Saltwater in my Veins

Fishing has always been an essential part of my life. Growing up on the West Coast, I spent countless hours fishing from the rocks, casting my line out into the surf. The coast here is tough, unpredictable, and can be unforgiving, but that’s what makes it so special.

The swell is always rolling in, and the weather can turn at the drop of a hat, but there’s something about the challenge of it all that draws me in. The beauty of fishing here is in the rawness, the wildness of the landscape. It's not always smooth sailing, but when the fish bite, it makes every moment worth it.

This particular spot I’m at right now? It’s one of those places where I’ve caught fish in the past, but it’s not my go-to every time. The rocks and the rough coastline can make fishing here tricky, and the conditions are often less than ideal. But there’s something about the way the water flows and the way the fish move that keeps bringing me back.

Right now, I’ve traded in my jandals for a pair of sturdy shoes because I’ll be on the rocks—no room for slipping out here! I’ve set up with a sinker and a fresh mullet bait, hoping for a kahawai or even a snapper to bite.

Fishing from the shore requires patience, especially on the West Coast. There are definitely more rough days than calm ones. The sea can be merciless, but it also teaches you a lot about respect - respect for nature, for the unpredictable forces at play, and for the skill it takes to work with them. There are sandy areas along the beach where fish like to feed, but you can also find them hiding among the rocks, feeding on the shellfish that cling to the edges. It’s a game of patience and observation, always learning the subtle signs of where the fish might be hiding.

As I wait for the cast to settle, I can’t help but think about my journey as an angler. Fishing has always been a part of me, but my relationship with it has evolved over time. Growing up, I didn’t spend much time on boats. My focus was on land-based fishing - surfcasting, rock fishing, you name it. The ocean was always there, and I knew it well from the shore. But in the last few years, my connection with the water has expanded.

I’ve spent more time on boats now, targeting bigger game species like kingfish, and I’ve even started fishing for marlin. This year, I caught my first marlin, which was an experience I’ll never forget. It felt like a culmination of everything I had learned about the ocean, the tides, and the techniques that take you further out, deeper into the world of fishing.

It’s not just about the fish for me, though. Fishing is about the journey - the preparation, the anticipation, the patience, and the ultimate reward of connecting with the ocean on a deeper level. There’s something meditative about waiting for the line to pull. It’s about learning to be still, to listen to the wind and the water, and to accept that the ocean won’t always give you what you want, but it will always teach you something valuable in return.

While I’ve become more serious about boat fishing in recent years, the thrill of shore fishing, of casting out into the unknown, still holds a special place in my heart. There’s a certain magic in watching the waves crash against the rocks, knowing that under that surface, there’s a world of fish moving in their own rhythms. Each cast is a new opportunity, a new chance to connect with the wild, untamed energy of the sea.