Q&A with Conservation Captain Showndre David

Bimini, Bahamas

How long have you been a guide?

I’ve been a guide since the age of 12. I started to take people out alone at 16. I bought my own boat and started my own business at the age of 17 and am currently 19. I first got into guiding under my father, Bonefish Ebbie. He wanted me to learn and improve upon his legacy, which I’m currently working on.

In what ways have you helped BTT with research?

I have been a local guide for BTT for two spawning seasons, and am now showing them potential locations of aggregating bonefish.

What is one thing you’ve learned about bonefish in your pre-spawning aggregation studies with BTT?

One thing can’t cover all the knowledge and experience I’ve gained from the BTT team I’ve worked with. For example, I’ve learned that bonefish are fish of habit and will always return to the same spot in which they have aggregated in the past, even after being spooked. Also, the red abrasions on females mean they’ve already spawned.

Aside from guiding, what activities do you do out on the water?

After (almost) mastering bonefishing, I decided to learn everything I possibly could about the ocean since my passion for it is so strong. I’m an amateur spearo, a dedicated shark feeder, a scuba diver and I’m trying to get instructor certifications in both freediving and scuba diving. I’m also a boat captain. To see exactly what I do, you can check out my Instagram account: @privateers242.

Do you often see pollution when on the water?

Pollution is not up for debate. It’s everywhere. As a conservationist, I do my best to clean up as much of it as I can. I’m planning on combating the issue with my team in the near future to keep our Bahamas as beautiful as they should be.

What is your favorite guiding story?

Oh gosh, there are so many stories, but two particular ones stand out. One is when I took out a Nebraskan family. I thought I saw a permit and had one of the kids cast at it. The fish crushed the lure. The fight lasted 35 minutes on a tiny 2000 spinner with 10-pound braid. After landing the monster, it turned out to be a 25-pound jack crevalle, which aren’t local. I was happy for the kid—it was the biggest fish he had ever caught! Another good story was when Justin Lewis (BTT Bahamas Initiative Manager) lost half his rod to a big bonefish I put him on when I took him out fishing. The reason I guide isn’t for the money—it’s to give people an amazing experience and memories for a lifetime.