Massachusetts’ rocky coastline is home for Ryan Nee and Tidechaser, his 23-foot Key West Center Console. Whether under the clear morning sun or navigating through fog, Ryan and his brother are always out on the water, chasing the tides, fish, and, more than anything, a sense of freedom.
“The days when the water looks smooth as glass, and you see fish feeding on the surface... that’s what makes a perfect day out on the water for me,” Ryan says, reflecting on his love of fishing that began as a kid in Boxford, MA. His passion for the sport started during a summer striper fishing trip with his dad. "After that, I was hooked," Ryan recalls, smiling at the pun. What started as a few trips with his dad quickly turned into a lifelong love affair with the sea.
Now an adult, Ryan has turned that childhood passion into a lifestyle. The name Tidechaser seemed like the perfect fit for a boat that’s always in pursuit of the next big catch. “My brother and I are constantly checking tides and weather reports,” he explains. “The name just made sense.”
But the boat, while a source of recreation, became much more in 2020. With the world turned upside down during the COVID pandemic, Ryan and his brother found themselves with time on their hands. And rather than staying ashore, they took to the water.
“The entire spring and summer of 2020, my brother and I commercially fished for stripers and lobsters off the boat because our normal jobs were put on hold,” he says. “We spent six days a week out there, and it really helped us grow as fishermen. We didn’t have the luxury of waiting for perfect weather; we just went.”
That summer was marked by more than just good catches. It tested their skills and resilience. “We had to deal with fog, storms, and rough conditions. Pulling 25 lobster traps by hand each week took a toll on the boat, but it was what we needed to do when the world was falling apart,” Ryan reflects.
Those months brought challenges, but they also solidified a deeper appreciation for the water. “It really allowed us to appreciate the sense of freedom that being out on the water gives us.”
Today, while they’re no longer commercial fishing, Ryan and his family still haul ten traps a week during the summer. It’s a ritual they’ve kept, though now it's more about enjoyment than necessity. That time on the water also taught Ryan the importance of safety—something he says he never took seriously until those six-day weeks out at sea.
“I never used to wear the kill switch on my wrist. Then, after hearing so many mayday calls, I realized how critical those safety rules are,” Ryan explains. “You see people all the time getting into trouble because they don’t have the right gear.”
Beyond his own fishing, Ryan finds joy in sharing the experience with others. “One of my favorite things is taking people offshore who have never had the chance before,” he says.
“Seeing their faces when we come across a whale or when they reel in their first big catch—that’s what it’s all about. So many people never get to experience what it’s like being on a boat, and I love being able to give them that opportunity.”
When it comes to gear, Ryan’s Custom Captain Camouflage Dri-Fit shirt is always with him. "It's my go-to for sun protection and staying cool and dry. I never hit the water without it."
For Ryan, boating isn’t just a hobby. It’s a way of life. "I spend so much time out on the water—I can’t imagine not being near it," he says, with the same sense of enthusiasm that started it all on a fishing trip with his dad.
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