From a Seed in Alaska
to a
Calling in Crystal River
While stationed there with the U.S. Army Aviation Corps, our founder, Mike Fuller, experienced a tournament that brought soldiers together for a day of fishing and fellowship. The impact of that event—the laughter, the peace on the water, and the bond between brothers in arms—stayed with him long after his service ended in 2012.
Years later, after making Crystal River his home, Mike knew it was time to let that seed grow. Together with his wife, Kaylah, who serves as the Director of Operations, the vision began to take shape. It started with a simple conversation at the docks with a few local charter captains. Mike shared a vision: to give veterans a "safe harbor" right here in Citrus County where they could leave their battles on the shore and just be fishermen for a day.
The response from the captains was immediate: "When do we start?"
Growing Before We Launch
As we began planning our inaugural tournament for September 2026, something incredible happened. As we prayed over this event, we realized that God was calling us to do more than just one day of fishing.
We realized that while a single day on the boat offers much-needed respite, our warriors need a "safe harbor" every day of the year. The battles they face—trauma, isolation, and spiritual crisis—don't take days off. So, before our first boat has even left the ramp, our mission expanded.
What was originally just a tournament idea has blossomed into a year-round commitment. To encompass this broader calling, we officially formed Warriors Anchored in Faith, while proudly continuing to run our flagship tournament under the Crystal River Take a Soldier Fishing name. As we began planning our inaugural tournament for September 2026, something incredible happened. As we prayed over this event, we realized that God was calling us to do more than just one day of fishing.
We realized that while a single day on the boat offers much-needed respite, our warriors need a "safe harbor" every day of the year. The battles they face—trauma, isolation, and spiritual crisis—don't take days off. So, before our first boat has even left the ramp, our mission expanded.
What was originally just a tournament idea has blossomed into a year-round commitment. To encompass this broader calling, we officially formed Warriors Anchored in Faith, while proudly continuing to run our flagship tournament under the Crystal River Take a Soldier Fishing name.
A Year-Round Safe Harbor
We are moving forward in faith, growing before we even get started.
While a major focus is our upcoming September 2026 tournament, all proceeds raised go directly toward funding that event and launching our ongoing, faith-based support programs. This includes everything from mentorship initiatives to our "Mess Calls"—our scheduled monthly community cookouts where veterans and their families can gather, break bread, and find lasting fellowship.
Join us as we launch this September.