It was Wednesday when I decided that it was a good time to take the wife out on the boat for some fishing, (for me), and relaxation, (for her) for the weekend coming up. First off, she had to be free to be able to make the trip, which it turned out she was. Second, I had to come up with a game plan as to accommodate my special passenger. Taking your wife is not the same as taking your buddies. You have to cater to their “special needs”. Cushions, towels, sunscreen, radio, snacks, hats, extra clothing & of coarse, the bimini. These are not necessities that I load when it’s my friends & I. But when you take the family out-yes, you are killing two birds with one stone. On one hand, you’re getting on the water to get some fishing in while at the same time, you taking care of some good ole’ family quality time. But it’s not that simple. A good situation can go bad real quick.

The main factor in planning a family outing is being “sensitive to their needs”. Women & children may not be into fishing as much as you are. You envision a day of beating the bushes in search of redfish & snook or offshore hunting dolphin or kings. But to them, they see a day on the water, with the sun shining, wind blowing in their hair, and the cool water right there to swim in if they so desire. So the key is to find that happy median.

It took me a few times out to realize the importance of being sensitive to “their needs”, for if you just take care of yourself, it will be a long ride home. I’ve been taking my wife now for about 2 yrs. to our special place. We don’t leave at 5:00 a.m. in the morning, but rather around 8:00 or 9:00. Then we get down there and get situated-loading everything under the sun it seems sometimes, but I guess needed. Then go for bait and some fishing. Now by this time, it’s already close to lunch, so instead of packing one, we go to a little restaurant on top of a fishing pier in Anna Maria. It has plenty of cold beer and great grouper sandwiches. Then after we wait the heat out a little, go back out for the afternoon. Makes for a great “lunch date”, and your right there on the water.

Now when it gets windy, you really have to take it easy. One of the first trips out in my boat was a windy one with the wife. I didn’t know how to handle the boat yet in those conditions, and between her yelling at me and the waves getting worse, I got frustrated which to me, equaled an increase in speed. Well, that didn’t go over to well & she didn’t go out again with me for about 6 months. But that was my fault-not relating to her situation and insecurities with my inexperience in boat handling. Experience is a great teacher-but sometimes a hard one. Now I know I should’ve just laid it down and took it easy on the way in. I thought you were supposed to get on top of the waves. Boy was I wrong.

Another thing I’ve learned is when they say it’s time to go in, you better listen. If not, you will hear about it for days. Or better yet, not get them to go again. The fish may be biting, but if your crew is not happy, you won’t be happy. Again, it’s about focusing on them and their day out with you on the water, and not about catching your grand slam. Put their needs first & it will pay off down the road.

So next time you have a free weekend and can get your loved ones out with you, I strongly advise it, but make sure you’re focusing on what’s important-your loved ones. You might be surprised, the fishing god’s could reward you with that fish of a lifetime and the best company in the world to share it with.