Saturday morning started off just the way I like it—calm skies, smooth water, and great company. Tania, Mia, and I met up with my good friend Captain Bo Samual of Pullin’ Drag Charters around 7:00 a.m. The plan was to head out to the boils in hopes of finding some permit. We were fully loaded with live crabs, white bait, and shrimp, ready to tempt the targeted species.

After a quick run, we reached the boils and quickly realized the bite was going to be tough. The water was quiet—too quiet. No birds, no bait busting, not even the usual sharks we expect to see cruising around. We started drifting live crabs, hoping something would come through, but it just wasn’t happening.

Just when we thought we’d be skunked, Captain Bo spotted a school of jacks pushing through. He quickly tossed out some white bait, and within moments, Mia was hooked up on the biggest jack of her life! That fish wasn’t giving up easily—it had her doing laps around the boat and took over five minutes to land. It was an epic battle and a memory I know she’ll carry forever.

Shortly after, Tania hooked into a nice jack of her own. Not quite as big as Mia’s, but it still put up a solid fight and made for a great photo op.

With the boils slow and not much life in the area, we made a move to one of Captain Bo’s favorite honey holes for Black Margates. If you’ve never targeted Margates, let me tell you—they’re underrated! They hit hard, fight well, and make for excellent table fare. We managed to put a nice spread on the deck with Margates and a few keeper snapper to round out the day.

We ended up bringing the jacks back for shark bait and had a cooler full of delicious fish to clean and cook. Best of all, I got to spend a beautiful Florida morning on the water with my two favorite women. That’s what it’s all about.

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, including guest speakers and fellowship with local anglers who share their knowledge and help one another catch fish. Membership to Salt Strong includes a 20% discount on tackle, access to Smart Fishing spots, and insider information on local trends. To learn more about Salt Strong, click the links below for a FREE pack of Slam Shady or a 30-day test drive.