Pat gave me a call this week with a mission: his three grandkids were in town on vacation, had never been fishing before, and were eager for an unforgettable adventure. He wanted to show them a slice of wild Florida—and maybe reel in a few memories along the way. We set off and made a quick run to the first spot, where the action was hot from the jump. The kids got in on double-digit catches, hands-on with everything from feisty snook and speckled sea trout to mangrove snapper and a solid whiting. They were hooked! Kids were grinning ear to ear, laughing, and wide-eyed at every bend in the rod. We even caught glimpses of the local wildlife along the way, making the trip feel like something out of a storybook. Later that day, Pat texted me to say the kids were absolutely fired up and couldn’t stop talking about the trip. One for the books for sure!

Marc reached out earlier this week with a mission—he and his son were in town on vacation and had their sights set on chasing redfish in the legendary waters of Mosquito Lagoon. At sunrise, I met them at the dock and we set out aboard the new Pathfinder 2300 HPS, slicing through the glassy water with the promise of adventure ahead. We hit the first spot just after 7 a.m., and on their very first cast—boom—a monster crushed the bait. After a drag-screaming battle, they hauled in a massive 45-inch overslot redfish, the kind of fish that turns a good day into an unforgettable one. High fives, adrenaline, and ear-to-ear grins followed. Moments like these are what fishing with family is all about—memories that will echo for a lifetime.

Tomas hit me up looking to beat the heat with a nighttime fishing trip here in New Smyrna Beach. We met up just after dark and got right to it, snook were fired up, and we made quick work of ‘em. The temps stayed cool, the fish were chewing, and the vibe was spot on. Solid night on the water with plenty of action and good company.