Welcome to Florida Backcountry

In 1980 Captain Ron Rebeck moved to Florida to pursue his dream and passion of fishing Florida’s great backcountry fisheries. Being an avid light tackle angler and fly-fisherman, he began guiding in the Mosquito Lagoon/Indian River area of central Florida around 1984.  As his love of the area and sport grew, Captain Ron and three other local fly fishers, Capt. Jon Cave, Bill Belleville and Adrian Marks realized the need to bring the guides and fisherman of the area together to share their love of fly-fishing. This group of four dedicated fly-fisherman went  on to  organize  the “ Florida BackCountry Fly Fishing Association.”  This organization  soon became Florida’s largest contribution base of the Florida Conservation Association (now known as the Coastal Conservation Association), which spearheaded the campaign to improve the Florida fishery to what we have today.

Through his daily fishing and contact with other professional guides and fisherman, Captain Ron knew the problems and challenges facing anglers trying to hook fish on the flats. One major problem was the need of a way in which to hold a push pole effectively and silently when casting to spotted fish while poling a skiff.  Thus was born his first product which he called the “Polemate.”   Soon followed variations of his patented design which are presently his “Towermate” and  “Railmate” models. Captain Ron started exhibiting at  various fishing shows in the southeast and began interacting with a whole new group of anglers, listening to their needs and desires and soon came the inventions of the “Rodmate “ and “Paddlemate”. Now Captain Ron is able to offer a wide variety of products to shallow water fisherman that fish not only the salt water flats, but those that fish the beautiful lakes, rivers and streams anywhere around the world!

You are welcome to email Captain Ron Rebeck at captron@floridabackcountry.com and he will be happy to answer questions or assist in your quest for the ultimate day of shallow water fishing and the products available!