New to the Wild

03/27/2026

Over the next few weeks, you’ll see peacocks:
✨ Pairing up
✨ Guarding nests
✨ Protecting fry (baby fish)
✨ Hitting almost anything that moves

👉 Translation: Perfect opportunity for someone’s FIRST fish… and maybe even a BIG one.

But here’s the part most people aren’t talking about 👇

❄️ This past winter hit HARD.
We lost a lot of peacocks across South Florida—especially in the Everglades.

So if you’re out there… fish with purpose. Fish with respect.

⚠️ Quick conservation reminders:
• Handle fish gently (they’re already stressed)
• ALWAYS support their full body (protect that jaw!)
• If you find a nest—be selective, don’t overfish it
• Try NOT to catch both parents (eggs/fry will get wiped out fast)
• Be aware—other species are waiting to raid those nests

💡 The goal isn’t just to catch fish… it’s to protect the future of the fishery.

Take someone new. Teach them right. Create the moment they’ll never forget. 🙌

Because THIS is how we grow the next generation of anglers.

🎣 Who are you taking fishing this weekend? Tag them below 👇
Matthew 13:47 NIV
[47] “Once again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake and caught all kinds of fish.

03/13/2026

Peacock bass breeding season has begun in South Florida.

During this time they become more aggressive and territorial, usually staying close to cover where their nests are.

If you find one… chances are there’s another nearby.

As fun as catching them is, it’s also a good time to fish with a conservation mindset.

A few things to keep in mind:

⚠️ Support their full body for photos to avoid putting too much pressure on their jaw.

⚠️ If you're introducing someone new to fishing, let them enjoy the experience — but after a few catches, consider leaving one fish on the nest to continue protecting the eggs from other cichlids.

One of the coolest parts about fishing South Florida is seeing these incredible fish thriving in our urban waters.
✝️ John 21:6 NIV
He said, “Throw your net on the right side of the boat and you will find some.” When they did, they were unable to haul the net in because of the large number of fish.

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

Most bass fishermen don’t love seeing one of these on the end of their line… but you have to admit, they put up a pretty fun fight.

Mudfish, also known as bowfin, are ancient fish that have been around for millions of years. They’re often called living fossils because they’ve changed very little since prehistoric times.

One of the things that makes them so unique is that they can breathe air, allowing them to survive in murky, low-oxygen waters where many other fish can’t. They can even survive outside the water for short periods, going into a sort of dormant state.

While they do compete with bass for food and space, it’s still pretty incredible to catch a fish that has been swimming our waters for generations.

Just be careful with those teeth…
they don’t stop fighting easily.

✝️Job 41:32-33 NIV
It leaves a glistening wake behind it; one would think the deep had white hair. Nothing on earth is its equal— a creature without fear.

01/22/2026

My husband harvested his first hog at just 9 years old.
Nearly 20 years later, the outdoors is still where his heart feels most at home. Celebrating our anniversary by returning to where that passion began made this hunt incredibly special. Thank you to

I didn’t know what to expect going into my first hog hunt - but one thing became very clear: you have to be ready. Hogs are fast, unpredictable, and incredibly aware of their surroundings. You’re working with a small target, constant movement, and the need to stay calm and steady under pressure. It’s a reminder that being behind the rifle carries real responsibility.

We couldn't get a shot at the massive boar we were hoping for, but we saw plenty of game, shared unforgettable moments, and filled the coolers with food for our table. That’s a win in my book.

If you’re preparing for your first hog hunt, know this: practice matters. Get comfortable with your shot, be prepared to decide quickly, and respect the weight of the moment. The final moments of a hunt are emotional, humbling, and sacred in their own way.

Slow down. Pray. Learn.
And take in that last 10%—the harvest.
✝️ Romans 12:12
Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

01/13/2026

Meet the invasive “zombie fish” 🧟‍♂️

This armored algae-eater doesn’t belong here but it’s taken over our lakes, canals, and freshwater systems.

Originally sold as a tank cleaner, people release them when they grow… and they can reach over 2 feet long. They survive in low-oxygen water, have almost no predators, and dig burrows that destroy shorelines; just like invasive iguanas.

Birds and gators try… but that armor makes them a tough meal.

So if you see one?
👉 Harvest it. Cook it. Eat it.
Fun fact: It’s a traditional stew in Venezuela — and my dad’s favorite 🫶🇻🇪

Invasive species don’t belong here… but they do belong on your plate.

WildFood OutdoorEducation WomenWhoFish NatureNerds SustainableLiving

11/15/2025

After years of fishing, I had never landed a solid largemouth. Just little d***s here and there; fun, but never that big mama destined to become a monster.

But South Florida finally got its first real cold front, and that means one thing: the big nesting mamas of the Everglades are waking up.

And this beauty crushed a X-Rap jerkbait. Proof they don’t just fool peacocks… they get the big girls, too.

What’s your go-to lure for largemouth in the winter?
✝️ “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” ~ Luke 11:11-13

11/07/2025

If you’re chasing barracudas, topwater lures are pure gold. These fish love the surface commotion and when you throw in a shiny Super Spook Jr., you’ve got yourself a barracuda magnet.

💡 Tip: Work the lure fast with short, sharp twitches. The flash and sound will drive them crazy.

What’s your go-to setup for these lightning-fast predators?
His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus.
Mark 9:3-4 NIV

10/23/2025

South Carolina keeps bringing me firsts! 🎣 Thanks to I landed my very first redfish!

This species has always been a challenge for us, but today we finally made it happen; with both live bait and lures. Did you know their colors actually change depending on their environment and what they eat? It’s amazing how the same species can look so different across regions.

What impressed me most was their power; once hooked, they fight on their own terms. Even the smaller ones pull like giants, making every catch unforgettable.

Forever hooked on chasing reds after this day!
Matthew 11:30 NIV
For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”

10/17/2025

After years of tagging along with my husband, this year I finally switched places and stepped behind the rifle. What started as fear of the outdoors—and even fear of the rifle’s loud bang—turned into a journey of patience, training, and growth. Today, it all came together in this harvest.

Many think hunting is cruel, but they don’t see what really happens. About 90% of hunting is walking the woods, observing wildlife, and protecting the land. The last 10% is that sacred moment when God allows you to harvest an animal.

This beautiful doe was not the first deer I saw today, but the right one. Hunting is about patience, selection, and respect—choosing a mature doe, not a button buck, and understanding that managing populations keeps deer healthy and ecosystems balanced. Thank you for the opportunity and the wisdom.

She will feed our family, and her memory will live on forever.

✨ Hunting is conservation.
✨ Women can hunt.
Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
John 6:35

09/27/2025

Why Catching Mayan Cichlids Matters 🎣

Too much competition in a body of water can hurt the health of the fish we love to chase. Here in South Florida, peacock bass may be invasive, but they’ve become one of the most valuable species for our fishing economy and local anglers. Protecting their habitats means managing other invasive species that threaten them.

One of the biggest threats? The Mayan cichlid. This aggressive fish not only competes with peacocks for food, but also goes after their eggs. While peacock bass have a bag limit, Mayan cichlids don’t. That means if you catch a Mayan—you should never release it.

Bonus: many anglers say they taste almost like snapper. So instead of putting them back, take a few home and enjoy a great dinner while helping keep our waters balanced.