TREASURE CAY FISHING.....

Monday looked windy windy windy and I (conveniently) had some work to do on the computer so I stayed behind...

Nice 20 pounder, Jared! 

Tuesday, our last day of fishing in Treasure Cay, we decided to leave at daylight, do some reef fishing, and troll....a little bit of everything!  

Nice Ocean Triggerfish and Yellowfin Tuna, Jared!!!!

Getting a lesson on "how to properly clean fish" from Dr. Dave :) 

On Wednesday we said "goodbye" to Jared and Ashley who were heading back to the good ole USA and we packed up and trolled our way to Schooner Bay....a new destination for all of us :) 

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM

WHAT WE DO ON WINDY DAYS....

We wanted to take an excursion to Green Turtle Cay as nobody but CTM and I had been there.  We decided to go on Sunday as that was going to be the windiest day.  No excursion is ever complete without a stop at the local conch salad stand.  And....it is a requirement that all "newbies" partake in the ritual of swallowing that long slimy male genitalia of the conch aka the conch pistol aka Bahamian viagra :)

Next stop was a beach stop where we all were needing to hit the bushes.  Wow!  This could come in handy...

Incredibly beautiful beach.....

I see they failed to "get my skinny side" as my good friend "Cinny"  always says.....

The Three Musketeers or The Three Stooges....you decide! 

And...one last pit stop :)

Captain Larry delivered us safe and sound across the Sea of Abaco to Treasure Cay...

It was a WONDERFUL day indeed! :)  

Catch you on the flip flop.....

CJM

FISHING WITH THE STUMPMEISTER....

Saturday looked like it was going to NOT be an offshore day wind wise so while we were waiting on Loopers and Emerys to arrive we looked up Stumpy.  We fished with Stumpy the last time we were in Treasure Cay and agreed that it was probably the best reef fishing day we had ever had.   Once the boys found him they told him that we were looking for a protected reef spot for Saturday knowing offshore reef spots would be uncomfortable at best.  Yes, yes, he had protected spots where we could catch Mutton Snapper he assured us.  Didn't head out until mid-morning as we knew the new crew would need to recover from that "first night in town syndrome." Stumpy did take us to a kindasorta protected reef spot and after about 5 drops he wanted to move.....TO AN OFFSHORE REEF SPOT!  UGH.....I knew it was not going to be pleasant.   I NEVER get seasick but, well, I did and ultimately provided chum for reef fishing :(  Dr. Dave pulled out some of his scopolamine patches for a couple of the others as well.

  Now about the fishing.  Jeannie was the winner with this nice Mutton Snapper.....

It was a good reef day....20 Yellowtail  Snapper, 1 Mutton Snapper and a Blue Parrotfish....

Our "Sport Fish of Florida" book says the Blue Parrotfish is "not usually eaten."  But, the Stumpmeister (as CTM calls him) said they are good to eat.  A few of us were leary but since we had 2 doctors, 1 nurse, and an EMT in our crew we said, "GO FOR IT!"   Don Julio and Jarhead were the only brave ones and well, they are still kickin' :)  Not one of our best reef days but obviously we had plenty of fish for dinner and then some.

Catch you on the flip flop.....

CJM

"SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW...."

   

Catch you on the flip flop.....

CJM

MOVING TO TREASURE....BOYS AND THEIR TOYS

On Thursday we moved on to Treasure Cay where we were to meet Dr. Dave, Loopers, and Emerys.  After a little challenging dockage we got the ole Feeding Frenzy in it's new home for another week.  Dave arrived later in the day and we got word from Loopers and Emerys that they would not make it until Friday :(  Flight delays in STL screwed up their whole schedule.  They spent the night in Orlando and were in Treasure Cay on Friday by happy hour.  I think they were more than ready for happy hour when they arrived... :)

Prior to their arrival CTM and Dave spent the afternoon perusing the tackle.....BOYS AND THEIR TOYS!  

On Saturday we met up with Captain Stumpy to show us some protected reef fishing spots since the wind was blowing 20 knots :(  Well, he led us down the primrose path.  As it turned out he didn't really have any "protected" reef spots.  It was a really really BAD day!  I actually got sick and provided some chum for the reef fishing :)  I rarely get sick but this was just a really really bad day :(  When I say "bad day" that does remind me of an old saying...."A bad day of fishing is better than a good day at the office!"  :) :)  

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM 

GREEN TURTLE CAY

So after the toilet dilemma and a little fishing (no luck) in Grand Cay on Tuesday we moved on to Green Turtle Cay.  We pulled into the Bluff House Marina.....quite a different scene than Rosie's Place on Grand Cay....very upscale, clean, and actually not even as expensive...go figure!

We walked over to the beach bar.  CTM tried to get me to go down on the beach for a photo...OH NO....I AM NOT FALLING FOR THAT TRICK!  YOU KNOW I HATE THE BEACH!!!!! This is as close as I wanted to get :) 

We headed back to the boat and stopped at the bar by the marina.  Two for one happy hour foo foo drinks...... WHAT.....doesn't get any better that that!!  CTM decided to drink one of the two....very uncharacteristic for the "Old Salt."  I am pretty sure he only did it because at that point he didn't think I needed TWO MORE RUM DRINKS :) 

We stayed on Green Turtle Cay Tuesday and Wednesday and headed to Treasure Cay on Thursday where we will be meeting the Loopers, Kinscherffs, and Emerys :)  Looking forward to getting some "grunts" and younger blood on the boat so I don't have to DO EVERYTHING :)  

Catch you on the flip flop.....

CJM 

THE BERMUDA TRIANGLE AND MOTHER'S DAY.....

We have been to Grand Cay twice....Mother's Day 2009 and Mother's Day 2015.   In 2009 our head quit working and CTM's Mother's Day gift to me was to tear the head apart and fix it.  Needless to say it was a shitty job :)  Well, guess what!  We arrived in Grand Cay on Sunday, Mother's Day 2015 and our head quit working AGAIN!!!!  I am SURE Grand Cay must be at the apex of the Bermuda Triangle :)  I think I can speak for CTM and say that we will NOT be going to Grand Cay ever again on Mother's Day :)

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM 

ALAN'S GOT IT RIGHT......

Where the sky meets the water.  Where the wind is my song. Where the sun is my brother. That's were I belong :) 

West End of Grand Bahama......

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM

FINAL DAY OF FISHING WITH FREDDIE :(

We are a little behind on posting..internet has been sketchy at best the last few days :(

We decided to run all the way to the reef spot to fish for Mutton Snapper.   Freddie and Tim concocted this chum bomb method....fill conch shells with sand and chum and drop them down into the deep water.

 After moving a couple of times (those of you who know me know me know how I love to move) we basically struck out....no Muttons.  We did catch a couple of small Strawberry Groupers and several Queen Triggerfish.  Since we had a successful day of trolling the day before we decided to troll our way back....BAM! 

Woo hoo....Wahoo, CTM!  

Moved to the West End on Friday......

Catch you on the flip flop...

CJM

LOOK, NORMAN...YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!

We were on our way out fishing on Thursday and were followed out by this boat heading to Andros.  He was inquiring at the dock as to where he could get fuel in the Abacos :)

Looked a lot like your boat, Norman, except it was red and had South Dakota numbers on it :) Seriously?????? Load up, put a life jacket on Karen and COME ON DOWN!!!!!

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM

WEDNESDAY FISHING REPORT

After Sunday was such a bad experience.....blowing 20+ knots and NO fish we decided to stay in and do boat chores, drink some Kalik, and go to Stuart's for conch salad Monday and Tuesday since the winds were to be even worse those two days.  So...by Wednesday, as you can imagine, CTM was faunching at the bits to get out and the wind forecast was for relatively calm seas.  We decided to troll to the south to Gun Cay where we planned to anchor up and fish for Mutton Snapper.  Trolling was only a fuel efficient way of getting there.  After being skunked on Sunday we didn't have high hopes of catching anything trolling.

BAM!!!!  WE HAD THESE IN THE BOX BY 10:30 :) :) 

All five were gaffers :)  We never made it to the Mutton spot and besides it was once again ROUGH ROUGH ROUGH.  I am not sure who was responsible for that Windguru and Windfinder report that day but they need to have their throats slit!!!! We had enough for everyone on the dock and for dinner for several days......

We were planning to leave and head on up to the West End of Grand Bahama Thursday but CTM begged for "just one more day of fishing with Freddie" and of course I couldn't say "no!"  O.K...Mutton fishing tomorrow :) 

Catch you on the flip flop...

CJM

MEET OUR NEW FRIENDS....

Monday was a windy day in paradise so we took the day off and chilled :)   This is Cam and Joellen....our new friends that have been living on a sailboat with their parents for two years!!!!!

Both were extremely articulate and also very inquisitive :)  My kids can appreciate this statement...."I am pretty sure I met my match when it comes to inquiring minds!"  Cam and  Joellen are on their way back to the U.S. with their parents where they plan to sell their boat and buy a house.  We think they said they were going to end up in South Carolina.  They have a website where they have been posting.  The address is www.loveatfirstsail.com   

Next right at sunset we enjoyed this wonderful serenade by this sailor from Vancouver, Canada. Not quick enough on the draw to get the entire song but well, you will get the idea :)  

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM

LAST DAY IN TOWN WITH BRAD AND SARA...

This post is a little out of sequence as this was a recap of our day on Friday, March 13, the day before Brad and Sara flew back  home....

We decided to rent a golf cart and make the rounds.  "Making the rounds" in Bimini means having a "round" at every bar in Bimini :)  First stop was Stuart's for a conch salad and a Bush Crack :)  Everyone agreed you only need one...it was definitely "special!" 

We drove on up to Bimini Bay and checked out the progress there.  Our first trip to Bimini was in 2006 with the Petersons.  They had begun Bimini Bay then and we actually toured a couple of condos for sale.  Well.....they are STILL building up there!  It is now called Resorts World Bimini.  A cruise ship from Miami comes over 3 days a week with loads of Miamians to gamble in their new casino and who knows what else :(  Even though we have never been crazy about that development I always did give them an A+ on their infinity pool.  I always thought it was the most beautiful infinity pool I had ever seen in my life.  Well....NO MORE!  The cruise ship dock is now in front of the pool area so it mars the beautiful view from the pool :(  O.K...enough about that.... 

We drove all around and of course, a visit to Bimini would not be complete without a pic in front of the entrance at Big John's and the famous sign :) 

Since I couldn't get Sara AND the sign in one shot here it is......

Next stop was End of the World Bar but didn't get any pics :(  Then it was on up to Sherry's On The Beach :) 

O.K....maybe that was a joint she was smoking after all cause SHE GOT DA MOVES!!!!!!!

Just one more!!!!!

We had dropped our fish off at The Three Sisters restaurant for a cook your catch deal.   We decided maybe we needed to put some food on top of the Bush Crack, several Kaliks, and a few Gombay Smashes.  But....a good time was had by all!  

We had to say "goodbye" on Saturday but Brad and Sara said they caught the "island fever" and would be back!!!! 

Catch you on the flip flop...

CJM  

SUNDAY FISHING REPORT......

When we catch fish Freddie cleans the fish and CTM and I clean the boat so here is the fishing report....

C

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM

A LITTLE LESSON IN GEOGRAPHY.......

So we met a couple of guys today that said they were sailing from Honduras to South America.  I am now carrying my camera everywhere because I did not get a pic of them :(  I said, "Dudes, you should have taken a right instead of a left....the Bahamas are NOT on the way to South America from Honduras!"  They spoke very broken English and just smiled so not sure what that was all about....maybe drug runners or well, my imagination ran rampant with this one :)

Hope to get out fishing tomorrow....so stay tuned for a fishing report.

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM

MEET THE FOCKERS :)

We arrived in Bimini late on Thursday afternoon....nothing much to report except we had a few beers, went to Bimini Big Game Club  for a "Seafood Sampler" and met some folks from New York that we saw on the plane coming over from Fort Lauderdale (more on them later :) ).  

Got up on Friday morning, did some boat chores...

And then headed up to Stuart's for a cold Kalik, some fresh conch salad, and more Kalik...

It

It was a WONDERFUL 1st first day in town :)  

We decided to cook some Wahoo (from the freezer) on the boat for dinner.  Well, CTM saw Stevie S, "The Bimini Boy", limping his way up to the deck at the Big Game so after we frogged our sides with Wahoo and mac and cheese we headed up to the deck to get our Stevie "fix."  When we arrived we ran into the folks from New York and decided to join them.  Now we come to the "Meet The Fockers" part of this story :)  They were very stoic and made the announcement that they basically hated Bimini and were flying  home on Saturday  "WHAT?", we both thought.  Since they were leaving and we would never see them again I agreed to make a fool of myself and dance with a little Cuban painter from Miami :) Oh, when I say "Cuban painter from Miami" I mean he is on the crew that is repainting the entire Bimini Big Game Club.   Here I am making a fool of myself after 3 Gombay Smashes.....

O.K...so after switching to a Bahama Mama Roz Focker (that would be me) announced to our departing friends, "Well, if you were thinking about taking any Bimini pot back into the U.S. you should think twice because the last time we cleared customs there was a drug dog sniffing around."  This is when Robert DeNiro looked at me and said,  "Well, we won't be doing that because I am a retired FBI agent."  Guess I should have gathered that from the conservative flat top hair cut,  her refusal to make a fool of herself by dancing with the Miami painter, and the fact that they were too uptight to love Bimini like we do.  OK....TIME TO GO!!!!!  After saying "goodbye" to Jack and Dina Byrnes, Bernie and Roz Focker headed back to the boat for one last Gombay Smash and cold Kalik.. :)  

Catch you on the flip flop....

CJM