This past Saturday, Tania, me, and two of our youth volunteers headed out to Blue Heron Beach to scout the area for our upcoming family fish camp on October 5th. The water conditions, with less-than-desirable color, weren’t ideal, but we set our lines and waited to see what the day would bring.

The youth volunteers, eager to make the most of the trip, began walking the beach, casting lures, hoping to find a bite. Not long after they left, one of our rods went off, and Tania brought in a catfish – not precisely the prize we were hoping for, but a catch, nonetheless.

Shortly after, excitement picked up when one of the boys hooked into something. Tania rushed over to help him out, and after a short fight, he landed his first-ever Spanish mackerel, a nice-sized keeper that thrilled him! We decided the mackerel was perfect for making fish dip, which I prepared for him and his family.

Though the action slowed down after that, Tania managed to reel in a solid pompano. As we continued fishing, we noticed plenty of bait in the water, and the angler next to us had his hands full, battling a good-sized tarpon.

Just as we were about to wrap up, my rod got slammed by what we can only imagine was a massive fish. The strike was so strong it snapped my rod holder, and I had to chase down the rod. Unfortunately, the fish popped off almost as soon as I picked it up. Based on the broken hook and the decisive hit, I guessed it was a shark at first; however, with the broken hook, I could only think it was a big permit, like the one I caught around this time a few years back, which broke my rod holder just like this one.

Though the day wasn’t full of fish, the excitement, especially for our young volunteers, made it a memorable outing. I’m looking forward to seeing what October 5th brings!

Tania and I send our best wishes to all fellow anglers. May your fishing adventures be safe, blessed, and filled with 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 hosts monthly meetings in Fort Pierce on the 4th Thursday of each month. These meetings offer a range of benefits to members, including a 20% discount on tackle, access to Smart Fishing spots, and insider information on local trends. Additionally, there will be monthly tournaments and guest speakers featured. To learn more about Salt Strong, click the links below for a FREE pack of Slam Shady or a 30-day test drive.