Captain Leiza Fitzgerald affectionately known as the “Queen of Conservation” is a seasoned angler, retired tournament professional, fishing guide and Hall of Famer. Her outdoor career spans over 30 years and includes Coach for Salt Strong, “Top Gun” instructor for the Extreme Backwater Fishing School, Becoming an Outdoor Woman, Ladies Let’s Go Fishing, The Orvis Fly Casting School, National Wild Turkey Federation’s Woman’s Hunting program and was a Cabela’s Pro-Staff hunter & angler. She was listed by Salt Strong as one of the top twelve lady anglers in Florida and was named “Sportsman of the Year by the Sarasota Sportsman’s Association” (first time in 20 years a woman received). In 2020 she was named as one of the 30 most influential female anglers (Top 5 in Saltwater) in North America by Wildlife Enthusiast magazine. In 2021 & 2022 she was named Top Lady Angler for Redfish & Snook by the International Women’s Fishing Association. In 2022 she received a first time honor of being enshrined in the Florida Sports Hall of Fame as the first Angler Athlete.

Leiza has fished world-wide and hunted throughout North America she actively writes for local and national outdoor publications, has over 50 different speaking engagements, Co-Hosted The National Outdoor Group, The Sporting Life weekly Pod cast “Let’s Go Fishing” and guest-hosts 5 different television and radio fishing shows annually. She is currently the Director for Realtree Fishing sponsored, CCA Florida STAR, Florida’s Largest family friendly fishing competition. Leiza’s true passion has always been the education of youth and women to the sport of fishing and hunting with a strong emphasis on conservation of our natural resources.