Mickey Melchiondo

I have been in love with fishing since I was in 2nd or 3rd grade and it is the one activity that has stayed with me through the years as a constant in my life. I divide my time between touring with my band Ween and being a full-time fishing guide.

I am blessed enough to have two jobs that don’t interfere with one another, if anything, travelling on tour with the band has given me the opportunity to fish all around the world and see a lot of things many others don’t get to see. Being in New Jersey gives me a year round opportunity to fish as I live on the Delaware River, and only 45 minutes from the Atlantic Ocean where my ocean boat is moored in Belmar, NJ.

The Delaware River has world class Smallmouth, Striped Bass, and Walleye fisheries and growing up in the river valley has given me a lifetime to hone my skills on my home river. My favorite species to target on the ocean is the Striped Bass, who visit us twice us a year on their N/S migration.

Top 3 HI-SEAS line...

Hi-Seas fluorocarbon line, 10 lb. test. This line is so strong and virtually invisible that it’s the only line I’ll use when Smallmouth fishing.

Hi-Seas Fluorocarbon leader, 20-100 lbs. I can’t begin to tell you much leader material I go through per year. Hi-Seas fluro provides me with the toughest yet most sensitive leader material available anywhere.

Grand Slam Braid. In certain applications I think that braid is one of the greatest innovations to ever come along in fishing. The lack of stretch combines with it’s sensitivity lets me see and feel everything going on under the water. I’ve had fish swim around pilings and jetties and thanks to Grand Slam braid I’ve still landed my fish.

Most Memorable Fishing Experience...

Tuna fishing in Australia. Ween was on tour and we had a few days off and I was determined to spend every minute of them on the water. Unfortunately mother nature doesn’t always check my itinerary and my fishing charters kept getting blown out by wind and rain. On the final day I had available it was again, too lousy to fish, my Captain wouldn’t go out but I asked him who might. He gave me the name of a guide who was notorious for sailing in lousy conditions. We fished in the absolute worst conditions I have ever experienced in 40 years of boating and filled the boat with Tuna. Just the two of us with no mate, hauling tuna over the side all morning, insane.

When not fishing I like to…

I like to get caught up on sleep for my next fishing trip!