MARINE SPOTLIGHT: Pluff Mud Princess (Katie Jo Buchanan)
MARINE SPOTLIGHT - Pluff Mud Princess aka Katie Jo Buchanan
This month, Marine Detail Supply Charleston is spotlighting Katie Jo Buchanan, better known as the Pluff Mud Princess, a local angler who has carved her own path in the fishing world. From learning on her own to inspiring others to pick up a rod, Katie Jo’s journey is one of resilience, passion, and a deep connection to the water.
Unlike many seasoned anglers, Katie Jo didn’t grow up with a fishing rod in her hands. Though her father was an avid bass fisherman, he passed away before he could pass down his love for the sport. It wasn’t until her teenage years, while dating someone who loved to fish, that she discovered her own passion for it. “It just seemed like something that should’ve been shared with me a long time ago,” she says. But when that relationship ended, Katie Jo had a revelation: she didn’t need anyone to teach her how to fish. Determined to learn on her own, she spent the next decade honing her skills on the water, making mistakes, learning from them, and growing into the experienced angler she is today. That self-taught journey fuels her passion for teaching others, proving that anyone, regardless of background, can find their place in fishing.
Katie Jo has experience in all types of fishing: saltwater, freshwater, inshore, offshore, and even fly fishing. But her heart belongs to inshore fishing in the Lowcountry. “For me, it’s honestly just the time spent on the water,” she says. “Reconnecting not only with myself and nature but in an unspoken way, spending time with my dad. I know with every fishing trip, he is there cheering me on. Even on the hard days when the fish aren’t biting, I know he is there.” That emotional connection, combined with the thrill of the catch, is what keeps her coming back to the water time and time again.
As a woman in the fishing world, Katie Jo has faced her share of challenges. “There’s this constant pressure to prove yourself, outside of just being ‘another pretty woman on the internet who loves to fish,’” she says. But over time, she’s learned that proving herself to others isn’t what matters. Instead, she focuses on doing what she loves – fishing, teaching others, and being a mentor for her own son. That, she says, has brought her more confidence and fulfillment than any outside validation ever could.
For those looking to get into fishing but don’t know where to start, Katie Jo’s advice is simple: just begin. “It doesn’t matter how you start, who taught you, or how long you’ve been fishing. Just begin. There is so much power in doing something you love, even if you don’t learn like everyone else.” She encourages newcomers to embrace their differences, be bold, and enjoy the experience. “Fishing knows no limitations and will never judge you for just being yourself. Get out there and go fishing.”
Katie Jo Buchanan is more than just an angler. She’s a mentor, an advocate for breaking barriers, and a reminder that sometimes, the best journeys start when you decide to take the first step on your own. Follow her journey on social media at Pluff Mud Princess, and stay tuned for more content with MDSC.
