On Saturday, December 7th, we successfully completed the final event for the Reel Blessed Vamos A Pescar grant. After multiple postponements due to poor weather, we were determined to finish the grant by the end of the year, even though conditions weren’t ideal.

Tania and I arrived at Blue Heron Beach at 7:00 a.m. to set up. As the first ones on the beach, we secured a great spot with enough space for all the rods. By 8:00 a.m., we welcomed five families (13 participants in total) and were joined by our amazing team of five volunteers, all of whom are fellow Salt Strong Insiders.

The day started with calm winds and flat seas, giving us hope for a productive fishing day despite the cold weather. However, the wind picked up as the families began to arrive, and the ocean became increasingly rough.

We began the event with a prayer, followed by a surf fishing demonstration. I showed everyone how to set up pompano rigs and use Fishbites bait with 4oz Sputnik sinkers. A special thanks to Captain Paul Sperco, who made this event possible with his generous contributions: Fishbites donated the bait, The Sinker Guy donated the sinkers, and Captain Paul handcrafted the rigs!

Despite the rough conditions, we fished from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. During that time, we managed to catch a pompano, an Atlantic threadfin (glassnose whiting), and a whiting. By late morning, the ocean had become so rough that even the 4oz Sputniks couldn’t hold, prompting us to wrap up the fishing portion of the event.

To close the day, we gathered all the families for a touching moment where the children thanked their parents for bringing them and told them they loved them.

Despite the challenging weather, it was a memorable event and a great way to end this year’s grant. A huge thank you to the Salt Strong volunteers who made this possible and to the families who participated. Your support and enthusiasm make these events so special.

Looking forward to even more successful events in the future,

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.