Birthdays often call for special celebrations, and when it was Tania’s turn to celebrate her big day, we had something unique in mind. Originally planning a trip to Myakka State Park and Sarasota, Tania decided to change course at the last minute and opt for a fishing adventure. The day was filled with surprises, challenges, and some unexpected catches.

Tania took the day off work for her birthday, and our original plan was to explore Myakka State Park, followed by Sarasota. However, Tania wanted to go fishing! I called the boat club to inquire about securing an offshore boat on short notice. We managed to secure one, to our delight, and our plans for a fishing expedition were set in motion.

We couldn’t have asked for a better day to be on the water. The weather forecast indicated 2-3 feet seas and a 5-10 knot NW wind. Excitement was in the air as we arrived at the dock bright and early, around 6:45 a.m. However, we had to wait for sunrise before setting sail. This gave us some extra time to prepare and load up the boat.

Our destination for the day was the “boils,” where we hoped to catch some snook. Our adventure officially began when we reached the boils at approximately 7:45 a.m. The first drift brought promising results as I reeled in a decent-sized croaker, which quickly made its way to our cooler.

The day had its share of challenges. Surprisingly stronger than the forecast, the wind blew directly from the north, making the drift slower than expected. At times, it felt as if we were barely moving. Undeterred, we persisted, working hard to entice the fish to bite.

Throughout the morning, we reeled in several fish, but none were the snook or permit we had set our sights on. The underwater predators had their share of fun, making off with about 10 of our lures, which added some frustration to our trip.

I even broke one of my rod tips fighting a fish. I had something on that was running and took me around the back of the boat; by the time I got to the other side, it turned and went directly under the boat. I popped the bail, hoping to get some room to get around to the other side of the boat. Unfortunately, there was so much tension on the rod when I popped the bail, the rod snapped back, breaking my rod tip and the line.

Despite not catching our targeted species, we made the most of the day and came home with a satisfying haul. Our catch included three lane snappers, two croakers, and a jack crevalle. It might not have gone precisely according to plan, but our fishing adventure was a memorable birthday celebration for Tania.

Sometimes, the best adventures are the ones that go differently than planned. Our impromptu decision to go fishing on Tania’s birthday led to a day full of surprises, challenges, and an excellent catch. We may not have hooked the snook we hoped for, but the thrill of the chase and fellowship on the water made this birthday celebration memorable.

Tania and I send our best wishes to all fellow anglers, hoping your fishing adventures are safe, blessed, and full of tight lines and good times! Until next time, keep casting and chasing those dreams on the water.

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, 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!