I'm Captain Russ Rivers and I am a professional fishing guide living in Melbourne, Florida. I am a licensed and insured United States Coast Guard charter captain.

I moved to Melbourne in August of 1997 from Longview, Texas. I am  a native Texan spending most of my life there until I received my captain's license. I have been married to my wife, Conita, for thirty-seven years. We have a beautiful daughter, a grandson and a granddaughter.

I have been an avid fisherman since the age of two and discovered as that as I grew older that I was the third generation of commercial fishermen dating back to the turn of the twentieth century. Guiding on the lakes of North east Texas and fishing the Gulf coast for much of my adult life gave me the experience I would need to make the transition to a full-time saltwater guide. Along the way, I hosted and produced "The Sportsman Dream" outdoor show for Channel 7 in Tyler, Texas.

After researching potential areas to work from Port Mansfield, Texas to Venice, Louisiana, I picked The Indian River Lagoon and Mosquito Lagoon in East Central Florida because of its great location in relation to Orlando.

Since the move, I have moved up in the fishing community and formed a partnership with a local native, Captain Jim Ross. Together we formed The Indian River Fishing Academy. I also host The Florida Sportsman Live Radio Show with Jim every Saturday morning on WMEL 920 AM from 8:00 til 9:00 AM Eastern Time.