Paul Robertson and Fishing For MD: Turning a Passion for Boating into a Force for Good

Paul Robertson grew up in Ocean City, Maryland, where the water and boating culture became part of his life at an early age. As a teenager and into his twenties and thirties, he spent as much time as he could offshore, learning to read the ocean and developing a particular affinity for billfish. Even while building a business and raising four children with his wife, Robertson made time to troll the deep-water lines that became central to his identity as an angler.

That trajectory changed when Robertson began experiencing unexplained falls and consulted a doctor. He was diagnosed with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy, a progressive neuromuscular condition for which there is currently no cure. The diagnosis challenged him both physically and emotionally. After a severe fall in his garage, he reached a low point. It was a phone call from a friend — a reminder of a long-discussed plan to form a professional fishing team — that helped pull him back from despair. “He told me to get on it, because dreams expire,” Robertson says.

Robertson’s original idea for a fishing team focused on camaraderie, competition and modest profit. After his diagnosis and that difficult period, he reshaped the plan to include a charitable mission. He contacted the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) with a proposal to co-brand a team and use the tournament trail as a platform to raise awareness and funds for the disease that had affected his life. With MDA’s support, he established the nonprofit Fishing For MD (FFMD).

FFMD was built around two complementary activities: competing in offshore tournaments and organizing fundraising events that bring together the marine industry and supporters of the cause. In 2015, while seeking sponsorships at the Fort Lauderdale Boat Show, Robertson secured support from Everglades Boats. The company provided a 435CC for the team’s tournament use, the first of six boats Everglades would donate to FFMD over time. Those donations gave Robertson and his team the equipment they needed to compete effectively and to showcase the organization at major events.

Today, the Fishing For MD team typically fishes about 22 tournaments a year. Tournament purse winnings contribute to the nonprofit’s revenue, but the organization also relies on direct fundraising. Robertson chairs an annual gala that draws industry leaders, marine professionals and community supporters. The gala has proven remarkably successful: it raised $300,000 in its first year and then $600,000 at each of the next three consecutive events. Those proceeds have become an important part of FFMD’s ability to advance its mission and maintain visibility for muscular dystrophy on the tournament circuit.

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted plans for in-person events and the regular tournament calendar, but Robertson and FFMD adapted. Even when schedules shifted, the team remained committed to staying on the water and keeping the message alive. Robertson continues to helm an Everglades boat when conditions allow, often greeting friends and supporters with the same easy smile and optimistic attitude that have defined his public presence from the start.

At 52, Robertson describes his life in simple, grounded terms: he has a family, a business background, a team of supporters and a nonprofit that channels his love of fishing into practical help and public awareness for muscular dystrophy. He emphasizes that the work of Fishing For MD is about more than tournament wins; it’s about creating opportunities to talk about the disease, to engage people who might not otherwise be involved, and to raise funds that can make a difference for those affected.

While the diagnosis remains an ongoing reality, Robertson’s approach reflects resilience and purpose. The combination of competitive fishing, strong industry partnerships and high-impact fundraising events has allowed FFMD to grow from a personal idea into an organized effort that brings together anglers, businesses and families in support of a common cause. Robertson’s story is a reminder that leisure pursuits can become meaningful platforms for change when driven by conviction and community.

Jeanne Craig
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This article was originally published in the January 2021 issue.