As the sun rose over the horizon, painting the sky with hues of orange and pink, I found myself driving towards Blue Heron Beach, seeking solace in the rhythmic sound of the waves and the gentle tug of a fish on my line. It was a Friday morning, a day I had taken off from work, knowing that the weekend would demand my presence at the office. With Tania already gone for a conference, the house was quiet as I loaded the car with fishing gear and anticipation.

Arriving at the beach around 7:30 am, the incoming tide greeted me, promising a day of potential catches. High tide was hours away, giving me ample time to set up my four rods and cast them into the waiting waters. Once they were all cast out and set, I sat back in my chair and admired the beautiful creation before me.

As the hours passed, the bite remained elusive, testing my patience and resolve. But amidst the stillness, there was a sudden flurry of activity around 10:30 am. The first rod bent over, signaling a bite. As I was reeling in my first catch of the day, an 18-inch pompano, another rod went, and thankfully, the gentleman next to me grabbed it before it went into the water. Once I landed the first fish, another rod went; unfortunately, shortly after I started reeling, that one in a shark took my rig. Whatever was on the second rod was lost before we ever saw it.

Undeterred, I continued to fish, each moment spent in quiet communion with the sea. But fortune was fickle, as evidenced by losing another fish to a shark right at the breakwater and another fish lost to relentless predators. Despite the setbacks, I remained steadfast, finding solace in the ebb and flow of the waves.

As the clock neared 1:30 pm, I reluctantly packed up my gear; the day’s catch was an 18-inch pompano. Returning home, I shed the salt and sand to welcome Tania back after her long day. Though the fishing was slow, the day had offered its own rewards—a chance to clear my mind, find peace amidst the chaos, and reaffirm the resilience within.

In the end, perhaps the truest catch was the reminder that in life, as in fishing, the journey itself is often worth more than the destination. And so, with a heart full of gratitude and a mind renewed, I welcomed the evening, knowing that tomorrow would be a new day.

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!