Now here’s a novel way to pig out on Turkey Day with impunity: hike the Herbert Hoover dike around Lake Okeechobee. The Loxahatchee chapter of the Florida Trail Association will conduct the popular …
Billfish Invitational Auction Items Announced
10 May 20118:05 PM
Can’t fish in this year’s Billfish Invitational? No problem – you can still make a contribution as a Friend of Bimini by participating in the Invitational’s live auction on Thursday, May 19th!
Bid paddles are ready. It’s not a Bimini Start, but the next best thing…a live auction featuring exciting travel packages, outdoor gear and original artwork. The Billfish Invitational will be raising proceeds to benefit education and conservation initiatives to be established and monitored by the Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation and the IGFA, for the exclusive benefit of Bimini, Bahamas.
Join in the cause. Join the Billfish Invitational anglers on Thursday evening for cocktails, dinner and after dinner bidding action. Tickets are $150/pp, and can be purchased by contacting Ned Stone at nstone@guyharveyoutpost.com, or the tournament staff on site during the event.
LIVE AUCTION ITEMS:
1. IGFA History Package
2. Lost in the Out Islands (EPIRB from ACR Electronics)
3. “Jumping White Marlin”, photograph on canvas by Scott Kerrigan
4. Dock, Dine, Stay & Play Palm Beach-style (Ritz-Carlton, Singer Island)
5. It’s Good to be a Bahamian Pirate (Graycliff Mansion, Nassau)
6. Abaco Turtle Bones (Green Turtle Club & Black Fly Bonefish Club)
7. “One Second”, photograph on canvas by Marc Montocchio
8. Any day is Valentine’s Day (Valentine’s Resort & Yacht Club, Habour Island)
9. Escape to Eleuthera (Cape Eleuthera Resort & Yacht Club)
10. “The Blue”, a bronze casting by Kent Ullberg
11. The Bimini Big Gamer (Big Game Club, “El Viejo” Sportfishing Charters & Sky Limo Air Charters)
12. “Surfaced”, a colored pen-and-ink original by Guy Harvey
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![](mailto:?subject=Take 10 Lionfish, Get an Extra Lobster During Sport Season&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/lionfish-being-netted_359x479.jpg"><img class=" size-medium wp-image-2791 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/lionfish-being-netted_359x479.jpg?w=225" alt="Lionfish-Being-Netted_359x479" width="225" height="300" /></a>At its June meeting in Sarasota, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a new and exciting opportunity that will encourage divers to remove invasive lionfish by allowing them to take one extra spiny lobster each day during the two-day sport season this summer (July 29-30) that they also harvest 10 lionfish.
In addition, people can take a photo of their lionfish and lobster catch during the two-day season and post it on Facebook.com/LionfishReefRangers to get a “Be the Predator” T-shirt. One lucky photo entrant will also win a lifetime saltwater fishing license via a drawing held shortly after the sport season.
“The FWC operates in a culture of innovation. Opportunities like this are a great way to get divers who are already in the water accustomed to removing lionfish,” said Commissioner Brian Yablonski. “Our hope is that once lobster divers realize how easy it is to remove lionfish, they will continue to do so throughout the regular lobster season and beyond.”
Lionfish are invasive species that have a potential negative impact on Florida’s native wildlife and habitat. With no predators or other mechanisms such as disease or parasites keeping the lionfish population under control in Florida at this time, harvest by divers is the primary means of lionfish removal.
For the 2015 spiny lobster sport season only, divers will be allowed a single spiny lobster over the bag limit per dayfor each day that they also harvest 10 or more lionfish. Lionfish must be kept as proof of harvest while on the water. When off the water, a photo of harvesters with their 10 lionfish must be kept to document eligibility for harvesting an extra lobster. Lionfish must be harvested the same day and prior to taking the additional lobster. All other rules, including no spearfishing zones, apply.
The two-day spiny lobster recreational sport season (also known as mini-season) falls on the last Wednesday and Thursday of July each year before the Aug. 6 opening of the regular season. During this two-day season, the regular bag limit is six spiny lobster in state and federal waters of Biscayne National Park waters and off Monroe County, and 12 spiny lobster elsewhere. There is no bag limit for lionfish; harvesters can take as many as they want.
If the program is successful at encouraging lionfish removal, it could be continued in future years.
For <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNjI1LjQ2NDc0NDExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDYyNS40NjQ3NDQxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDk0MDg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9bGVvY0BtYXJpbmFtZ210LmNvbSZ1c2VyaWQ9bGVvY0BtYXJpbmFtZ210LmNvbSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&101&&&http://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/2015/june/23/agenda/" target="_blank">more information</a>, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings” then the “Agenda.” For information about <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNjI1LjQ2NDc0NDExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDYyNS40NjQ3NDQxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDk0MDg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9bGVvY0BtYXJpbmFtZ210LmNvbSZ1c2VyaWQ9bGVvY0BtYXJpbmFtZ210LmNvbSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&102&&&http://www.myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lobster/" target="_blank">recreational spiny lobster</a>, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational” and “Lobster.”
Help the FWC by <a href="http://links.govdelivery.com/track?type=click&enid=ZWFzPTEmbWFpbGluZ2lkPTIwMTUwNjI1LjQ2NDc0NDExJm1lc3NhZ2VpZD1NREItUFJELUJVTC0yMDE1MDYyNS40NjQ3NDQxMSZkYXRhYmFzZWlkPTEwMDEmc2VyaWFsPTE3NDk0MDg5JmVtYWlsaWQ9bGVvY0BtYXJpbmFtZ210LmNvbSZ1c2VyaWQ9bGVvY0BtYXJpbmFtZ210LmNvbSZmbD0mZXh0cmE9TXVsdGl2YXJpYXRlSWQ9JiYm&&&103&&&http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/lionfish/" target="_blank">reporting all lionfish catches</a> and sightings via the Report Florida Lionfish app or at MyFWC.com/Lionfish.
This article appears courtesy of <a href="http://www.guyharveymagazine.com">Guy Harvey Magazine</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/take-10-lionfish-get-an-extra-lobster-during-sport-season/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=New GUY HARVEY® Florida Lottery Scratch-Off Game Debuts Today&body=<a href="http://www.flalottery.com/promote.do"><img title="Guy Harvey Scratch-Off Game " src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2012/04/flalotterymobilelandingpage.jpg" alt="" width="450" height="508" /></a>
Proceeds benefit education and marine conservation in the State of Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—APRIL 3, 2012— For fans of marine wildlife artist and conservationist <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guy Harvey</a> there’s a new collector’s series of lottery tickets that will be available starting today—priced at just $2.
Dr. Harvey and the <a title="Florida Lottery web site" href="http://www.flalottery.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Florida Lottery</a> today are officially launching the <a title="Guy Harvey Scratch-Off Game" href="http://www.flalottery.com/promote.do" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GUY HARVEY® Scratch-Off game</a>, featuring a series of <a title="Guy Harvey Scratch-Off Tickets" href="https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10150586035320966.370981.120398390965&type=3" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">six colorful wildlife illustrations</a> designed by the world renowned marine artist.
During a March 23rd <a title="Video highlights from press conference" href="https://www.youtube.com/user/DrGuyHarvey" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">press conference</a>, Dr. Harvey announced that his licensing proceeds from the sale of the tickets will benefit the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>, a marine conservation organization that funds educational programs aimed at informing children and young adults about their role in conserving Florida’s marine ecosystem.
Florida Lottery Secretary Cynthia O’Connell anticipates sales of the GUY HARVEY® Scratch-Off Game to generate about $3.5 million for Florida’s education system.
“This partnership with the Florida Lottery is unique and I am happy to launch a product that will help Florida’s schools as well as the state’s precious marine resources,” said Dr. Guy Harvey. “I am especially looking forward to fishing with the winner of the <a title="Cayman Islands web site" href="http://www.caymanislands.ky/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Grand Cayman</a> trip. We will have a great time!”
Dr. Harvey was referring to a <a title="About the Second Chance Promotion" href="https://secondchance.flalottery.com/secondchance/howtoplay_2012-GuyHarvey.do" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Second Chance Promotion</a> that offers players the chance to win the fishing trip of a lifetime.
The $2 GUY HARVEY® Scratch-Off game offers cash prizes of up to $30,000 and overall odds to win of one-in-4.37. Additionally, non-winning GUY HARVEY® tickets may be entered in the Guy Harvey® Sportsman’s Paradise Second Chance Promotion on the Lottery’s website.
Four drawings will be held between April 25 and June 27 with 12 winners selected in each drawing.
Grand prize winners will receive a Sportsman’s Paradise fishing trip for two to one of several fantastic fishing destinations including St. Petersburg Beach, Hawks Cay, Rum Cay in the Bahamas, or Grand Cayman Island, where one lucky winner and a guest will get the opportunity of a lifetime – to go fishing with Guy Harvey himself!
Second prize winners in the drawing will receive an original Guy Harvey® framed watercolor painting and the third prize winners will receive a $200 gift certificate to <a title="GHS web site" href="http://www.guyharveysportswear.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">GuyHarveySportswear.com.</a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/new-guy-harvey-florida-lottery-scratch-off-game-debuts-today/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey and Vaughn Cochran Team to Create Black Fly Bimini at the Bimini Big Game Club&body=FORT LAUDERDALE, FL—OCTOBER 6, 2010—<a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> announced today he is teaming with fellow artist, conservationist and fly fishing personality, <a title="Vaughn Cochran's web site" href="http://www.vaughncochranart.com/artgallery/" target="_blank">Vaughn Cochran</a>, to launch Black Fly Bimini, a Guy Harvey Outpost Outfitter operation.
Black Fly Bimini will operate out of the newly reopened <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biminibiggameclub.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina</a>.
In making the announcement, Harvey commented “this legendary Club overlooks flats abundant with bonefish and permit. Vaughn has the skills and passion to help us promote Bimini’s remarkable back-country fishery for its great fishing and mesmerizing natural beauty.” Commenting on the varied fishing opportunities his Bimini Outpost has to offer, and their spirited competition as renown offshore and back country anglers, Harvey is quick to add, “looking at Vaughn is a bit like looking in the mirror, so I’m sure glad he keeps his fishing to skinny water!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/vaughn20cochran20with20bonefish.jpeg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-140" title="Vaughn Cochran with Bonefish" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/vaughn20cochran20with20bonefish.jpeg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="263" /></a>
Black Fly Bimini will organize all of the Big Game Club’s backcountry fishing programs, with on-site staff, operations and merchandising support. Based in Jacksonville, Florida, Cochran and his fly fishing wife, Jean, oversee Black Fly Inc., a collection of enterprises featuring fly fishing merchandise, art and travel. The couple has recently opened Black Fly Bonefish Club, their newest lodge, located on Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas.
“Hands down any day, for a pure adrenaline rush, the Grey Ghosts of Bimini can hold their own against the Man in the Blue Suit”, Cochran notes, referring to the Blue Marlin that is synonymous with Bimini’s reputation among off-shore anglers. “Now with the help of the island’s legendary bonefishing guides, we’re going to revitalize awareness of the great bonefishing that Bimini offers.”
In addition to featuring Guy Harvey sportswear and gifts, the <a title="The Outfitter Shop at the Bimini Big Game Club" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/the-outfitter-shop.htm" target="_blank">Outfitter shop</a> at the Bimini Big Game Club will feature Black Fly merchandise and fly fishing supplies, including assorted flies developed by Cochran especially for conditions on the Bimini flats.
About Vaughn Cochran
A Florida native, Cochran grew up in the art community of St. Augustine and earned art degrees in ceramics and painting at the internationally known and respected Art and Printmaking Department of the University of South Florida. Becoming one of the most respected fly fishing guides in the Florida Keys, Cochran later managed some of the legendary fishing lodges of the Caribbean and Central America, including Parismina Tarpon Rancho in Costa Rica and Turneffe Island Lodge in Belize. Along the way, he nurtured his artistic calling, and today his works are found in numerous private and corporate collections, including a recent one-man exhibition at the IGFA’s main gallery.
"Although I still enjoy painting the traditional fishing and seascape scenes that I'm known for, my newest work is in the pop style from earlier in my painting career. I started with pop art fish and have moved on to other images and icons of the fishing industry, he said." These paintings are now available as prints as are many of his more traditional scenes of the flats he fished on a regular basis.
With his quick wit and entertaining laid back style, Cochran is a frequent host and guest of various fly-fishing TV shows including the popular “Spanish Fly” with fishing pal, Jose Wejebe.
What started out as Vaughn Cochran's marine art gallery years ago has turned into one of the most unique destination fly shops in the U.S., Black Fly Outfitter, a full service technical fly shop specializing in saltwater flies, custom fly kits, fly rods, fly reels and clothing for tropical fly fishing destinations around the world.
The company’s sumi-style Black Fly logo adorns a complete line of fly fishing merchandise, gear and gifts. Original paintings, fine art prints, ceramic tiles and art pottery, Black Fly merchandise and additional T-shirts are available at www.vaughncochranart.com.
About Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort and Marina
Founded as a dinner club in 1936 in Alice Town, the island’s cultural hub, by Nassau entrepreneur and bon-vivant, Neville Stuart, the Big Game Club has over the last 74 years hosted world-class fishermen, major tournaments, international celebrities and tens of thousands guests looking to bask in the unique “Islands in the Stream” mantra made famous by author Ernest Hemingway who fished and lived in Bimini in the mid 1930s.
Today, the Big Game Club’s Outpost concept is designed to take the resort beyond that of a “fishing lodge (though admittedly a majority of visitors will be there for the world class fishing) to create an eco-destination attracting both fishing and diving enthusiasts while focusing on adventure travel, sustainable tourism and marine conservation.
The Big Game Club, which is located on the main navigation channel in Bimini Bay, currently features a 51-room resort and a 75-slip marina capable of accommodating boats up to 145 linear feet. By Spring 2011, a full service fuel dock will be operational.
There are Phase II plans that will include a Guy Harvey Theater, guest lecture series and interactive sessions with Dr. Harvey and the Guy Harvey Research Institute at NOVA Southeastern Oceanographic Center and day trips to the Bimini Biological Field Station’s world-famous shark lab. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-and-vaughn-cochran-team-to-create-black-fly-bimini-at-the-bimini-big-game-club/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Outpost Initiates "Trash to Treasure" Art Program&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/11707509_946851132049337_3373697342381427908_n.jpg"><img class=" size-medium wp-image-2821 alignleft" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/11707509_946851132049337_3373697342381427908_n.jpg?w=300" alt="11707509_946851132049337_3373697342381427908_n" width="300" height="239" /></a>While a fleet of anglers chased mahi and wahoo in Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts' Bonfire Tournament on West End, Grand Bahama Island in June, artist Bobby Little stayed behind, keeping very busy at a table in the shade of Old Bahama Bay Resort as part of the “Trash To Treasure” initiative of the Bonfire Series.
One of several artists to be featured in the Guy Harvey Outpost "Trash to Treasure" program, Little used a wet saw and grinder to demonstrate for local artisans and resort guests how to turn waste conch shells into fashion jewelry.
Over a few hours, the piles of discarded shells were crafted into beautiful designs of angelfish, sea turtles, mermaids, pelicans and dolphins.
Guests purchased the finished products for $10 to $20 apiece, with a portion of the proceeds going to local vendors. Spending about $1,300 for tools and supplies, Little says, a Bahamian artisan could set up at a resort and make back his or her investment in about two days.
"One full-size conch shell is worth $300 to $500 when it's cut into jewelry," Little said. "You could create an industry on every island. Anyone who wants to work can work. Now you have a product made in the Bahamas you can sell in the Bahamas or you could export."
The Bonfire Beach Bash & Tournament at Old Bahama Bay featured Little-- a 53-year-old Hollywood, Fla. native who has lived on Rum Cay near San Salvador for decades and who doesn't limit his artistic vision to mounds of conch shells. On his frequent beach strolls, he collects washed-up plastic and turns it into trinkets; fashions rings out of whelk shells; converts dead coral into candle holders and lamps; and is best known for his dramatic 'burning' wahoo and marlin sculptures made of scrap metal. A 16-foot wahoo filled with flaming palm fronds and smoldering charcoal dramatically lit up the post-tournament Beach Bash. Both the wahoo and marlin are expected to be turned into artificial reefs that create habitat for marine creatures and attract divers.
Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts proposes to launch a series of beach clean-ups combined with fishing and art festivals in the Bahamas and South Florida where artists would collect trash, turn it into something beautiful, and compete for prizes for the best creations. Proceeds would be put toward ocean conservation.
"It will benefit the artists, the islands-- anywhere there's trash," Little said. "And there's such a large demographic that follows Guy Harvey's name."
Story by Sue Cocking, Guy Harvey Outpost Staff Writer https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-outpost-initiates-trash-to-treasure-art-program-2/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts Launches Expedition Outfitters&body=<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/expoutfitters.png"><img id="i-1677" class="size-full wp-image" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/expoutfitters.png?w=491" alt="Image" /></a>
FORT LAUDERDALE, FL— OCTOBER 31, 2013—<a title="GHO on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/guyharveyoutpost" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts</a>, with properties in Florida and the Caribbean, has announced the launch of Expedition Outfitters as part of its growing adventure travel lodging business. The announcement was made today by Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts President Mark Ellert and company co-founder Bill Shedd.
“Expedition Outfitters is being created to complement our collection of Outpost properties and serve our expanding adventure travel customer base,” explained Ellert. “The Guy Harvey Outpost brand is defined by great watersport experiences and service, and our Expedition Outfitters are the dive operators and fishing captains that make this possible.”
Expedition Outfitters will feature two membership categories: dive shops and guided or charter boat fishing. “It’s a logical brand extension for Guy Harvey Outpost” commented Shedd, owner of the big game fishing tackle company, AFTCO, and manufacturer of Guy Harvey sportswear and tee-shirts. “Our fishing and diving customers want the same level of quality service and ‘top of class’ experience they get at our resorts and lodges. At Guy Harvey Outpost, we’ve done the homework to make sure our Expedition Outfitters meet those expectations.”
Captain Ned Stone, a sportfishing veteran of the offshore fishing circuit, will oversee the new effort as the company’s Director of Program Development.
Shedd announced the inaugural members of Expedition Fishing Outfitters include acclaimed Florida captains Ray Rosher of Miami , <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/adventures/fishing/offshore/captain-billy-black.html">Billy Black</a> of Stuart and Randy Towe of Islamorada and. For legendary offshore action in Mexico, Anthony Mendillo and his Keen M Sportfishing team will be the company’s fishing outfitter in Isla Mujeres. Capt. Black will be based out of <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/west-end-grand-bahama-island/overview.html">Old Bahama Bay Resort & Yacht Harbour,</a> a Guy Harvey Outpost Expedition Lodge.
Earlier this summer, while fishing with Guy Harvey, Mendillo led Guy’s 22 yr old daughter, Jessica, to catch a 600 plus pound swordfish, the largest swordfish landed on a conventional rod and reel by a female angler in the last 30 years and a new record in Isla Mujeres. “We can guarantee our Expedition Fishing Outfitters know how to put you on the fish, but like Jessica, you’ll have to do the catching,” noted Stone in sharing the story of the Keen M catch. “
“These captains have the records and testimonials to truly be considered sportfishing ‘legends,’ notes Captain Stone. “We’re honored to have them join the Guy Harvey Outpost system. And if we don’t have an Outpost resort or lodge nearby, you have a pretty good idea where we’re looking.” The company’s two newest hotel additions include the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/florida/islamorada-fl/islamorada-fl-overview.html">Islander Resort </a>in Islamorada and the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/beyond/isla-mujeres-mexico/overview.html">Hotel Playa Media Luna</a> in Isla Mujeres, just off the Cancun coast.
Tipping his hat to the obvious, Ellert describes the benefit he sees in having a carefully selected system of top-of-class outfitters. “Expedition Outfitters is going to save our customers time planning their next adventure, wherever it may be. After all, when you want to know who to fish or dive with, ‘we know the Guy who knows the guy’, guaranteed.”
For Fishing with Guy Harvey Outpost: <a href="http://www.ghofish.com/">www.ghofish.com</a>
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