Meet Capt. Cefus McRae
TV host…Storyteller…Fishing Guide…Mentor…and a Good Guy.
An undeniable enthusiasm and a unique perspective that breaks the mold for typical outdoor program hosts best describes Captain Cefus. His down-home Southern charm, contagious laugh and true passion for the outdoors are quite evident in the popular TV series as well as his informative seminars, Pro Tips videos, and guide trips.
“I really enjoy what I do, and I get so much satisfaction seeing the excitement on someone else’s face when they catch a good fish or learn how to back a trailer for the first time.” Capt. McRae says. “My mission is all about sharing the skills and knowledge that help people have fun on the water. The professional charter captains, weekend warriors and marine industry professionals who appear on the Nuts & Bolts of Fishing bring a fresh point of view each week. If someone is going to invest 30 minutes of time to watch the show, we want them to take away something they can use on their next fishing or boating trip.”
HOW IT ALL STARTED… At 8 years old, he experienced his first offshore trip with his dad which lit the spark that created his passion for fishing. Years of fishing with old salts and on charter boats honed his skill set and eventually led to his US Coast Guard Master’s License. Now, he had the opportunity to truly share his love for both freshwater and saltwater fishing with others. From there, he began writing about his adventures , and eventually created the Nuts & Bolts of Fishing television series, along with several popular tackle brands including Project-X Tackle and WhoopAss Tackle Company. The TV series brought the opportunity to travel the world. He’s fished in virtually every corner of the planet, and today people are enjoying the same exciting trips with guides who are now part of the Wide Open Outfitters network. people are enjoying exciting fishing trips with these same guides. More and more, fans of the TV series wanted to experience the same excitement and destinations the series traveled to, and the next logical step was to bring fans from across the country together to meet each other while doing a little fishing…and that gave birth to the Nuts & Bolts Fish ‘N Fest.
Twice each year, people from across the country gather for a weekend of Fishing, Food & Fun at the Nuts & Bolts Fish ‘N Fest. They discover the fishing, amenities and hospitality of the area; and meet new charter guides who share their tactics for local species.
These events attract both novices and seasoned anglers. There’s no need to own a boat, and there’s no cost to participate. For those without a boat, local guides are engaged to take folks fishing. It’s not a fishing tournament. Instead, it’s about making new friends on, and off, the water. After nearly 20 years, Fish ‘N Fest events continue to have a positive impact on local economies and the people who attend them.
Capt. Cefus is also a strong advocate for responsible management of our natural resources, and believes in keeping a few fish for the table and releasing the rest to be caught another day. His award-winning articles are published in magazines every month, and his honest product reviews are trusted by anglers and hunters around the globe.
If you would like to spend a day on the water with Capt. Cefus or any of the Nuts & Bolts Pro’s, just hop over to the Book A Charter page. You’re sure to find a guide and destination that will deliver fun times and great memories.
TAKE ME FISHING WITH THE NUTS AND BOLTS PRO’S
