After months of being buried in work, I finally had a chance to wet a line again. The past ten months have been a whirlwind as I transitioned into a completely new career field, dedicating everything to a major project. The hard work paid off when my team’s efforts exceeded expectations—what was supposed to be a 30-day review process for 75 documents was essentially wrapped up in just two and a half days. The client was so impressed after reviewing only three of them that they pivoted to other matters and signed off on our contractual obligations. Hearing that feedback lifted a massive weight off my shoulders, making all the long hours and dedication worthwhile. Though I had barely fished in the past three months due to my workload, I decided to celebrate by hitting the local canals and reconnecting with the water.

I loaded up my bike and set off, eager to see what was biting. My first spot, where I had high expectations, unfortunately, didn’t yield even a single bite. Disappointed but not discouraged, I moved to the second spot, where I managed to catch one bass. As I biked toward my next destination, I hit a pothole, and my back tire popped—an unexpected setback. With no other option, I pressed on, walking along the canal and casting into promising spots.

When I arrived at my third spot, I was greeted by an unexpected sight—a 5 1/2-foot iguana basking in the sun atop the spillway. It was so relaxed that it had its eyes closed, completely unbothered by my presence. As I made my way down to the water, it gave me a cautious glance but soon realized I was only there to fish. It relaxed again, and I got to work. Within ten minutes, I had landed around seven fish, mostly bass, with a few bigmouth sleeper fish mixed in. It was a great reminder of why I love this hobby so much.

Feeling a little adventurous, I decided to see how close I could get to the iguana. I slowly crept up and managed to tap its back before it bolted into the water and swam away. By then, I was about half a mile from St. James Street and, with a busted bike tire, called a buddy to pick me up so I wouldn’t have to push my bike three miles home.

Despite the hiccups, I took the day as a blessing—a chance to spend time in prayer, reflect on recent successes, and enjoy the outdoors. And with a bountiful catch, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate the end of such an intense work period.

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 at Islamorada Brewery and Distillery on the 4th Tuesday of each month. These meetings offer members a range of benefits, from guest speakers to fellowship with local anglers who like to help each other catch fish. Membership to Salt Strong 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.