On a picturesque Thursday morning following Tania’s appointment at the Mayo Clinic, the lure of the open water called us to the Freedom Boat Club in Saint Augustine for an afternoon of fishing. Blessed with the finest weather of the week, the gentle breeze and balmy 75-degree temperature set the stage for a memorable outing. But before we could set sail, we had to get some bait.

We consulted with the knowledgeable attendant at the Bait Shack, a local tackle shop. With the sheepshead bite reportedly slow, our focus shifted to the elusive flounder or trout. While flounder typically favors the summer months, signs of their early arrival intrigued us. Armed with a selection of mud minnows and shrimp, our bait of choice, we arrived at the dock around 10:00 am.

Our first destination, Matanzas Sandbar, promised excitement as a renowned hotspot according to the Salt Strong Smart Fishing Spots. En route, we stumbled upon a bustling school of fish blowing up on the water’s surface. With a pink and white pompano jig in hand, Tania wasted no time casting her line. Within moments, she had a few tugs on her line, which quickly turned into fighting a bluefish.

Eager to join the action, I cast a slam shady 2.0, fully aware of its imminent sacrifice to the toothy bluefish. As Tania’s rig succumbed to the relentless assault of the bluefish, I gave her my rig so she could keep fishing. While I was rerigging her rod, she caught a few more bluefish but lost the tail of the paddle tail. Not wanting to miss the action, she cast the jig head with a piece of soft plastic, showcasing how aggressive the bluefish were. Despite losing several rigs to the voracious predators, we enjoyed the action.

With the outgoing tide guiding our next move, we navigated to the mouth of Hospital Creek in pursuit of flounder or trout. Despite our efforts, the bluefish continued to dominate, lured by the tantalizing allure of the Slam Shady 2.0. Undeterred, we adjusted our strategy, focusing on the elusive sheepshead.

Positioned beneath the towering arches of the Vilano Bridge, we cast our lines in anticipation of a prized catch. While the black seabass provided ample entertainment, we managed to put a modest 14-inch sheepshead in the cooler to bring home!

As the clock approached 3:00 pm, we reluctantly bid farewell to the tranquil waters, content in the knowledge that our hearts were full while our cooler was light. Amidst the flurry of fish and the majestic presence of dolphins, we found solace in the simple pleasures of angling, reaffirming the age-old adage that the true essence of fishing lies not in the size of the catch but in the moments shared and memories made on the water.

Tania and I send our best wishes to all fellow anglers. We hope 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. If you are interested in learning more about Salt Strong, click the links below to receive a FREE pack of Slam Shady or a 30-day test drive.