Week number five is on us already. Our time is drawing to an end. Time to catch some fish with Cal & Kate. Not so fast. Our offshore fishing woes continued. We ran to Little Harbour and fished our way back 20 miles or so to the North Man-O-War cut one day and then decided to try it again the next day fishing the opposite direction so we could cover the same ground at different times of the day in case that made a difference. We found weedlines, color changes, slicks and birds. All the classic signs where you should also find fish. No luck. We took the next day off to tour the lighthouse and move to Treasure Cay and let Cal & Kate check out one of the top ten beaches in the world, or so they say. I do have to say I believe it is the nicest beach I have ever been on, but you couldn't fish there so I was ready to get back after them the next day. We went to Stumpy's "can't miss" reef spot the next day and the reason they finally quit biting there the last time we were there is that we must have caught the very last fish on the reef. It was terrible. We weren't able to take Stumpy as we were moving on to Green Turtle which was a mistake. I know we were on the right spot, on the incoming tide with the same bait, but they just did not bite. We finished up the day trolling a couple hours and then moving on to Green Turtle. We had a great afternoon there, bar hopping and moved on to the West End the next day. We had a decent day on the reef there and then we said goodbye to the kids and moved on to Bimini. I'm sure the curse of the Jayhawk must have been part of the problem as CJM did let me troll along a weedline near Bimini long enough to catch one nice Dolphin which we ate on for a couple days, but that was all. One last day fishing with Freddie and a rest day and day 36 of our cruise found us on the way home:(:(
All total we cruised 1310 nm which equates to a little over 1500 regular miles. According to our trip meter our average speed was 10.0 knots and our maximum speed was 33.5 knots. I don't remember the 33.5 but it must have been one of those times CJM made me reel up and head in and I wasn't quite ready. Approximately 640 of those miles were spent fishing and 670 were spent moving from port to port. Obviously we need to spend more time fishing next year. One final note on the fishing, as we were approaching Key Biscayne, in about 1000 feet of water we came upon a great weedline, with birds really working it hard and a boat or two catching fish, I'm sure. I looked at CJM and she gave me a really dirty look and we drove on by:(
Today is the last day in Islamorada for us. We will finish cleaning FF III and getting her ready to sit patiently tied up at our slip for the next fishing trip. I was about to unload the charts and cruising guides to take home and CJM said, "you don't need to take those, we won't be thinking about another trip that soon." Really! While she wasn't looking, I slipped a couple cruising guides in my bag. It took about a year to get ready for this trip, I may as well start planning for 2012 right away. Let's see, how does this sound, Cat Island, San Salvador, Rum Cay (CJM should really like this island) and Long Island.
For now, we are both ready to get home. Summer is in full swing at the lake. Time to hang out on the lake with all our friends and of course see Matt & Jabet. But the most important is to spend time with Lola and Oscar :)
CTM
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
GOODBYE BAHAMAS....HELLO GOOD OLE USA!!!
We spent our last two days in the Bahamas doing "lasts".....
We rode our bikes down the island for a "last" conch salad....
"Last" visit to the End of the World Sand Bar and a goodbye hug from our favorite waitress there....Millie :)
"Last" day of fishing with our very FAVORITE guide in the whole Bahamas...Freddie Rolle :) (See previous post by CTM)
Friday morning we said "goodbye" to the best dockmaster in the whole Bahamas, J.R., at the Blue Water Marina and shoved off for the long ride back across the Gulfstream to our "second" home, Islamorada. We decided to head to Miami and then take the intercoastal waterway in order to avoid bucking the Gulfstream. Well, about an hour out of Miami a "Marine Warning" popped up on our GPS indicating that there could be water spouts around Biscayne Bay and for all mariners to be on the lookout. No sooner than we got that warning the U. S. Coast Guard also broadcast the same warning. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!! And...no sooner than the U. S. Coast Guard broadcast the warning WE SAW ONE!!!! O.K....I had had my fill of water spouts while fishing with Moses.... Thankfully the storm/waterspouts were moving north so we had a fairly uneventful entry into Biscayne Bay.....PHEW! Wouldn't it be cool to live in one of these houses (unless there was a hurricane or a water spout, of course)????
Miami skyline....
After enter Biscayne Bay we made the turn to the south and headed toward Islamorada. Card Sound Bridge....
Ahhhhhhh getting closer......U.S. 1 bridge at Key Largo....
An hour later we pulled into Bay Harbour of Islamorada. No pics as CTM was on the bow of the FF III sorting out lines while I was driving her in. Thirty six days later....WE WERE BACK IN THE GOOD OLE USA!!! It was a heck of an adventure!!! Now comes the bad part....laundry, unloading, scrubbing, polishing, waxing, cleaning....UGH! I would love to be able to tap my ruby slippers together and say...."There's no place like home....there's no place like home...." but then I would end up in Kansas, Toto (sorry Katie Bird). So....we will keep our nose to the grind and pull out bright and early Monday morning for our "first" home.....MISSOURI!!!! But, before we leave for home....ONE "LAST" HAPPY HOUR!!!! :) :)
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
We rode our bikes down the island for a "last" conch salad....
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| From 2011-06-25 |
"Last" visit to the End of the World Sand Bar and a goodbye hug from our favorite waitress there....Millie :)
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| From 2011-06-25 |
"Last" day of fishing with our very FAVORITE guide in the whole Bahamas...Freddie Rolle :) (See previous post by CTM)
Friday morning we said "goodbye" to the best dockmaster in the whole Bahamas, J.R., at the Blue Water Marina and shoved off for the long ride back across the Gulfstream to our "second" home, Islamorada. We decided to head to Miami and then take the intercoastal waterway in order to avoid bucking the Gulfstream. Well, about an hour out of Miami a "Marine Warning" popped up on our GPS indicating that there could be water spouts around Biscayne Bay and for all mariners to be on the lookout. No sooner than we got that warning the U. S. Coast Guard also broadcast the same warning. YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME!!!!! And...no sooner than the U. S. Coast Guard broadcast the warning WE SAW ONE!!!! O.K....I had had my fill of water spouts while fishing with Moses.... Thankfully the storm/waterspouts were moving north so we had a fairly uneventful entry into Biscayne Bay.....PHEW! Wouldn't it be cool to live in one of these houses (unless there was a hurricane or a water spout, of course)????
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| From 2011-06-25 |
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| From 2011-06-25 |
Miami skyline....
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| From 2011-06-25 |
After enter Biscayne Bay we made the turn to the south and headed toward Islamorada. Card Sound Bridge....
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| From 2011-06-25 |
Ahhhhhhh getting closer......U.S. 1 bridge at Key Largo....
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| From 2011-06-25 |
An hour later we pulled into Bay Harbour of Islamorada. No pics as CTM was on the bow of the FF III sorting out lines while I was driving her in. Thirty six days later....WE WERE BACK IN THE GOOD OLE USA!!! It was a heck of an adventure!!! Now comes the bad part....laundry, unloading, scrubbing, polishing, waxing, cleaning....UGH! I would love to be able to tap my ruby slippers together and say...."There's no place like home....there's no place like home...." but then I would end up in Kansas, Toto (sorry Katie Bird). So....we will keep our nose to the grind and pull out bright and early Monday morning for our "first" home.....MISSOURI!!!! But, before we leave for home....ONE "LAST" HAPPY HOUR!!!! :) :)
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
Thursday, June 23, 2011
Ballyhoo 24...........Grouper 0 :(:(
We spent our last day in the Bahamas fishing with our good friend Freddie, trolling for Grouper, which is becoming one of my favorite things to do. I'm going to add more detail than needed, but I plan on doing this again and will be able to reference this post. We began the day as usual, Freddie showed up at the boat about 7 AM to pick up the Ballyhoo and the big "Feathered" lures he and I had sorted out the night before to get them rigged and ready. CJM and I wanted to get started early and hopefully have a couple nice Groupers in the box by 2 PM or so and come in early to relax on our last night in town. We started trolling at the south end of Bimini near Turtle rocks in about 40 feet of water. In this area the best rocks are in that depth. As you troll farther south towards Cat Cay, the best rocks are in 70 or so feet of water. In between, the best is 45 or 50. We always want the lures as close to the bottom without getting hung up, which we did misjudge a couple times today. We troll nearly as slow as the boat will go, usually about 4 to 5 knots. The amount of line let out depends on all the above factors, plus current and wind. It is fairly tedious getting the baits set just right. Sometimes when you finally feel the bait bump the bottom it is too late. If you don't get it close enough to the bottom, the Barracuda are more likely to strike the lure. We use 80# trolling wire followed by a 1 or 2 pound trolling lead, followed by a shock leader and then the lure. The shock leader is a 300# mono leader, 15' long which you use to pull the fish in at the end of the battle and then hopefully gaff your prize. By the way, it is generally accepted as a catch once the mate has the leader in his hand or the leader is at least reeled up to the end of the rod.
As you may have guessed by the title to the post, the Grouper won today. They kicked our butts the first few times we tried this in years past, but the last two times we came out on top. Today once again goes to the Grouper. We did however have lots of action. We used 24 Ballyhoo in the attempt. We caught several Barracuda, a Horseye Jack, a large Amberjack....
....and two of the biggest Cero Mackerel I have ever seen, or at least the half I got to see was huge. Freddie said the other half got eaten on the way to the boat by another Mackerel or a big Cuda. All said and done, it was a great day of fishing. We learned more from the master, Freddie. We got to spend one final day on the beautiful waters surrounding Bimini and we will say "goodbye" to her tomorrow. I can't wait until my next trip over.......hopefully before next May. I've got a feeling the old FF III may have to finally make that winter crossing for Wahoo. Freddie and I are already planning the attack and I have much to do between now and then to be ready. I will need a volunteer or two to make the crossing with me as CJM says she will sit that one out and fly over to join me. Can't wait:):)
By the way, Kate, I'm thinking this looks like the likely outcome of the big MU/KU football game this fall. MU 24, KU 0 :):) Go Tigers :):)
CTM
As you may have guessed by the title to the post, the Grouper won today. They kicked our butts the first few times we tried this in years past, but the last two times we came out on top. Today once again goes to the Grouper. We did however have lots of action. We used 24 Ballyhoo in the attempt. We caught several Barracuda, a Horseye Jack, a large Amberjack....
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| From 2011-06-25 |
....and two of the biggest Cero Mackerel I have ever seen, or at least the half I got to see was huge. Freddie said the other half got eaten on the way to the boat by another Mackerel or a big Cuda. All said and done, it was a great day of fishing. We learned more from the master, Freddie. We got to spend one final day on the beautiful waters surrounding Bimini and we will say "goodbye" to her tomorrow. I can't wait until my next trip over.......hopefully before next May. I've got a feeling the old FF III may have to finally make that winter crossing for Wahoo. Freddie and I are already planning the attack and I have much to do between now and then to be ready. I will need a volunteer or two to make the crossing with me as CJM says she will sit that one out and fly over to join me. Can't wait:):)
By the way, Kate, I'm thinking this looks like the likely outcome of the big MU/KU football game this fall. MU 24, KU 0 :):) Go Tigers :):)
CTM
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
FISHING WITH MOSES.....
Let me just say this...."Let the name of Moses be stricken from every book and tablet. Stricken from every pylon and obelisk of Egypt (well, the Bahamas :)). Let the name of Moses be unheard and unspoken, erased from the memory of man, for all time." So...get my drift? Moses didn't exactly part the water for us.... Basically he "fished" and didn't "mate" like most guides do. We did catch enough Yellowtail Snapper, Triggerfish, Schoolmaster Snapper, and Mangrove Snapper for dinner.
And...if you will notice in the previous picture the storm lurking in the background. Well, I hate storms as much as I hate the beach but Moses kept telling us that the tide was running such that the storm would not come our way. Well, I just finished a meterology class and I can tell you that there was NOTHING mentioned about a connection between tides and storms! We watched several water spouts drop out of the storm :O
To prove Moses didn't know squat here is a picture of the radar JUST BEFORE the storm blew over us! The storm, mind you, that we had watched several water spouts drop out of....
So....as you can see....I was annoyed with Moses in more ways than one :(
The restaurant at Old Bahama Bay prepared our fresh Snapper and it was delish!
Tuesday we said "goodbye" to Caldwell and Kate :(
They took a taxi to Freeport where they flew back to Kansas City. I wanted to jump in that taxi with them in the worst way but CTM needs me :) so we loaded up and made our way back to Bimini. We fished our way to Bimini from the West End of Grand Bahama and did catch two small "schoolie" Dolphin...enough for a "cook your catch" at Bimini Big Game Club. We have hooked up with our very favorite guide in ALL of the Bahamas, Freddie Rolle. He and CTM are on the back of Feeding Frenzy III as I write rigging up baits for one last day of Grouper trolling tomorrow before we head back to Islamorada on Friday :( :) Sad in a way, but ready to go home!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
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| From 2011-06-22 |
And...if you will notice in the previous picture the storm lurking in the background. Well, I hate storms as much as I hate the beach but Moses kept telling us that the tide was running such that the storm would not come our way. Well, I just finished a meterology class and I can tell you that there was NOTHING mentioned about a connection between tides and storms! We watched several water spouts drop out of the storm :O
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| From 2011-06-22 |
To prove Moses didn't know squat here is a picture of the radar JUST BEFORE the storm blew over us! The storm, mind you, that we had watched several water spouts drop out of....
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| From 2011-06-22 |
So....as you can see....I was annoyed with Moses in more ways than one :(
The restaurant at Old Bahama Bay prepared our fresh Snapper and it was delish!
Tuesday we said "goodbye" to Caldwell and Kate :(
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| From 2011-06-22 |
They took a taxi to Freeport where they flew back to Kansas City. I wanted to jump in that taxi with them in the worst way but CTM needs me :) so we loaded up and made our way back to Bimini. We fished our way to Bimini from the West End of Grand Bahama and did catch two small "schoolie" Dolphin...enough for a "cook your catch" at Bimini Big Game Club. We have hooked up with our very favorite guide in ALL of the Bahamas, Freddie Rolle. He and CTM are on the back of Feeding Frenzy III as I write rigging up baits for one last day of Grouper trolling tomorrow before we head back to Islamorada on Friday :( :) Sad in a way, but ready to go home!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
Sunday, June 19, 2011
WE ARE SNAKE BIT SO CALLING IN THE TROOPS!
Saturday we got up bright and early in order to catch the incoming tide at our "Stumpy" reef spot. Basically we caught NOTHING again except this Mr. Barry and a couple of grunts....
After fishing the reef spot for about three hours we decided to troll offshore to see if we could break our spell.....NOTHING!!!!! So...we headed on into Green Turtle Cay, rented a golf cart, and decided to do the town up right since after all it WAS Saturday night! We went round and round and round the one-way streets of New Plymouth and did all of the "touristy" stuff....
Our new favorite bar....Sundowners....
Stopped by Pineapples and the Blue Bee for a Goombay Smash....
Back to Sundowners for the sunset and dinner....
We left around 10ish this morning (Sunday) for the 100 mile run :( to the West End of Grand Bahama. We are now tied up at Old Bahama Bay, have washed the boat, and are now relaxing. O.K...like I said...we are "snakebit" with our fishing so we have decided to call in the troops! We are going fishing with MOSES MOXEY tomorrow! Are you kidding me????? Fishing with Moses????? Now, if that doesn't break our spell then nothing will! Fishing report later!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
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| From 2011-06-19 |
After fishing the reef spot for about three hours we decided to troll offshore to see if we could break our spell.....NOTHING!!!!! So...we headed on into Green Turtle Cay, rented a golf cart, and decided to do the town up right since after all it WAS Saturday night! We went round and round and round the one-way streets of New Plymouth and did all of the "touristy" stuff....
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| From 2011-06-19 |
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| From 2011-06-19 |
Our new favorite bar....Sundowners....
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| From 2011-06-19 |
Stopped by Pineapples and the Blue Bee for a Goombay Smash....
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| From 2011-06-19 |
Back to Sundowners for the sunset and dinner....
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| From 2011-06-19 |
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| From 2011-06-19 |
We left around 10ish this morning (Sunday) for the 100 mile run :( to the West End of Grand Bahama. We are now tied up at Old Bahama Bay, have washed the boat, and are now relaxing. O.K...like I said...we are "snakebit" with our fishing so we have decided to call in the troops! We are going fishing with MOSES MOXEY tomorrow! Are you kidding me????? Fishing with Moses????? Now, if that doesn't break our spell then nothing will! Fishing report later!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
Saturday, June 18, 2011
MAKING THE TURN TO THE WEST :) :(
Friday we hiked over to the lighthouse and climbed the 101 steps to the top.
The view is breathtaking up there!
Time to go!
We said "goodbye" to Hope Town and made the turn to the west...meaning we are now officially heading toward home....
:) for me and :( for CTM. Other than really missing "The Bean" (and well the kids, too) I honestly think CTM could be a full time "boat" person. I love being on the boat but Pontiac will ALWAYS be home and I will have to admit that I am just more than a wee bit homesick this time. The only thing different for me this trip is Lola :) It is amazing what a difference grandchildren make in your life :) :) :) The only solution to that problem is...GET HER A PASSPORT!!!!! O.K.....now back to business....
From Hope Town we moved over to Treasure Cay. Obviously the honeymoon is not over yet :)
We spent the afternoon on the beach and then back to a Touch of Class for some cracked lobster....delish! Will fish our way, via Stumpy's reef spot, to Green Turtle Cay on Saturday. Fishing report later!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
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| From 2011-06-18 |
The view is breathtaking up there!
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| From 2011-06-18 |
Time to go!
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| From 2011-06-18 |
We said "goodbye" to Hope Town and made the turn to the west...meaning we are now officially heading toward home....
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| From 2011-06-18 |
:) for me and :( for CTM. Other than really missing "The Bean" (and well the kids, too) I honestly think CTM could be a full time "boat" person. I love being on the boat but Pontiac will ALWAYS be home and I will have to admit that I am just more than a wee bit homesick this time. The only thing different for me this trip is Lola :) It is amazing what a difference grandchildren make in your life :) :) :) The only solution to that problem is...GET HER A PASSPORT!!!!! O.K.....now back to business....
From Hope Town we moved over to Treasure Cay. Obviously the honeymoon is not over yet :)
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| From 2011-06-18 |
We spent the afternoon on the beach and then back to a Touch of Class for some cracked lobster....delish! Will fish our way, via Stumpy's reef spot, to Green Turtle Cay on Saturday. Fishing report later!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
Week Number 4
We completed week number four of our cruise on Thursday. We are up to 843 NM. We are about 200 miles from home so our trip mileage will exceed the 1019 miles we cruised in the Abacos in 2009. The wind has not been our friend the entire trip, but has cooperated much more than last time here. We got offshore 3 times this week with one great day including a Blue Marlin catch and a Hoo, both on the wire line and two "Goose Eggs." The full moon was Wednesday night and I have read and heard conflicting stories about what affect that has on the fishing. Most of our offshore experience over the years has been with dolphin. They as most offshore fish we target are pelagics, open ocean dwellers and surface or shallow depth feeders. Dolphin are said to eat continually during the daylight hours, hence their fast growth rate, nearly an inch per month. Most dolphin caught by us and other anglers are not over two years old. They are said to not feed at night except during the full moon. I am not sure if the other species we have caught, tuna, wahoo and marlin, have the same eating habits, but I'm guessing they must at this point as we were skunked two days in a row during this time. Probably has nothing to do with it, probably CJM just took us to the wrong places. I kept telling her I wanted to fish "Hole in the Wall", a point that juts out off the southeast corner of Great Abaco Island, but she kept saying it was too far out of the way. "Exactly", I would say and that is why it would be loaded with fish. I guess I will have to figure out another time to get there.
Week four consisted of two days with a dark cloud over our heads but lots of free wash water for FF III, one moving day, one great fishing day, two terrible fishing days and a day to do some light service and cleaning on the boat as we awaited the arrival of the newlyweds. The weather forecast looks great for the next few days so we hope to change our luck.
CTM
Week four consisted of two days with a dark cloud over our heads but lots of free wash water for FF III, one moving day, one great fishing day, two terrible fishing days and a day to do some light service and cleaning on the boat as we awaited the arrival of the newlyweds. The weather forecast looks great for the next few days so we hope to change our luck.
CTM
Friday, June 17, 2011
THIRD TIME WAS NOT A CHARM.....
Caldwell and Kate arrived on Tuesday as reported. However, on Monday, prior to their arrival and the day after our big Blue and Hoo catch CTM and I went offshore fishing again in anticipation of another GREAT fishing day. We caught NOTHING! After the kids arrived on Tuesday and the "first night in town syndrome" we left Marsh Harbour and fished offshore on Wednesday. We caught NOTHING! At the end of our fishing day we went to Hope Town and once again to Hope Town Hideaways where we had stayed with L's and K's. Our dinghy has a hole in it and since we had NO fish for dinner Francis, the dockmaster at Hope Town Hideaways, graciously agreed to take us over to Hope Town for dinner....
Francis picked us up promptly at 9:00 p.m. and we enjoyed a full moon cruise back to Hope Town Hideaways :)
Thursday we were up bright and early in anticipation of another offshore day. It was dead calm. I have seen Bull Shoals Lake much rougher than Lake Atlantic! We fished again HARD all day and again NOTHING! So....we have now fished 3 days in a row offshore and have caught absolutely nothing:( CTM and I agree that this is a record for the Feeding Frenzy I, II, and III and not a record that we want to boast about :( So we didn't have to impose on Francis again we thawed out a package of Grouper and Mutton Snapper that we had in the freezer...compliments of L's and K's...and CTM fried fish on the dock.
This morning we will climb the 101 steps to the top of the Hope Town Lighthouse, check out of Hope Town, and head to Treasure Cay where we plan to spend the afternoon on Coco Beach... because you know how I LOVE the beach :) Tomorrow we will head out to the reef spot just off Treasure Cay where we fished with L's and K's. High tide is at noon tomorrow so we will head out at daylight in order to catch the incoming tide. We plan to move to Green Turtle Cay from our reef spot so will catch you on the flip flop there (internet permitting)!
CJM
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| From 2011-06-16 |
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| From 2011-06-16 |
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| From 2011-06-16 |
Francis picked us up promptly at 9:00 p.m. and we enjoyed a full moon cruise back to Hope Town Hideaways :)
Thursday we were up bright and early in anticipation of another offshore day. It was dead calm. I have seen Bull Shoals Lake much rougher than Lake Atlantic! We fished again HARD all day and again NOTHING! So....we have now fished 3 days in a row offshore and have caught absolutely nothing:( CTM and I agree that this is a record for the Feeding Frenzy I, II, and III and not a record that we want to boast about :( So we didn't have to impose on Francis again we thawed out a package of Grouper and Mutton Snapper that we had in the freezer...compliments of L's and K's...and CTM fried fish on the dock.
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| From 2011-06-17 |
This morning we will climb the 101 steps to the top of the Hope Town Lighthouse, check out of Hope Town, and head to Treasure Cay where we plan to spend the afternoon on Coco Beach... because you know how I LOVE the beach :) Tomorrow we will head out to the reef spot just off Treasure Cay where we fished with L's and K's. High tide is at noon tomorrow so we will head out at daylight in order to catch the incoming tide. We plan to move to Green Turtle Cay from our reef spot so will catch you on the flip flop there (internet permitting)!
CJM
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
THE HONEYMOONERS HAVE ARRIVED!!!
All rested and ready to go fishin'! Let the fun begin....
The tide was waaaaay down...
Goin' fishin' today :) Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
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| From 2011-06-15 |
The tide was waaaaay down...
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| From 2011-06-15 |
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| From 2011-06-15 |
Goin' fishin' today :) Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
MR. BLUE AND MR. HOO :)
Sounds like a Dr. Seuss story, huh... As promised...Sunday's fishing report...
We headed out early as the winds had calmed FINALLY! The first couple of hours were pretty uneventful...CTM changing out the baits and us nibbling on fresh tuna salad sandwiches :) At one point these four guys even flew directly over the boat! That got our adrenaline flowing :) But still nothing :(
CTM was driving and I was sitting down below daydreaming when all of a sudden that whirrrrrrrrrr sound woke me up! It was the wire rig on the aft port rod holder (sound familiar Dave & Don?)! HOLY SCHNIKES....IT WAS A BLUE MARLIN! That particular reel has 600 yards of line...200 yards of wire and 400 yard of heavy mono. Well, he peeled off all of the wire plus about 100 yards of the mono. Our work was cut out for us! I strapped the harness on CTM and headed up to take command of the Feeding Frenzy III. Let me just say this...both of us got a total aerobic workout on that one...CTM fighting the Blue and me running to and from the bridge. I can also report that CTM was hoarse after the fight..."FORWARD FORWARD FORWARD, IN AND OUT, SLOW DOWN, SPEED UP, GET DOWN HERE, GET BACK UP THERE, WHERE IS YOUR CAMERA, HURRY UP!"
We have always talked about this day....would we be able to pull it off with just the two of us on board???? Here's your answer....
There really was just the two of us on board and we took about 15 of these holding the camera with one hand and this is as good as it gets....
And...these are 3 of our favorite things!!!!
We topped off our day with a Mr. Hoo...again on the wire line rig :)
We proudly flew our flag and had lots of "CONGRATULATIONS" at the marina!
We caught our Blue in the pocket off of Tilloo Cay and would like to report that we spotted another Blue in the same area that day! It was in the same area that we spotted a Blue jumping a few days before with The Donkey Master and The Spaniard on board:) Caldwell and Kate arrive this afternoon and obviously we will head to Tilloo Cay with them tomorrow. CTM is on his way to the marina store to purchase another Blue Marlin flag...just in case :) Our only regret is that we could not have shared our experience with the Loopers and Kinscherffs....NEXT YEAR!!!!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
We headed out early as the winds had calmed FINALLY! The first couple of hours were pretty uneventful...CTM changing out the baits and us nibbling on fresh tuna salad sandwiches :) At one point these four guys even flew directly over the boat! That got our adrenaline flowing :) But still nothing :(
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| From 2011-06-12 |
CTM was driving and I was sitting down below daydreaming when all of a sudden that whirrrrrrrrrr sound woke me up! It was the wire rig on the aft port rod holder (sound familiar Dave & Don?)! HOLY SCHNIKES....IT WAS A BLUE MARLIN! That particular reel has 600 yards of line...200 yards of wire and 400 yard of heavy mono. Well, he peeled off all of the wire plus about 100 yards of the mono. Our work was cut out for us! I strapped the harness on CTM and headed up to take command of the Feeding Frenzy III. Let me just say this...both of us got a total aerobic workout on that one...CTM fighting the Blue and me running to and from the bridge. I can also report that CTM was hoarse after the fight..."FORWARD FORWARD FORWARD, IN AND OUT, SLOW DOWN, SPEED UP, GET DOWN HERE, GET BACK UP THERE, WHERE IS YOUR CAMERA, HURRY UP!"
We have always talked about this day....would we be able to pull it off with just the two of us on board???? Here's your answer....
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| From 2011-06-12 |
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| From 2011-06-12 |
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| From 2011-06-12 |
There really was just the two of us on board and we took about 15 of these holding the camera with one hand and this is as good as it gets....
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| From 2011-06-12 |
And...these are 3 of our favorite things!!!!
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| From 2011-06-12 |
We topped off our day with a Mr. Hoo...again on the wire line rig :)
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| From 2011-06-12 |
We proudly flew our flag and had lots of "CONGRATULATIONS" at the marina!
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| From 2011-06-12 |
We caught our Blue in the pocket off of Tilloo Cay and would like to report that we spotted another Blue in the same area that day! It was in the same area that we spotted a Blue jumping a few days before with The Donkey Master and The Spaniard on board:) Caldwell and Kate arrive this afternoon and obviously we will head to Tilloo Cay with them tomorrow. CTM is on his way to the marina store to purchase another Blue Marlin flag...just in case :) Our only regret is that we could not have shared our experience with the Loopers and Kinscherffs....NEXT YEAR!!!!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
Sunday, June 12, 2011
YOU SAY GOODBYE AND I SAY HELLO.....
Thursday and Friday, our final two days with Loopers & Kinscherffs, ended up with a tropical "situation" sitting right on top of us....rain and 20 knot winds :( Saturday morning we had to say "goodbye" to our friends :(
Part of me wanted to "jump ship" and fly home with them so I struggled with that "goodbye!" I have never felt this way before....think it might have something to do with that little Lola Bean waiting for us at home :) Thanks to Skype....we have been able to see her and talk to her when we had decent internet :)
CTM and I loaded up and said "hello" to Marsh Harbor, cleaned the boat, and then relaxed....
We will be in Marsh Harbor waiting on the arrival of Caldwell and Kate on Tuesday :) The winds have finally calmed and the skies cleared so CTM is in the "hurry up, hurry up, hurry up" mode. We are going fishing today after a long dry spell (well, not too dry) so hopefully will have a fishing report later :)
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
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| From 2011-06-12 |
Part of me wanted to "jump ship" and fly home with them so I struggled with that "goodbye!" I have never felt this way before....think it might have something to do with that little Lola Bean waiting for us at home :) Thanks to Skype....we have been able to see her and talk to her when we had decent internet :)
CTM and I loaded up and said "hello" to Marsh Harbor, cleaned the boat, and then relaxed....
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| From 2011-06-12 |
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| From 2011-06-12 |
We will be in Marsh Harbor waiting on the arrival of Caldwell and Kate on Tuesday :) The winds have finally calmed and the skies cleared so CTM is in the "hurry up, hurry up, hurry up" mode. We are going fishing today after a long dry spell (well, not too dry) so hopefully will have a fishing report later :)
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
Friday, June 10, 2011
LOST IN THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE :)
Wednesday we decided to take the day off, rent golf carts, and explore Treasure Cay. Now....just let me say that I now know all about why people disappear in the Bermuda Triangle :) Looper a/k/a The Spaniard was leading and decided to take us down a gravel road to the end of time....
O.K....I am thinking....this IS the Bermuda Triangle! People come here, drive down this road, come upon a meth lab (being a Missouri resident from the #1 meth producing state in the country I am always thinking about that), get their throats slit, and are never heard from again! Well, low and behold, when we neared the end we found a quiet little anchorage. See the look of relief on my face :)
At the end....
Headed back to civilization and to Coco Beach....rated in the top 10 in the world according to Treasure Cay advertisements :) Three Amigos, Stooges, or Musketeers....you decide AGAIN!
"What the heck are you doing on my beach?"
Pina coladas with a "151 Rum" topper....VERY DANGEROUS!!!!
When we fished with Stumpy he told us that he would be playing in a band at a local joint called "Burners." So...after the pina coladas and the 151 rum we decided that "Burners" sounded like fun :) Here is a slideshow and sampling of our whole day again and evening!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
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| From 2011-06-09 |
O.K....I am thinking....this IS the Bermuda Triangle! People come here, drive down this road, come upon a meth lab (being a Missouri resident from the #1 meth producing state in the country I am always thinking about that), get their throats slit, and are never heard from again! Well, low and behold, when we neared the end we found a quiet little anchorage. See the look of relief on my face :)
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| From 2011-06-09 |
At the end....
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| From 2011-06-09 |
Headed back to civilization and to Coco Beach....rated in the top 10 in the world according to Treasure Cay advertisements :) Three Amigos, Stooges, or Musketeers....you decide AGAIN!
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| From 2011-06-09 |
"What the heck are you doing on my beach?"
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| From 2011-06-09 |
Pina coladas with a "151 Rum" topper....VERY DANGEROUS!!!!
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| From 2011-06-09 |
When we fished with Stumpy he told us that he would be playing in a band at a local joint called "Burners." So...after the pina coladas and the 151 rum we decided that "Burners" sounded like fun :) Here is a slideshow and sampling of our whole day again and evening!
Catch you on the flip flop....
CJM
Week Number 3
We have just finished week number three on our cruise. Our odometer reading is up to 659 NM. We are currently at Treasure Cay but will be leaving here Saturday morning and our cruising companions Loopers and Kinscherffs will be flying home as well. The wind has not cooperated with us very well on this trip. We have found plenty to occupy our time though. We did get offshore this week for some incredible reef fishing one day and we ran and trolled 80 miles one day offshore for a little action in the deep water. We have caught just about enough fish to eat our fresh catch every night and now that our bait freezer is beginning to empty out we have frozen a few bags of fish to take home.
Offshore our wire line reel has been the most consistent. We troll it with a ballyhoo on a big feather and have caught several nice Wahoo. We have been practicing catch and release (unintentionally) with a couple of them. I now know I must find a way to get the Feeding Frenzy across the gulf Stream in the winter for some Wahoo fishing. Freddie tells us that it is not uncommon to catch 20 or 30 per day that time of year. After knocking off a couple really nice ones at the back of the boat, I need more experience at handling the fish once we get them to that point. Old Billy has also been pretty consistent for Blackfin Tunas on the riggers. Looper was catching them so fast the other day, Dave and I could not even get our wire lines out in the spread. We did have a couple "big fish" thrills. CJM spotted a Blue Marlin very close to the boat but no bite and we had the "shotgun" rig start peeling line like it was hooked to a boat but it dropped the bait before we could see what it was. By the way, we do now know what it is like to have your line hooked to a boat heading the other direction, thanks to a rental boat who cut too close behind us.
As it often happens, the wind is going to lay starting tonight when our friends are about to head home. We will be moving to Marsh Harbor in anticipation of Caldwell & Kate's arrival on Tuesday. We will need to do a little provisioning and will be a little closer to what seems to be the "hot fishing grounds" so hopefully will get to go out and practice handling fish a little before the newlyweds get on board.
CTM
Offshore our wire line reel has been the most consistent. We troll it with a ballyhoo on a big feather and have caught several nice Wahoo. We have been practicing catch and release (unintentionally) with a couple of them. I now know I must find a way to get the Feeding Frenzy across the gulf Stream in the winter for some Wahoo fishing. Freddie tells us that it is not uncommon to catch 20 or 30 per day that time of year. After knocking off a couple really nice ones at the back of the boat, I need more experience at handling the fish once we get them to that point. Old Billy has also been pretty consistent for Blackfin Tunas on the riggers. Looper was catching them so fast the other day, Dave and I could not even get our wire lines out in the spread. We did have a couple "big fish" thrills. CJM spotted a Blue Marlin very close to the boat but no bite and we had the "shotgun" rig start peeling line like it was hooked to a boat but it dropped the bait before we could see what it was. By the way, we do now know what it is like to have your line hooked to a boat heading the other direction, thanks to a rental boat who cut too close behind us.
As it often happens, the wind is going to lay starting tonight when our friends are about to head home. We will be moving to Marsh Harbor in anticipation of Caldwell & Kate's arrival on Tuesday. We will need to do a little provisioning and will be a little closer to what seems to be the "hot fishing grounds" so hopefully will get to go out and practice handling fish a little before the newlyweds get on board.
CTM
Thursday, June 9, 2011
TWENTY FIVE TIMES TWO!
Tuesday CTM, The Donkey Master, The Spaniard, and I went fishing while Leann and Jeannie decided to spend the day relaxing. I cried because the boys made me go with them :) We caught 4 nice Blackfin Tuna and the boys cried when I made them reel up early so we could get back early to celebrate Leann's milestone birthday :) Let me just say....she is two hot 25 year olds wrapped up into one! We celebrated at "A Touch of Class" but all agreed Leann has a whole lot more than "a touch"!
Complete with "Happy Birthday to You", cake, and candles....
HAPPY TWENTY FIVE TIMES TWO TRIPS AROUND THE SUN, LEANN!!!!!!
Catch you on the flip flop.....
CJM
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| From 2011-06-08 |
Complete with "Happy Birthday to You", cake, and candles....
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| From 2011-06-08 |
HAPPY TWENTY FIVE TIMES TWO TRIPS AROUND THE SUN, LEANN!!!!!!
Catch you on the flip flop.....
CJM
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