If you've never heard how lucky I am, here it is:  I am one lucky girl for so many reasons!  Not long ago I was presented with an awesome deal, my big brother, Robert, {ok, he isn't my big brother, he's my cousin...but I am claiming him as my big brother from here on out} offered to fly me down to Florida to go fishing with him for his 40th birthday.  Of course I took that offer before it was done being presented to me.

"Fishing?!"  Some of you might say, because I have heard it before.  I have seen the look on the face of family and friends when I tell them that is what I am going to do in Florida.  You know, that look that says, "What's the big deal about fishing?  Don't you want to go to the beach or something instead?"...especially from the ladies in my life.  :)  My best friend, Robert's wife Kristie, pointed out today via Facebook:

"Some people come to Florida, and they want to sunbathe. My best friend is one of the cool kids. She prefers other activities :)"

I, of course, loved that because it couldn't be closer to the truth.

It's been some time since I have been fishing, almost two years now.  I used to fish with Captain Angel Torres of Vicious Strikes Charters.  To say he was an amazing captain would be a horrible understatement.  It was with Robert and Angel that I fell deeply in love with fishing, something I thought would never happen.  It still saddens me to say that Angel passed away suddenly about a year an a half ago.  I have been to Florida many times since then and had no desire to step foot on a boat.  It actually turned my stomach thinking of fishing again without him as our captain.  Not only did he make fishing enjoyable, he made me need to fish...to drag my poor husband down to Florida to fish just so he could experience what I had.  I was afraid to step foot on a boat again, afraid the pain of loosing him would rush back in a flood of emotions, leaving me in a puddle of tears on the deck of the boat.  That might be mortifying.

I have pictured Angel many times, seeing me argue with myself about not fishing and getting all worked up about loosing him.  I would imagine he would say, "That is so silly to not fish!  You better get your ass out on a boat and go fishing!  Don't not fish because I am not here anymore!"  And when I stepped on the boat this week to go out...I thought he was probably in Heaven saying, "It's about damn time, girl!"

When I say "I'm lucky", I don't just mean a little - I mean a lot.  I've met Captain Robert Moore before.  He actually saved my ass years ago when I was out fishing and the waves were a bit too high for the liking of my stomach.  He was out on the water and met us with some motion sickness medicine that made the trip much better.  I have heard great stories of fishing trips with Robert Moore and my Robert.  I have seen pictures, as seen HERE, of big fish caught with Captain Robert.  He was also the one that put together a wonderful video/slideshow tribute to Angel.  He also was in the Mad Fin Shark Tournament with the name Team Vicious Strikes, as a tribute to Angel.  So, Captain Robert already had all kinds of brownie points in my book.  In the weeks before my trip, my Robert informed me that we would be fishing with Captain Robert.  Knowing that already put my mind at ease about getting out there again.

I'm not sure I could have had more fun.  Captain Robert Moore did not disappoint.  The weather was absolutely wonderful and the water was pretty calm.  I ended up catching a 250 lb Goliath Grouper.

 

 

The guys are always helpful - making sure I keep my butt in the boat.   :)  I'm constantly given direction on what I need to do and when - a sign of good fisherman.

One reason of many why you will not find me in the ocean.  ever.

Getting that bad boy up to the boat for picture time.

Say Cheese!...or Fish sticks!

Not only that, but my Robert has a fishing wish list.  One of the things on that list was to hand line, meaning catch the fish by just having bait on a line and then pulling it in with your hands, a Goliath Grouper.  He got to cross that off his list this week.  Here he is taking care of business:

We even got Kristie on the boat...which never ever happens.  And I think that made Captain Robert happy too.

All in all it was a great time, with great family and friends.  I couldn't be happier that I am back to fishing again.

Thank you, Robert Moore for taking us out and making Robert's birthday a great one!  Thank you Robert and Kristie Lugiewicz, as usual for having me down there and taking care of me.  I am most grateful!  Love you guys!