By Capt. James Vadas
I’m truly blessed; sharing gifts of God’s creation on the water with people from all over the world who visit Anna Maria Island. I have gained so many wonderful friends, from the families who have chartered with me over the years. I would like to thank all of you for the memories we now share. As I scan through the photos I noticed a bunch of kids have grown about a foot since last year. ln all those smiling fish photos I also noticed a few got braces and some had them taken off. After fishing with hundreds of kids, I can say I have only had one “bad boy”. If he gets coal in his stocking for Christmas, it was because he pushed me in the water! It was a beautiful calm day when I picked his family up from the boat club. Mom, Dad, Bro 12, and Sis was 13. We headed out to the 3 mile reef. I was showing Bro and Sis the sonar images of schooling fish below the boat. I told Bro, who was built like a football player, that I was going to the front to lower the anchor and said let me get around you. I hopped up on the gunnel and he pushed backwards and I went for a swim. He said sorry, but with his head slightly tilted to the side and a big smile. I was thinking “no way he actually meant to do that”. I said, “that it’s ok bro, the water felt great”. It’s pretty hot out. His parents apologized and I said “no big deal, I’m ok, let’s catch some fish”. Mom, Dad, and Sis were great! The little boy was a handful the whole trip. They caught a bunch of fish, had a great time, and I have a funny “story about the time some kid pushed me in the water”. This story has been circulated around local marinas. A few days later I was going over the life jackets and safety of the boat before departure when the laughing started. “Don’t worry we won’t push you in.” I said, “who told about that”? My charter guests said, “the guy on the forklift, while you were pulling up to the dock”. “Oh ok, I was going to tell you the story but he beat me to it. That’s why we don’t tell him where the good fishing spots are, he is a bit of a blabber mouth”. (I hope you read this before the forklift guy gets to you.) I’m really looking forward to catching sheepshead in the next couple of months. They are really delicious. I like to cook them with Sprite soda and butter. Check out my video on the how to cook poor man’s lobster Living Water Charters on Facebook or Instagram.
Tight lines and God bless.
Captain James
https://livingwatercharters.business.site
Living Water Charters (941) 812-1245
