At the break of dawn, while most teenagers are still scrolling through social feeds, Gary Tarbuk is already at the helm of his modest vessel, the Lazy Minnow, cutting through the misty waters of Deep Creek Lake in Maryland.
The senior from Derry, known for his prowess on the AAU circuit, has swapped sneakers for a captain’s hat, offering guided fishing excursions that stretch from early morning until late afternoon, catering to groups ranging from curious children to seasoned anglers, with each four‑hour charter priced at roughly $450 and a guaranteed catch.
A Family Legacy Reels In Its Own Catch
The venture is rooted in a childhood memory: at three years old, Tarbuk was already watching his father’s bait shop, a modest storefront that shares its name with the boat, and learning the subtle art of matching the right lure to the right bite.
Today, the lake’s 69‑mile shoreline teems with largemouth bass, smallmouth bass, walleye, northern pike, bluegill, crappie, and stocked trout, providing a varied menu for his guests; Tarbuk has even come within half an inch of a state record, and on occasion he trades the freshwater for the thrill of shark fishing off Ocean City, where he hums the iconic ‘Jaws’ theme as a 7‑ to 8.5‑foot predator circles the boat.
Each charter carries a simple promise: a catch is guaranteed, a claim backed by a boating license, CPR certification, and a meticulous validation process that ensures safety and professionalism.
Working alongside his first mate, Alex Prater, a junior at Penn‑Trafford, and a tight‑knit circle of cabin mates, Tarbuk orchestrates morning routines that blend logistics with camaraderie, turning each outing into a shared story that often ends with a child’s first successful catch and a family’s lasting memory.
Dreams Beyond the Dock
Looking ahead, Tarbuk envisions expanding his operation to larger bodies of water, opening additional bait shops, and eventually channeling his competitive drive into college basketball, all while preserving the personal touch that has defined his summer enterprise.