. Only because there are so many different species of fish. You don’t have to go too far out offshore there. You can be in a couple hundred feet of water just a few mins offshore; and if it’s rough offshore you can fish inshore. 

What’s your favorite quote?

My favorite quote is “I’m not telling you it’s going to be easy, I’m telling you it’s going to be worth it.”

What do you like or enjoy most as your role as Fishbrain Pro Staff?

I love Fishbrain because they treat you like family. literally they are the largest fishing app, yet if I have a problem I can call someone who knows who I am and who can help me. My favorite part about the Fishbrain app is the connection it gives me to anglers all over the work especially, in my case, children and teens who fish everywhere.