About Us

Founded in 2006, FishSmith Inc. is a family-run business specializing in sportfishing, nautical, and other salty artwork, apparel, and promotional design.

About the FSI Team

Madison Smith- Graphic design, Customer service, production manager, website manager

Becca Smith- Sales (Florida, Bahamas, SC), CCA

Jim Lina- Sales (Louisiana, Texas, Alabama, Mississippi)

Becky Smith- Accounting

Chick McKaig- Screen Printing

About the Founder- Elliott Smith

From CCA FL SeaWatch “Featured Artist Bio”

I was born in the late 1930s, to traveling sea merchants on one of the lesser-known Caribbean islands known only as “The Foot”, due to it’s odd shape and foul-smelling odor. The stench is so pungent that only three people in recorded history have ever been lost at sea- the Gaffney triplets, each of whom had the congenital misfortune of being born without a sense of smell. It was in 1956, when I ventured far from my home and into the States, that I first saw a woman. She took me under her roof and taught me the ways of the world. I called her “Susan”. For 30 days and 42 nights I stayed with her. She was good to me, and I grew quite fond of exploring the wondrous variety of wares and goods at the Sears across the street from her apartment complex. But the smell of The Foot was still strong in my nostrils. So late one night, we set sail in my dinghy. Along the way, the pupil became the teacher, as I revealed to her the ways of saltwater fishing. Popping plugs and throwing flies, taking only what we needed, we ate like kings on the open sea. It was then that I knew I would always provide for this woman using the bounty of the ocean. And thus began the inspiration for my nautical artwork; an exercise in every red-blooded man’s sacred duty to provide for those he loves, searching simply for a place to call his home, like the great Pelagics of the blue.

Actually, I was born in Orlando, FL in 1981, and you might be surprised to learn that, to my knowledge, there is no island of record called “The Foot”. I just figured this crowd would enjoy a decent fish tale. Plus, having graduated cum laude with a B.A. in English from the University of Florida, and now running an artwork and design business in the sportfishing industry (little to do with an English degree), I figure I should put my education to work in print when I have the chance. That’s one thing I have learned over my past few years in business- seize a good opportunity. And honestly, that may be the best way to frame this little writeup- seizing opportunities, and being thankful that you have them.

Since I was very young, my family and I have spent our summers on Edisto Island, one of the sea barrier islands in the area around Charleston, SC known as the Lowcountry (no more fish tales here). Although I lived in Lake Mary, FL during the rest of the year, I did a lot of growing up on Edisto. It is where I learned to back a trailer, dock a boat, catch blue crab, throw a cast net, hook a trout, slalom ski…the important stuff. It’s also where I nabbed my first paid work as an artist. One of my earliest jobs was to design the artwork for the SC Department of Natural Resources’ “Governor’s Cup Billfishing Tournament”. The local marina printed my design on some T-shirts, and pretty soon I had earned some money and was seeing my work all around the island. The next year I was hired again. Well, long story short, never let a good opportunity go to waste- and with this one, I had the chance to pay my bills with my artwork. Not a bad gig. So in 2006, after graduating from UF, I started FishSmith Inc, with the goal of expanding the successful model I had started on Edisto to retailers, tackle shops, tournaments, and organizations (i.e. CCA) across the southeast. I put together a portfolio, printed some samples, and hopped in my car for several roadtrips from Tampa, to the Keys, to Jacksonville- knocking on doors, finding customers the old fashioned way.

FishSmith Inc. has since been going strong with now over 45 retailers across Florida, to the Bahamas, Louisiana, and South Carolina. Recently, although I do work in many mediums, I have really enjoyed hand illustrations done with a reverence to a classic American style that has always sat well with me. I am proud to share my latest design with you, the Tarpon illustration you see featured on the front cover. Much appreciation is due to CCA FL for giving me such a great occasion to showcase my artwork and my business. I hope yall will check out www.FishSmithCCA.com, where we are proud to carry official CCA FL artwork and merchandise. If you have any questions, please get in touch with my brother Madison or sister Becca, who are handleing business operations. Madison@FishSmithInc.com, Becca@FishSmithInc.com.

Since graduation, I have been very thankful for the chance to make a living doing something I had a knack for at age 6 when I drew my first wildlife creation- a lion in the desert. Well, I guess it didn’t take long to find the water from there, both in my art and in my life. I now enjoy diving, fishing, and surfing in the waters from Charleston to New Smyrna and on down to the Keys- and as I have learned elsewhere, I hope that we will all remember to seize a good opportunity to enjoy these cherished natural resources, and be thankful that we have them.

-Elliott A. Smith

Contact Information

Online Order Inquiries: Orders@FishSmithInc.com

General Information: Info@FishSmithInc.com

Accounting: Becky@FishSmithInc.com

Contact Smith at Smith@FishSmithInc.com

CCA Florida: www.CCAFlorida.org