SALTD started with a fishing rod in the hands of a 6-year-old kid from Orange County, California.
My name is Cody Labasan, and fishing has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Some of my earliest memories were spent at Santa Ana River Lakes with my dad and my grandpa, catching trout and catfish—and, every now and then, a rock or two.
As I got older, fishing became more than something I did for fun. My family spent summers fishing in Bishop, California, creating memories that I still carry with me today.
Then my Pa told me it was time to experience offshore fishing.
At eight years old, I jumped on a four-day fishing charter out of Point Loma in San Diego with my dad and grandpa. I had no idea what I was getting myself into. I came home with my first yellowtail, dorado, and yellowfin tuna—and a story I'll never forget.
Apparently, catching your first tuna meant eating its heart while it was still beating.
I gave it my best shot.
I chewed it for about five seconds.
Then I threw up.
It wasn't my favorite meal, but it became one of my favorite memories.
Those experiences with my dad and Pa helped shape the way I see fishing today.
MORE THAN THE CHASE
When I was younger, fishing was about the biggest fish, the newest spots, the next bait, and finding that next bite.
I still love chasing big fish. I still love being offshore. I still love the adrenaline of a good bite.
But as I've gotten older, I've realized fishing is about something much bigger.
It's about the people standing beside you.
It's about the early mornings, the long days, the laughter, the stories, the silence, and the moments you don't realize you'll remember for the rest of your life.
It's about being on the water with your family and friends and having the chance to slow down and appreciate everything you've been blessed with.
One of those memories came with my brother Ryan. We took our dad's boat to Catalina Island chasing yellowtail. We were paddy hopping when we pulled up to our first paddy and immediately got a double hookup.
By the end of the day, we had six yellowtail on the boat.
The fish were awesome.
But being able to experience that with my brother is what made the day unforgettable.
That's what fishing means to me now.
WHY SALTD EXISTS
SALTD was created with a vision to build something bigger than a fishing apparel brand.
I wanted to create a brand for people who genuinely live the fishing lifestyle.
The ones who wake up at 3 A.M. to go fishing.
The ones who don't mind getting dirty.
The ones with fishy hands, salty skin, tired bodies, and stories to tell.
The ones who would rather be on the water than almost anywhere else.
The ones who chase fish, chase adventure, and chase memories.
But most importantly, SALTD is for people who want to be part of something.
We are building a community of fishermen who share the same passion for the water, the same respect for the lifestyle, and the same desire to keep learning, fishing, and pushing forward.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SALTD?
Being SALTD isn't just wearing a shirt or a hat.
It's a lifestyle.
You're dialed in.
You know your stuff.
You're always looking for the next bite.
You love being on the water.
You don't mind getting a little salty.
And when you wear SALTD, you wear it with confidence.
We want you to feel like you're part of something when you put on SALTD. We want you to feel different. We want you to feel special.
We want you to have that aura.
Because SALTD represents the fishermen who live for the chase.
BUILT WITH PURPOSE
We believe fishing apparel should be built for more than just looking good on a boat.
SALTD is designed to be worn wherever the lifestyle takes you—from the offshore grounds to the lake, river, beach, dock, or a night out with friends.
Our goal is simple:
Quality clothing. Clean designs. Authentic fishing culture.
Everything we create is inspired by real experiences and the culture we've grown up around—not something manufactured for a trend.
And our customers aren't just customers.
They're part of the community.
As SALTD grows, our goal is to give back and support local fishermen and people who are learning how to fish. We want to help introduce others to the same experiences that shaped us and create opportunities for more people to experience what makes fishing so special.
THE VISION IS JUST BEGINNING
I believe SALTD can become much bigger than apparel.
I see a community.
I see fishermen helping fishermen.
I see people wearing SALTD from the local lake to offshore waters around the world.
I see a brand that represents the culture, the people, and the lifestyle of fishing.
And one day, I want SALTD to be one of the biggest fishing brands in the world.
The possibilities are limitless.
But that vision doesn't start someday.
It starts right now.
From a kid fishing with his dad and Pa in Southern California to building something that can be passed onto the next generation—that's what SALTD means to me.
Thank you for being here.
Thank you for supporting the vision.
And most importantly, thank you for being part of the chase.
STAY SALTY.
LIVE SALTD.
CHASE WHAT LIES BEYOND.
— Cody Labasan
Founder, SALTD