But before releasing the big fish, the experienced old sea captain reached into his pocket and pulled out his tape measure and said, “Wow, he’s a real beauty, nearly thirty inches! Don’t you think we should get a picture or two with him before we set him free?”

            “Oh, yes!” Sarah said, and she pulled her camera out of her bag. With all the excitement, she’d forgot she’d even brought it along!

            The captain handed Bobby his fish and showed him just how to hold it, by the gills, so it couldn’t get away. The Brown family all posed with Bobby and his fish, while the captain snapped several pictures. As they all watched Captain Hensley release the fish back into the ocean, they clapped and cheered. The fish even seemed to say thank you as he leaped high into the air before disappearing forever.

            “You know,” the captain said, “I wouldn’t admit this to just anyone, but I usually throw mine back too.” That was just the thing Bobby Brown needed to hear, after all, he didn’t want anyone thinking he was a wimp!

            Everyone caught several fish that afternoon, everyone except Bobby’s mother, of course, who didn’t fish at all. But Sarah enjoyed watching the excitement aboard the MaryJo, more than she thought she would. As each catch was reeled in, she’d take several pictures, to enjoy with her family later.

            Everyone felt the excitement of each catch, and they all shared the fun of reeling them in for everyone’s examination. They all had to admit that none of the fish caught that day were as big or beautiful as Bobby’s first sea bass. Although it was a lot of fun catching the fish, they all enjoyed the last part of fishing most of all, when the ocean swallowed them up after they were put back into their element, their undersea sanctuary.

            It had been a wonderful day, and the time flew by. When the captain finally said it was time to pack up their gear and head for shore, even Sarah had to admit the day had been very enjoyable in spite of her fears. Fishing and sailing had been such a wonderful experience for everyone. It felt good to be away from the hustle and bustle of a large crowd, like at the amusement park Sarah had at first hoped Bobby would pick.

            When all of their gear was stowed below deck, the captain pulled up the anchor and hoisted the sails. The MaryJo began to plunge through the swells on her way back to shore. The captain casually mentioned that he’d planned on getting a little earlier start back to shore, but that last catch had put them a little behind schedule. When Captain Hensley noticed a worried look on Sarah’s face, he smiled reassuringly and said to the family, “Now don’t you folks worry a bit we still have plenty of daylight left, and with this wind, we should make it back to shore in record time!”