Captain's Log: Seven and One

Brian Budasek says that one of the greatest feelings of owning a boat is simply turning the key in his 42-foot Yellowfin. 

"Once I turn that key, I can leave everything behind," he says. For Brian, what began as casual fishing trips has evolved into a transformative passion that has shaped his family, his lifestyle, and ultimately, the place he now calls home.

From Rivers to Open Ocean: A Fisherman's Evolution 

Brian's relationship with water began in the rivers of western Pennsylvania, where he began as a fresh water fisherman. It wasn't until his wife introduced him to the Jersey Shore that his horizon—quite literally—expanded.

"When I moved to NJ, I was a freshwater fisherman," Brian recalls. "My wife introduced me to the Jersey Shore. We bought a house on the beach there, and I bought a boat with my business partner. It always was our escape from the hustle and bustle with work," he explains. "It was always great to just get on the boat and just forget. It was the perfect mental escape. We could put everything behind us."

That first vessel—aptly named "6 Sons"—marked the beginning of an odyssey that would see Brian graduate through increasingly ambitious boats as his passion for deep-sea fishing grew. From a Contender fishing boat to a 28-foot Sportsman, then to a 34-foot Yellowfin to now his 42-foot Yellowfin that enabled him to venture 50-100 miles offshore for tuna fishing, Brian was, by his own admission, "hooked”.

A Vessel Named for Family

Brian's current boat—a 2018 42-foot Yellowfin—represents both the culmination of his boating journey and a tribute to his extended family. The name "Seven and One" holds special significance, representing "6 sons and one daughter" between Brian and his business partners.

"It's built for fishing and recreation," he says of his third Yellowfin. "When my wife has her friends and family here, it's so versatile for everyone and comfortable."

The Call of the Keys: A Pandemic-Inspired Move

Like many Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic, Brian and his family reassessed their priorities and living situation. For a man who had fallen deeply in love with boating, the decision seemed almost predetermined.

"We moved during COVID to the Florida Keys," he explains. "In 2020, we decided to buy a house in the keys. I moved my boat by driving it down from the Jersey Shore to the Keys. 

Now residing in what he describes as "the fishing capital of the world," Brian has found his paradise. "We fish a lot. My wife loves fresh fish for dinner. I love it. I can't wait to get out there every chance I get."

Stories From the Water

Life on the water isn't just about the catch—it's about the stories that unfold between shorelines. Brian shared some of his favorite boating memories that came to mind.

"There's terrifying ones and things that are pure fun. During this one trip we were going out with a couple of friends and we didn't look at the weather, and the sailfish were biting, and the tuna were biting... We left in the dark, and on our way to where the fish were, a storm blew in."

Rather than retreating to safety, Brian's confidence in his vessel allowed them to navigate around the weather system. "We were able to get around the storm and go to the fishing grounds without a boat in sight," he recalled. "We caught everything. By the time the storm passed, we had a full fish box when people were coming out. We had caught our fill and were going home by the time everyone else was rolling in."

But the fondest memories Brian has are those involving his children. "Fishing with my kids when they were young," he says.  "There are so many virtues that are built with fishing. They learned some good values from it."

More Than Recreation: Boating as a Lifestyle

Ask Brian about how boating has influenced his life, and you'll quickly realize that for him, it's far more than a weekend hobby—it's a philosophical approach to living.

This sanctuary on water has become a centerpiece of family traditions as well. "It's a great way to enhance your relationships with your friends and family," Brian observes. "You are on common grounds when fishing. My kids always bring their friends, and we go out to the Alligator Reef—it's a big tower where you can snorkel and sunbathe." 

An OG for The Custom Captain Brand 

When asked about his favorite gear from The Custom Captain Brian immediately said “I love it all.”  

“I think the shirts are the best. Everybody who comes on my boat gets a shirt. My boys wear them and they like getting questions about what is “Seven and One”. You guys are so prolific on social media. People ask us all the time if that's us in ads and on your social accounts which has been fun to say yes to. 

I have shirts and a couple hoodies and we love it. Everybody likes to ooo and ahh at the boat artwork. No matter where I go, everyone asks for the boat name. The turnaround time is amazing, the artwork is fabulous. It’s such a novel concept and a neat way to pull everything all together.” 

Brian has found something increasingly rare in our hyperconnected world: genuine connection. 

Brians’s story isn't about escaping life but about diving deeper into it—exploring not just new fishing grounds, but the enduring connections forged when family and friends share the unspoken language of the sea.