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Canyon Runner-Where the Fishing Never Ends  

I often speak of how fishing builds legacies and bonds relationships with family and friends. Once again, this philosophy is confirmed by the history of The Canyon Runner owned by Joe LaRosa and his son Adam.       

Having spent most of my summers vacationing in Point Pleasant, NJ and fishing the waters out of Manasquan Inlet since 1964 I often think of that as my home away from home. But I have not been to the Hudson Canyon since my cousin Frank Marchell passed away in 1981 and the legacy of his Charter Sportfisherman Anticipation was memorialized by Reggie and Dick Hyde as Bar Anticipation in Lake Como (formerly So. Belmar).

I first took notice of the Canyon Runner while vacationing in Point Pleasant, N.J. circa 2000 and thought to myself, Wow, that’s a serious boat. But I did not have the opportunity to first meet Captain Joe LaRosa until last year when I was working the Coast Guard Auxiliary exhibit at the NYC Boat Show and Joe stopped by to say thank you to all the Auxiliarists. I was thinking how refreshing it was that he took the time to do this when I noticed Canyon Runner on his shirt and realized who he was. I asked if he knew Henry Wright from Parker House or Dick or Reggie Hyde from Bar Anticipation, or if he remembered the Sportfisherman Anticipation. He told me that although he knew of the people, he was not familiar with Sportfisherman Anticipation as he did not start his sportfishing charter business in 1984. Remembering what a great guy Joe was, I made it a point to stop by to see him while at the 2007 NYC boat show.  

The show was not too crowded the day I stopped by to see Joe which gave me an opportunity to get to know him a little better. What I found out was that these guys are among the top of the class when it comes to seamanship, catching fish and confirming that angling builds legacies. From the time he was 17 when he purchased his first outboard skiff and trailer Joe had a passion for being on the water and catching fish that is surpassed by few.

 Joe explained that he grew up fishing with several of his family members and over his lifetime he has purchased several boats (a fleet of 37) and, with a proud gleam in his eye, explained that his passion for fishing and boating was passed on to his son Adam, who beside being an expert fisherman and seaman is a successful investment banker Joe explained that it was Adam’s passion for fishing the Hudson Canyon that possessed Joe to purchase his 28’ Bertram which he appropriately named Canyon Runner and to put the Canyon Runner into service as a sportfishing charter operation in 1984.  

Today, one of the most respected sportfishing crews in the country, the Canyon Runner Team runs trips out of Point Pleasant, NJ in a 48’ Viking as well as a 58’ Viking out of Miami, Florida. In addition, Canyon Runner has its own line of custom fishing tackle and equipment and hold fishing seminars and provides expert fishing reports that hold nothing back and give you all the knowledge you need to catch fish.

Being offshore fishermen, Joe and Adam understand the importance of understanding fish feeding habits, water temperature and pressure, current flow and other key factors needed for a successful trip. Where the fish are today may not be where they are tomorrow. Joe shared with me one trip where on the way out to the Canyon, Adam noticed some feeding activity along the way but all the other boats were 100 miles offshore. As they listened to radio traffic, everyone already fishing was complaining that the fish that were plentiful the previous day were now gone. Adam remembered the activity he saw on the way out and realizing that the warmer currents had been moving west, suggested they return to that spot. Sure enough, while others were burning fuel, the Canyon Runner was catching fish, and plenty of them thanks to Adam’s knowledge, experience and “gut feeling”.

Before I left, I mentioned to Joe that I had not been offshore since 1981 when fishing the Anticipation we encountered a really bad squall that come in from the south-southeast hitting us with 25’ seas and lasted all night. Joe smiled and shared with me his story of an unexpected storm which hit the Canyon Runner with him at the helm. Although some boats that day never made it back, Joe’s experience and seamanship enabled him to navigate the return trip to bring the Canyon Runner safely to Manasquan Inlet. I don’t know about you, but there are two things I want while offshore, plenty of fish and a seasoned and qualified Captain at the helm. My son Andrew III has never fished the Canyon but he will this year, with the Canyon Runner.

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