Sunday Brant invited me on a fishing trip off Palm Beach Island. The crew included Tia, one of our neighbors, her brother Tom, her father, Brant, me and of course the charter captain (who was incredible). So we took a small boat out through some pretty heavy breakwater. Some waves were around 10ft which I completely enjoyed…others…not so much. After about 40 minutes we were beyond the breakwater and in deep enough water to start fishing.

The captain broke out the kite, which I’d never seen before. He sent a kite up (we had heavy winds so it was key) and we proceeded to set up three rods to use the system. Each line was attached to the kite line which would release once we got a bite and started to reel in. The kite keeps the line verticle in the water and allows you to fish far off the boat and easily rotate lines in and out from far to close depending on who’s got a fish on. You just have to keep your bobber/marker about 2-3 feet off the water and live bait, about 10 inches long, in the water with the ocean swells.

Brant was the first one out and got the first hit. Tom was next then me, who got the smallest fist of the three. Tia caught one on the sideline (non kite) which was just a bit too small to keep but she had a good time getting him in.

Then we reset and waited for about an hour. I was the last on the kite line so I was closest to the boat which means I was less likely to get the next hit.

BAM…I landed a 20 lb Mahi Mahi which I chased around the boat a couple times. It came in close twice and then darted off making me work my ass to bring it in. I was thrilled, shaking and excited. When we finally got it in I was beat, forearms throbbing but soooo cool. Huge fish and smiling from ear to ear. Not bad for my first fishing trip.

One thing that made it difficult was the sea was listing the boat about 6-8 ft every wave so it was a constant battle to stay upright. Constantly keeping your balance, watching the bobbers and running like mad when we got a bite. What a great day on the boat.

The ride back was fun as well, as the captain is a surfer so we had a good time surfing the big swell with the boat on the way back to the dock laughing my ass off.

Brant whipped up some cajun seasoning when we got back after the captain perfectly prepped fileted the fish for us and we headed to the grill for some well deserved Mahi Mahi.

Thanks again Brant, it was a great time! Thanks Tia, for taking such great photos.