It’s All About The Kids

By: Chasten Whitfield

Our morning started off by waking up at 5am loading the boat and then my trusty camera girl Aaliyah and I headed to our favorite spot to get bait for the day. We run about 12 miles to a large bridge which is known for bait most of the year. We begin our bait task by chumming with Boca Coast bait food and bait shows up moments later. As soon as we tossed our Barracuda net we scored in no time. Now it’s time to head to the ramp to pick up our friend Mathew whom we will be fishing with today. Matthew was diagnosed with spina bifida and although he has had six surgeries, he doesn’t let that stop him. After a brief cruise, we stopped at our first spot and throw a few baits out to chum up some snook along a mangrove shoreline. Mathew wanted to try the chum bat, so he threw a few chummers out and the snook started busting on the bait. We threw out a couple of more baits connected to Mustad circle hooks and Mathew hooks a snook! He reeled it in quick like he was a pro. The bite was steady and every time we chummed the fish started chewing like it was a last meal.  We made the decision to change plans after catching many fish along the mangroves and decided to go fish along some docks. We arrive at the docks and Mathew starts throwing more bait out to chum. As we all got rods out and cast baits under the docks, Mathew hooked up on a fish that he calls a bubble fish, to most anglers a puffer fish!! We finished up our dock fishing with a nice black drum and Mathew said it’s been a great day as we cruise back to the boat ramp laughing and reminiscing about our day!

Chasten’s mission is to help kids of all ages, especially girls, become comfortable
anglers while teaching positive life skills, thoughtfulness, doing what’s right for the
right reasons, and choosing to stay active outdoors. It’s not about what you look
like or outside appearance, what matters is what’s inside.

For more information about Matthew and what he’s been through check our YouTube video: