We launched out of Chokoloskee at 08:00 for a half‑day inshore trip with Marcus and were off the water by noon. Conditions were summery and clear with temperatures rising into the upper 80s and a steady E/NE breeze that built into the 20–40+ mph range through the morning, but the wind didn’t slow us down. We worked the mangrove edges first and picked up a couple of healthy juvenile snook, then worked our way deep into the backcountry as the tide pushed toward the 11:09 high. Once there the bite turned on — we landed nine tarpon on topwater presentations, all aggressive surface strikes that made for an action‑packed finish to the trip. Marcus fished hard, stayed focused through the gusts, and we had an incredible morning — thanks again for getting out with me.