BRADENTON – Jason Stock, who passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 29, is being remembered by the fishing community and many friends for his legacy as a well-respected charter fishing captain, a loving father and a conscientious steward for the environment.
Angela Collins, assistant extension scientist at the UF/IFAS Tropical Aquaculture Lab, worked with Stock for nearly 20 years on environmental projects.
“He inspired everyone he took fishing – whether they were 8 or 80, they learned something about the ocean from him. He started his own non-profit initiative (Full Send Reef Habitat Inc.) with a dream to give something back and create something more – for his kids, for his clients, for all of us. He cared about the future of fishing,” Collins wrote in an email she sent to members of an advisory committee.
“He truly cared about the science and worked so hard to make a difference. And he did make a difference. He tagged hundreds of fish and provided guidance to researchers and contributed a ton of input and data to cooperative research projects,” she wrote.
According to the organization’s website, “Full Send Reef Habitat Inc.’s mission is to create more habitats offshore and inshore to support sustainable fisheries for Florida’s ever-growing population. To create this artificial reef habitat, the Full Send Reef Habitat Inc. uses repurposed materials to create more safe places for our fish to inhabit, providing additional fishing opportunities and taking pressure off overfished spots.”
The mission statement also says, “We want to keep Florida the fishing capital of the world. Our inspiration comes from a love of the water, a passion for learning about the species that inhabit it and a desire for future generations to have a sustainable and well-rounded fishery.”
Fishing friends reflect
“He was able to see things in the water that none of us saw,” his friend Eric Pullen said. “Half of his job was to entertain clients, and he always had a smile on his face and got people excited about being on the water. His zest for life was unmatchable.”
Pullen said Stock started off in St. Petersburg as a kayak fishing guide and progressed to becoming an inshore boat captain and then with a larger boat, a custom-built 31-foot Yellowfin, The Full Send, for offshore charters.
“He was intense about being on the water,” Pullen said. “He connected with everybody. He was a special guy and was extremely well respected.”
“I first met him in Sarasota Bay,” charter captain Scott Moore said. “He was on his kayak and he waved and told me about running his kayak guide service.”
“He cared about fisheries and sustainability. As fishermen, we take from the water, but for Jason it was important to put something back,” Moore said. “He cared very much about the community.”
That care for the community was evident after the 2024 hurricanes. With roads impassable, Stock transported people back and forth from the mainland to Anna Maria Island at no cost on his 26-foot skiff.
Moore said Stock was known for his enthusiasm for fishing and the water.
“People have got to like you. You have to have a good time while catching fish,” Moore said. “Jason had that kind of energy, which is why he was so successful. His passion was offshore fishing and he was a great offshore fisherman.”
Moore said Stock was a hard-working family man who loved his two young daughters dearly.
One of Stock’s closest friends, Zach Walker, met him about eight years ago on the water and they became instant friends.
“We fished together but the great thing about our friendship is we also talked about life outside of fishing,” Walker said. “We used to joke that Jason never met a stranger. He was the kind of person who’d bring things out in you that you didn’t know you had. He was such a nice guy. He really was one of a kind.”
Charter captain David White said Stock was known far and wide for his fishing skills.
“He was very well known and respected,” White said. “He was a good person and a good dad. He was always there for his kids. It’s up to our community to remind them how much their dad loved them.”
“You’ve never met a guy like him,” White added. “He was full of energy, larger than life and always smiling.”
Stock’s reach and reputation went beyond the local fishing community and he was well-known for his participation in fishing tournaments and fishing podcasts.
“Captain Jason Stock has been fishing his entire life, with over 15 years full-time professional experience. His greatest accomplishments are placing in the FLW Red Fish tour, winning local kayak tournaments and bill fishing tournaments throughout Florida. His photo has also been on the cover of many fishing magazines, including Florida Sportsman (twice), Saltwater Sportsman, Kayak Angler, Saltwater Angler, Louisiana Sportsman and Waterline Magazine,” according to his charter fishing website, www.captainjasonstock.com.
“To me, there is no greater satisfaction then seeing someone’s reaction after catching a prized fish,” Stock stated at his website.
The Tom Rowland Podcast posted the following message on Instagram: “We lost another giant in our industry. RIP to the one of a kind @captain_jason_stock. This was absolutely one of our most entertaining podcasts and if you knew Jason, you loved him, and if you didn’t, here’s a peek into his personality and world. You will be missed Captain and thank you for everything you did for our sport.
Community support
A celebration of life for Jason Stock will be held at The Center of Anna Maria Island on Saturday, Oct. 11. The time will be announced later.
Two GoFundMe accounts have been set up in Stock’s memory.
The first, “Honor Jason by Supporting Heather and Kids,” will benefit Stock’s two young daughters and their mother and reads in part: “Our community is heartbroken as we grieve the loss of Jason Stock, a man whose presence left an undeniable mark on so many lives. This fund has been created to give Heather and the kids the support they so deeply deserve – to help ease immediate burdens and to provide stability and comfort as they navigate this new reality. Let’s remind them in every possible way that they are not alone and that their community will hold them through this loss. Rest peacefully, Jason. Your light will live on in the hearts of those who loved you most.”
That fundraiser raised more than $59,000 as of Sept. 4, with a target goal of $100,000.
A second fundraiser, “Carry Jason’s Love Forward for Katie and Avery,” has raised more than $12,000, with a goal of raising $13,000 for two more people in Jason’s life.
