Tania and I had not been on the water in almost two months. Earlier in the week, the forecast had us bracing for 10- to 15-knot winds and 3- to 4-foot seas, but when I woke up Saturday morning, it showed light winds and 1- to 2-foot seas. Sometimes you just have to check again and trust what you see. Conditions were right.

We left the house at 6:15 AM and, on the way to grab bait and ice, we prayed together. We thanked the Lord for safety, time together, and whatever the day would bring. Before the first cast, the day already felt like a blessing.

We stopped at The Fishing Center for ice and bait. They had shrimp but no sand fleas, which are usually one of the best baits for sheepshead this time of year. Not ideal, but we had a plan. Based on intel from the previous week, we headed near shore off Pepper Park to fish a natural reef in 20 to 30 feet of water.

As we eased out of the marina, we were greeted by a dolphin swimming across the channel. Calm seas, light winds, and a dolphin escort. It was a great way to start the day.

High tide was at 8:00 AM, and we were positioned on the reef right in that window. Water temperature was 68 degrees, and conditions were good, with a manageable current and good clarity.

We worked 30-gram jigs along the reef. The bite was subtle. No big thumps. Just light taps and that slight tick you feel more than see. Tania and I were both a little rusty and missed a few early, but once we settled in, the pattern became clear. Jig color did not matter. If it was not tipped with shrimp or a sand flea, it did not get bit.

And as usual, Tania caught the first fish.

Then another.

Then another.

Before I landed my first sheepshead, she had eight in the boat and made sure to remind me. The Fish Assassin was dialed in. I was playing catch-up.

Around 9:30 AM, we ran into my buddy Captain Bo Samual of Pullin Drag Charters. He hooked us up with some sand fleas, which made a noticeable difference. The bites became more confident and consistent once we added them.

The majority of the keeper sheepshead were right at 13 inches, with a few shorts mixed in and one solid 16-inch fish. We also put a 13-inch lane snapper in the box and landed a nice 24-inch Spanish mackerel. On top of that, we caught several wrasses, also known by their nickname slippery dicks, multiple jacks that kept things interesting, and a few oystercrackers that had us thinking we were hooked into something bigger for a second.

We wrapped up around 11:30 AM and headed back with four sheepshead for the cooler, one black margate, the lane snapper, and that Spanish mackerel. Not a wide-open bite, but steady action around the high-tide window on that natural reef.

After two months off the water, it felt good to get back into the rhythm. Light winds. Subtle bites. Friendly competition. A dolphin send-off. And time spent together doing what we love.

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 sheepshead will become chowder. The Spanish mackerel will be smoked and turned into smoked fish dip.

The Treasure Coast Chapter of Salt Strong now hosts monthly meetings at Islamorada Brewery and Distillery on the 4th Thursday 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.