Meet My Mermaid.

Have you ever looked closely at a stick of dynamite?  It's fairly small, thin, explosive.  But if you look even closer, sometimes you'll see things that make it unique from all the rest.  Christine Pulliam is that stick of dynamite.

(JR) You're shorter in person.

(CP) Laughing Thanks.

(JR) How long have you been hunting and fishing?

(CP) Since I can remember.  My Dad raised me to be an outdoor girl and I spent most of my time with him on the water or in a stand.  I killed my first deer when I was 9.

(JR) So most babies had rattles, you had poles and shotguns.

(CP) HAHA! I spent so much time outdoors that I literally can't be in the house now.  I'll get real anxious and freak out.  Mermaids can't be kept captive like that!

(JR) Agreed.  Are your siblings as into these kind of things as you are?

(CP) My sister is my best friend, but she's not into fishing, hunting, and getting dirty.  She was a cheerleader, and even though she learned how to do it, it wasn't her thing, and she didn't have the same desire to do it that I had.

(JR) You mentioned that she's more into being a mom right now than you are, but you're kind of a mom too in your own way, no?

(CP) I am, I LOVE my dog.  We are never apart.  We get up together, work out together, hunt and fish together, she sleeps right next to me at night and I cuddle her.  From the moment I got her we've been inseparable.  I originally got her just to hunt, but she never leaves my side.

(JR) So you hunt waterfowl then I take it.  What else?

(CP) Hogs, deer, turkeys, whatever really.  I'm going to be guiding in Texas now.

(JR) Do you still get out with your Dad often?

(CP) Actually, my Dad passed away not too long ago.  I haven't said anything about it.  I'm still processing the whole thing.  I miss him; it actually makes me want to be on the water that much more because I KNOW he's there with me.

Be sure to like my Facebook page for chances to win free gear!

(JR) It's nice to know that you shared that passion and that you can still enjoy it.  Some people never get to experience that, or stop doing it all together after losing their mentor.

(CP) I'll never stop.  I'm training right now to go on an Elk hunt this fall.  My plan is to stalk an Elk with my bow until I get it.  It's probably going to take me about two weeks total.

(JR) Have you been bow hunting long?

(CP) Not really.  But I am completely addicted.  I swear it's the most beautiful sport there is.

(JR) I know exactly what you mean.  How's the training going?

(CP) Great.  My girl and I get up early.  I work with her for about an hour on retrieving and swimming.  We have breakfast.  Then we do our Yoga before heading to the gym.  After that we run at the beach or head out on the water for some red fish fishing.

(JR) What is your favorite place/species?

(CP)  Red Fish.  For sure.  In Florida I spend most of my time fishing in either Mosquito Lagoon or Cape Canaveral, but I really like fishing the St. John's River too.

(JR) So what's your plan for this year?  Are you going to be fishing any tournaments or doing any specific hunting?

(CP) I'm actually going to start guiding in Texas at Elite Outdoorsman so when I'm not on the water here in Florida that's most likely where I'll be.  It's a huge ranch with incredible people and our rates are really great.  If you're looking to book a hunt you should come down and go with me!

Trick or Treat!

A special 5 In The Box Halloween edition with the lovely Kate Dattilo.

How long have you been fishing?

I've actually been fishing as long as I can remember.  It's been a part of my life so long I couldn't tell you the first time I went.

How were you introduced to it?

My Dad has always loved it.  When I was a kid growing up he always had the newest lures and gear, and our basement was like a tackle shop.  If needed anything at all, I could just go downstairs and get it.

Do you have brothers and sisters that share the same love for it that you do?

I have a sister, an older brother who has a daughter, and we all love it.

Why do you love it?  I mean, do you love it?

LOL, YES!  I'm on the water as much as I can be and I still get out with my dad at least once or twice a week.  

Does he still teach you things?

Absolutely.  My Dad fishes very slow, patiently.  He's not the type of person to run all over the lake hitting as many spots as he can for like 5 minutes before running to the next spot and the next and the next.  He takes his time, finds the fish, finds what they want to eat, and is really great at taking his time through it all.  I love that the most about fishing with him.  

Traditionally, most men would not look at a woman of your beauty and say "yeah, sure she baits her own hook".  Have you found it to be difficult for you to gain any sort of respect among men and even women for that matter, and if so how do you deal with that?

Yeah I have found it difficult but only with men; not all men, it seems like it's 50/50.  I feel like men either don't take me seriously at all, or are like "WOW!  She's a badass!".  But the people that I meet and interact with through social media have all been (for the most part) really positive and supportive.  

When guys think of female anglers right now they immediately think of like, Allison Shaw, Trait Crist, Claire Ansley, Stephanie Hemphill, Hillary Hughes, or like a Callie Shumway.  Do you find yourself able to identify with any of them or anyone like them, and do you have anyone like that who is also trying to accomplish the same things you are that you can reach out and talk to?

I don't talk to any of them, but for sure I think we all can identify with each other even if it's just because we all love to fish.  

What's your favorite way to fish?

God, I don't know.  Whatever they're eating.  lol.  Seriously though, that's really hard.  I love flippin a jig.  But I also really like a good topwater bite, or cranking when fish are active.  And who doesn't like throwin a Sick Stick or any old soft plastic Texas rigged?  

You're the first female angler to join Power Team Lures.  Congratulations!  How awesome was that?!?

Amazing!  It's a HUGE honor.  I'm so lucky to be a part of a company that I can honestly say "I was using this stuff before I joined the team" and to trust their baits and believe in them.  And to be the first woman is great, and gives me the opportunity to hopefully pave the way for other women as well.  I don't use any other soft plastics when I'm fishing.

What's the biggest bass you've ever caught?

You're lookin at her!

That's a great fish!

Thanks!  She was 6 lbs.

What's your favorite lake?

Lake Winnipesaukee.

Wait...Lake What?!!??

LOL...Winnipesaukee.  It's ok, everybody calls it Winni.

Least favorite?

Don't have one.

OK...let's get down to the nitty gritty!

1.  What's it like on a Sunday at your house when you're not fishing?

I'm always fishing, but if I'm not I'm probably watching the Packers!

Gross.

HAHAHA!  Shut up you know you love them!  

2.  Do you have any rituals or superstitions other than kissing every fish?

(Laughing) I organize all my tackle, it has to be all nice and neat.  By the end of the day everything is thrown everywhere.  I also pray to my grampa (he passed away two years ago) that he'll guide me through the day (and help me catch a toad)!

3.  What was the best day you had this year?

It was in May or early June.  My father and I went out and every fish I caught was like 3 lbs or bigger.  All chunks!  What a blast!

4.  What's the one place you're looking forward to fishing in 2014?

Lake Okeechobee.  There are just so many big fish there and I'm DIEING to go after them and try to catch my first 10 plus!

5.  What's one thing nobody knows about you?

I actually caught my face on fire when I was a little girl.  Thankfully I don't have any scars!  Other than that, I'm an open book!

5 In The Box with Claire Ansley!

She just oozes "southern hospitality" with kindness that needs to be felt to believed.  But make no mistake, Claire Ansley is not only (arguably) the hottest female angler on the planet, she just might be one of the best!

Why do you fish?

The same reason I breathe, it feels more natural than sleeping to me. I've fished as long as I can remember.

Who taught you?

Never had anybody to, I had seen people on tv do it and I began fishing with a coke can with old fishing line and a rusty hook in a pond near my Mom's house.

Are you fishing competitively now?

Yes, I fish mainly in buddy tournaments or as co angler.

What trails? BFL? Everstart? Opens?

Anything I or my sponsors allow or can afford, it's hard being a cop and paying for fishing too!

I was going to ask you what you do as your primary occupation, you're a police officer?

Yes, I'm a Deputy Sheriff, I answer calls, write tickets, serve warrants....whatever is necessary.

What's your favorite technique?

Deep diving crank-baits with the Rattle and Roll

Be sure to like my Facebook page for a chance to win free gear!

Do you think guys underestimate your ability to fish and compete because you're a woman?

Absolutely, even on my fan page they tell me things on "how" to fish.... From what I've seen I should be telling them. I have told so many that I'm a woman—not incapable, so many guys have that “it's a man’s world” view after all these years.

What's your favorite lake? And what's your least favorite?

My favorite would have to be Rodman or Seminole I love the thrill of hunting them. My least favorite would have to be Twin Lakes in Lake Park, GA.

Do you hunt too?

Yes, duck hunting is my favorite. But I'll tear up hog, deer, or turkey.

Let’s get into the last five!

1. Are you dating anyone currently?

I actually just got dumped, but I would love to have someone to take me fishing. Many guys are intimidated when it comes to fishing with a woman—they don't like to be defeated.

2. Do you have any pre-tournament rituals or superstitions?

I pray before and thank God I'm allowed to fish because there's many that aren't as fortunate as I am. And I load up on sweet tea and chicken and biscuits!

3. Where was your best finish in 2013, and where did you struggle the most?

Lake Seminole, I struggled on Twin Lakes though.

4. What's the one body of water you would pick to fish in 2013 if you had your choice?

I would be happy fishing anywhere in California catching those 20 lb bass they have out there!

5. What's one thing nobody knows about you:

I never could afford a boat growing up so when I was about 6/7 years old on the lakes I found one of those big Styrofoam blocks they used to keep under boats and I borrowed the neighbors trolling motor and fixed it to it and fished on it by myself on it for a few years.... Everyone from police to dfacs got called, but to this day it was the best boat I ever had.