I’m a retired Defense Industry Engineer who loves to fish and spend time “mucking about in briny water.” After retiring in 2022, I moved back to Virginia Beach from Northern Virginia. I had lived here as a child and always remembered how much I loved the outdoor opportunities, so I was thrilled to return.

I enjoy all types of fishing, but as I’ve gotten older I’ve gravitated toward inshore fishing. While I used to do a lot of offshore trips, those have become more limited these days. I target flounder in the spring, slot Reds in the summer, and speckled trout in the fall.

I joined the club to meet like-minded anglers, and I’ve found exactly that. I’m truly humbled to serve as the Club President. One of the things I enjoy most is managing and conducting the Youth Surf Fishing Clinics at Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge south of Sandbridge. I’m also looking forward to expanding our partnership and participation with Hooked On Hope VB.

Russell was born and raised in Norfolk, 76-years ago and has been fishing local waters since 1956. A dedicated angler with over 65 years on the water, he joined the club in 2000 and quickly became a familiar face on our trips.

Over the decades he has owned many boats and has spent countless hours chasing fish in the inshore saltwater he loves most. When the weather cools down, you’ll find him switching gears to freshwater, enjoying the quieter rivers and lakes during the cooler months.

Divorced and retired, Russell is still as passionate about fishing today as he was as a young boy. Always quick with a story from the old days and happy to share hard-won knowledge with newer members, he’s a true Norfolk fishing original. Whether it’s a calm summer morning on the salt or a crisp fall day on the lake, he’s usually the first one rigged up and ready to go. Welcome aboard! 

I was born and raised in Norfolk and will soon turn 75. I’m a U.S. Air Force Vietnam Veteran who earned a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and both my master’s and PhD from Norfolk State University.

I was blessed to be married to Kathy Eisenhower for fifty wonderful years until her passing from cancer in 2024. Kathy was not only the love of my life but also the best first mate anyone could ask for — on our boat, the Shelby Kat 2, and in life. She is deeply missed.

I’ve been fishing since I was eight years old, mostly in the waters I grew up around: the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. I achieved Expert and Master Angler Level 1 in the Virginia Saltwater Tournament. I also enjoy freshwater fishing in our local lakes, thanks to Russell who taught me that side of the sport — and I’ve grown to love it.

I strongly encourage anyone who loves fishing to become active in the club and support it. You’ll gain great friends, great knowledge, and great memories.

Don’t let the gray hair fool you — I’m still very much a work in progress on the water!

I’m a lifelong boater who took a short detour into circle track racing, but I’m back where I belong. I fished quite a bit in my 20s, then spent years cruising with several boating clubs. After 40 years with Norfolk Southern, I retired, bought myself a fishing boat, and joined the VBAC looking for a little local intel.

What I didn’t expect was how much pure fun and enjoyment the club would bring me. These guys have taken me under their wing, grooming me into a better fisherman every trip. They’re the reason I started competing in surf fishing tournaments — and I absolutely love it. I’ve also been doing a good bit of offshore fishing with a great friend who owns a very comfortable sport-fishing boat.

Whether we’re hitting the surf, chasing fish offshore, or just swapping stories at the ramp, I’m grateful to be part of this crew. Still learning, always smiling, and loving every minute of it.

Tight lines!

Born and raised right here on the coast, I’ve spent a lifetime chasing crabs and casting lines in what I truly believe is the best place in the world. Fishing and the water have always been part of who I am. I’m blessed with two wonderful sons who share that same passion — they love the water just as much as I do.

After a long career in the mortgage industry, I retired and now enjoy traveling and spending as much time as possible near the ocean. Since 1995, I’ve been proud to be part of an all-women’s surf fishing team, competing in the Ocracoke, Nags Head, and both Hatteras tournaments. We’ve brought home some wins and earned plenty of top placements along the way.

The ocean is my happy place. There’s nothing better than the sound of the waves, the thrill of a good bite, and the incredible people you meet along the way — especially the wonderful members of the VBAC. Hands down, the best people in the world.

Whether I’m fishing with my sons, traveling to new waters, or casting a line with friends, I’m grateful to be part of this fishing community that shares the same love for the sport and the sea.

Retired and 80 years young, Bob has been married for 46 years and is the proud father of one son and grandfather to a growing grandson. A Vietnam veteran awarded the Bronze Star, he spent more than 40 years in the investment management business, managing portfolios for pension funds, bank trust departments, insurance companies, and a mutual fund complex.

An avid saltwater fisherman, he has cast lines along the entire East Coast—from Maine to Florida—both from boats and in the surf. He is a strong advocate for sharing the wonders of our saltwater environment with the next generation: teaching children how to participate responsibly, appreciate the resource, and practice catch-and-release. As he often says, “They truly are the future of our sport.”Whether swapping stories on the dock or mentoring younger anglers, Bob brings a lifetime of experience, quiet leadership, and deep respect for the water to every club outing.

Originally from California, I moved to Norfolk three years ago and happily traded the West Coast for Virginia. A retired firefighter/paramedic with 30 years of military service (mostly reserves), I now run Guardian Construction, Inc. after obtaining my Virginia home improvement contractor’s license.  

My fishing background includes years of trout fishing in the Sierra Nevada, trips on Pacific party boats, and extensive spearfishing. With no prior East Coast experience, I joined the Virginia Beach Anglers Club to learn the local waters and techniques. I’m excited to connect with fellow members and improve my saltwater fishing skills.  

When I’m not fishing, I enjoy woodworking and shooting. I also have a son serving in the Navy who lives in Virginia Beach, which makes this area even more special to me.

I moved to Virginia Beach 9 years ago after spending my entire life in New Jersey and fishing the Jersey shore. A company re-location brought me hear which seemed like a good fit since I love being by the water.

I purchased a center consle boat and have learned the area of the Chesapeak bay and the back waters of Lynnhaven. There are defenitely more species of fish to catch then in NJ.

I joined VBAC in 2018 and could not have met a better group of people to educate me on fishing these waters.

I’m proud to be an OG member of the Virginia Beach Anglers Club — I joined in 1959, the very year the club was founded. Back then we were a small group with big dreams, and I’ve been part of this fishing family ever since.

I moved to Virginia Beach from Norfolk in 1956 and quickly fell in love with the coast. As a kid I raced boats until I was 15, but once I discovered fishing, it became my true passion. In 1969, I was on the club team that won the prestigious Hatteras Surf Fishing Championship — a moment I’ll never forget.

For 30 years I worked in the steel mills, and for 62 wonderful years I’ve been married to my best friend, Joan. We have one son and a lifetime of memories made on the water.

I’ve fished for just about everything that swims, but my heart belongs to wreck fishing for tautog (tog). My personal best — a 21-pound monster — held the state record for two months back in the day. That fish still makes me smile every time I think about it.

These days I’m still out there whenever I can, sharing stories, passing on knowledge, and enjoying every trip with the next generation of club members. The Virginia Beach Anglers Club has been a big part of my life for over 65 years, and I wouldn’t trade a single tide.

Tight lines always!

Shannon is a native of the Tidewater area and resides in southern Virginia Beach. He is a stalwart in the pursuit of red drum, striped bass, black drum, bluefish, spanish mackerel, and kingfish from Assateague Island to Cape Lookout and all points in between from the surf. He has mastered the ability to read the beach and understand how fish interact with structure. Known as a grinder, he pairs this mindset along with strategy for surf fishing success.

Serving his 3rd year in a club leadership role, Shannon uses his professional experience as CFO of Marcom Services to help the club reach fundraising and organizational goals. Shannon is a two-time club Surf Angler of Year and one-time club Angler of the Year, and chair of the club Surf Committee. Shannon is also an athlete on the USA Surf Fishing Team representing the United States in international shore competitions.

Born in Grant, Nebraska, and raised in Joplin, Missouri, I graduated from Parkwood High School in 1981. I joined the Navy in 1982 and served five years as a Data Processor (E-5). I spent my first two years aboard the USS Hector traveling the Pacific, then transferred to Norfolk in 1984, where I flew throughout the Atlantic and Europe.

After leaving the service, I built a career as a programmer and troubleshooter with several firms. I retired in 2019 as Director of Supply Chain Management with Management Consulting, Inc.

I’ve always enjoyed the outdoors—woodworking (especially making cutting boards and carving), gardening, canning vegetables, yardwork, hunting, and fishing. I’ve been fishing since I was a young boy, chasing catfish, sunfish, bass, and crappie in freshwater.

After retiring, I dove into saltwater fishing, starting with local piers and surf. Two years ago I joined VBAC, and that’s when I really started learning how to fish the surf successfully thanks to the experienced anglers in the club.

I’ve been married to my wonderful wife Nancy for 36 years, and we have two adult sons.

I’m the Operations Manager at Triton Manufacturing and the founder of Hooked on the Future (Chasing Freedom LLC). A proud father of four, I’m married to the best fisher lady around, Kelly Schramm.

I moved to Virginia Beach 18 years ago at age 20, and it’s been home ever since. Originally from Northern Virginia, I grew up fishing the Outer Banks and Annapolis, Maryland. Those early experiences hooked me for life, but today I’m all about the salt. I prefer surf fishing above everything else and spend as much time as possible chasing fish along Virginia’s coastline.

Whether it’s early mornings on the beach or just being out on the water, fishing keeps me grounded and always chasing the next bite.

Bio

I moved to Virginia Beach in 2016. Having fished as a kid, I was keen to get back on the water, so we prioritized renovating our bulkhead and dock and set about finding a boat. The following year I discovered the Virginia Beach Anglers Club at the Virginia Beach Boat Show.

Everything was in place when COVID arrived, and the boat quickly became our avenue for getting out and about during the restrictions. Some of the best fishing has been for cobia, drum, black bass, and tautog off the Forth Island, the Triangles, and the Chesapeake Light Tower, along with flounder and spadefish. We’ve also done a fair bit of trolling.

Away from fishing, my other interests include bridge, history, and traveling.

During my career I worked in the pharmaceutical industry within the Budgeting and Controlling group. After Mike Anderson stepped back following many years of service in 2026, I was asked to take on the role of Treasurer. I believe VBAC is at a crossroads, with many of the old guard stepping back and new people moving into key positions. I’m happy to be part of that transition.

I joined the club in 1999 after my good friend Ronnie Nixon invited me, and I’ve been an active member ever since.

I was born and raised in St. Louis County, Missouri, and spent much of my youth on our family farm near Lake of the Ozarks. That’s where my love for the outdoors and fishing began. In 1968 I came to Norfolk with the United States Navy (and later served in the Naval Reserve), and I’ve called this area home ever since.

My wife and I have been happily married for over 54 years. We raised four children and are blessed with 10 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren.

I retired nine years ago after a long career that covered every facet of the janitorial supply business, as well as mold remediation, water damage mitigation, and equipment mechanics.

While health issues have slowed me down and I don’t get out on the water as much as I used to, I still enjoy both saltwater and freshwater fishing. I try to get to my son’s farm on Lake Gaston as often as possible.

I truly enjoy the club and its members and always look forward to our social gatherings and events.

Born and raised in Albany, NY, I grew up thinking fishing meant standing on the bank of a small pond, catching sunnies and the occasional trout. Those simple days on the water planted the seed, but I had no idea what was possible.

Ten years ago, I transplanted to Virginia Beach chasing better weather and bigger water. That move changed everything. Shortly after arriving, I discovered the Virginia Beach Anglers Club and quickly fell in love with saltwater fishing. What started as curiosity turned into a full-blown passion — learning to read tides, chase drum and flounder, and battle the surf.

Now retired and living the dream on the coast, I’m grateful every day for the friends I’ve made on the water and the club that opened my eyes to a whole new world of fishing. Whether I’m throwing a line in the surf, drifting the bay, or just swapping stories with fellow anglers, I’m proof that it’s never too late to discover your next favorite thing.

Tight lines and good friends — that’s what it’s all about!

I first visited the Lynnhaven Pier 11 years ago and stumbled upon a group of anglers holding a pier tournament. One of them was Ronnie Nixon. He encouraged me to join the club so I could learn more about fishing, and the rest is history.

The members of the Virginia Beach Anglers Club (VBAC) took me under their wing. They taught me how to catch fish, identify species, and become a better angler. Everything I know about fishing today, I learned from this club.

I’ve had the opportunity to fish in numerous tournaments with the club, and I’ve been involved in many of the activities we offer. I can honestly say that I’ve received far more from this club than I’ve ever given back. I strongly encourage everyone to get active, participate, and support the club — you won’t regret it!