Wesley Locke
Saltwater Angler
Intro
Wesley runs her fishing operation with precision, passion, and just the right amount of intensity. As she likes to put it, she’s “a wedding planner for fishing who specializes in making grown men cry.”
Born and raised in Boca Grande, Florida (the Tarpon Capital of the World) Wesley grew up immersed in fishing culture, with a father who was a dedicated fly-fishing guide and a deep respect for the Silver King. Her upbringing, combined with her drive and passion for tradition, set the stage for a career spent honoring the sport and the people who shape it. By 2016, she was running traditional live bait tarpon tournaments in her hometown, a role she held for over five years before being recruited to the Florida Keys to direct conservation focused backcountry tournaments in Islamorada. After 2020, she launched Locke and Key Productions, expanding her expertise to event coordination, outdoor industry production, and lodge management.
In short: Wesley was practically born for this life, and she’s been making waves in the sport she loves ever since.
Q&A
What is your profession? And did you always know this is what you would end up doing, or was it something you stumbled into?
Tournament Director, Event Coordinator, Fixer and Overall Outdoor Industry Facilitator - I often explain my profession like this: “I’m like a wedding planner for fishing and I specialize in making grown men cry.”
When you’re not doing your core pursuit, what else do you enjoy doing?
Traveling, fly fishing, hunting, needlepointing, playing or dancing to music, cooking pasta, drinking wine with my family, and playing with my weiner dog, Hank.
How do you incorporate music into your life?
I pretty much need a soundtrack for every situation, whether it be while I'm fishing, cooking, driving, dancing, singing and spending time with friends and family.
What does “Live Free” mean to you?
It means living free of comparison and trusting the path you've created. A large part of my philosophy is that I never know what door is open on the other side of the door I'm about to walk through...and that optimism and curiosity has blessed me with an ever evolving, fulfilling, free-spirited and adventurous life that I feel lucky to live.
Any guilty pleasures?
Wine, except I’m not that guilty. Boxed Mac + Cheese…I’m guilty for that one. Ugh and Taco Bell.
What’s your hottest take or most controversial opinion?
It's not really a hot take, but I always wonder if Instagram or social media went away tomorrow how many people would still go fishing.
What’s the craziest thing that’s happened to you in the wild/on tour?
I got to dive with a bait ball in Magdalena Bay in Baja, MX with 30-50 striped marlin feeding on it. Most insane National Geographic shit I've ever seen! If you ever go fishing there GET IN THE WATER!
Who is your favorite musical artist? Or what are you listening to right now?
Reba McEntire will always be my favorite artist, but right now my favorite song is Dollar Bill Bar by Sierra Ferrell because it reminds me of Cabbage Key and island hopping with my hometown friends. Best fishing tune has been Tulsa Time by Don Williams this season.
Favorite Turtlebox speaker and why? How do you use it?
The Ranger is hands down my favorite just because it's the perfect size to take everywhere. The heavy duty magnets are also sick because you just throw it up on the fridge or golf cart and roll. It's a vibe starter that's the same size as a YETI water bottle, I love it! I take my Turtlebox everywhere, like a purse. As a competitor and director in the saltwater Tournament world, the intensity can make you forget why we all are passionate about the sport. When Turtlebox first came out I was like YESSSSS let's go have a freaking blast on the water again! I love that it brings back the joy and childlike fun I grew up with in a fishing town that needed no encouragement to dance!
