Reeling in the Unexpected: Getting Out of My Comfort Zone and Into Deeper Waters

Written by: Brad Pedersen

I have been surrounded by fishing my whole life.   Growing up in western Canada, I had a certain image of fishing. It meant casting lines into ponds, streams, and lakes, where the fish were familiar and predictable. 

I knew of swordfish and sailfish, but they seemed like creatures from another world—exotic, almost mythical, and far beyond my reality. The idea of ever catching one myself never crossed my mind. But life has a way of surprising us when we’re open to exploring new possibilities.

A New Adventure Begins

Recently, our friends Jeff and Marda visited us in Florida. Over the years, our friendship has grown, and through our conversations, I discovered Jeff’s deep love for the ocean. He had always dreamed of going deep-sea fishing, and as we planned our time together, I knew exactly what to do—I booked us a boat and a guide

We reached the dock before sunrise, the sky still cloaked in darkness. With steaming cups of coffee in hand, we set sail into the quiet morning. 

As we made our way through the inlet and out to the open ocean, I asked our captain what we might catch. His response was simple: “Whatever is biting.” He explained that the waters next to south Florida were full of possibilities—we could reel in anything from jackfish and sturgeon to snapper, swordfish, or tuna.  

Switching Strategies

We began the day by trolling, dragging baited lines behind the boat, but the fish were nowhere to be found. Adjusting our approach, we switched to jigging—dropping lures to the ocean floor and jerking them upward to entice fish from the reef. Still, nothing.

By late morning, the wind picked up. That’s when the boat's first mate suggested we switch to kite fishing, a method I had heard of but had never tried. The concept is simple but requires skill: a kite flies behind the boat with baited lines hanging below, with the lures just below the water’s surface mimicking a struggling fish.

I have come to learn that kite fishing is highly interactive.  It requires constant adjustments to keep the bait in the perfect position as the kite moves with the wind. After about 30 minutes of continuous fine-tuning, one of the lines suddenly snapped sideways—something had taken the bait!

The Catch of a Lifetime

The guide grabbed the rod and set the hook. Then, a giant silver flash emerged from the water—a sailfish! Everyone on board erupted in excitement as we could tell it was very large. But that is when we realized we had a potential problem: the fish was massive and had been hooked on a rod with only a 30-pound test line!

Jeff jumped into the fighting chair, and the guide handed him the rod. I scrambled to reel in the other lines to ensure there would be no risk of entanglement.  The battle was on.

Our guide coached Jeff through every move. “Let him run! Don’t reel too fast!” The key was applying the Goldilocks principle—pulling when there was slack, letting the fish go when it fought.  I almost made a critical mistake, when while Jeff was reeling, I overtightened the tension, but the guide reacted quickly and loosened it off just in time.

After a lengthy fight with much anticipation we finally got the sailfish close to the boat.  With a swift motion, our guide reached down, grabbed the fish by the bill, and hoisted it into the boat. 

Cheers erupted as we celebrated, exchanging high-fives in pure excitement!  We quickly gathered around, lifting the fish for a photo before gently releasing it back into the ocean, watching in awe as it disappeared into the deep; free once again.

As I have reflected on this experience I realize there are some important life lessons that can be learned.

Balance is A Myth

There’s a common misconception that we should strive for perfect work-life balance. In reality, different seasons of life demand different priorities and focus.

Kite fishing offers a perfect parallel. It requires constant adjustments—letting out the line when the kite soars too high and reeling it in when it dips too low. You can’t just set it and forget it.

Life works the same way. Achieving a constant state of balance is impossible; instead, if we make time for moments of reflection, we can only recognize when we’re out of balance. Life is always in motion, and focusing on one area indefinitely isn’t possible.   The goal isn’t to find perfect balance, but intentional course corrections. As Greg McKeown wisely puts it, “Trying to ‘balance’ everything is the fastest way to feel like you’re failing at everything.” The key is staying aware and adjusting along the way.

Be Persistent, But Stay Nimble

Nothing drives progress more than persistence and determination. However success also requires adaptability—paying attention to feedback and making the necessary changes along the way.

Jeff Bezos put it best: “Be stubborn about your vision, but flexible with your approach.”

We were committed to catching a fish, but we didn’t cling to a single method. We stayed focused on the goal while remaining open to adjusting the plan. In business, you only need to be right once—to transform your life.

Final Thoughts

That day on the water was about so much more than catching a fish. It was about embracing the unexpected, learning the value of stepping outside our comfort zones, and discovering the rewards that come with trying something new. Above all, it was about the deep fulfillment of seeing a friend’s lifelong dream come true. 

If this story resonated with you and you’re an accomplished leader seeking greater fulfillment in life, then we invite you to join us for a transformative workshop on April 10th. Together, we’ll explore the root causes of dissatisfaction and share practical strategies to help you cultivate greater joy in your journey.   Click this LINK to learn more. 

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