320 Days on the Water with Capt. Ryan Harrington | Episode #879
TOM ROWLAND PODCAST
LISTEN NOW ON ITUNES, SPOTIFY, OR WHEREVER YOU LISTEN TO PODCASTS
Video goes live at 11:00 AM every Wednesday for Full-Length Episodes
The Man Who Fishes 320 Days a Year: Inside Captain Ryan Harrington's Extreme Life on the Water
What happens when fishing becomes more than a passion—it becomes your entire existence? Meet the charter captain who's redefined what it means to live for the water.
While most Americans work 250 days per year, Captain Ryan Harrington spends 320 days annually on his boat. That's 88% of his entire life dedicated to one pursuit: fishing. From dawn tarpon sessions in Tampa Bay to multi-day billfish tournaments off Costa Rica, this Florida native has built an extraordinary life around saying "yes" to every fishing opportunity.
But what does it really cost to live this intensely? And more importantly, what can the rest of us learn from someone who's turned extreme dedication into sustainable success?
The Numbers Don't Lie
Let's break down what 320 fishing days actually means:
Only 45 total days off per year (including weekends, holidays, and sick days)
90 consecutive days during tarpon season without a break
Travels to multiple countries for fishing opportunities
Operates multiple boats across different fisheries
Guides clients while competing in high-stakes tournaments
"I'm the kind of guy that never says no to an opportunity," Ryan explains during our conversation. "And I've been blessed with a family that's always been okay with that."
This philosophy traces back to his childhood on Tierra Verde, a small island in Tampa Bay where only about 1,000 people lived when he was growing up. At age nine, a neighbor with a 55-foot Hatteras introduced him to offshore billfish—a four-day commitment that most kids would find daunting.
"Back then, going out 100 miles was the Wild West," Ryan recalls. "Very few people did it, and even fewer kids did it. But that's where I fell in love with it."
The Seasonal Rhythm of Extreme Fishing
Ryan's year follows a precise rhythm built around fish migrations and seasonal patterns:
January-February: Costa Rica Billfish
Winter finds Ryan aboard a 68-foot Viking in Los Sueños, Costa Rica, targeting sailfish and marlin. As part of a professional team, he's developed expertise in reading satellite imagery to locate temperature breaks where currents collide—the key to finding fish in blue water.
March-April: Tampa Bay Inshore
Spring brings Ryan home to his roots: guiding clients for speckled trout and redfish in Tampa Bay's grass flats. Despite catching exotic species worldwide, he maintains that a Tampa Bay redfish remains his favorite target.
"People think I'm bluffing when I say that," he admits. "But it's home. These fish fight, you can take pictures, release them healthy. Not every fishery is that hardy."
May-July: Tarpon Season
The most intense period of Ryan's year. For 90 consecutive days, he guides tarpon trips without a single day off. His season ends precisely on the date of ICAST (the fishing industry's largest trade show), after which he drives straight to Key West for the July marlin tournaments.
August: Offshore Tournaments
Tournament season brings 3-4 day offshore trips, often 100+ miles from shore. The crew fishes 24 hours a day—trolling for marlin during daylight, then sword fishing through the night using electric reels and precise depth control.
September-November: Fall Redfish
Ryan returns to Tampa Bay's inshore waters as redfish form large schools in cooler weather. This period offers some of the year's best fishing for his bread-and-butter species.
December: The Only Real Break
Even Ryan's "time off" involves boat maintenance, tackle organization, and planning the following year's schedule.
Technology's Role in Modern Fishing
Ryan has witnessed fishing's technological revolution firsthand. Modern tournament fishing now revolves around sonar systems that can spot a single sailfish 1,700 feet from the boat in any direction.
"Three years ago in Costa Rica, maybe 10 boats out of 50 had the sonar," he explains. "Those 10 boats were consistently the top finishers. The technology advantage was undeniable."
The installation costs $150,000 and requires drilling holes in the boat's hull—a nerve-wracking process for any boat owner. But the competitive advantage is clear: Ryan's team can now "spot lock" on individual fish and track their movement with each sonar ping.
This technological arms race has created divisions in tournament fishing. Some events now run separate categories for boats with and without advanced sonar, splitting prize pools but maintaining competitive fairness.
The Philosophy Behind Extreme Dedication
What drives someone to fish 320 days annually? For Ryan, it stems from a core philosophy: diversification prevents burnout.
"If I did the same thing 12 months a year, I probably would've burned out years ago," he explains. "When I get to day 88 of tarpon season, I'm kind of over it. But then boom—it's back to billfish, and I'm fresh again."
This approach extends beyond species diversity to technique variety. Ryan moves seamlessly between fly fishing for tarpon, trolling for marlin, and sight-fishing for redfish. Each requires different skills, keeping his mind engaged despite the grueling schedule.
The variety also provides natural learning opportunities. Techniques from bass fishing tournaments have improved his redfish success. Costa Rican billfish strategies inform his Florida offshore tactics. Every fishery teaches lessons applicable elsewhere.
Balancing Extreme Passion with Family Life
Perhaps the most challenging aspect of Ryan's lifestyle involves family balance. With daughters aged seven and one, he's had to evolve his definition of success.
"Having kids changed what my best catch might be," he reflects. "The fish might not get bigger in that answer—they might get smaller. But it's all about the smile now."
Ryan's approach to family time mirrors his fishing philosophy: quality over quantity, presence over duration. When he's home, he's fully present. When he's working, the family understands the seasonal nature of his business.
His wife's support enables this lifestyle, but Ryan acknowledges it's not for everyone. "I'm blessed with a family that's always been okay with that," he says, recognizing that not everyone can or should attempt such an extreme schedule.
Unexpected Lessons from Extreme Dedication
The Power of Saying Yes
Ryan's career illustrates how accepting opportunities—even uncomfortable ones—compounds over time. That first scary offshore trip at age nine led to tournament fishing, which led to guiding, which led to international opportunities.
Diversification as Sustainability Strategy
Rather than burning out on one type of fishing, Ryan's seasonal rotation keeps him fresh and engaged. This principle applies beyond fishing to any career requiring sustained high performance.
The Importance of Natural Rhythms
Ryan's schedule follows fish biology and weather patterns, not arbitrary calendar dates. This alignment with natural cycles may contribute to his sustainability despite the intense workload.
Finding Sacred in the Ordinary
Despite traveling worldwide and catching exotic species, Ryan's favorite remains the humble Tampa Bay redfish. Success doesn't always mean constantly escalating to bigger, more exotic pursuits.
The Stars Above: An Unexpected Benefit
One unexpected aspect of Ryan's offshore life involves the night sky. During multi-day tournaments, far from light pollution, he experiences stars as most humans never do.
"It makes you realize how small you are in the universe," he says. "There's no point taking a picture—you can't duplicate that feeling."
This connection to something larger than fishing provides perspective during the most intense periods of his schedule. The same wilderness access that enables extreme fishing also offers moments of profound peace.
Lessons for Weekend Warriors
What can recreational anglers learn from someone living this intensely? Several principles emerge:
1. Embrace Variety
Don't limit yourself to one species or technique. The skills transfer, and the variety prevents stagnation.
2. Say Yes to Opportunities
That invitation to fish somewhere new or try a different technique? Take it. You never know where it leads.
3. Understand Natural Rhythms
Learn when your target species are most active and plan accordingly. Fighting biology rarely succeeds.
4. Focus on Experience Quality
Ryan's favorite catch isn't his biggest—it's the one that brings the most joy. Optimize for memorable experiences, not just trophy photos.
5. Prepare Thoroughly
Whether fishing 3 days or 320 days annually, preparation separates success from disappointment. Ryan's tackle organization and seasonal planning enable his consistency.
The Real Cost of Extreme Passion
Ryan's lifestyle raises important questions about the nature of work, passion, and life balance. His 320 fishing days aren't driven by financial necessity—they reflect a deep alignment between personal passion and professional opportunity.
"Every single day you leave the dock, you're constantly learning," he explains. This continuous learning may be the key to sustaining extreme dedication without burnout.
However, this lifestyle requires sacrifice. Ryan misses typical family activities, social events, and the rhythm of weekends most people enjoy. His "days off" often involve boat maintenance or tackle preparation rather than true rest.
The physical demands are significant. Tournament fishing involves 16-hour days in harsh conditions, heavy lifting, and constant exposure to sun and salt. Ryan recently added daily exercise via Peloton to maintain energy levels through his demanding schedule.
Modern Technology Meets Timeless Principles
Ryan's story illustrates how technology has transformed fishing while core principles remain constant. Advanced sonar systems provide unprecedented fish-finding capability, but reading water conditions and understanding fish behavior still matter most.
Weather apps offer detailed forecasts, but experience interpreting conditions on the water remains irreplaceable. Satellite imagery reveals temperature breaks, but knowing how to fish those areas effectively requires accumulated wisdom.
The most sophisticated equipment means nothing without the skills to use it effectively—skills that only come through extensive time on the water.
Is This Sustainable Long-Term?
At 43, Ryan shows no signs of slowing down. His recent embrace of fitness suggests he's thinking about longevity rather than just immediate performance. The seasonal variety in his schedule may protect against the repetitive stress that burns out many professional anglers.
His business model—combining guiding, tournament fishing, and commercial crabbing—provides income diversification that reduces pressure on any single activity. This financial stability may contribute to his ability to maintain passion rather than viewing fishing as pure work.
However, questions remain about the long-term physical and family costs of such intensity. As his daughters grow older, their needs will evolve. Tournament fishing's physical demands increase with age.
Conclusion: Redefining Work-Life Balance
Captain Ryan Harrington's story challenges conventional thinking about work-life balance. Rather than seeking less work, he's found work so aligned with his nature that traditional boundaries blur.
His 320 fishing days aren't about grinding through unpleasant tasks—they represent the intersection of passion, skill, and opportunity. The key insight isn't that everyone should fish 320 days annually, but that finding deep alignment between work and personal values enables sustainable intensity.
For most of us, the lesson isn't to replicate Ryan's schedule but to examine our own relationship with work and passion. What would it look like to say "yes" more often to opportunities aligned with our deepest interests? How might we structure our lives around natural rhythms rather than arbitrary schedules?
Ryan's story ultimately illustrates that extraordinary lives aren't built through single dramatic decisions but through consistent choices to embrace opportunity, maintain variety, and stay aligned with core passions. Whether fishing 3 days or 320 days annually, those principles remain universally applicable.
The man who fishes 320 days a year has discovered something profound: when passion and profession align perfectly, the traditional rules about work and life balance no longer apply. His extreme dedication isn't sacrifice—it's the natural expression of a life lived in complete alignment with purpose.
About Captain Ryan Harrington
Captain Ryan Harrington operates No Bananas Sport Fishing out of Tampa Bay, Florida. He guides inshore and offshore trips throughout the year and competes in billfish tournaments internationally. Follow his adventures on Instagram @CaptainRyanHarrington or contact him at 727-692-6664.
For more stories about extreme fishing dedication and the people who live for the water, subscribe to our newsletter and never miss an adventure.
🔗 Book a Trip with Captain Ryan Harrington – Text (727) 692-6664
🔗 Instagram → @captainryanharrington
📘 Free Resources:
🎁 Saltwater Knot Guide → https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP
🎙️ Tom Rowland Podcast → https://bit.ly/3O4lgn0
📺 Subscribe for More Unfiltered Conversations → https://www.youtube.com/saltwaterexperience?sub_confirmation=1
📱 Follow the Show:
Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/saltwater_experience/
TikTok → https://www.tiktok.com/@saltwaterexperience
Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/tvswe
#Fishing #SaltwaterExperience #Redfish #TomRowlandPodcast #CaptainRyanHarrington
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/capt.ryanharrington/
No Bananas Sportfishing: http://www.reelestatecharters.com
Contact Capt. Ryan: (727) 692-6664
My Social Links:
https://linktr.ee/TomRowlandPodcast
For All Your Marine and Auto Needs Check Out Star brite: https://bit.ly/48tNW0y
Download Your Free Knot Guide Here: https://bit.ly/3UnAeIP
If you have questions or suggestions for the show you can text Tom at 1 305-930-7346 or contact Tom through email: Podcast@saltwaterexperience.com
You can follow Tom Rowland on Instagram @tom_rowland
Learn more about Tom’s Television show http://www.saltwaterexperience.com.
The Tom Rowland Podcast is presented by Star brite!
Clean and protect with Star brite, a leading manufacturer of appearance, maintenance, and performance chemicals and accessories, serving the marine, RV, automotive, powersports, hardware, and home care industries for over 50 years. Headquartered in Fort Lauderdale, FL, and with its manufacturing plant in Montgomery, AL, the company produces “Made In The USA” products, including its flagship ethanol fuel treatment, Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment.
Check out Star brite’s Website Here: https://bit.ly/TomRowlandPodcast
This episode has been brought to you by Waypoint TV. Waypoint is the ultimate outdoor network featuring streaming of full-length fishing and hunting television shows, short films and instructional content, a social media network, Podcast Network. Waypoint is available on Roku, Samsung Smart TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Chromecast, Android TV, IoS devices, Android Devices and at www.waypointtv.com all for FREE!
Join the Waypoint Army by following them on Instagram at the following accounts
@waypointtv @waypointfish @waypointsalt @waypointboating @waypointhunt @waypointoutdoorcollective
Find over 150 full episodes of Saltwater Experience on Waypoint
