As foul weather keeps me away from the waters, I find myself reminiscing about an extraordinary fishing trip that took place on November 23, 2019. On this particular day, the cold fronts were rolling in, and the water temperature hovered around 67 degrees, setting the stage for an exciting day on the boat. Accompanied by Tania and our friend Gil, we embarked on a journey with the primary goal of catching sheepshead. While they weren’t as abundant in the river as we had hoped, the day was remarkable, filled with diverse catches and memorable moments.

On the water, with Tana and Gil by my side, we were targeting sheepshead amid the changing weather conditions. The cold fronts promised a unique challenge, but we were determined to make the most of the day. Although the sheepshead were not as thick as expected, our fishing adventure was successful.

By the end of the day, our haul included a mix of redfish, black drum, spotted seatrout, sheepshead, and mangrove snapper. The variety of catches reflected the richness of the waters we explored. Among our notable catches were two redfish measuring 27 inches and 19 inches, three black drums ranging from 14 ½ inches to 24 inches, and three spotted sea trout measuring 15 ½ inches, 16 inches, and 17 inches.

The day was full of action. In addition to what we brought home, we also caught two short snook, around 20 jacks, ten short mutton snapper, a ladyfish, a variety of pinfish, and even a stingray. The thrill of the day was heightened by the mystery of a few elusive catches that managed to slip away, leaving us with tales of the “ones that got away.”

Despite a three-week hiatus from our boating adventures, luck was on our side, and we were blessed with a truly awesome day. Tana wanted to ensure everyone knew about her remarkable achievement—landing the biggest fish of the day, a 27-inch redfish. It was a day of great fellowship, shared excitement, and the joy of being on the water.

As I reflect on this memorable fishing trip, I can’t help but appreciate the unpredictable nature of the sea, the thrill of the catch, and the fellowship forged with friends on the boat.

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!