Tyler Gernstein, 8, is no stranger to roosterfish.
Last year he caught a 59-pound monster with a little help. This time, a year older and with experience under his belt, he hooked into a 35-pounder. The mate on the boat tried to help Tyler lift the rod, but he didn’t need it.
“Don’t worry about the rod, I got it,” he said. “Hang on to me!”
Everyone on the boat smiled. If the rod was going in the water, the boy would be attached to it.
In the end, Tyler landed the fish pictured here all by himself.
