NAUTICAL MILE

P  U  B  L  I  C  A  T  I  O  N  S

Nautical Mile Publications

82# Black Grouper caught aboard the “Grooper Snooper” August 2005

Jim Griffiths

Nautical Mile Enterprises
Founder / Publisher

 

At the age of 4, Jim moved to Lee County from

Long Island and has seen a lot of changes. With

a few years in Key Largo, California and a quick

stop in Alaska, his life has always been spent on

the water, usually with a fishing rod in his hands.

As a kid working at the boat rentals at Pennekamp

Park in Key Largo, a custom rod builder and part

time on charter boats out of the Ocean Reef Club

in the 80’s, cable TV came to town and MTV

was the big thing. Visions of being a rock star

appeared so Jim packed up and headed to

California. He did well playing guitar, but he knew it wasn't his calling. Jim then traveled Alaska for a few

months to "Find Himself", but a phone call from Florida found him instead. His sister, Donna Griffiths,

was dying of cancer and his place was home with her. Her death hit him hard and taught him to appreciate

life while it was good.

 

"Her death was my toughest experience, but I have great friends, I'm healthy and I live in a great country with

unlimited opportunity, so I'm making my time here count".

 

A job detailing cars lead to the Waxman, a mobile boat detailing business that Jim started in 1998, where

the idea for The Nautical Mile came from. "My customers were always asking me about local information

or where they could buy something. Why is there no directory for boaters in a city that has over 400 miles

of canals"? With a wax clientele of over 100 boaters, Jim saw a local marine related publication/directory in

more demand than waxing boats, so off he went. With no publishing experience or advertising knowledge, he

knew the community wanted it and would support it if he was willing to build it. "You do not have to know

how to do something to be good at it. You do have to be honest,

a student, and willing to do what it takes".

The Nautical Mile now has over 100 distribution points that

move thousands of papers monthly. Though Jim didn't sleep, fish

or socialize for about a year, he credits the success of the company

to friends, writers and businesses that support the paper.

He fishes aboard the "Grooper Snooper" with Capt. Mike

Coppola and resides with his Lab "Bo" in Bokeelia.

 

Special Thanks to:
Chuck Caukins, Ft. Myers Marine
Mike Coppola, Lifetime Fishing Pal
Mom, Mike & Bo

Elmer Tabor

 

The Nautical Mile is published monthly

in memory of Dean-O Hicks