A free fishing and photo contest celebrating recreational fishing in America’s national marine sanctuaries and promoting conservation-focused fishing practices is to kick off in the Florida Keys …
Bahamas Wahoo Challenge – Day 2
13 Nov 201011:35 PM
The second and final day of fishing in Leg 1 of the Bahamas Wahoo Challenge has come to a close and all the fish have been weighed at the Big Game Club. Airborne came on strong during day two with four fish totalling 115.3 Pounds, and Shine On came in with four fish totalling 99.65 pounds. None of the remaining competitors weighed a qualifying fish on day two.
Using the four best fish of the two days, Shine On came in with 116.15 pounds and Airborne in with 115.30 pounds, followed by Hit That with 42.2. The difference between 1st and second places was LESS THAN ONE POUND!
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![](mailto:?subject=Bahamas Wahoo Challenge – Day 2&body=The second and final day of fishing in Leg 1 of the <a title="BWC web site" href="http://www.bahamaswahoochallenge.com/" target="_blank">Bahamas Wahoo Challenge</a> has come to a close and all the fish have been weighed at the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Big Game Club</a>. Airborne came on strong during day two with four fish totalling 115.3 Pounds, and Shine On came in with four fish totalling 99.65 pounds. None of the remaining competitors weighed a qualifying fish on day two.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/shine20on202521.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-275" title="Shine On - Winner of Leg 1 of the Bahamas Wahoo Challenge" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/shine20on202521.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="225" /></a>
Using the four best fish of the two days, Shine On came in with 116.15 pounds and Airborne in with 115.30 pounds, followed by Hit That with 42.2. The difference between 1st and second places was LESS THAN ONE POUND! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bahamas-wahoo-challenge-day-2/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Sanctuary Classic Fishing and Photo Contest Launches June 28 at Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost in Islamorada&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/contest2.jpg"><img class=" size-medium wp-image-2778 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/contest2.jpg?w=225" alt="contest2" width="225" height="300" /></a>A free fishing and photo contest celebrating recreational fishing in America's national marine sanctuaries and promoting conservation-focused fishing practices is to kick off in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Sunday, June 28, and runs through Labor Day, Sept. 7.
The fourth annual Sanctuary Classic is to launch at Islamorada's The Islander, a Guy Harvey Outpost, beginning at 2 p.m. at the resort's fishing pier.
The family fun event is an cooperative project between The Sportfishing Conservancy, the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries to create awareness of ethical angling practices and illustrate the benefits of 'light-touch' recreational fishing.
Participating anglers can submit qualifying fishing photos to the Sanctuary Classic website at www.sanctuaryclassic.org.
One winner is to be selected weekly that best exemplifies themes such as biggest and smallest looking fish, best conservation message, most unique looking fish, most family-oriented photo, best display of responsible fishing values and more. Prizes are awarded for each winner.
Marine artist Guy Harvey is one of the judges. At the contest's conclusion, one winning entrant's photo from each Sanctuary is to receive a $1,000 youth scholarship from the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation.
Established in 1990, the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is set to mark its 25th anniversary Nov. 16.
For more information: <a title="http://www.sanctuaryclassic.org/" href="http://www.sanctuaryclassic.org/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.sanctuaryclassic.org</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/sanctuary-classic-fishing-and-photo-contest-launches-june-28-at-islander-resort-a-guy-harvey-outpost-in-islamorada/){kind=link}
 believe the specimen came from a swordfish. Genetic testing will be done to confirm the identification.
“Experts on site and remotely have viewed and analyzed the eye, and based on its color, size and structure, along with the presence of bone around it, we believe the eye came from a swordfish,” said Joan Herrera, curator of collections at the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg. “Based on straight-line cuts visible around the eye, we believe it was removed by a fisherman and discarded.”
The approximately softball-size eye was recovered by a citizen in Pompano Beach on Wednesday. FWC staff received the eye later that day. Swordfish are commonly fished in the Florida Straits offshore of south Florida at this time of year.
A highly migratory fish, swordfish can be found from the surface to as deep as 2,000 feet. Swordfish in the Atlantic can reach a maximum size of over 1,100 pounds, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Swordfish feed on a wide variety of fish and invertebrates.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/mysteryeye11.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1478" title="Mystery Eyeball" alt="" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/mysteryeye11.jpg" height="366" width="550" /></a>The mystery eyeball that washed up on a South Florida beach...
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/sword12.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-1479" title="Swordfish" alt="" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/sword12.jpg" height="440" width="550" /></a>...and a close-up of a swordfish eye. Mystery solved?
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/fwc-ids-mystery-eyeball-and-the-winner-is/){kind=link}
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-auction-spotlight-abaco-turtle-bones-bahamas-bonefishing-adventure/&media=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/billfish-invitational-auction-spotlight.jpg&description=Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – "Abaco Turtle Bones" Bahamas Bonefishing Adventure){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – "Abaco Turtle Bones" Bahamas Bonefishing Adventure&body=<a title="Billfish Invitational web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com/" target="_blank">BILLFISH INVITATIONAL</a> AUCTION ITEM: “Abaco Turtle Bones" Bahamas Bonefishing Adventure
Everyone knows the <a title="About the Abacos" href="http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/abacos" target="_blank">Abacos</a> are a long chain of islands that stretch across the Northern Bahamas - a lot of rock outcroppings, some infrequent settlements, miles of powder white beaches and a whole lot of world class bonefish flats. Welcome to the Abacos! This special vacation package offers four nights of dockage, five nights of luxurious accommodations and two days on some of the best bonefish flats to be found in the world.
Start and end your sojourn with two nights free dockage at the beautiful <a title="Old Bahama Bay web site" href="http://www.oldbahamabay.com/" target="_blank">Old Bahama Bay</a>, located at West End, <a title="About Grand Bahama Island " href="http://www.bahamas.com/grand-bahama-island/grand-bahama-island" target="_blank">Grand Bahama Island</a>, your main waypoint of entry to the Abacos, and a legendary bonefish destination. Break out the fly rod and practice up for the adventure ahead.....
From Old Bahama Bay, head east towards at the renowned <a title="Green Turtle Club web site" href="http://www.greenturtleclub.com/" target="_blank">Green Turtle Club</a>, established in 1964 on picturesque Green Turtle Cay, enjoying a two night stay in a Superior Deluxe room. Honoring the tradition of old English-Bahamian hospitality, the Club offers a quality of service and attention to detail that is no longer commonplace, finding a perfect combination of Out Island relaxation and sophisticated comfort. While in residence, you’ll enjoy a complimentary candlelight dinner overlooking White Sound Harbour , or if you prefer, inside in the elegant formal dining room.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bonefish1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-691" title="Bonefishing with Black Fly Bonefish Club" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bonefish1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="345" /></a>
From the Green Turtle ferry dock, make your way by cab from Treasure Cay to Marsh Harbour, where you’ll be met by <a title="Capt. Clint Kemp's web site" href="http://www.secret-soul.com/" target="_blank">Captain Clint Kemp</a>, partner, manager and chef extraordinaire of the <a title="Black Fly Bonefish Club web site" href="http://www.blackflybonefishclub.com/" target="_blank">Black Fly Bonefish Club</a>, who will escort you and a companion to the southern reaches of Great Abaco Island for a three night, two day bonefishing bonanza. Spend two nights at the Black Fly Bonefish Club, the newest bonefishing lodging venture of flyfishing guru and Bonefish Bimini partner, <a title="Vaughn Cochran's web site" href="http://www.vaughncochranart.com/" target="_blank">Vaughn Conchran</a>, and your third night at the<a title="About Abaco Lodge" href="http://www.nervouswaters.com/LodgeDetail.aspx?ItemId=6" target="_blank">Abaco Lodge</a>, the newest property owned and managed by the luxury Argentine flyfishing operator, <a title="About Nervous Waters" href="http://www.nervouswaters.com/TheCompany.aspx" target="_blank">Nervous Waters</a>.
Your relaxing evenings will be punctuated by two days of world class backcountry fishing in the prized fishing grounds of Abaco, including Moore's Island and Gorda Key, with a half dozen distinct zones for non-stop, weather proof fishing action. Vaughn Cochran’s come a long way from his days playing bass guitar for Jimmy Buffet at night and fishing the flats of Key West by days. He’ll tell you hands down this area of the Abacos is second to none for great bonefishing and permit action, although famed outdoor angler and photographer <a title="Pat Ford Photography web site" href="http://www.patfordphotos.com/" target="_blank">Pat Ford</a> will tell you Bimini is without question the best for taking permit on fly...Sounds like Vaughn’s a winner either way.
Donated by Old Bahama Bay Resort, Green Turtle Club, Vaughn Cochran/Clint Kemp of Black Fly Bonefish Club and Nervous Waters/Abaco Lodge
AUCTION INFORMATION:
Tickets to nightly events of the inaugural 2011 Billfish Invitational are available for $150/pp. Price includes cocktails, dinner and participation in the auction and award presentations.
On-site auction is Thursday, May 19th at the Bimini Big Game Club. Online bids accepted through Midnight, Wednesday, May 18.
Please contact Capt. Ned Stone (<a href="mailto:nstone@guyharveyoutpost.com">nstone@guyharveyoutpost.com</a>) for details.
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-auction-spotlight-abaco-turtle-bones-bahamas-bonefishing-adventure/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Dive Bimini Opens December 1st&body=Captains Bruce Robbins and Toye Stevens Rejoin Neal Watson to Manage Dive Operations
BIMINI, THE BAHAMAS— NOVEMBER 18, 2010— <a title="Dive Bimini web page" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/dive-bimini.htm" target="_blank">Dive Bimini</a>, a top-of-class diving operation co-developed by celebrated artist, marine scientist and conservationist <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a>, along with diving pioneer, <a title="Neal Watson's web site" href="http://www.nealwatson.com" target="_blank">Neal Watson</a>, officially launches December 1st with the arrival of its new dive boat and operations team.
Dive Bimini will feature a virtual treasure trove of dive sites and theme dives reached aboard <a title="Bimini Blue dive boat" href="http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=141470255895007&set=a.137293589646007.12989.127094040665962" target="_blank">Bimini Blue</a>, the largest dive boat in the <a title="Islands of the Bahamas web site" href="http://www.bahamas.com" target="_blank">Bahamas</a>—a glass bottom, double-decker certified for 100 passengers. Dive Bimini will also offer a wide variety of services and top-flight equipment including <a title="PADI web site" href="http://www.padi.com" target="_blank">PADI</a> and SCUBA certification, rentals and air fills and a Bauer compressor.
The dive operation will be managed by Captains Bruce Robbins and Toye Stevens. The couple has extensive experience operating land-based and liveaboard dive operations throughout the Bahamas. Married since the mid-80’s, this seasoned dive couple is returning to <a title="Bimini web site" href="http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/bimini" target="_blank">Bimini</a> where they started their dive career alongside Neal Watson. Captain Bruce will run the boat, with his wife, Captain Toye, having responsibility for diver services, operation of the <a title="The Outfitter Shop web page" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/the-outfitter-shop.htm" target="_blank">Outfitter Shop</a> and other watersport activities at the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bruce-robbins-and-toye-stevens.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-282" title="Dive Bimini's Bruce Robbins and Toye Stevens" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/bruce-robbins-and-toye-stevens.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="215" /></a>
Located at the legendary Bimini Big Game Club in historic Alice Town, Dive Bimini is part of <a title="About Guy Harvey Outpost" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">Guy Harvey’s Outpost Resorts</a> program that combines family-theme <a title="About Fishing at the BBGC" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/fishing.htm" target="_blank">fishing</a>, <a title="About Diving at the BBGC" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/diving.htm" target="_blank">diving</a> and <a title="About Adventure Sports at the BBGC" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/the-pursuits.htm" target="_blank">adventure sport activities</a> with marine and wildlife conservation, science and education. The Bimini Big Game Club is the first of several Guy Harvey Outposts planned throughout the region, of which diving will be a primary component.
“Bimini has no shortage of great dive sites: Reefs, Wrecks, Walls, Drift Dives and our famous Atlantis Road and Shark Dive Experience- you name it,” said Watson, known fondly as The Dive God within the scuba diving community.
Last month, <a title="Bimini's Atlantis Road - AOL Travel" href="http://news.travel.aol.com/2010/08/05/top-10-underwater-travel-experiences/" target="_blank">Bimini’s famed Atlantis Road was voted the top dive experience in the world by AOL users</a>.
“I personally prefer the wall dives and Bimini shark encounters,” noted Watson, while acknowledging the many varied experiences include swimming with wild spotted dolphin, which is a rarity in the scuba diving world.
“Suffice it to say, the number of amazing dive sites, the abundance of large animals, and Neal’s personal familiarity with Bimini, will all make for memorable diving that will bring you back time and time again,” said Dr. Harvey, who has spent much of his life diving. “In my travels on dive expeditions, it’s safety first, followed by experience and fun. With Neal, Bruce and Toye we have the complete package.”
The legendary Bimini Big Game Club officially re-opened this summer as a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina following completion of a $3,500,000 renovation that included all guest rooms, the new <a title="BBGC's Big Game Bar & Grill" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10405&id=127094040665962" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill</a>, and the Outfitter Shop, a retail experience featuring sportswear, fishing supplies and gifts. For reservations and more information on Dive Bimini and the Big Game Club, please call 800-867-4764 or visit the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club web site</a>.
About Captains Bruce Robbins and Toye Stevens
Married since 1986, Captains Bruce and Toye bring 30 years of diving experience to Dive Bimini, coming to Alice Town after spending most of the past twenty years in Key West, where they commanded a 120' live-aboard dive operation specializing in the Dry Tortugas, and most recently, a fleet of tournament sportfishing boats for a dedicated off-shore angler. In addition to their diving and fishing experience, during this time the couple enjoyed owing and operating a Key West based outfitter offering backcountry eco-tours though out the lower Florida Keys.
Both seasoned Bahamas divers, this dynamic dive couple started their careers as dive instructors right here in Bimini, working alongside Neal Watson, and later running Neal Watson Undersea Adventure dive operations in Andros and Chubb Cay. In between these two career stops, Captains Bruce and Toye owned and operated a 60' live-aboard charter sailboat, exploring all the top Bahamas dive destinations by specializing in all-inclusive Bahamian scuba dive trips.
The couple are both USCG Master 100 ton captains and fully licensed PADI Instructors. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/dive-bimini-opens-december-1st/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Fall: Prime Time for Flats Fishing in the Keys and Bahamas!&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/9102.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2885 size-medium" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/9102.jpg?w=254" alt="" width="254" height="300" /></a>"Flats Slam" by Guy Harvey.
By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer
Late summer/early autumn is prime time for flats fishing in the Keys and the Bahamas. With few visiting anglers and plenty of bonefish, you have the shallow, target-rich environment pretty much to yourself. And in the Keys, you'll also get shots at tarpon and permit, raising hopes of a flats grand slam.
Fall brings higher tides and cooler waters, expanding the territory of feeding bonefish that spent less time foraging on the flats in the searing summer heat.
You can sight-fish for them from a poled skiff or you can simply stake out up current from a sand-and-grass-dotted flat and wait for them to feed into the tide. By far, the best bait is a live shrimp with the tail pinched off fished on light line with a split shot for added casting distance. To better your chances, carry dozens more live shrimp than you need for bait, cut them into pieces and toss them out as chum.
The islands of the Bahamas present your best chance of catching and releasing a bonefish on fly rod. With seemingly endless shallow-water habitat and abundant fish of all sizes unaccustomed to encountering most fly patterns, the islands allow the novice angler to make plenty of mistakes, learn from them quickly, and eventually capture the prize.
Bonefish are fun to catch on the flats on any kind of tackle because of their warp-speed, drag-screaming runs after you hook them. Keep your line tight and a bend in the rod, and eventually you'll catch up to them.
Bonefishing is big business in the both the Keys and Bahamas, generating tens of millions of dollars in economic impact each year. In the Keys, anglers fishing the ocean sides of Islamorada and Key Largo can pretty much expect to encounter bonefish most days, but the fishery has suffered declines in the Florida Bay back country over the past decade. Anglers and guides want to know why and what can be done to reverse the trend. The non-profit Bonefish Tarpon Trust has commissioned a study by scientists from Florida International University to look into everything from water quality to prey availability to determine the causes and identify solutions. The researchers are also surveying and interviewing bonefish enthusiasts from Biscayne Bay through the Lower Keys to chronicle their experiences.
In the Bahamas, the government recently announced draft legislation that would impose licenses and fees on foreigners fishing for bonefish and require operators of fishing lodges to be citizens or permanent residents of the Bahamas. Bonefish Tarpon Trust-- in collaboration with scores of anglers, guides, scientists, conservationists and lodge operators-- countered with its own recommendations for a comprehensive conservation and management plan for the species. The government is mulling over those suggestions.
Completing the flats grand slam with tarpon and permit is more than doable in the Keys in early fall, especially if you use live bait.
The onset of cold fronts to the north pushes huge schools of forage fish such as mullet, pilchards, sardines and glass minnows south along ocean and bay waters in the Keys, with tarpon happily chasing and devouring them. These 'silver kings' are not as large as the monsters typically encountered in the spring and summer migrations, but they are sporty enough on 20-pound tackle. Your best bet for a spectacular experience is to use a live mullet hooked with a circle hook through the upper lip and rigged with a float along the edges of flats, in channels and around the U.S. 1 bridges.
Tarpon typically pile on the mullet, crashing, splashing and leaping while you hang on tight and let the fish have its way. The moment it lets up, you put the heat on it.
The experience is so addictive that a veteran Keys guide once said that if tarpon could only be found in the Himalayas, anglers and guides wouldn't hesitate to follow them there.
Permit, with an oval-shaped silver and yellow body and black sickle tail, is more common in the Lower Keys than the Upper Keys, but you still stand a decent chance of catching one in the northern regions.
These bulldogs of the flats rarely hesitate to gulp a live crab cast in front of their noses. But accounts are rampant of anglers making bad casts to the fish's tail only to have it whirl around and inhale the bait. For sight-fishing, the best locations are narrow strip banks along both the ocean and bay sides of the Keys with hard bottom and a strong current. Permit also can be found in channels and around bridges waiting to pounce on crabs sweeping by on the tide.
Trying to catch them on the flats with a fly rod can end up being a lifelong quest similar to the 100 Years War. Tame your bucket list to include live crabs, and you will not be disappointed.
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/fall-prime-time-for-flats-fishing-in-the-keys-and-bahamas/){kind=link}
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