January 31, 2014
By Florida Sportsman Staff
A beloved member of the Southeast Florida fishing community is gone.
The Florida fishing community is grieving the loss of Capt. Andy Tasker. Capt. Andy, 32, died yesterday in Stuart, Florida.
A vibrant and joyous man—and by all accounts a terrific and competitive fisherman with numerous tournament awards to his name—Andy was a professional charter captain in Stuart and a sports photographer with a growing reputation. He was a friend of the Florida Sportsman staff and community as well, familiar to readers both for his work behind the camera and for his appearance in magazine photographs—most recently on the January, 2014 cover—and for his presence at media events across the state in recent years. He will be deeply missed.
“Andy knew how to catch fish better than most and he understood how to inject motion into his photos, whether he was in the picture or taking the photo,” said Blair Wickstrom, publisher of Florida Sportsman. “Fishing with Andy was fun and that's what you saw in his photos, fun. He knew how to make average catches look above average. We're going to miss Captain Andy.”
Though successful on many fronts and known to so many as a bright personality, Tasker tragically took his life in connection with personal illness issues.
“Andy's wishes were to have a big party on his birthday, February 16,” said Drew Wickstrom, Florida Sportsman art director, who worked with Tasker on photographic projects and fished with him often on their home waters of Stuart. “We will have that party, and it will be a memorial for Andy, too.”
The memorial for Andy Tasker is planned for Feb. 16 at River Palms Cottages in Jensen Beach. To attend, come by skiff or by car. Andy's life on the water will be celebrated with a ceremony on the flats off the beach at River Palms. Details will be posted on the Florida Sportsman Forum and on Facebook.
Below is a photographic tribute to Andy Tasker, angler, photographer and friend.
