Every East Side Surf Fishing trip is led by local guides who know these beaches. For larger groups, a captain and mate work together so every angler gets more one-on-one time, help, and instruction on the sand.

Captain Shasta “Rio” Sirju, Owner & USCG-Licensed Captain

Born in Trinidad and Tobago, Shasta “Rio” Sirju has called Florida’s Space Coast home since 2004. Growing up on these beaches, Rio went from surfing the local breaks to surf fishing them, spending years learning how the fish move with the tides, seasons, and sandbars from Cape Canaveral to Sebastian Inlet. A U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain, he puts that local knowledge to work for anglers of every skill level, putting you right where the fish are feeding.

Matt Nieves, Partner & Mate

A Florida native, Matt Nieves has been surf fishing the Space Coast alongside Rio from the very beginning. The two learned these beaches together, and today Matt is known for his patient, laid-back approach, especially with kids and first-time anglers. That patience comes naturally: Matt is a martial artist with more than 10 years of experience who once ran his own martial arts studio, so he knows how to break skills down and help students build confidence step by step. He’s also a musician. His most memorable moment on the beach is landing a 10-foot tiger shark.