Big Fish

More times than I can count, we’ve had big bites and heard the squealing of line being pulled further out to sea only to start reeling and have the fish spit out the lure. In some instances, we’ve even had fish bite off the entire lure, leaving us with a loose line with nothing on the end. It's disappointing, but it’s all part of the experience and will only make you more appreciative when you are able to land a fish and maneuver it on board.

There's no guarantee you'll catch a fish. You can do all the right things, but ultimately, the fish will only bite only when they want. Fishing requires patience, but practicing peace and gratitude while waiting can transform your mindset and mood. Waiting requires a stillness that can sometimes feel like everyone is holding their breath, but there is a great deal of beauty in being quiet and connecting with nature.

There’s an immediate sense of community when you look around and see others enjoying the same thing as you. We bond over the natural beauty of the land and sea. Looking out onto the shore and seeing anglers lined up along the beach put a smile on my face because I knew that they too could experience the beauty of the natural world and the excitement of reeling in a fish.

One of my favorite aspects of fishing is the fact that you truly never know what you’re going to get. You can feel the hope and excitement build in the air when the line screeches and you know you’ve hooked a fish. But until you reel it in or watch as it jumps out of the water, there’s a sense of mystery that can really raise your heart rate!

Like other athletes who have early wake up calls, anglers often need to get up at the crack of dawn. Why? Fishing depends on more than just skill. Anglers must factor in the tides, time of day, and feeding patterns of the species of fish you want to catch. That means resisting the urge to hit snooze and instead, pouring yourself a cup of coffee to jumpstart the day in the chilly darkness of dawn. The aroma of freshly brewed hot coffee was a big help in getting me out the door.

If you get lucky and catch all three species in one day, you could be a "triple crown leader." For example, catching a bluefish, bonito, and albacore within a day's work would put you on the leaderboard. Typically, there are opportunities for daily and grand prizes too. These range from modest sums of money, fishing equipment, gift certificates, merchandise, and plaques, to a brand new fishing boat to call your own! The derby I attended lasts for about a month, so you have multiple shots to win big.