October 12th, 2019, was filled with unexpected twists and delightful surprises. It was supposed to be a day of boat adventures with my wife, but work had other plans, as they required my assistance. Nevertheless, we made the best of our altered plans and had a memorable trip on the water.

We left the dock around 2:00 p.m., choosing to stay in the Intracoastal waters due to getting a late start. Despite the change in plans, the day promised to be beautiful, and we were determined to enjoy it to the fullest.

We had a successful afternoon on the water, catching various fish. We landed mangrove snapper, lane snapper, schoolmaster snapper, porkfish, grunt, grouper, rockfish, spanish mackerel, blue runner, and Jacks. Out of all the fish we caught, we only kept five lane snappers and one spanish mackerel.

We got to catch fish, and God graced us with his creations! We were blessed to see a large school of mullet being chased by a four-foot shark. To top it off, a stingray jumped entirely out of the water about 6 feet from the boat. It was a reminder of the wonders that can unfold when you’re out on the water.

The conditions that day were pristine, and the incoming tide added to the overall allure of our adventure. We couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting.

Upon our return home, exhaustion washed over me, but the anticipation of a delicious meal kept me going. I placed the day’s catch in a plastic bag, generously drizzling it with avocado oil and a blend of Everglade heat seasoning, a savory mix of flavors that promised to complement the fish beautifully.

When I got home from work the following day, it was time to indulge in the fruits of our labor. While my wife, Tania, isn’t a fan of fish, I prepared a few succulent turkey burgers for her while Tania baked some steak fries. Tania enjoyed her burgers and fries while I enjoyed fish and chips!

As I reminisce about that October day in 2019, I can’t help but feel a sense of gratitude for the unexpected moments that made it truly special. Tania and I pray all heading out this week have blessed and safe trips. May you have tight lines and good times!

The Treasure Coast Chapter of Salt Strong now holds monthly meetings in Fort Pierce on the 4th Thursday of each month. These meetings are exclusive to inside members, who receive various perks, including 20% off tackle and access to Smart Fishing spots, and insider information on local trends. Monthly tournaments and guest speakers are also set to feature. To become an inside member, click the link below to receive a FREE pack of Slam Shady or a 10-Day Test-Drive of The Smart Fishing Spots App and The Salt Strong Insider Club. They ship you $35 worth of FREE Lures, an “Inshore Fishing Manifesto” Book (Physical copy), and decals – Yours to Keep Even If You Cancel!