If you missed Marlin Magazine’s fascinating January 2012 account of the history of Bimini’s bluefin tuna fishery, then you are in luck – you can now read the full article at the magazine’s …
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}
![](mailto:?subject=World’s Largest Spear Fishing Tournament to be Held in St. Petersburg&body=By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Travel Journalist
scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com
As many as 400 spear fishers from throughout Florida and the U.S. will gather in St. Petersburg Aug. 19-21 for the St. Pete Open-- the world's largest underwater hunting contest and one of the beach's biggest parties of the year.
Spearos will compete on scuba gear or simply dive down holding their breath using pole spear, Hawaiian sling, or spear gun to try to bag the biggest fish in each of seven categories. At stake are some $50,000 worth of prizes and trophies to be awarded at a huge public weigh-in party at the Magnuson Marina Cove Hotel & Resort.
"It's one day of intensive, bust-your-bottom spear fishing. Dive, dive, dive!" said Charlie Barnes, president of the St. Petersburg Underwater Club, which is putting on the contest for the 51st year. "We love the competition. We love the camaraderie and it's the biggest party in town."
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b-e1471009118288.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4188" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b-e1471009118288.jpg" alt="22449399003_8ec1ba2817_b" width="599" height="400" /></a>
Divers will fan out in the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean hunting for mongo specimens in the categories of grouper; snapper; pelagic; hogfish; cobia/barracuda; lobster (hand-caught only; no spears); and sheepshead. New this year is a prize sub-category for lionfish. The tournament has no boundaries; however competitors must be in the weigh-in line by 7:30 p.m. on Aug. 20. Late comers will be disqualified.
Barnes, a veteran spear fisher himself, said the best strategy is to shoot fish in each of the categories, since only one fish per category can be entered. He said it's common for contestants to run 50 miles offshore to their hot spots, diving as deep as 200 feet in the hunt for big fish. Competitors must abide by all state and local fisheries laws, such as bag and size limits and closed seasons.
Entry fee is $100 per diver. Less than 300 slots remain open, so go <a href="http://www.StPeteUnderwaterClub.com" target="_blank">HERE</a> to register now!
For great deals from Guy Harvey Outpost, including the 'Suite Summer Saver Deal' at Guy Harvey Outpost in St. Pete Beach, visit our <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/specials/" target="_blank">SPECIALS PAGE</a> now!
**************
Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling, camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit.
**********
Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/worlds-largest-spear-fishing-tournament-to-be-held-on-st-pete-beach/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Red Hot Reds in Shallow St. Augustine&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sta.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-2981 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/sta.jpg?w=300" alt="StA" width="300" height="225" /></a>By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer
[St. Augustine, FL--] We were not fishing the prime tide in the spartina marsh lining the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway north of St. Augustine, but apparently that didn't matter to the hungry redfish.
Past the flood stage, water was slowly draining out of the grass flats. But there were still plenty of small black crabs clinging to the emergent greenery, prompting the reds to tail and slurp enthusiastically.
"See him? His whole back's out of the water," captain James Dumas pointed to a dark hump on the surface. "He's almost in range."
Standing on the bow of Dumas' skiff, I saw the hump submerge and pop up again with a small splash.
"He just ate a mullet!" Dumas exclaimed.
I made a short cast with the 8-wt fly rod, aiming a few feet in front of where I believed the red's nose was pointed. But the breeze overcame the fly line and the leggy, purple-and-black crab pattern landed behind the fish.
I quickly stripped the line back in and made another cast to the obediently stationary fish, but that, too, was errant.
The third cast proved the charm, with the fly planted correctly in front of the target.
"Start bumping it," Dumas directed. "Now he'll eat it."
Dumas was right: I moved the fly a bit and the red chomped on it decisively.
After a brief tussle in the grass, I brought the fish up to the gunwales to be photographed and released.
"They'll keep giving you shots till you hit the fish or you stomp on the boat," he said.
Now it was Vaughn Cochran's turn on the bow and he quickly caught and released a slightly larger red on fly.
What fun! Cochran and I were fishing the late October full moon which pulls king tides into the shallows, greatly expanding the habitat of redfish bulking up on crabs for winter. Had our schedules permitted arriving an hour earlier-- before the tide started draining out--we likely would have hooked even more fish. And nobody knows their habits like Dumas, operator of <a href="http://www.drummancharters.com" target="_blank">Drumman Charters</a>.
"When it gets cold, they get shallower," Dumas said. "They get in big schools on the flats. They get in the creeks too. The best creeks are the ones that empty into basins."
The guide said he typically switches to small shrimp patterns and Clousers in wintertime when waters become clearer. Non-fly fishers can use live shrimp or cast artificials like D.O.A.'s or Z-man Shrimpz.
And redfish aren't the only targets in the cool season. Fly anglers get shots at flounder by bumping Clousers in pot holes while live baiters toss mullet or minnows. For sea trout, the ubiquitous Cajun Thunder-- a rattling float to which you can attach a live bait or a soft-plastic shrimp lure-- is probably the best choice. For fly anglers, poppers are tops.
One of the most popular local spots for shore and wade fishing is the Guana Tolomato Matanzas National Estuarine Research Reserve located just off A-1-A about halfway between St. Augustine and Jacksonville Beach. When the dam between the Guana River and Lake Ponte Vedra is open, anglers enjoy good catches of flounder, redfish and other species on foot using finger mullet, crabs and other live baits.
The St. Augustine area has plenty more to offer besides shallow-water fishing. Check out this blog later for more on bottom fishing; dining, and unique attractions on Florida's First Coast.
***********
Sue Cocking chronicles the Guy Harvey Outpost travel and adventure experience in regular blog posts on GuyHarveyOutpostNews.com/. For 21 years, Cocking covered the full spectrum of outdoors adventure opportunities in South Florida and beyond for the Miami Herald, including fishing, diving, hunting, paddling camping, sailing and powerboat racing. She is a certified scuba diver and holder of an IGFA women's world fly fishing record for a 29-pound permit. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/red-hot-reds-in-shallow-st-augustine/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Free Family Fishing Clinic at the IGFA, Saturday Dec. 11th&body=<a href="http://www.igfa.org"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-339" title="IGFA Logo" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/igfalogo.jpg" alt="" width="154" height="108" /></a>
Mercury/IGFA Free Family Fishing Clinic
From 11AM - 2PM on Saturday, December 11th at the
International Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum in Dania Beach
Stop by the <a title="IGFA web site" href="http://www.igfa.org/" target="_blank">IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum</a> in Dania (next to <a title="BPS web site" href="http://www.basspro.com" target="_blank">Bass Pro Shops</a>) on Saturday, December 11th from 11am-2pm for a great day of fishing outdoors with your family. <a title="Mercury Marine web site" href="http://www.mercurymarine.com/" target="_blank">Mercury Marine</a> will be on site with their pro team to teach kids and adults about getting started in the sport of fishing. KISS Country will also have a remote broadcast and will be giving away free prizes all day. Families can fish in the IGFA ponds, meet professional fishermen and enjoy a free lunch. The IGFA provides all the tackle and bait you’ll need! This FREE event will also include educational stations and face painting! Children will receive free admission to the IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame & Museum while parents enjoy half price admission during the event. For more information, please call 954.924.4370. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/free-fishing-clinic-at-the-igfa-saturday-dec-11th/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=The Bahamas Tournament Season Is Jumping!&body=The 2015 <a href="http://www.bahamasbillfish.com/">Bahamas Billfish Championship</a> is under way in Abaco with <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/green-turtle-cay-abacos/">Green Turtle Cay </a>the next stop. Abaco regulars Jichi, Wave Paver and Torta took the top spots with solid performances. Teque took the early lead on day one with a blue marlin and a sailfish but Wave Paver passed them by before lines out; when they added a blue marlin to their early white. On day two, Torta added a blue and a white to move ahead of Wave Paver and Teque. Jichi got on the board early with two blue marlin and did not look back; adding a white and another blue to seal the deal on day two. Day three saw plenty of action among the leaders as Wave Paver released two blue marlin and a white to make a move but Jichi "Slammed" the door shut with a sail, a white and a blue to extend their lead and collect slam bonus points.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bbc_aim_logo-no-dates.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2727" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bbc_aim_logo-no-dates.jpg" alt="BBC_AIM_Logo NO DATES" width="660" height="660" /></a>The fleet caught 26 billfish an average of 1.13 billfish per boat. Full Time brought a 597 pound blue marlin to the scales. She was over the 100 inch minimum length but they actually lost 3 points compared to what they would have scored had they released her.
This week the BBC moves to Green Turtle Cay. <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/green-turtle-cay-abacos/">The Green Turtle Club</a>, a <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/">Guy Harvey Outpost </a>Expedition Lodge is co-host for the event. The Green Turtle Club is ideally located in central Abaco allowing easy access to all the region’s famed blue marlin grounds. These waters have produced huge blue marlin including the current Bahamian Record of 1119 pounds caught during the BBC in 2011. The Green Turtle Club is sold out for this event.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bbc-gtc-dock-shot.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2728" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/bbc-gtc-dock-shot.jpg?w=660" alt="Competitors at the Ready, the Green Turtle Club." width="550" height="367" /></a>Competitors at the ready, the Green Turtle Club.
In addition to all the billfish caught big dorado kept anglers on their toes. They were caught AND eaten! Next up the BBC heads to Treasure Cay May 27-30. The next Guy Harvey Outpost event will be the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/bonfire-beach-bash/">2nd Annual Beach Bash Bonfire and Tournament </a>June 25th - 28th at<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/west-end-grand-bahama/old-bahama-bay-resort/"> Old Bahama Bay</a>.
Green Turtle Club UPDATE
BBC Day One: White marlin dominated day one action. Something Fishy got off to a hot start with a double header of whites. Island Time is on the board with a sailfish. Game Changer, Marlin Raptor & Whisky Won all got in on the morning bite with white marlin. Wave Paver & Anticipation jumped to the top with afternoon blue marlin.
BBC Day Two: The white marlin bite remains hot with the blues showing up in the afternoon. Sandrita jumped to the lead today on the strength of on blue marlin and three white marlin today. Torta started their day with a sailfish added a double header of white marlin and nabbed a blue marlin late in the day to catch a slam; which will give them a nice bunch of bonus points and the overall lead after two days.
Early leaders Something Fishy improved their numbers with another white marlin to go with their day on pair. Anticipation added second day blue marlin to their first day fish to stay in contention for the top spot. Whisky Won released a blue and a white to go with their day one white to move into third place after two days. Nothing is settled and with the way some boats have gotten hot hands it is still anyone’s ball game.
Stay tuned for details on Baseball Hall of Famer, Mike Schmidt's Winners' Circle charity tournament at Old Bahama Bay.
For the latest information on the BBC: <a href="http://www.bahamasbillfish.com">www.bahamasbillfish.com</a>
For more on the Guy Harvey Outpost Portfolio: <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/" target="_parent">http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/</a>
For Fishing with Guy Harvey Outpost: <a href="http://www.ghofish.com/" target="_parent">www.ghofish.com</a>
For the Guy Harvey Outpost Blog <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpostnews.com/" target="_parent">www.guyharveyoutpostnews.com</a>
For Guy Harvey Outpost on Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpost" target="_parent">https://www.facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpost</a>
For Guy Harvey Outpost on Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/GHOutpost" target="_parent">https://twitter.com/GHOutpost</a>
For Guy Harvey Outpost on YouTube <a href="http://www.youtube.com/user/GuyHarveyOutpost" target="_parent">http://www.youtube.com/user/GuyHarveyOutpost</a>
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/00-gho-logo.jpg">
</a>
<a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/bonfire-beach-bash/"><img class="aligncenter wp-image-2458 size-medium" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/00-gho-logo.jpg?w=300" alt="00 GHO-Logo" width="300" height="300" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/the-bahamas-tournament-season-is-jumping/){kind=link}
TRAVEL DESK : 800.513.5257
Connect & Follow