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Outdoors

Twins and fins

The Magnuson brothers bring a double dose of angling addiction.

By DAVID A. BROWN
Published November 5, 2005

If you are looking for trouble, Luke and Mark Magnuson will give you plenty.

Relax, the Weeki Wachee twins are good guys. They just happen to operate a guide service named Double Trouble Charters. Had they not worn different colored fishing shirts on a recent outing, I might still be guessing. The University of Florida (Luke) and FSU (Mark) caps also helped.

In terms of personality, one twin typically is more outspoken than the other. And when you are dealing with anglers, there is no better way to determine that trait than to ask the inevitable: Who's the better fisherman?

Mark spares not a moment on that one.

"Without a doubt, it's me," Mark said. "I always let Luke catch the first fish, but I always catch the most."

Who has the most grace under pressure?

Luke claims he has the, ahem, "cool hand," while Mark is more likely to vent.

What about tough decisions, such as where to go when the fishing's tough?

"Luke's the man when it comes to that," Mark said. "He'll point his finger to the spot (on a chart), and he'll save the day most of the time."

Notwithstanding any subtle or glaring differences, the common thread is fishing.

Luke says he and Mark have been crazy for the water since age 3. The brothers got their guides license shortly after turning 18. That was just two years ago.

Since, they have established a regular clientele of folks favoring the snook, redfish, trout, cobia and grouper found in the Bayport to Chassahowitzka area.

Luke and Mark complement their guiding with tournament competition. They have an impressive record with numerous top-10 finishes, including a victory in the Redfish Tour's Open Division event on Aug. 6 at MacRae's on the Homosassa River.

Intuition unique to relatives, and even more so to twins, gives the brothers a competitive advantage in terms of unspoken communication.

"We always know where to go at the same time," Luke said. "We think the same way, so things just seem to connect out there (on the water)." Mark agrees. However, he admits that it is pretty funny when he reaches behind his brother, bumps the end of his rod and makes Luke think he has a strike.

Some say familiarity breeds contempt. But for the Magnusons, their lifelong bond yields a more productive emotion: "We're actually very competitive against each other. It draws the best out of us," Mark said.

So, what happens when one brother out-fishes his twin?

"There's probably a couple of quiet moments when I'm wanting to push him in the water," Luke said, laughing. "But as long as he's catching a good fish for the tournament, it's alright."

When they are not guiding or competing in tournaments, Luke and Mark work at Dixie Lee Bait and Tackle on Highway 50 in Bayport. Their parents, Eric and Sally Magnuson, own the shop and often appreciate a break.

Luke said he and his brother occasionally, albeit unintentionally, confuse bait-shop patrons.

"Sometimes, I'll be working out by the boat and my brother's already in the shop," Luke said. A customer "will walk in the shop and think, "Holy cow, he's quick. That's a good 100 yards away.' "

Between shop time and fishing trips, Luke and Mark often tend to their bait traps. Buy a dozen pinfish from Dixie Lee and there is a good chance one of the brothers was their captor.

On the recent afternoon trip, I found myself keeping company with anglers whose experience and skills belied their youth. Luke and Mark calmly and decisively dissected the day's conditions, executed an obviously well-constructed gameplan and put fish in the boat.

Throughout the day, a pervasive air of polite confidence flowed across the deck like a cool Gulf breeze. Questions were answered with solid, well-stated responses. Local features and conditions were thoroughly explained, and a deep well of angling knowledge made me forget I was fishing with two guys who were only a couple of snook seasons past their teens.

It is refreshing to meet young folks strengthened by firm roots and blossoming with the fruits of diligence. That is the kind of stuff that makes parents smile. Eric and Sally Magnuson are fortunate to have a double dose.

[Last modified November 5, 2005, 01:22:18]