I grew up in Oceanside surfing, fishing, and snorkeling. I have always said that the Ocean was my babysitter. If I wasn't in the water, I was on it or by it. I can't remember a single day where I wasn’t at the beach while growing up. I Collected cans and bottles to get enough money together to buy some French Fries from Angelo's. Fries from Angelo's where the best beach snack and they made pretty good bait to catch that first Jack smelt to cut up for chum and try to land a legal bass or halibut. Jumping trains to ride to Del Mar to surf the west-southwest breaks or up to San Clemente to fish the pier was always the plan. Fast forward many years later, surfing slowed down to an occasional activity to now not at all and fishing always took a back seat. I went on the occasional full day trip out of O'side harbor or the twilight out of Mission Bay and even the one a year overnight or day and half but never as much as I wanted to. "Life always got in the way"  

Inspired to reconnect with my passion of fishing by my nephew William. It started with 1 night of dock fishing sharing stories of "when I used to fish" Listening to him ask questions hearing myself tell stories as if I was taking about some else and watching the joy, he had by catching his first calico bass triggered something in me. I was missing joy, true joy, my passion for fishing was reignited 2 years later and my not so little fishing buddy is just as stoked to go fishing with me as he was that first night on the docks. To date we have done many trips to the docks, rocks and beaches, William has had a lot of firsts the last two years. First halibut from the waves in Carlsbad, first 1/2-day abord the Dolphin, first private charter to target Rockfish, first cleaning and prepping his catch to make fish tacos, First overnight trip on the Mustang, First day and a half trip, aboard the Condor. During his 1.5 trip he caught his first yellowtail, first bluefin and yes, he did eat the heart. Without hesitation he took a big bite. Proud moment for his dad Bill, not to mention impressing the heck out of the deck hands, he didn't bat an eye. When the deck hand "Cornfed" asked if he was ready to take a bite William stripped his gloves and jacket off so fast. Cue the camera and chomp with a wink and a power nod.... that moment when his spot in fishing history was solidified……he is now a bonified tuna fisherman. In addition to tuna fishing and shore pounding, William, his dad, and I did some lobster trapping this year. We did pretty good for a couple of rookies. First for us all and we loved every minute of it. 

Inspired again by William, he heard me say I have always wanted to design t-shirts for women who fish. William says so do it, lol “not that easy William” …. he said if you don’t try you will never know right, so here I am trying. Thanks for reading and if you shop with me, I thank you, and I appreciate your support.

Sincerely,

April

SaltyGirlFishing.com