Podcast D.Friel - Connected by Water

On this episode of Connected By Water®, we sit down with Joe Grote and Alan Frye from Scuba 4 Good, along with Katie Anderson, Events Manager for City of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, to discuss the incredible impact adaptive diving is having across South Florida. Scuba 4 Good’s mission is to make adaptive diving more accessible for adults, children, and veterans living with disabilities by partnering wi...

On this episode of Connected By Water®, we sit down with the one and only “Boat Boss,” Kim Sweers who is the driving force behind FB Marine Group, one of the most successful Contender Boats dealerships on the planet! Kim shares her journey as a powerhouse in South Florida’s marine industry, where she’s not only built a successful business and social media following, but also become a passionate ad...

On this episode of Connected By Water, we welcome back one of our favorite guests — Zack Bellpinga from the International Game Fish Association (IGFA). Zack serves as the IGFA’s Angler Recognition Manager and brings an incredible depth of expertise when it comes to fishing and fish species from around the world. He truly has a passion for educating anglers and growing the sport the right way. In t...

In this episode of Connected By Water, we sit down with two legendary figures in the South Florida fishing world - Captain Quinton “Capt Q” Dieterle and Captain Bric Peeples. Fresh off a massive victory, Capt Q breaks down the moment his team, Astra Sails, claimed the top spot at the 2026 Jimmy Johnson Quest for the Ring - making the tournament’s 15th anniversary in unforgettable. Widely known as...

Legendary angler and TV personality Peter Miller joins Dennis Friel on the Connected By Water Podcast to talk fishing, adventure, and the mindset behind building a life on the water. From his iconic shows Bass2Billfish to Uncharted Waters, Peter shares stories about growing up fishing in New York and Miami, tournament fishing on Get Lit, conservation and philanthropy, getting chased by dogs — and...

On this episode of the Connected By Water Podcast, host Dennis Friel welcomes back two legendary South Florida fishing captains and longtime friends of the show — Captain Art Sapp of Native Son and Captain Skip Dana of Sir Reel. Both captains are true icons on the South Florida tournament circuit, known for their decades of success, sportsmanship, and deep roots in the competitive fishing world. A...

On this episode of the Connected By Water Podcast, host Dennis Friel sits down with Florida conservation pioneer Travis Thompson, a true conservation hero known for protecting the rights of hunters and anglers across the state. Travis is no stranger to the show and was instrumental in helping pass the landmark legislation that codified Floridians’ constitutional right to hunt and fish, ensuring th...

In this episode of Connected By Water, host and renowned fish artist Dennis Friel welcomes Jonathan Moss — seasoned inshore fishing guide and television host of The Captain’s Log. With a career rooted in hookups and storytelling, Jonathan opens up about the realities of making a living in the fishing industry, from running charters to building a successful TV brand. The two dive into the challenge...

In our fifthteenth episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is none other than my great friend - famed author, editor and co-host of television’s Florida and Texas Insider Fishing Reports, Dave Ferrell. At...

In our fourteenth episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is none other than the legendary, Captain Bouncer Smith. Bouncer is no stranger to Connected By Water and has been on the show more times than I ca...

In our thirteenth episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is a local legend, lifelong Florida resident and one of the premier captains the Indian River Lagoon has ever seen, Alex Hughey. We had a great con...

In our twelfth episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is Co-Host of television’s Florida Insider Fishing and the Texas Insider Fishing Reports, Miss Florida USA 2016 and Star brite ambassador, Brie Dal Sa...

In our eleventh episode of our very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our next guest is co-host of the Local Knowledge television show and Star brite ambassador, Rush Maltz. In great support of this event, Rush and the Local Knowledge...

We’ve reach episode ten of our very special Connected By Water series, on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is none other than the man who has grown and led Star brite to be the amazing company that it is today, Gregor Dornau. Gregor’s vision to make Star brite an ind...

Here is the ninth episode in this very special Connected By Water series, on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Star brite ambassador and retired 1st Battalion Army Ranger, Jimmy Armel. Jimmy is no stranger to our show and he is a champion for conservation. Jimmy’s...

We’re eight episodes in for this very special Connected By Water series, on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Star brite’s VP of Brand and Marketing, Kouri Carey, who is one of the great men behind the scenes for this massive conservation effort. Kouri and I sat do...

Join us for this seventh episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Star brite ambassador, owner at Fine Line Charters and host of the Catch A Memory Radio Show, Captain Jim Ross, who is among those on the forefr...

In this sixth episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is professional bass tournament angler Bobby Lane Jr. Yes, he may be the son of a Bassmaster champion, but this fine young man has been paying his dues, carvi...

Join us for this fifth episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is none other than 2017 MLF World Champion, 2019 Redcrest Champion and Bassmaster Champ Bobby Lane who is such a vital player in this massive conserv...

In this fourth episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is John Boyle from our show’s newest sponsor, PartsVU, who is dedicated to being a key force in this massive conservation effort. PartsVU’s leadership and un...

In this special episode of the Connected By Water podcast, we welcome back a familiar face to the show Jack Vitek, now Editor-In-Chief of Marlin Magazine. Jack’s no stranger here—he previously joined us representing the IGFA. This time, he shares what it’s been like transitioning to lead one of the most respected publications in the sportfishing world. We dive into the impact Marlin Magazine conti...

In this third episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Project Sea Safe’s leading scientist and Associate Professor at the University of Florida, Dr. Todd Osborne, who is among those on the forefront of this ma...

In this second episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is one of Star brite’s leading ambassadors, Blair Wiggins, who is among those on the forefront of this massive conservation effort. Particularly, he shares d...

In this special episode of Connected By Water, we’re joined by Dr. Aaron Adams, Director of Science and Conservation for Bonefish & Tarpon Trust (BTT). With decades of experience as a marine biologist, passionate angler and surfer, Dr. Adams brings a unique perspective on the science and soul behind the flats fisheries we love. We dive into the rich history of BTT—how it began, why it matters, and...

In this first episode of a very special Connected By Water series, we’re on location at the 2025 4th Annual Star brite Project SeaSafe Clean Water Collective event, held at the Old Fish House Bar & Grill in Grant-Valkaria, Florida. Our guest is Star brite’s Conservation Director, Cory Redwine, who is at the forefront of this monumental conservation effort. Cory’s leadership and unwavering dedicati...