On Saturday, March 1st, the Reel Blessed Chapter of Fishing’s Future held a surf fishing event at Blue Heron Beach. While our surf fishing events are typically small, this one was even more intimate. Due to the opening day of Little League, only three families were in attendance. Despite the low turnout, the event was filled with great moments and valuable learning experiences for all who participated.

Tania and I arrived at the beach at 6:30 a.m., having learned the night before that Fishbites was hosting a surf fishing tournament out of the Snook Nook. When we arrived, there were already a few anglers on the beach, but we were fortunate to secure a spot right at the walkway—an ideal location for the families joining us. We began setting up, and by 7:15 a.m., our volunteers started arriving. In total, we had five dedicated volunteers ready to help the three families get the most out of their fishing experience.

The sunrise was breathtaking, and the water conditions were perfect—a stunning baby blue powder color, ideal for pompano. The light winds (less than 5 knots NW) and flat seas gave me hope that we would have a productive fishing day. At 8:00 a.m., we opened in prayer and cast our lines, eager for a good bite.

Unfortunately, the fishing was slow. Over the course of four hours, we only had about four bites, landing just two fish—a whiting and a short pompano. The highlight of the day was watching a young man catch the pompano entirely on his own. He baited his own hook, cast the line, and reeled in the fish—an incredible moment that showcased the skills he had learned. Seeing his excitement and confidence grow was a proud moment for everyone.

Adding to the excitement, an angler fishing next to us hooked into what appeared to be a decent-sized spinner shark. As I assisted him in landing it, we discovered something unusual—the shark had broken off from another angler’s rig and had become entangled in a heavy-duty setup. The massive hook was attached to a 1/4-inch steel leader, connected to a 1/4-inch mono leader with heavy crimps and about 40 yards of 100lb mono. With a pair of cutters, we carefully removed the steel leader and safely released the shark. Watching it swim away was an exhilarating experience, and the kids were thrilled to witness the encounter up close.

Despite the slow fishing, the event was a great success. The families enjoyed the beautiful morning, learned valuable fishing skills, and had the chance to witness some unforgettable moments. As we packed up and headed home, both Tania and I were filled with joy, knowing that we had made a meaningful impact on the young anglers. As a token of encouragement, I gifted the young man who caught the pompano some Fishbites, sinkers, and a few custom rigs made by Captain Paul Sperco.

We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors who made this event possible at no cost to our participants. A huge thank you to Salt Strong Alliance, Salt Strong, Fishbites, Captain Paul Sperco, and The Sinker Guy for their generous support. Your contributions help us continue to create these special moments and foster a love for fishing in our community.

Tania and I look forward to our next adventure and the many memories still to be made on the water! If you’d like to learn more about Reel Blessed, donate to our mission, or contact us for more information, please click the buttons below.