By Adason Riley
When hardships struck, she turned to the water for peace — and found her calling. What began as a quiet escape into nature soon evolved into a mission to share its beauty and importance with others. Today, Courtney Harper runs her own beach fishing business, teaching visitors and residents about the delicate balance of the coastal ecosystem and the value of protecting our natural resources. Her story is one of healing, heart, and a deep love for the waters that helped her find herself again.
Last spring, Courtney’s world turned upside down. Her job ended abruptly, and her father fell ill — a double blow that left her searching for direction. Instead of forcing her way forward, she chose to slow down. Each morning began on the beach, rod in hand, watching the first light stretch across the Gulf.
After her father passed away in June, she retreated fully to her safe place — the shoreline.
An avid fisher for years, Courtney soon realized she was no longer focused solely on the catch. The true reward came in the rhythm of the waves, the shimmer of jellyfish drifting by, the quiet glide of stingrays, and the ever-changing patterns of the coastal dune lakes. Even on the days without a single fish, she found something far more valuable — peace, love, and gratitude.
As the days turned into weeks, beachgoers began to take notice. Families and couples stopped to ask about her technique, the fish in the Gulf, and the wildlife they spotted nearby. Those simple conversations sparked an idea — to blend her two passions: fishing and natural resource education.
While rebuilding her life, Courtney still needed to pay the bills. That is when Angie Thompson offered her an opportunity with Fishing Tackle Retailer magazine and its sister platform, The Fishing Wire. Joining the team at the ICAST trade show in July solidified her new path. Surrounded by the hum of conversation and rows of innovative products, Courtney felt alive for the first time in years.
“The support from the fishing community has been incredible,” Courtney says. “It feels like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be.”
Courtney’s next chapter took shape thanks to encouragement from local partners. BayBreeze Bait & Tackle has been instrumental in helping her order gear and promote her growing platform. Blake Hunter of Reel 30A has also been a key supporter, even offering to collaborate on upcoming kids’ fishing camps.
It was Tim Braddock, Jr, the owner of BayBreeze, who gave her the nickname that stuck — the Pompano Queen. Known for catching the most (and largest) pompano whenever their group fished together, Courtney embraced the title and built her brand around it.
Pompano Queen sessions are offered daily at sunrise, with all equipment provided. Each class teaches sustainable and responsible surf fishing practices, along with lessons on the plants and wildlife that make the Gulf ecosystem so unique; curriculum is provided by Florida Fish and Wildlife.
Safety is also central to every outing. Courtney ensures participants understand how to recognize and manage potential beach hazards, so their experience is both fun and secure.
Beyond lessons, Pompano Queen also offers surf fishing rental packages throughout Panama City Beach and the 30A area. Each rental includes a brief Q&A session to help guests get started confidently.
Classes and rental gear are both available at www.pompanoqueen.com.
With more visitors and full-time residents flocking to the area, Courtney sees education as essential. “When people understand how unique the nature here is,” she says, “they’re encouraged and inspired to protect it.”
Through her work, Courtney Harper continues to prove that healing and purpose can flow from the same tide — and that sometimes, the best way to find yourself is by casting a line into the sunrise.
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