A Busy Mom's Corner

Nestled in the heart of Siesta Key, Fla., lies a light angler's paradise offering year-'round fishing charters.

After spending a crispy four day's on Siesta Key's powdered-sugary beaches over Februrary vacation, our family decided to try a new activity. We chartered a fishing boat for the day at CB's Saltwater Outfitters, an undiscovered gem located off Main Street in Siesta Key.

A wide varitey of charters are available including full-day, half-day, and two-hour charters. We chose a four-hour charter which came with an experienced,  professional, salty,  fishing-boat Captain Terry who guaranteed, "we will catch fish."

Hungry Brown Pelicans stared at us with anticipation, as we set off into the canal on our quest for "the biggest fish."

The cool waters of the Atlantic promised a wide variety of Spanish Mackeral, Flounder, Silver Trout, Ladyfish, Sea Bass  and  Sheepshead, which are common catches in the winter.

Passing through the intercoastal, we encountered a wide variety of birds including the beautiful White Ibis, a medium-sized wading bird with a body shape similar to the Great Blue Heron, and a Roseate Spoonbill, an odd yet elegant pink bird often mistaken for a flamingo.

Gray dolphins popped in and out of the water around us (only to disappear as soon as we reached for our cameras).

To the delight of our children, Captain Terry told us of his many fishing adventures, which included encountering a 18-foot hammerhead shark just off the bow of the boat we were sitting on. ( Thanks Terry.)

Our captain expertly assembled the rods and gave the kids safety instructions. With the patience of a saint, he showed us how to work the reels, and how to "make the fish want to bite," by jigging our lines after we cast.

Much to the suprise of my family, I caught the first fish, a medium-sized Spanish Mackeral. From then on it was full-on competition!

Not to be upstaged by their mother, my children caught eight fish apiece. Their father caught an impressive 10.

Just off the stern, a large-gelatinous mass with tentacles floated by. As we all dropped our poles to stare at the eerie monster, Captain Terry shouted, "Stay away from that jellyfish. It could kill you!" 

We all obeyed his request.

We enjoyed the rest of the afternoon, catching and releasing many types of fish, and spending time together as a family on the open sea. The kids will never forget their fishing adventure and will have many stories to share with their friends.

Still up for debate is who caught the biggest fish.

CBs Saltwater Outfitters Location

1249 Stickney Stickney Point road

Siesta Key, Florida 34242

Website: www.cbsoutfitters.com

For more information on fishing charters in Sarasota: www.sarasotafishingcharters.com