BIMINI BIG GAME CLUB FISHING REPORT CATCH: Wahoo, Yellowtail Snapper Nothing kills a good fishing trip faster than the 1-2 punch of rough seas and mechanical problems. However, with a little help from …
Big Game Club Sold Out for Labor Day Weekend!
2 Sep 201111:12 PM
With the Labor Day Weekend on hand, the historic Bimini Big Game Club is attracting guests by air, by sea and with a unique tasty menu featuring a Caribbean specialty – Lionfish Nuggets!
General manager Mike Weber said the 51-room resort is completely sold out for the Labor Day Weekend, a good sign for the iconic resort and marina, which returned as a Guy Harvey Outpost last year.
“We are looking good with several bookings for 2012 already in place,” said Weber. “The property is really spectacular and we currently rated very high in customer reviews on TripAdvisor.”
Closed for two years, the BBGC reopened last year following a multi-million-dollar renovation that included all guest rooms, the new Bimini Bar & Grill, the Outfitter Shop and the Gulfstream Conference Center and adjoining Hemingway Rum Bar & Social Lounge.
Located on the main navigation channel in Bimini, the BBGC has again become the epicenter of water-oriented pursuits, including offshore game fishing, backcountry fishing and diving. The resort features a 75-slip marina capable of accommodating boats up to 145 feet in length.
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![](mailto:?subject=Big Game Club Sold Out for Labor Day Weekend!&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bgclaborday-heli.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-849 " title="Arriving by Air!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/bgclaborday-heli.jpg" alt="" width="495" height="316" /></a>Guests are arriving by any means necessary for the Bimini Big Game Club's sold-out Labor Day Weekend celebration!
With the Labor Day Weekend on hand, the historic <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.comn" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> is attracting guests by air, by sea and with a unique tasty menu featuring a Caribbean specialty - Lionfish Nuggets!
General manager Mike Weber said the 51-room resort is completely sold out for the Labor Day Weekend, a good sign for the iconic resort and marina, which returned as a <a title="About GHO" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost</a> last year.
"We are looking good with several bookings for 2012 already in place," said Weber. "The property is really spectacular and we currently rated very high in customer reviews on <a title="BBGC Reviews on TripAdvisor" href="http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g147426-d147623-Reviews-Bimini_Big_Game_Club-Bimini_Out_Islands_Bahamas.html" target="_blank">TripAdvisor</a>."
Closed for two years, the BBGC reopened last year following a multi-million-dollar renovation that included all guest rooms, the new Bimini Bar & Grill, the Outfitter Shop and the Gulfstream Conference Center and adjoining Hemingway Rum Bar & Social Lounge.
Located on the main navigation channel in Bimini, the BBGC has again become the epicenter of water-oriented pursuits, including offshore game fishing, backcountry fishing and diving. The resort features a 75-slip marina capable of accommodating boats up to 145 feet in length. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/big-game-club-sold-out-for-labor-day-weekend/){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="Whale Sharks Are Our Friends" at Guy Harvery Outpost&body=Plankton eating Whale Sharks do not have the teeth that give some sharks that "Over Bite" reputation. These gentle giants grow to 40 feet long and have a sense of curiosity. They have been known to hang around and almost study divers and snorkelers.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whaleshark2-large.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2140 size-large" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/whaleshark2-large.jpg?w=660" alt="Isla Mujeres Whale Shark Photo: Guy Harvey PhD." width="660" height="418" /></a>
On some levels Whale Sharks may be the most "User Friendly Sharks:" big, no teeth, warm waters, frequently at snorkel depth, and curious enough to interact with divers. There is still much we do not know about them but one thing we do know is that they can be seen by Guy Harvey Outpost divers at the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/beyond/isabela-island/property-overview.html">Iguana Crossing </a>Galapagos, <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/bimini-bahamas/bimini-sands-bimini.html">Bimini Sands</a>, Bahamas, but almost guaranteed at <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/beyond/isla-mujeres-mexico/overview.html">Hotel Playa Media Luna </a>at Isla Mujeres, Mexico. For more info on our <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/beyond/isla-mujeres-mexico/dive.html">Whale Shark Encounters at Isla Mujeres</a> (scroll to the bottom of the page).
To learn more about our Whale Shark Encounters call our Reservations line at 800-513-5257 or reservations@guyharveyoutpost.com https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/whale-sharks-are-our-friends-at-guy-harvery-outpost/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Clyde Butcher’s Awe-Inspiring Photo Exhibit – July 13-Sept. 4 at the Islander Resort in Islamoarda – Sparks Photo Contest&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/cb-ochopee-smaller1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image" id="i-1540" alt="Image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/cb-ochopee-smaller1.jpg?w=650" /></a>
Islamorada, FL – July 10, 2013 – Celebrated Florida landscape photographer Clyde Butcher and his “Preserving Eden” exhibit will open July 13th at the new Florida Keys Discovery Center, located on the grounds of the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost in Islamorada. With over 30 photographs, most in the artist’s signature large format black and white, the exhibit uses Butcher’s own words as well as ecology-themed story boards to put the Everglades and other Florida environs into a conservation context, said Matthew Woodside, curator at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, which developed the traveling display.
To coincide with the opening of the exhibit Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts & Lodges announced the launch of its “Share YOUR Adventure” photo contest on Facebook, with prizes for the best adventure travel photos. Commenting on the timing of the launch Outpost President Mark Ellert noted, “Guy Harvey and Clyde Butcher are synonymous with the visual arts and conservation. Here we have two great artists with one resonant message: celebrate and conserve this great ecosystem called the Everglades.”
When asked what transforms a photograph into art, Butcher responded, “I think it’s obviously the person behind the camera who creates the art. Art doesn’t come from fancy equipment. It comes from a way of seeing the world.” Clyde Butcher’s powerful black and white photographs explore his personal bond with the environment. The exquisite beauty and depth of his work draw the viewer into a relationship with nature. A large format camera allows him to capture elaborate detail and textures that distinguish the intricacy of the landscape.
Beginning August 1st, aspiring artists and Guy Harvey fans will be encouraged on Facebook to post photos of their memorable travel experiences. Grand prize winners of the Outpost photo contest will be showcased in the Guy Harvey magazine and receive sportswear, travel gear and accessories from program partners including AFTCO, Go Pro, Sixt Car Rental, Divers Direct and others. Details at <a href="http://facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpostIslamorada" target="_blank">facebook.com/GuyHarveyOutpostIslamorada</a> are forthcoming.
Robin Schlaudecker, general manger of the Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost noted the Florida Keys Discovery Center and Theater is being designed with the help of the Guy Harvey Outpost organization to showcase the history and environmental conservation efforts underway throughout the Keys. “Photography and art are powerful communication tools. We intend to use both as we transform the Islander facilities at Oceanside and Bayside into the newest member of the Guy Harvey Outpost family.”
Despite new guestroom interiors, extensive upgrades to the lobby and other public spaces, the conversion will not change Islander’s character. Resort owner David Curry and marine life artist Guy Harvey are both committed to enhancing Islander’s signature casual Keys’ ambiance that has made the resort so unique and popular including the resort’s iconic signage.
The sign marks the entrance of Islander, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort, at mile-marker 82. With 139 guestrooms, suites and two-bedroom townhomes for extended stays, the Islander Outpost offers the best in casual Keys’ hospitality with its expansive beachfront, pools and 14-slip marina basin.
The exhibit is free, and open to the public from July 13 to September 4, 2013. For more information about the artists, visit <a href="http://www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com">www.GuyHarveyOutpost.com</a> and <a href="http://www.ClydeButcher.com">www.ClydeButcher.com</a>. For property information or reservations, visit <a href="http://www.GuyHarveyOutpostIslamorada.com">www.GuyHarveyOutpostIslamorada.com</a>. For more information about the exhibit, contact Matthew Woodside at 941-746-4131, ext 37, or <a href="mailto:mwoodside@southfloridamuseum.org">mwoodside@southfloridamuseum.org</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/clyde-butchers-awe-inspiring-photo-exhibit-july-19-sept-4-at-florida-keys-discovery-center-sparks-photo-contest/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Diving the Grouper Moon&body=<img class=" size-medium wp-image-3275 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/01/grouper.jpg?w=300" alt="Grouper" width="300" height="222" />By Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost staff writer
scocking@guyharveyoutpost.com
Marine artist/conservationist/cinematographer Dr. Guy Harvey this week is scuba diving at one of the most exciting and ecologically-important sites in the Caribbean-- a coral wall about 100 feet deep near Little Cayman Island recognized as one of the largest spawning aggregation sites for endangered Nassau grouper anywhere.
Harvey plans to gather more video footage for "The Mystery of the Grouper Moon"--a documentary he first produced with George Schellenger in 2011. The aim is to help build a groundswell among Caymanians to continue protection for Nassaus that use the site for reproduction each year around the full moons in January and February.
Harvey's efforts paid off when the Cayman government extended a harvest ban in the area through 2019. But he said that's not enough to ensure a sustainable Nassau population.
"Our goal is to get the population here in Cayman up to 10,000 and repopulate the other islands and bring this fishery back to its former glory," Harvey said.
Not so long ago, tens of thousands of Nassau grouper-- a beautiful, slow-growing, and unfortunately very tasty reef-dweller-- reproduced successfully at five sites around the Cayman Islands in winter. But fishermen quickly figured this out and so decimated the aggregation that the only spawning site left in the area is off Little Cayman.
This pattern of overfishing also occurred at some 50 other spawning sites in the Caribbean and Bahamas, rendering between one-third and one-half of them inactive.
Today, the harvest of Nassau grouper is banned year round in the U.S.; prohibited December through February in the Bahamas, but open everywhere in the Cayman Islands except off Little Cayman.
Harvey would like to see all Nassau harvest closed in the Cayman Islands from November through March, and he's not alone.
The Key Largo-based Reef Environmental Education Foundation (REEF) and the Cayman Department of the Environment have been researching the "Grouper Moon" for the past 13 years-- counting fish; implanting them with acoustic tags; collecting larvae and performing other research.
Harvey said it's fascinating observing the scientists working with the fish.
"The area is spectacular-- a wall on the western side of Little Cayman," he said. "They spawn at dusk in about 100 feet in the current. They turn black and white as they spawn-- one to two dozen males with one female. One of the wonders of nature. Very exciting,"
Harvey said efforts to protect the aggregation-- while not as comprehensive as he would like--have achieved some benefits. In 2010, he said, researchers counted about 2,500 spawners. Last winter, he said, about 5,000 were found reproducing at the site.
"I get first hand the feeling on how the spawning population has improved from previous years," he said. "It really is working."
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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.
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Share your photos, videos and experiences with Guy Harvey Outpost by hash tagging #OutpostAttitude to all of your social media posts.
https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/diving-the-grouper-moon-2/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=A Hemingway Returns to Bimini – Part II: Of Boats and Bonefish&body=John Hemingway, grandson of the legendary <a title="About Ernest Hemingway" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ernest_Hemingway" target="_blank">Ernest</a>, is in <a title="About Bimini" href="http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/bimini" target="_blank">Bimini</a> this week while on assignment for Showboats International magazine. John, who is being hosted by the <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>, is sampling the best of Bimini - including many of the pursuits and places that were favorites of his grandfather during his years on the island (1935-1937). John filed the following dispatches after spending the day with Bimini's famed guide and boat builder, Ansil Saunders:
Mr. Saunders is a very interesting man. Apart from having bonefished for over fifty-five years, he was a good friend of <a title="About Dr. Martin Luther King" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_luther_king" target="_blank">Dr. Martin Luther King</a>. King visited Bimini several times in the 1960s and on one of his last visits in 1968, he told his friend Ansil, while the two of them were out fishing, that he knew that he was going to die soon, that his time had come, but also that God must exist, saying "look at the sheer abundance of life you have here, in the air and in the sea. This is proof, if ever proof was needed.
Here Mr. Saunders is seen holding a photograph of himself and the US ambassador to the Bahamas when she gave him a plaque commemorating his friendship with Dr. King.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ansil12.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1162" title="Bimini's legendary boat builder and fishing guide, Ansil Saunders" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ansil12.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="412" /></a>
Here I'm standing behind my fishing guide, Mr Ansel Saunders. He built the bonefishing boat we're standing next to, the cost about $30,000, incredible craftsmanship.
<a href="http://guyharveyoutpost.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/ansiljohnboat.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1163" title="John and Ansil pose next to one of Ansil's custom-built boats" src="http://guyharveyoutpost.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/ansiljohnboat.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="412" /></a>
This guy was heavy and towards the end I was bringing in one after the other, and god do they fight (all of them were released afterwards, you don't eat bonefish). What a morning!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ansiljohnbonefish.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1164" title="John and Ansil with one of the many bonefish caught in the Bimini flats" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/ansiljohnbonefish.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="412" /></a>
The first bonefish I caught, out of about a dozen, incredible morning, about six pounds, of the eastern coast of South Bimini, Bahamas.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/johnbonefish.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1165" title="John and one of the many bonefish he caught with Ansil on the Bimini flats" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/johnbonefish.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="412" /></a>
Stay tuned for more updates from John's trip to Bimini! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/a-hemingway-returns-to-bimini-2/){kind=link}
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