RIP Don Combs, founder of C&H Lures, founder of SaltLife, pioneer in so many different fishing techniques, industry leader, contributor to many “how to” articles in many magazines, big game and all game fishing captain of Shark Bait, surfer, and friend.

Captain Don Combs has fished from coast to coast, the Bahamas, Mexico and Australia and has won over 300 fishing awards. He has won Boat of the Year in North Florida four times and finshed second six more times. He caught 52 Billfish in North Florida in one year, including a new record of nine Swordfish in one night. With his wife, Cynthia Combs, they captured the first Super Grand Slam ever recorded in North Florida. Don is the Founder and managing partner of C&H Lures, Inc. He has written articles for Salt Water Sportsman, Big Game Journal, Marlin Magazine and many other publications. He has been the guest speaker at events from California to New Jersey and traveled with the Saltwater Seminar Series with Captain George Povermo. He also made three instructional videos that were voted some of the best in the inductry. Don competed in the SKA Pro Division and was sponsored by Fountain Power Boats, Mercury Motors, Lowrance Electronics, Sign Zoo, C&H Lures, and Ford Motor Company.

In the five years his team competed they won numerous awards and two first place finishes. They also finished fifth overall for Angler of the Year.

Don still holds several records in North Florida including a 125lb Wahoo and a 390lb Swordfish and the most Swords caught in North Florida, 287. In 2007 the crew of The Shark Bait caught and released a Grander Blue Marlin while fishing in the Treasure Cay Billfish Tournament. Don is an avid Blue Marlin fisherman and has placed and won many tournaments both in the US and the Bahamas.

In addition to fishing, Don has been Scuba and free diving for over 50 years. Don competed in the SKA Pro Division and was sponsored by Fountain Power Boats, Mercury Motors, Garmin Electronics, Sign Zoo, C&H Lures, and Ford Motor Company.

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Photo courtesy “Coastal Angler Magazine”