Pro Staff Profile: Captain Ruby Delgado
Captain Ruby Delgado fishes the lower Laguna Madre in south Texas, which is pretty much the very tip of Texas near the border of Mexico.
Delgado was a fulltime guide 2017 through mid-2021, but then thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic and a reduction in guide trips, she took employment with a local hospital in pain management, limiting her guiding to weekend trips and off-days at the hospital.
“Down here we’re very blessed. We have a variety of species that we target. I grew up fishing down here. My dad was working for a company called Shallow Sport boats. My dad was the fiberglass guy there. Growing up, there was always a boat at the house that he was repairing. So, I grew up seeing all these boats coming in and looking very old and ugly and he would transform the boats into something brand new. My background was basically the bay, so we always fished as a family. As I got older, he taught reverse trailers and other skills that I use as a captain today,” remarks Delgado.
Delgado grew up learning a lot about boats and how they work, so the move to becoming a fishing captain was a very natural progression.
“Career paths always change, but being on the water was a passion of mine and my family. One day my dad said, ‘you need to go get your captain’s license and make a career out of this’. I didn’t hesitate. I became a fulltime guide for three years and that was very successful with getting sponsors like Humminbird and Minn Kota, showing women that anyone can do this as a career. It all comes down to putting in time on the water and practicing. It’s about not being afraid. A lot of captains and guys on the boat ramp would stare at me and wonder what this girl was doing by herself. I always found it challenging, but proved myself time and again,” notes Delgado.
She adds: “Every day on the water is different and that’s what intrigued me. As I got more experienced, I began to target other species like tarpon. I found different areas where the tarpon like to hang out—not the most common areas where everyone likes to go. With the help of my Humminbird Solix 12 and the CoastMaster mapping chip—as well as my Minn Kota trolling motor—I was able to get back into some of these areas that were less pressured. I would kind of keep it a secret and keep it all to myself. These areas were great for bringing clients and putting them on tarpon. Thanks to the awesome products Johnson Outdoors has introduced, it has made my job that much easier.”
Delgado is currently fishing every chance she gets and looking forward to an upswing in
business as the pandemic subsides.
“The bay is my home. I’m on the water every chance I get—and I want to send the message to other women out there that being a fishing captain is possible for our gender. It’s a great way to make a living and a new challenge every day,” concludes Delgado. Johnson Outdoors, and our family of brands, are proud to promote and highlight the array of pro staff and participants that interact with our products. Visit the Outdoor Adventure Blog to meet other consumers that our brands have placed a spotlight on.