In 1974, a young Robert Trosset Jr. of Rockledge had just graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in journalism. But he probably was the only one in his family who knew he'd never write a word.

Trosset had a different dream. He was a fisherman at heart, and a fine one at that, and he knew he'd never be happy until he had his captain's license and his own business as a fishing guide out of Key West.

To the chagrin of his parents, it wasn't long before Trosset packed his bags, hitched his 14-foot Mako to his Pontiac sedan, and he headed south.

In the 28 years since he made "that crazy decision," as his father, Robert Trosset Sr., remembers it, Robert "RT" Trosset has become a legend in his own time among a core of guiding professionals synonymous with Key West sportfishing.

On Saturday, the 53-year-old Trosset... will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award in a special celebration at the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach.

"When we started this achievement award program last year, the criteria was that an angler or guide had to account for at least 100 world-record catches," said Michael Leech, the ambassador-at-large for the IGFA and former president. "That really sets these people apart."

To date, Trosset has set 152 world records, both personally and with his clients.

"His clients read like a who's who in the world of fishing," says a press release describing Trosset's accomplishments. Trosset also has an amazing number of MET tournament awards and fishing tournament wins.

Robert Sr. and Pat Trosset of Viera remember how, as a teenager going to Cocoa High School, Robert constantly fished in the Indian River and offshore Port Canaveral. He was barely old enough to drive when he joined the Florida Sport Fishing Association, a Cape Canaveral-based fishing club still active with more than 200 members.

"To this day he even goes fishing on his vacations," said Robert Sr. "It's hard to believe that he loves it that much."

"Robert could think like a fish," added his mother.

Robert -- who didn't become known as "RT" until he moved to Key West -- was still a teenager when he was crowned the Champion Angler in the FSFA. Also, he was one of the first to achieve Grand Master, the highest angling achievement in the club.

"He was, and still is, a spectacular fisherman," said Ron Rincones of Valkaria, the club's first Grand Master. "I was fishing with him once when he caught a world record tripletail on his second cast. Only RT could do something like that."

Some of his longtime fishing buddies included Eddie Legge, Troy Perez and Joe Penovich.

In his early years as a guide, Trosset named his boat the "Smilin' Jack." Later he switched to "Spindrift." He operates out of Hurricane Hole Marina.

Trosset... has two sons who are following in his footsteps. Robert III is 20 and Christopher is 16, and already they have developed reputations as fine anglers.

Needless to say, the Trosset name will be well-known in Key West fishing circles for years to come.