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!

I recently had the pleasure of taking a couple out for a little “day date,” but this wasn’t your typical lunch and mimosas kind of outing. They wanted redfish and redfish they got. Conditions weren’t ideal; the water clarity was less than perfect, making the hunt in the flats a bit trickier. But the fish didn’t seem to mind. The bite was on, and it wasn’t long before drag was peeling and hearts were pounding. After a few close calls and missed shots, they each locked into overslot redfish, one after the other. Heavy runs, blistering fights, and big smiles as both landed their personal bests. There’s just something electric about watching a couple share that kind of adrenaline-fueled moment together on the water. Flats fishing may be unpredictable, but when it all comes together those are the days you don’t forget.

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.