On the morning of June 3, 2026, I met Matt at 07:00 at 70 West Marina on the Crystal Coast for a half-day inshore trip. The launch was brisk and a bit hazy, but by the time we reached our first spot the sun was coming on strong and the day opened up nicely. Our first signs of life were a hefty school of mullet working the flats. As we eased in, we began to pick off a few redfish in small groups; a couple of opportunities blew up on us early, keeping the excitement high. The action shifted when we found a single tailing fish tucked into a small creek. Matt placed his cast right on point, and the fish committed—firm, positive hookset and a solid fight that put a smile on his face. That fish unlocked a brief run of fish for us; we connected with a few more reds in similar shallow, creek-mouth pockets before lunchtime. On the ride back toward the marina, we added a nice sea trout to finish the morning. We returned to the dock at 11:00 with good stories, clean tackle, and a productive half-day on the water. It was a pleasure to guide Matt—steady, focused casting and quick adjustments to the changing conditions made for a rewarding trip.