Tania and I headed out early Saturday morning, grateful for another day on the water. Like always, before we even reached the bait shop, we prayed together in the truck. We asked the Lord for His protection, for our eyes to be open to all the beauty He created, and if it was His will, to bless us with fish. That quiet moment of prayer always sets the tone for our day and reminds us why we love being out there.

Getting to the dock was an adventure in itself. Road construction slowed us down, and then a train stopped right across the road in the middle of Fort Pierce, blocking traffic for more than fifteen minutes. All we could do was laugh, stay patient, and trust that we would get there when we were meant to.

When we finally reached the boat ramp, the morning could not have been more beautiful. A light southwest breeze rolled across the water, and the seas were just over a foot with a gentle thirteen-second swell. With high tide approaching, we felt hopeful that the Boils might come alive for us.

The ride out to the Boils was a little bumpy. Even though the waves were small, every thirteen seconds a tight set would roll through, almost like driving over a cobblestone road. Nothing rough, just a steady rhythm that kept the boat moving.

When we arrived, only a few boats were working the area, and the water was much cleaner than it had been in weeks. Expectations were high. But after a couple of hours working every inch of the boils, we only landed a handful of fish. A Spanish mackerel was the highlight.

Even so, the Lord answered the first part of our prayer. We saw spinner sharks putting on a show and dolphins cruising through the area. There is something special about watching wildlife in clear water. Even when the bite is slow, God still fills the day with wonders.

With the action fading, we decided it was time to explore. Our first stop was a piece of structure in about thirty feet of water. The Navionics shade relief looked promising, but after drifting for 30 minutes with only a few bites and nothing showing on sonar, we moved on.

From there, we ran to a reef in fifty to sixty feet. That was a better call. Every drift produced a fish or two, and before long, I had a good feel for where they were holding. We anchored up and started picking at them, but the goliath groupers were out and hungry. We lost almost every hooked fish to those giants.

Still, we did manage one prize. A thirty-two-inch redfish made it past the goliaths and into the boat. That one felt good.

But with the groupers stealing everything else, we made another move. This time we went to one of our Margate spots. Instead of anchoring, we drifted, and that turned out to be the right choice. Over the next hour, we put eight lane snappers in the cooler, all between ten and fourteen inches.

This spot also gave us one of the most fun and varied bites we have had in a while. Between the two of us, we caught black sea bass, a snake fish also known as a blunt-nose lizardfish, a large smooth puffer, several jack, a few small black margates, and the lane snapper for dinner.

We made it back to the dock around two in the afternoon. I would have stayed longer to fill the cooler, but Tania and I were volunteering at church that evening. That meant unloading the boat, cleaning all the fish, washing the gear, and then getting ourselves ready. By the grace of God, we finished everything and made it to church right on time.

Another blessed day on the water. Not every trip is nonstop action, but every trip gives us memories, new species, and reminders of God’s beauty. For us, that is what fishing is all about.

Tania and I send our best wishes to all our fellow anglers. May your time on the water be safe, blessed, and filled with tight lines and good memories. Until next time, keep casting, keep believing, and keep 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.