Mike Laptew

Biography

Laptew has been diving for over half a century, and fishing since shortly after his first steps. A one-time competitive spearfisherman, he lay down his gun 21 years ago, and has shot fish exclusively with a camera over the intervening two-plus decades. He admits how lucky he’s been to shape a career around his driving passion.

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Mike’s footage may be found in the International Game Fishing Association (IGFA) Museum in Dania Beach, FL, as well as at aquariums and universities nationwide. Laptew has contributed underwater footage of sailfish, striped bass, fluke, bluefish, and roosterfish—among many other key gamefish—to such televised programs as National Geographic’s Wild Chronicles and Strange Days on Planet Earth; Days of a Sportsman, Saltwater Sportsman, Walker’s Cay Chronicles, Out There, Fishing New England, along with numerous documentaries and PBS productions. His writing and photography have been featured in an array of national and regional fishing magazines including Field & Stream, Saltwater Sportsman, Gray’s Sporting Journal, The Redbone Journal, On The Water, Offshore/ Northeast Boating, Center Console Angler and The Fisherman Magazine.