One of the patterns that is fairly consistent in late February during periods of extended warm-ups is that redfish feed aggressively on low incoming tides. They usually are foraging hard as they …
Bahamas Wahoo Challenge – Day 1
13 Nov 201012:30 AM
Day 1 of the Bahamas Wahoo Challenge has come to a close (though the Big Game Bar & Grill will likely be open late into the night!). Capt. Ned Stone sent this report from the Big Game Club:
“Most of the anglers began the morning in pants and long sleeves, but were in t-shirts and shorts by mid-day as Friday eventually turned into a typical Bimini afternoon – beautiful and sunny with a brisk breeze.
The fleet got off a bit before 0700 – though a few stragglers (who shall remain unnamed) left a bit later, no doubt a result of having too much fun at the party last night! Most of the group ran south and enjoyed the following sea. The fishing was great – check out some photos here. Airborne is in the lead with 106.9 pounds, Shine On is in 2nd with 59.5 and Hit That is in 3rd with 42.2.”
More reports and photos tomorrow, so be sure to check in with us here and on our Facebook Page and Twitter feed.
Pro team Member
Related Articles
Pro Team
Connect & Follow
Connect & Follow
General
Bon Appetit
Conservation Corner
Dive In
Got Photo
Get Hooked
Outdoor Adventure
SURF-UP
Travel Tips
![](mailto:?subject=Bahamas Wahoo Challenge – Day 1&body=Day 1 of the <a title="BWC web site" href="http://bahamaswahoochallenge.com/" target="_blank">Bahamas Wahoo Challenge</a> has come to a close (though the <a title="Big Game Bar & Grill photo album" href="http://www.facebook.com/#!/album.php?aid=10405&id=127094040665962" target="_blank">Big Game Bar & Grill</a> will likely be open late into the night!). Capt. Ned Stone sent this report from the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Big Game Club</a>:
"Most of the anglers began the morning in pants and long sleeves, but were in t-shirts and shorts by mid-day as Friday eventually turned into a typical Bimini afternoon - beautiful and sunny with a brisk breeze.<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hit20that_2606.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-271" title="Day 1's big catch!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/hit20that_2606.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>
The fleet got off a bit before 0700 - though a few stragglers (who shall remain unnamed) left a bit later, no doubt a result of having too much fun at the party last night! Most of the group ran south and enjoyed the following sea. The fishing was great - <a title="Photos from the Bahamas Wahoo Challenge" href="http://www.facebook.com/BiminiBigGameClub?v=photos#!/album.php?aid=26901&id=127094040665962" target="_blank">check out some photos here</a>. Airborne is in the lead with 106.9 pounds, Shine On is in 2nd with 59.5 and Hit That is in 3rd with 42.2."
More reports and photos tomorrow, so be sure to check in with us here and on our <a title="BBGC on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/BiminiBigGameClub" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a> and <a title="Guy Harvey Outpost on Twitter" href="https://twitter.com/GHOutpost" target="_blank">Twitter feed</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bahamas-wahoo-challenge-day-1/){kind=link}
 these late winter reds are somewhat persnickety and a little spooky by nature. So picking the right artificial lure to get a positive reaction (we call that a bite) is very difficult. But during these warm up periods with rising temps the redfish typically get a bit reckless. That's when an experienced angler can take advantage of what I call the perfect scenario .
So what lure is ideal for this situation? Well the truth is several offerings will get the job done including spoons, jigs, plugs and even flies. Because when redfish are actively hunting and devouring food... all lures are in play. But still I have a few favorites that allow for accurate casting in spite of windy conditions like the BTB Jig (root beer) with a split tail trailer. Or the Mirrolure Catch Jr (finger mullet look) with single inline hooks, which plays well in cloudy or windy scenarios. And lastly the trusty Aqua Dream Spoons (black color) it gets the call for many anglers including me. Remember spoons are great choices if the clarity of the water is somewhat turbid (dirty/stained). But again if the redfish are fired up, any lure could be the answer... even top water plugs!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/alure-image-for-redfish-red-hot-blog.jpeg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-5007" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/alure-image-for-redfish-red-hot-blog-263x300.jpeg" alt="" width="263" height="300" /></a>
Additionally, don't use a long heavy leaders. Shorter leaders in the 20" to 24" lengths are adequate. Too much leader destroys the action on light weight plugs or pulls the jig down into the grass... creating a fouling issue. And unless your fishing an area inundated with lots of Oyster a 20lb. leader weight should do just fine in most cases.
Also consider, a small skiff or kayak is a huge advantage when targeting these low water redfish. The ability to be ahead of the grazing reds will allow you dozens of shots in comparison to the larger heavier boats more reliant on trolling motors getting to the feed zone a little later. I know it's more work to push pole or paddle into the skinny water (shallow) but that extra 45 minutes to an hour of fishing when the water is low, really pays off.
Here's what you really need to know and that is to focus your efforts on the warming trends later this month and the low incoming tides of course. It may be freezing in some parts of the U.S. this time of year but the light tackle action on redfish in Florida is "red hot"! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/redfish-in-florida-is-red-hot/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Art of the Dive/Portraits of the Deep Exhibition Scheduled At IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in October&body=DANIA BEACH, FL—SEPTEMBER 22, 2011—A group of internationally acclaimed marine artists, including <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Dr. Guy Harvey</a>, <a title="Wyland's web site" href="http://www.wyland.com" target="_blank">Wyland</a> and sculptor <a title="Kent Ullberg's web site" href="http://www.kentullberg.net" target="_blank">Kent Ullberg</a>, will be among the featured artists in the Art of the Dive/Portraits of the Deep traveling museum exhibition, scheduled to be on display at the <a title="IGFA web site" href="http://www.igfa.org" target="_blank">IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum</a> from October 1st to November 30th.
The exhibition, produced by <a title="David Wagner LLC web site" href="http://www.davidjwagnerllc.com/" target="_blank">David J. Wagner L.L.C.</a>, features work by leading artists who portray underwater life forms and habitat.
<a href="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/guy-harvey-bluerunner1.jpg"><img title=""Blue Runner" - Guy Harvey" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/guy-harvey-bluerunner1.jpg" alt="" width="405" height="297" /></a>"Blue Runner" - Guy Harvey
<a href="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/stanley-meltzoff-jewfish6sabbathreefworship.jpg"><img title=""Jewfish 6 - Sabbath Reef Worship, Belize" - Stanley Meltzoff" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/stanley-meltzoff-jewfish6sabbathreefworship.jpg" alt="" width="405" height="299" /></a>"Jewfish 6 - Sabbath Reef Worship, Belize" - Stanley Meltzoff
<a href="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/ian-coleman-caribbeanreefshark.jpg"><img title=""Caribbean Reef Shark" - Ian Coleman" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/09/ian-coleman-caribbeanreefshark.jpg" alt="" width="405" height="286" /></a>"Caribbean Reef Shark" - Ian Coleman
The exhibit features original paintings and sculptures and photographs by the world’s leading marine painters and sculptors. These begin with New York painter, <a title="Stanley Meltzoff's web site" href="http://www.silverfishpress.com/" target="_blank">Stanley Meltzoff</a> (1917-2006), who as curator/author was given his art-of –the-dive start with a commission from <a title="NGS web site" href="http://www.nationalgeographic.com/" target="_blank">National Geographic Society</a> in the 1960s and who is now generally recognized as the progenitor of the series.
In addition to works from Stanley Meltzoff, Guy Harvey, Wyland and Kent Ullberg, artists and sculptors represented include Charles Allmond, Al Barnes, Renee Bemis, Eric Berg, M.J. Brush, Ian Coleman, Jean-Louis Courteau, John Kobald, Diane Peebles, Randy Puckett, Don Ray, George Schelling, Randall Scotts, Rachelle and Wes Siegrist, Mark Susinno, Fred Thomas and Ronnie Williford.
Mike Myatt, IGFA Chief Operating Officer stated “We are very excited and deeply honored to be the first venue of this truly incredible collection of art. This is definitely a show not to be missed.” https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/art-of-the-diveportraits-of-the-deep-exhibition-scheduled-at-igfa-fishing-hall-of-fame-museum-in-october/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bahamas Wahoo Challenge Coming to the Big Game Club!&body=The Big Game is On! From November 11-14, 2010, the <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biggamclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> will be hosting the 1st Leg of the <a title="Bahamas Wahoo Challenge web site" href="http://www.wahoochallenge.com" target="_blank">2011 Bahamas Wahoo Challenge</a>. The BWC is the world's premiere Wahoo fishing tournament and is further indication that the legendary <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> has resumed its rightful place among the grand fishing tournaments.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bahamaswahoochallenge2011.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-114" title="2011 Bahamas Wahoo Challenge" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/bahamaswahoochallenge2011.jpg?w=232" alt="" width="232" height="300" /></a>
<a title="Contact info for Tony Albelo" href="http://www.oceanpromotions.com/contact.html" target="_blank">Tournament Director Tony Albelo</a> provided the following overview of the BWC:
"The Bahamas Wahoo Challenge is approaching its fifth year of competition. Since 2006, the Challenge has attracted the best wahoo anglers in the world to the Bahamas for the best wahoo fishing in the world. Each year, teams come from across the U.S. and Caribbean to compete for the title. The Challenge is made up of three tournaments. Each event is an individual competition, but also adds points to the overall series. Teams can compete in one or all three legs.
In 2006 the fishing was red hot. The top fish for the series was a 95-pound torpedo weighed in by “Nothin’s Wild” out of Homestead, Florida. The following years all saw increased numbers of fish and fish size, likely due to new rules and regulations enacted by the Bahamas. As a tournament, the Challenge also adopted new rules reducing the fish count to four fish per team. These small efforts in concert have made a noticeable impact on fishing.
In 2008, the Bahamian-crew on “Zephyros” hauled in a 105-pound behemoth which is the largest wahoo taken in any tournament in the Bahamas. Fish in the 80+pound range are routinely caught in the Challenge as fishing continues to be improving.
For the 2010-2011 season, the Wahoo Challenge kicks off the Series in the most talked-about resort & marina in the Bahamas, The <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>. In recent years the Club has fallen into a bit of disarray, but recently the team at <a title="About Guy Harvey Outpost" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts</a> took the property over and has brought it back to its original splendor. In fact, it is better than ever! The rooms have all been completely remodeled from the floors up. Everything is new and has the Guy Harvey flair. If the excitement surrounding the re-launch of the Big Game Club is any indication of things to come, then this promises to be the best season of wahoo fishing yet."
(<a title="Bimini Big Game Club on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/BiminiBigGameClub?v=photos&ref=ts" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see photos albums of the newly remodeled & renovated Bimini Big Game Club)
To reserve your room and slip, call the <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> today at 800-867-4764. For more information on the BWC, visit <a href="http://www.WahooChallenge.com">www.WahooChallenge.com</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bahamas-wahoo-challenge-coming-to-the-big-game-club/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=2011 Billfish Invitational Underway at the Bimini Big Game Club&body=During this week's Billfish Invitational tournament, Fred Garth, Editor-In-Chief of <a title="GHM web site" href="http://www.guyharveymagazine.com">Guy Harvey Magazine</a>, will be filing a series of dispatches from tournament headquarters at the Bimini Big Game Club.
Fishing began today at the <a title="Billfish Invitational web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com" target="_blank">Billfish Invitational Tournament</a> with clear skies and light winds. Local fishermen have reported good activity in recent days leading up to today’s kick off so there’s plenty of optimism in the air. Twelve boats headed out early rigged and ready for action.
Anglers and dignitaries enjoyed a full evening of festivities Wednesday evening at the newly renovated <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>, which has been rebranded and rebuilt as a <a title="About Guy Harvey Outpost" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina</a>. Numerous world records have been caught in the waters here and, of course, Bimini was a favorite haunt of legendary fisherman and author Ernest Hemingway.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/nedcaptmeeting11.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-717" title="Capt. Ned Stone, tournament director, addresses the teams during Wednesday's Captains Meeting" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/nedcaptmeeting11.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="400" /></a>
VIP guests in attendance at the opening party and captain’s meeting included <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a>, Mike Myatt, COO of the <a title="IGFA web site" href="http://www.igfa.org/Default.aspx" target="_blank">IGFA</a>, Bill Shedd of Guy Harvey apparel licensee <a title="AFTCO Bluewater web site" href="http://www.aftcobluewater.com/" target="_blank">AFTCO Bluewater</a>, Frank Johnson of <a title="Mold Craft web site" href="http://www.moldcraftproducts.com/" target="_blank">Mold Craft</a>, and Sculptor <a title="Kent Ullberg's web site" href="http://www.kentullberg.net/" target="_blank">Kent Ullberg</a>, who created the Billfish Invitational’s <a title="About the Hemingway-Lerner Triphy" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2011/04/29/hemingway-lerner-trophy-unveiled-for-guy-harveys-upcoming-billfish-invitational-in-bimini/" target="_blank">“Hemingway-Lerner” trophy</a>.
This is the first billfish tournament since the resort was rebuilt with the help and co-ordination of Guy Harvey. The tournament has not only attracted top fishermen but also an eclectic collection of artists and top marine photographers such as <a title="Pat Ford Photography web site" href="http://www.patfordphotos.com/" target="_blank">Pat Ford</a>, <a title="Scott Kerrigan's web site" href="http://www.scottkerrigan.com/" target="_blank">Scott Kerrigan</a>, and <a title="Bill Boyce's web site" href="http://www.boyceimage.com/" target="_blank">Bill Boyce</a>, who is shooting a documentary with Guy and his crew.
The Big Game is On, so much more to follow...
Garth Out! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-underway/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Fishing for Hearts: Fun and Worthy Cause&body=After Keith Overton's infant daughter underwent a successful heart transplant, he mentioned to her cardiologist how difficult it must be waiting for a new heart for young patients in such desperate need.
But the doctor surprised Overton by telling him that isn't the hardest part.
"He said, 'Giving a heart to a kid whose family doesn't have the wherewithal to keep up the treatment,' " Overton recalled. "In many cases, one parent has to stop working to go to the hospital for follow-up care."
The conversation stuck with Overton, president of Guy Harvey Outpost St. Pete Beach. Grateful his family had the means to care for daughter MacKenzie, he wanted to give back by helping other families who aren't so lucky.
So in 2009, he founded the Guy Harvey Fishing for Hearts Tournament-- a catch, photo, measure, and release contest that raises funds for Athletes for Hearts -- the Overtons' charity to assist parents of kids with heart conditions and boost medical research on heart disease. The ninth annual tournament, to be held Sept. 21-22, also benefits the Ronald McDonald House, a home-away-from-home for families of pediatric patients in the Tampa Bay area.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/52456_116234575103709_4152512_o.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4905" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/52456_116234575103709_4152512_o.jpg" alt="" width="892" height="596" /></a>
The 2016 tournament hosted a record 44 boats and raised $155,000 for its two charities. This year, Overton is expecting upwards of 50. The target species are redfish, snook and sea trout, with prizes awarded for greatest total length of individual and aggregate fish.
Captain Mike Anderson, host of the popular Reel Animals television show, will handpick the best inshore guides in the Tampa Bay area and assign them to each angling team. The event includes a kick-off gala at the RumFish Grill on Sept. 21 with dinner, drinks and a silent auction and a day of inshore fishing followed by an awards presentation Sept. 22.
As for Fishing for Hearts' inspiration? MacKenzie Overton is an athletic, 22-year-old student studying hospitality at St. Petersburg College who works part time at a local winery and at the Outpost's water sports concession. Her heart is just fine.
For tournament registration and information, go to the tournament's <a href="https://rmhctampabay.org/fishing-for-hearts/">web site</a>, or call 813.258.6430, ext. 2.
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/fishing-for-hearts-fun-and-worthy-cause/){kind=link}
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-auction-spotlight-the-blue-a-bronze-casting-by-kent-ullberg/&media=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/billfish-invitational-auction-spotlight-the-blue-a-bronze.jpg&description=Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – “The Blue", a bronze casting by Kent Ullberg){kind=link}
TRAVEL DESK : 800.513.5257
Connect & Follow