It had been over a week since Tania and I had been out on the water, thanks to our work schedule and the foul weather that had plagued us. In times like this, I am reminded of a great fishing adventure with my best friend, Tania!

On October 7, 2018, As the sun began to paint the sky with its gentle morning hues, Tania and I arrived at the docks around 7:00 a.m., ready for our adventure. We wasted no time and soon found ourselves at our chosen spot by 7:30 a.m. This time, we decided to explore and try a channel marker we’d never fished before.

The wind was spirited that day, and it certainly made anchoring a bit of a challenge. We gave the new spot a good 15 minutes, but neither Tania nor I got a single nibble. Undaunted, we decided to switch to a channel marker we knew well, which usually held lots of fish. Thankfully, the wind and the current were aligned, making anchoring much smoother.

For an hour and a half, we cast our lines and reeled in a haul we could be proud of. Our catch included six under-sized mutton snappers, three sheepsheads, three legal mangrove snappers, and even a mojarra, or sand perch. Tiana had quite the battle on her hands when she was broken off twice by something formidable. One time, it nearly wrestled her rod right out of her grasp. I had my challenge as well, being broken off once. To this day, I can only speculate that it was a slot snook, as we never managed to bring it to the surface.

Our fishing expedition also offered us the opportunity to witness nature in action. An osprey, perched about 150 yards away, was eating its breakfast – a freshly caught fish. It was a sight to behold, and Tiana and I made a pact to bring our good camera on our next trip, ensuring we wouldn’t miss capturing such moments.

The bite slowed down as the tide slowed, prompting us to shift to our favorite spot. Here, the wind and current worked in our favor, making anchoring a breeze. We were soon rewarded with a bountiful catch of lane snapper. I only kept the larger ones, measuring between 9 to 11 inches.

By 11:00 a.m., we ran out of bait, but our cooler was brimming with fish. It had been a beautiful day on the water, one to cherish in our memories. We encountered a delightful surprise on our way home from Fort Pierce Marina. Ten peacocks were proudly strutting along the roadside, their vibrant plumage a testament to the beauty of nature.

Despite the exhaustion from the previous day’s travel, I couldn’t help but look forward to preparing those fish for dinner. Tomorrow, I had plans to create mouthwatering fish tacos, and I promised to capture the culinary delight with some pictures to share.

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!