How Trump’s Renaming of the Gulf Led to a 554% Revenue Spike for a Charter in Venice, LA
Garrett Shackelford
Apr 1st, 2025
The Power of a Name & a System
Two years ago, Adam Peterson and BJ Crookshank had a bold idea: start a new charter business in Venice, LA—one of the most competitive fishing markets in the world.
Veteran charters told them they were crazy. Venice is the Tuna Capital of the world, filled with established competitors and deeply loyal clients. From the outside, it looked like a saturated market with no room for disruption.
But Adam and BJ had a plan.
They landed on a standout name: Gulf of America Outfitters.
The name alone sparked attention, but they didn’t stop there. They paired it with a differentiated, all-inclusive experience on the best boats in Venice. To scale fast, they partnered with Mallard Bay for marketing, awareness, and a tech-driven booking and back-office system.
Together, we mapped out an omnichannel strategy:
- Social and email campaigns
- Paid ads and SEO
- Influencer marketing
- Conservation auction partnerships to fill tough weekday spots
Seizing the Moment
When Trump signed the executive order renaming the Gulf, Adam and our team took action.
We flooded social media with content:
- High-energy tuna fishing footage
- Engaging storytelling about the Gulf renaming
- Targeted ads and an organic content push
The result? A surge of bookings and inbound interest.
- February 2024: $33,000 in trips booked
- February 2025: $216,000 in trips booked, a 554% year-over-year increase
- $45,000 in merchandise sales in two weeks
- Increased website traffic and social engagement
Lessons for Outfitters
Preparation Meets Opportunity
Opportunities arise, but success belongs to those who are ready. Most outfitters weren’t prepared for the Gulf renaming, but Gulf of America Outfitters had the systems and content strategy in place to capitalize on the moment.
Scalability is Key
A 554% increase in bookings could overwhelm a traditional charter operation. Gulf of America Outfitters thrived because they had:
- Automated online bookings and payments, allowing them to collect revenue effortlessly.
- Efficient delegation between captains and lodges, ensuring seamless coordination.
Looking Ahead
Success in this industry is about more than luck. It’s about being prepared, leveraging technology, and seizing opportunities as they come. If you’re an outfitter looking for scalable marketing and booking solutions, now is the time to take action.
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