This week, Tania and I were in Texas for work training in Pasadena. While at ICAST, our friend Captain Derek of Spot Stalkers Charter offered to take Tania and me fishing, as we were close to Clear Lake. We met him on Wednesday at the Blue Marlin Fuel Dock around 5:00 p.m., ready for an evening of fishing and fellowship.
While waiting for Derek to arrive, I wandered into the shop to grab some live shrimp. That’s when I learned things are done a little differently here than back home in Florida. When I asked about bait, Larry, who was behind the counter, asked if I wanted a pint or a quart. I must have looked puzzled because he gave me the kind of look that said, “You’re not from around here, are you?” I laughed and explained that in Florida, we buy shrimp by the dozen. We had a good chuckle over it.
Just then, a gentleman nearby asked, “Hey, are you Mike Schulze?” He followed my fishing reports on Facebook. His name was Rory, and to my surprise, he was from Fort Pierce. It turns out that he was transporting a boat back to Fort Pierce for refurbishment. Small world moments like that always remind me how connected the fishing community truly is.
When Derek arrived, we loaded up and headed to our first spot. On the way, we noticed plenty of life on the surface, including what appeared to be trout striking baitfish, so we decided to stop and give it a shot. That decision paid off quickly. Within minutes, I hooked into the first redfish of the evening, a solid catch to kick things off. Over the next hour, Tania and I landed somewhere between 10 and 15 redfish, along with a baby black drum she reeled in.
Our second stop brought us along a seawall lined with beautiful homes. The view was incredible, and the fishing wasn’t bad either. We picked up a few rat reds, and I unfortunately brought in a catfish.
Moving on to the next spot, the action continued. We landed more redfish, along with another black drum, keeping things exciting as the sun dipped lower on the horizon.
For our final stop, we only had a short time to fish. We had a few bites, but nothing landed. Still, by then, we didn’t mind. We had already enjoyed plenty of action and were treated to a gorgeous Texas sunset that painted the evening sky.
By 8:15 p.m., we were back at the Blue Marlin Dock, saying our goodbyes to Derek. As he headed off into the night, Tania and I couldn’t help but smile, grateful for the chance to experience such a memorable evening on the water together.
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 link below for a FREE 30-day test drive.