Before pursuing his passion as a full-time captain and commercial fisherman, Captain Leighton worked in a corporate career for 13 years, only to spend his free time on the water. His family has been in Florida since the early 1880’s and he is a second-generation guide.

The family eventually moved to become part of the community on Gasparilla Island; and at one time owned the historic Journey’s End property on 18th street. To this day, Captain Leighton has family residing in Boca Grande, Florida. Captain Leighton is a member of the Boca Grande Guides Association, and a U.S Merchant Marine; his extensive fishing experience has brought him to live in places from Destin to the exclusive Ocean Reef Club where he lived four years. He currently resides in historic Punta Gorda, Florida with his four children. When Leighton is not on the water, he is an avid reader and writer; he enjoys cooking for his friends and family, and vacationing in the Great Smokey Mountains.