Congratulations to Michelle Dalton! She is our Baitshop.com Beauty of the Month for February. You can find Michelle on Instagram @bombchelle_fishing, and we feature her and her great catches all the time on @baitshoplife and @baitshopcatch! Michelle truly is the bomb! Here is some more information on this awesome female angler. Congrats Michelle!
Tell us a little about yourself!
I’m Michelle Dalton, better known as Bombchelle! I’m 30 years old, and I was born and raised in South Florida. I’ve been fishing for practically my entire life. I’m married to my best friend and love of my life, John. One of my life goals is to make a positive impression on children who love to fish and to teach other female anglers any skills that I possess and the importance of conservation.
When did you start fishing? And who got you into the sport?
I started freshwater fishing when I was 6 years old with my dad, and I’ve loved it ever since! My dad and I would walk to nearby lakes and canals immediately after it rained. We picked worms out of the grass and threw them into a bucket to use as bait. As a kid, I always liked getting my hands dirty. I started fishing offshore in high school with friends whose parents had boats. The concept that you can eat what you catch was a game changer for me since I was used to catching bass. Saltwater has my heart!
What is your favorite fish to catch?
I can’t say I have a favorite species to target because I love them all and for different reasons. Our Florida state fish, the Atlantic Sailfish, is high on the list! I love catching mahi in the summer months in South Florida when you come across big schools offshore. Finding and trolling weed-lines, chasing birds, and pitching live bait out on a bait runner to find them… it’s like a hunt! My personal best catch would be a Black Marlin weighing close to 500lbs out of Panama. I caught quite a few Blacks that same week, and Guy Harvey tagged and released them with me for conservation. It was awesome! Wahoo, Roosterfish, and Yellowfin Tuna are a few others on my favorites list.
What is the most difficult fish to fight?
Personally, I got my butt kicked by a 120 lb Yellowfin Tuna, but I still won the battle. They’re such a strong fish. When you hook a big one, you’re in it for a while, so get ready, and have patience!
Do you have a favorite lure or bait?
I love using bonita strips for trolling, naked or on an Ilander lure. Live goggle eyes for kite fishing or bump trolling. Live pilchards or frozen squid for drift fishing the reefs or wrecks for snapper, grouper, triggerfish, etc.
Do you have a favorite place or spot to fish?
The Bahamas and Costa Rica are my favorite places to fish. Quepos, Costa Rica has been my second home for the last 10 years as I have family there and the fishing is incredible. From inshore fishing for Roosterfish, Snook or Corvina to offshore fishing for Pacific Sailfish, Marlin, big Dorado and Yellowfin Tuna, the bite is always on fire all year round! The Bahamas is also great, and the islands are just a short boat ride (50 miles) away! The beautiful turquoise water is just a cherry on top of the cake!
What are some of your other favorite hobbies?
I love to cook. Whether it’s BBQ on the grill or smoker or cooking a fresh catch in the kitchen, I do it all! I’ve been working on a recipe book for quite sometime and would love to eventually have it published! I also enjoy traveling, music- singing and playing guitar, spending time with family and friends, and watching a good movie!
Instagram: @bombchelle_fishing
