About
Brian Nelli is a central figure in the world of professional kayak fishing, a dual-threat competitor and entrepreneur who has transformed personal passion into a multi-faceted business. Operating under the brand "Pushin' Water Fishing," he has built a reputation not only as a decorated tournament champion but as the proprietor of South Florida's longest-running kayak fishing charter service. His success is built on a well-connected model where three core pillars—a dominant tournament career, a premium charter service, and a savvy media platform—continuously fuel one another. Nelli's extensive record of high-stakes victories provides the credibility that markets his guide service, which in turn generates a steady stream of authentic content for a YouTube channel that functions as a global marketing funnel. It is a strong example of modern brand-building in a niche sport.
Pushin' Water Fishing: History and Growth
Originally from the Chicago area, Brian Nelli relocated to Florida in 2006 to pursue his passion for angling year-round. He quickly immersed himself in the state's diverse fisheries, and by 2009, he had begun competing in the growing offshore kayak fishing tournament circuit. Just one year later, in 2010, he founded Pushin' Water Kayak Fishing Charters, establishing his professional guide service in Palm Beach Gardens. To document his work and expand his reach, he created the "Pushin' Water Fishing" YouTube channel on April 27, 2012.
Nelli's competitive career rapidly validated his expertise. In 2014, he secured his first major international title by winning the Extreme Kayak Fishing (EKFT) "Battle in the Bahamas." He proved the victory was no fluke by defending his title in 2015, a win that came with a $10,000 prize and an all-expense-paid trip to compete in the prestigious China Open. Over the next decade, he amassed an impressive list of accolades, including a 6th place finish at the 2018 China Open and multiple divisional wins at the EKFT Sailfish Smack Down in 2018 (Mahi) and 2019 (Kingfish).
Demonstrating remarkable versatility, Nelli also made his mark in the freshwater circuit, placing 4th in the 2023 Yamaha Rightwaters Bassmaster Kayak Series Championship. His competitive prowess culminated in a victory at the Hobie B.O.S. (Bass Open Series) Tournament of Champions, a significant achievement celebrated as a "spectacular and dominant performance." His consistent success continues, having qualified as a Wild Card for the 2025 USAngling Saltwater Kayak Fishing National Championship in 2024.
Pushin' Water Fishing: Content and Style
The "Pushin' Water Fishing" YouTube channel is a direct reflection of Nelli's professional life, framed in the first person as a look into "my life as a guide and tournament angler." The content is action-oriented and authentic, primarily featuring footage from his guided client charters across South Florida's rich waters. Videos document the pursuit of a wide range of species, from pelagic giants offshore to exotic peacock bass in freshwater canals.
The channel's formats are varied, including highlights from professional tournaments, instructional videos on specific techniques like vertical jigging and rigging for kingfish, and popular "catch and eat" style segments. This content serves as both entertainment and a powerful marketing tool, showcasing the high-caliber experience offered by his charter service. In recent years, the channel has also adopted short-form video, utilizing hashtags common to platforms like YouTube Shorts and TikTok to broaden its audience.
How Pushin' Water Fishing Makes Money
Nelli's primary enterprise is Pushin' Water Kayak Fishing Charters, which he established in 2010. Based in Palm Beach Gardens, the business serves a wide coastal region from Stuart to Pompano Beach. The charter service offers highly specialized guided trips, structured into three distinct experiences:
- Offshore Fishing: A 5-hour trip launching from the beach to target pelagic species like sailfish, mahi-mahi, and tuna. The cost is $400 for the first angler and $200 for an additional angler.
- Inshore Fishing: A 4-hour excursion through mangrove estuaries for species such as snook, tarpon, and redfish, priced at $360 for the first angler and $140 for an additional one.
- Freshwater Fishing: A 4-hour trip into South Florida's unique canal systems to pursue exotic species like peacock bass and clown knifefish. This is offered at $340 for the first angler and $140 for each additional person.
All charters include a fully rigged Hobie pedal-drive kayak and all necessary fishing equipment. Monetization flows primarily from these direct bookings, driven by the YouTube channel's content. Secondary revenue streams include Amazon affiliate links for gear featured in his videos and fulfillment of corporate sponsorship obligations, where brand exposure is provided to a highly targeted audience.
Pushin' Water Fishing: Collaborations
Brian Nelli's standing in the professional fishing community is cemented by a network of high-profile corporate sponsorships. His most prominent and long-standing affiliation is with Hobie, a leading manufacturer of fishing kayaks, and he is a key member of the Hobie Fishing Team.
His portfolio of sponsors covers a wide range of industry segments. In apparel and gear, he is backed by Frogg Toggs, Engel Coolers, and Laguna Costa Outfitters. His tackle and lure sponsors include D.O.A. Lures, Eagle Claw, Yozuri, Catch Fishing, and Sealime Lures. He is also partnered with Ram Mounts for mounting systems and the media platform FishVillage. Beyond sponsorships, Nelli acts as a subject matter expert, contributing detailed articles on advanced kayak fishing techniques to major publications like Florida Sportsman and Coastal Angler Magazine and appearing as a frequent guest on fishing podcasts.
Pushin' Water Fishing: Public Reception
Nelli has cultivated a strong public reputation, receiving extensive and positive media coverage within the angling community. His numerous tournament victories are regularly featured in outlets such as Kayak Angler Magazine, which often breaks down his winning strategies and gear choices. He is consistently cited as a top competitor, particularly within the Extreme Kayak Fishing Tournament series where he is a multiple-time champion. A comprehensive review of the research dossier found no verifiable information regarding any controversies, legal disputes, or negative incidents involving Brian Nelli or his business operations.
Pushin' Water Fishing Today
Brian Nelli exemplifies the modern professional angler, blending elite competitive skill with sharp business sense. Through Pushin' Water Fishing, he has built a self-sustaining system where tournament wins build a brand, the brand drives a successful charter business, and the business provides the content that fuels a global media presence. With recent major victories like the Hobie B.O.S. Tournament of Champions and a qualification for the 2025 national championship, his influence and competitive edge show no signs of diminishing.