Captain CA Richardson
Captain C.A. Richardson is a powerhouse in the world of inshore fishing—part innovator, part educator, and 100% committed to the craft. Raised on the flats of Tampa Bay, he turned a childhood obsession with artificial lures into a career. From tournament wins to a decades-long tenure of guiding success and a reputation as one of the sport’s sharpest minds, Captain C.A. stands head and shoulders above the inshore community. His passion for helping others fish smarter led to the creation of Flats Class, a hands-on fishing school that evolved into Flats Class TV—a go-to source for anglers looking to elevate their game. By fusing bass fishing techniques and precision with saltwater know-how, C.A. has changed the way people fish the flats—and inspired a generation to do it with confidence.
But C.A.’s impact doesn’t stop at the shoreline. As a leading voice in conservation, he serves on the board of Captains For Clean Water, championing the fight to protect Florida’s fragile estuaries. His decades of on-the-water insight make him a go-to partner for brands like Z-Man and Bates Fishing Co., where he plays a hands-on role in shaping the next wave of fishing gear. Whether he's sight-casting in skinny water, breaking down technique on camera, or pushing for cleaner coastlines, Captain C.A. Richardson is more than a guide—he's a driving force behind the future of inshore fishing.
Captain C.A. Richardson: Head and Shoulders Above
Backwater Beginnings
Long before he was guiding clients or hosting a nationally recognized fishing show, C.A. Richardson was just a kid glued to the television, watching bass fishing legends pick apart lakes with pinpoint precision. This wasn’t just entertainment—it was an education. Growing up in St. Petersburg, Florida, he’d take what he learned from those shows and apply it to his own backyard: the flats, piers, and mangroves of Tampa Bay. While others were soaking bait, C.A. was walking the shoreline with a rod in hand, figuring out how to trigger strikes using early artificials. That obsession turned into a competitive edge, carrying him into the tournament scene where he built a name for himself by relying on strategy, skill, and a deep understanding of fish behavior.
Long before he was guiding clients or hosting a nationally recognized fishing show, C.A. Richardson was just a kid glued to the television, watching bass fishing legends pick apart lakes with pinpoint precision. This wasn’t just entertainment—it was an education. Growing up in St. Petersburg, Florida, he’d take what he learned from those shows and apply it to his own backyard: the flats, piers, and mangroves of Tampa Bay. While others were soaking bait, C.A. was walking the shoreline with a rod in hand, figuring out how to trigger strikes using early artificials. That obsession turned into a competitive edge, carrying him into the tournament scene where he built a name for himself by relying on strategy, skill, and a deep understanding of fish behavior.
Off the Beaten Dock
While many in the saltwater world stuck to live bait, C.A. never let go of those early bass fishing instincts. He doubled down on light tackle and artificial lures, adapting bass-style techniques to saltwater fisheries with incredible success. Whether it was skipping soft plastics under mangroves or working topwater plugs across oyster bars, he brought a new level of precision and intention to inshore guiding. His focus wasn’t just on catching fish—it was on helping people understand why fish eat, where they move, and how to trigger bites in even the toughest conditions. That mindset became the foundation of Flats Class—his educational platform and long-running TV show—built to equip anglers with the tools to think critically and fish confidently.
While many in the saltwater world stuck to live bait, C.A. never let go of those early bass fishing instincts. He doubled down on light tackle and artificial lures, adapting bass-style techniques to saltwater fisheries with incredible success. Whether it was skipping soft plastics under mangroves or working topwater plugs across oyster bars, he brought a new level of precision and intention to inshore guiding. His focus wasn’t just on catching fish—it was on helping people understand why fish eat, where they move, and how to trigger bites in even the toughest conditions. That mindset became the foundation of Flats Class—his educational platform and long-running TV show—built to equip anglers with the tools to think critically and fish confidently.
Raising the Tide
Over the years, C.A. has become more than a guide or a host—he’s become a trusted voice in the industry. Through his work with brands, students, and conservation groups like Captains For Clean Water, he’s set a new bar for what it means to be an inshore angler. His passion for clean water, sustainable fisheries, and thoughtful techniques has influenced thousands, raising a tide of inshore fishermen and shaping how people approach fishing across the country's inshore waters. Whether he’s on camera, behind the wheel of a skiff, or advocating for Florida’s estuaries, C.A. continues to lead with integrity, depth, and a relentless drive to make the sport better for the next generation. Beyond his physical prowess, Captain C.A.'s influence has taken a stature of its own that truly stands head and shoulders above the rest.
Over the years, C.A. has become more than a guide or a host—he’s become a trusted voice in the industry. Through his work with brands, students, and conservation groups like Captains For Clean Water, he’s set a new bar for what it means to be an inshore angler. His passion for clean water, sustainable fisheries, and thoughtful techniques has influenced thousands, raising a tide of inshore fishermen and shaping how people approach fishing across the country's inshore waters. Whether he’s on camera, behind the wheel of a skiff, or advocating for Florida’s estuaries, C.A. continues to lead with integrity, depth, and a relentless drive to make the sport better for the next generation. Beyond his physical prowess, Captain C.A.'s influence has taken a stature of its own that truly stands head and shoulders above the rest.