Meet Michael Reynolds | Bonded, Insured, and Licensed Guide of the Department of Fish & WildLife; Sole Proprietor, Owner/ Operator of LBC Fishing Lessons

We had the good fortune of connecting with Michael Reynolds and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Michael, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Over the years many friends, family, and co-workers would ask me for fishing advice. They would also often ask to go fishing with me, or if I would take them out on my boat. Also, one of my son’s Cub Scout Den wanted to earn their fishing belt loop award, but needed some guidance. My son eagerly volunteered me saying, “My Dad is a Great Fisherman, and he will teach us all how to gather our own live bait, how to tie some knots, how to make some rigs, how to cast a line out, and usually when we go we catch something”. All of the boy’s faces lit up, and so did the parents’ of those who were present that evening at the meeting. The planned Saturday morning finally arrived, and we met the group that was eagerly waiting for us to teach them how to fish. Each Bear Scout Cub had to bring a parent along, and some even brought one of their siblings. At some point towards the middle of the lesson I realized that none of the parents knew what I was showing / teaching them even though a few had been fishing before. It was then that I realized that I do have a great deal of knowledge, and then I started to research out a way that there could be to earn some income.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
Skilled in the art of Angling, not claiming to be a know-it-all, but one who has many different styles, techniques, theories, methods, tactics, and knowledge to advance anyone in the craft. I am always busy since I am an Army of One, or in other words, a Sole Proprietor. That means I do all of the Marketing, Sales, Contacting, Scheduling, Accounting, and I am even the one who performs the Service / Teaches the hands on Lessons. I also have to get out and scout places to see if they will be productive, safe, and what conditions are like that way we can be more successful at catching something. I also do my best to keep up relationships with those whom I have taught by interacting with them as often as I can. I keep communications up with people through most of the social media platforms, and by sometimes hosting free group meet up sessions to those whom have already taken a few lessons with me when I don’t have bookings, or a tight schedule to adhere to.

Also, recently, a new offer was made to me by one of my sponsors to be an outside sales rep. To find, and gain, some retail space with a consignment approach, so if anyone that is reading wants to create more revenue for their retail location at NO expense to you, or the business, we have a product line of outdoor apparel with accessories that sale for half the price of all the big name competitors. There are sampling videos made on my YouTube Channel- LBC Fishing Lessons of some of the products. We will provide the retailer with a triangle peg hook display rack and product with the MSRP list. Please contact me if you are in the LA, or OC areas, and would like to discuss more.

The main thing that sets me apart from other instructors are the three different approaches taught throughout the series of lessons offered which are; the Survival Approach, the Tactical Approach, and the Scientific Approach. These three approaches are proven to save people time, money, and frustrations.

The thing that makes me most proud, and excited about, occurs when I see clients progress past the skills taught in the lessons.– Their success stories are exciting to hear about, and make me feel very proud. I also get very excited when someone returns for an additional lesson because this shows me they were appreciative of my service, and know they could learn more from me.

It has taken over thirty years to become a professional Angler. There were many hardships along the way, many outings with trials and errors to learn from, and many pieces of a large puzzle that had to be put together in order to formulate plans to start up a mobile service business. Trial, and errors, were overcome by repetition, preparing materials, creating lesson plans, and by also being open minded to feedback from others.

I have been told that I have changed some people’s futures, and that I have more experience / knowledge than Indian Guides over on Catalina Island, but I am humble enough to know that with God- Nothing is impossible. That is my fourth, and most secret approach- prayer always makes outcomes greater.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely go on an overnight fishing trip aboard the vessel the EL Dorado, or Toronado, to one of the off-shore Islands for big game fishing, and depending on the season we would go to one of the mountain resort lakes, or one of my other successful fishing spots where I teach my lessons at. We would cruise the historic neighborhoods, and take in some shops, and restaurants, along Atlantic Ave. Phonm Pehn Noodle Shack would be a treat for anyone visiting to experience genuine Cambodian cuisine. Pho Daily, would be also on the list of restaurants to visit. Another interesting place to hang out and watch a ballgame is at SteelCraft. Visiting one of the parks on the top of Signal Hill for the views is great to do at sunset. Last, but not least, would be to visit downtown, and the Pike area….and of-course Loof’s Lite-a-Line.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
With over 500 Lessons given within the past ten years…… A Big ShoutOUT goes to all of my Clients, over 1K of you!

Website: LBCfishingLessons.com

Instagram: LBCguide

Facebook: Michael Aaron Reynolds

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Image Credits
LBC Fishing Lessons