The Pacific Ocean off Southern California offers more than stunning views. It provides an escape from screens, a test of patience and skill, and encounters with some of the most magnificent creatures on Earth. Fishing and photography combine two passions into adventures that restore perspective and fuel creativity.
Open Ocean Fishing
There's something fundamentally restorative about heading out past the harbor into open water. The rhythm of the ocean, the anticipation of what might be on the line, the camaraderie of fellow anglers. Deep sea fishing provides a counterbalance to the intensity of building technology companies.
Los Angeles sits at the doorstep of some of the best fishing waters on the Pacific Coast. From yellowtail and tuna to bass and halibut, the variety of species keeps every trip interesting. Each expedition teaches something new about reading conditions, understanding fish behavior, and respecting the ocean's power.
Fishing rewards patience and preparation. You can't rush the ocean or force results. These lessons translate directly to entrepreneurship: do the preparation, read the conditions, stay patient, and be ready when opportunity strikes.
Drone Photography & Videography
DJI drones have transformed how we can capture the natural world. Aerial perspectives reveal patterns and moments invisible from sea level. Flying a drone over the ocean during fishing trips opens windows to experiences that would otherwise remain unseen.
The technical craft of drone operation shares DNA with technology entrepreneurship: understanding complex systems, continuous learning as capabilities evolve, making split-second decisions while maintaining awareness of the bigger picture. Piloting a drone over the Pacific while managing battery life, wind conditions, and legal requirements requires the same kind of multitasking that running a company demands.
Blue Whale Encounter
Nothing prepares you for seeing a blue whale. The largest animal ever to exist on Earth, up to 100 feet long and 200 tons. When one surfaced during an ocean expedition, capturing drone footage became an unforgettable experience.
Blue whales visit the waters off Southern California during feeding season, attracted by krill populations. Witnessing one of these magnificent creatures through the drone's camera, seeing its massive form glide through the water, puts everything in perspective. All the business challenges, all the daily concerns, suddenly feel appropriately sized against the backdrop of something that ancient and enormous.
These encounters remind us why conservation matters, why protecting our oceans should concern everyone, and why moments of wonder are essential to a well-lived life.
The Balance of Adventure
Building companies requires intense focus. Days blur together in front of screens, solving problems, managing teams, planning strategy. Without deliberate counterbalance, this intensity becomes unsustainable.
Ocean fishing and aerial photography provide that balance. They're physical activities that engage different parts of the brain. They happen in environments that don't care about quarterly targets or product roadmaps. The ocean has its own rhythms, and adapting to them rather than trying to control them offers lessons in humility and presence.
The photographs and videos from these adventures serve as reminders of why we work. Not just to accumulate success, but to create lives that include wonder, exploration, and connection to the natural world.
Southern California Waters
Living in Los Angeles means having access to some of the most diverse marine ecosystems anywhere. From the kelp forests of Catalina Island to the deep channels where game fish patrol, the variety is remarkable. Add in occasional appearances by blue whales, dolphins, sea lions, and countless seabirds, and every trip becomes an opportunity for discovery.
The fishing community here spans everyone from commercial operations to weekend enthusiasts. There's always something new to learn, new spots to explore, new techniques to try. This continuous learning keeps the hobby fresh after years of practice.
Why It Matters
In a world increasingly mediated by screens, direct contact with nature becomes more valuable. Feeling the salt spray, watching a fish fight against the line, piloting a drone over whale spouts. These experiences engage senses that office work never touches.
The creativity that emerges from these adventures influences work in unexpected ways. A problem that seemed intractable suddenly has an obvious solution after a morning on the water. Design approaches that were invisible become clear. The mental space created by physical activity in natural environments produces insights that pure analytical work cannot.
Photography and video from these adventures also connect with others. Sharing blue whale footage sparks conversations about marine conservation. Fishing photos lead to exchanges with fellow anglers worldwide. These connections remind us that work isn't the only thing that matters.
View the Adventures
Explore fishing trips, drone footage, and wildlife photography.