The name Drew Pawley comes up a lot around FishingBooker – and for good reason. With 50 successful fishing trips under his belt, he’s become something of a legend in our company. Recently, we had the pleasure of talking with this passionate angler whose love for fishing inspires both beginners and professionals alike.
From thrilling catches and memorable stories to favorite hotspots and useful tips, we hope Drew’s enthusiasm rubs off on you as much as it did us!
From Childhood Crush to Lifelong Passion
Born and raised in Hilton Head, South Carolina, Drew grew up surrounded by water. So, when his parents handed him a fishing rod, casting came naturally to him. Geared up with only breadcrumbs and a kid’s rod, 5-year-old Drew landed his first crush – a beautiful Bluegill.
As it goes with fishing, that Bluegill didn’t come without numerous attempts and failures. Plenty of time passed before he reeled in what was to become his core memory… “My first catch was a little Bluegill from a small pond in Queens Grant,” says Drew, as he remembers running to his parents with the fish still on the hook. “I was just so excited. I wanted to show my parents I finally got myself a fish!”
Once he felt the excitement of fishing (and catching), that was it – Drew was hooked for life. Since then, his playground has expanded from ponds to oceans. Angling was no longer just a childhood memory but a way of life. “Fishing is a part of my outdoorsmanship. Fishing is a part of what I do and what I am,” he adds, as he sums up what fishing means to him.
With that in mind, we thought, who better to tell us about some favorite spots, catches, and fishing tips?
Top Picks and Lessons Learned
Best Fishing Spots
From those humble pond beginnings to glorious open waters, Drew has tried it all. Be it freshwater or saltwater, he’s tested his skills against various fisheries. But what are the ultimate fishing spots he keeps returning to?
Drew wholeheartedly recommends the following five locations:
- Lake Lanier. This is his trolling heaven and the place for hanging out with one of his favorite captains and buddies, Mickey Holbrook.
- Carters Lake. He couldn’t talk about Lake Lanier and North Georgia’s freshwater fisheries without mentioning Carters Lake, too.
- Lake Toho. Lake Tohopekaliga, better known among anglers as Lake Toho, is Drew’s gateway for Bass – or should we say a record-breaker he’s yet to get his hands on.
- West Palm Beach. One location kept popping up during our interview, and that was West Palm Beach. This seems to be Drew’s go-to place for “exotic stuff,” as he puts it.
- The Gulf Stream. Finally, his list wouldn’t be complete without a deep sea fishing hotspot. “I like to go out in the Gulf Stream because this is where all the big fish are,” he says. We understand him 100%!
Top Catches
While Bluegill will be forever carved into his heart, over the years, Drew has grown to cherish and battle different underwater opponents and expand his list of top catches. From freshwater beasts such as Bass to deep sea monsters like Billfish, Drew shares what fish he’s usually after:
- Striped Bass and Peacock Bass are his go-to freshwater fish. They’re fierce and guarantee rod-bending action, so we can see why he kicked off this list with them.
- Redfish, Sharks, and Tarpon are the usual inshore species he fishes for in the. Reds are particularly famous for their fighting abilities, so no wonder Drew chose them as his shallow water targets.
- Mahi Mahi and Tuna are the offshore royals Drew gladly welcomes. And we agree – we’d all love to cross paths with them, too!
- However, Sailfish is in a league of its own for Drew. This magical creature, mounted on his wall, is Drew’s pride and joy. “My favorite trophy catch would’ve to be my very first Billfish – a Sailfish,” Drew recalls – and lights up as he continues the story of how he caught it. “I was in West Palm Beach doing kite fishing – which was also a first for me – and then I just remember hearing a flash and the guide going, ‘Sail, Sail Sail, Sail, Sail, Sail, Sail, Sail, Sail!'” But that was just the beginning. It took him a good 20 minutes before he came face-to-gills with his prize catch.
But which species top his wishlist? Those that got away, of course! “I’d still like to get myself a good Blue Marlin,” Drew says, “And of course, a 10-pound Largemouth Bass – both of which I can make records of using a fiberglass mount and put them on my walls.” We can tell that these beasts still fuel his restless angling spirit!
Useful Tips Every Angler Should Know
While chatting with Drew about his experience, we asked him to share the kind of advice he wished someone had given him before he booked and his very first trip. We found his answers to be both insightful and entertaining. And we believe you’ll enjoy them just as much as we did!
- “Bring a camera and prepare for an adventure,” says Drew ,as he talks about the most unexpected catch he reeled in. “I remember fighting a fish when I was a kid of 12, 13, or so, and the fish suddenly got heavy! After a while, an alligator surfaced with my hook in its mouth!” We bet you’d want this saved on your camera forever, too!
- Good captain. Drew is a firm believer that the right guide will turn any slow trip into a great one. “Get yourself a good guide, like some of the ones I’ve met on FishingBooker, and they’ll teach you the ropes,” he insists. “There are times you won’t catch anything, but hey, if you get a good captain, they’ll make up for it.” Speaking of those captains, Drew paid special respect to Tony Gaskin, Mickey Holbrook, and Andrew Ernst by pointing out, “There’s a whole lot of ’em, but those guys stick out the most ’cause I’ve bonded and formed friendships with them.”
- Fish seasonally. If you want to reel in a brag-worthy fish, timing is everything. Even if your dream catch is available year-round, the peak window is much shorter. So, don’t leave it to chance – be like Drew and plan ahead: “In the warm months, I go out in the Gulf Stream where all the big fish are. You know, Mahi Mahi, Billfish, Tuna, and all that fun stuff. And during the colder months, I stay inshore for Redfish, Sharks, and Tarpon.”
- Book online. We’re thrilled that this is among Drew’s top tips – it’s what we do at FishingBooker, after all. Here’s what Drew says about booking online: “If you’re hesitant about booking a fishing trip online, don’t be. It’s secure, and you get to choose whether or not you pay the whole trip right then and there – or just a part of it and then pay the rest later. Find the captain that best suits your needs and budget, and prepare for a memorable trip. You’ll love it.”
Last but not least, Drew jokingly recalls a classic tip he’s heard multiple times. Avoid bringing bananas with you on a boat! He adds that he isn’t big on superstitions, but if you are, check out our article on fishing superstitions, and prepare for your trip accordingly.
FishingBooker’s Role in Drew’s Angling Journey
In early 2018, Drew was looking for a way to book a day on the water, and he stumbled upon FishingBooker. “I was researching local fishing options here on Hilton Head Island, and FishingBooker’s charters came up. I clicked on it and started using it right there and then,” he says.
So, one click, and he was hooked! Years – and 50 successful trips – later, we wanted to know what keeps Drew coming back to us. Here’s how he summed it up:
- Convenience. “What keeps me coming back to FishingBooker is the convenience of being able to book a fishing trip online. You can book anytime, anywhere online, and it’s very useful if you need to book a fishing trip in a pinch. You’re just a few clicks away from wetting the hook.”
- Secure. “It’s secure, and you get to choose whether or not you pay the whole trip right then and there, or just a part of it, and then pay the rest later. Find the captain that best suits your needs and budget, and prepare for a memorable trip. You’ll love it.”
- Budget-friendly. “If you’re gonna book something on FishingBooker, think about your budget. And don’t worry, there’s something for everyone.”
- Good captains. “Get yourself a good guide, like some of the ones I’ve met on FishingBooker, and they’ll teach you the ropes. There’s a whole lot of ’em, but those guys stick out the most ’cause I’ve bonded and formed friendships with them.”
- Worldwide offer. “What makes FishingBooker stand out from the other platforms is that they have fishing trips all over the world. There’s a whole cornucopia of fishing charters from here [South Carolina] to Mexico, England, and even Japan. Just choose a place, a trip, and go fishing.”
From One Angler to Another
Fifty trips, dozens of tips, one booking platform, and zero regrets – that’s Drew’s fishing experience so far in a nutshell. But what’s yet to come?
“There’s possibly a fishing trip with my uncle in Gainesville,” says Drew and adds cheerfully, “And of course, there’s some trolling on Lake Lanier with my good buddy Mickey Holbrook.”
Drew paused, smiled, and added, “I would still like to catch myself a nice big Blue Marlin. I know there’s one out there for me.”
While toying with the idea of mounting a replica of that majestic trophy fish on his wall, Drew couldn’t help but wonder, “And for those of you sitting on your butts and haven’t gone fishing yet – what are you waiting for? You’re missing out on a bunch of adventures and thrills, and not to mention delicious sushi or sashimi. Great memories are to be made.”
And we couldn’t agree more. Tight lines!
What part of Drew’s interview did you like the most? What would you ask him? Any tips and lessons to share with first-time anglers? Do you have a fish you’re still chasing? Hit the button below and let’s talk about your fishing experience (or book one for you).
