This past weekend, I was on shift, working from 7 AM to midnight both Saturday and Sunday. The bonus of this schedule is that after putting in a short 8-hour day on Monday, I get the rest of the week off. It’s a great setup—40 hours in just three days, with overtime on Saturday and double time on Sunday. The extra pay makes the long hours worthwhile.

Despite the demanding schedule, I managed to sneak in a quick fishing break during my Saturday lunch. Around 10:30 AM, Tania and I hopped on our bikes and rode over to one of my favorite spillways, tucked between St. James and Selvitz Road, right near the Subway. It’s a trusted spot—one of those places where I almost always catch something—and today was no different.

The weather was hot and humid, with the sun beating down and the afternoon storm clouds forming in the sky. On my second cast, I hooked into a decent largemouth bass. I pointed out a promising casting spot to Tania, hoping she’d get in on the action. Sure enough, we both started getting bites. While I missed a couple of solid hits on the next few casts, I still managed to land a few beautiful Mayan cichlids. Eventually, Tania hooked up and brought one in herself.

We only fished for about thirty minutes—just enough to shake off the stress and enjoy the moment. With the heat and humidity rising fast, we called it quits when Tania started showing signs of overheating. Still, it was a great little escape.

When it was all said and done, we caught one bass and four cichlids—not a bad haul for a quick lunchtime getaway. Best of all, I got to share it with my favorite fishing partner. Sometimes, the short trips are the ones that leave the biggest smile.

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.