South Bimini, Bahamas – Bimini Sands Resort & Marina on South Bimini in the Bahamas hosted The Woody Foundation’s Lionfish Bash for the fourth year in a row on August 15-17, 2014. The popular family …
Billfish Invitational Day 1 – Scuba Diving?
19 May 20119:17 PM
During this week’s Billfish Invitational tournament, Fred Garth, Editor-In-Chief of Guy Harvey Magazine, will be filing a series of dispatches from tournament headquarters at the Bimini Big Game Club.
The day began with sunny skies and nice reggae music playing at the open air Big Game Bar and Grill. I munched on eggs and bacon and slurped down mucho coffee after a big night of festivities at the Billfish Invitational opening celebration. (Note to self: avoid Appleton’s Reserve Rum in the future – stick to virgin Coca Cola).
We set out after a hearty breakfast for a few scuba dives with Guy Harvey, his son Alex, Steve Stock (GH Inc, President), Frank Johnson of Mold Craft and sculptor Kent Ullberg. Fishing boats headed out into a glassy sea and negligible winds – 12 boats in all – to try their luck with the wily billfish. A full report on that will come later tonight or tomorrow.
The weather is absolutely and positively PERFECT with zero wind or waves. The scuba trip was also stellar. Saw lots of cool critters – turtles, rays, grouper, permit, and the rest of their slimy brethren. But no sharks. However, Guy Harvey is not the kind of dude to be disappointed. He gathered four mahi-mahi carcasses yesterday for a chum fest this afternoon on the shark dive.
That report as well as fishing results will be coming later, that is, unless the song of the Appleton’s Reserve fills the air with its sweet music before I can jump into the blogosphere. We will see what wins – rum or blog. Place your bets!!
Garth Out!
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![](mailto:?subject=Billfish Invitational Day 1 – Scuba Diving?&body=During this week’s Billfish Invitational tournament, Fred Garth, Editor-In-Chief of <a title="GHM web site" href="http://www.guyharveymagazine.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey Magazine</a>, will be filing a series of dispatches from tournament headquarters at the Bimini Big Game Club.
The day began with sunny skies and nice reggae music playing at the open air <a title="About the Big Game Bar & Grill" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/bimini-bar-grill.htm" target="_blank">Big Game Bar and Grill</a>. I munched on eggs and bacon and slurped down mucho coffee after a big night of festivities at the <a title="Billfish Invitational web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com/" target="_blank">Billfish Invitational</a> opening celebration. (Note to self: avoid Appleton’s Reserve Rum in the future – stick to virgin Coca Cola).
We set out after a hearty breakfast for a few scuba dives with <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a>, his son Alex, Steve Stock (GH Inc, President), Frank Johnson of <a title="Mold Craft web site" href="http://www.moldcraft.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>. Fishing boats headed out into a glassy sea and negligible winds – 12 boats in all – to try their luck with the wily billfish. A full report on that will come later tonight or tomorrow.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/stevekentguyalex11.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-737" title="Scuba Diving at the Billfish Invitational!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/stevekentguyalex11.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366" /></a>Left to right: Steve Stock, Kent Ullberg, Guy Harvey and Alex Harvey
The weather is absolutely and positively PERFECT with zero wind or waves. The scuba trip was also stellar. Saw lots of cool critters – turtles, rays, grouper, permit, and the rest of their slimy brethren. But no sharks. However, Guy Harvey is not the kind of dude to be disappointed. He gathered four mahi-mahi carcasses yesterday for a chum fest this afternoon on the shark dive.
That report as well as fishing results will be coming later, that is, unless the song of the Appleton’s Reserve fills the air with its sweet music before I can jump into the blogosphere. We will see what wins – rum or blog. Place your bets!!
Garth Out! https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-day-1-scuba-diving/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bimini Sands’ Annual Woody Foundation Lionfish Bash Removes 276 Invasive Lionfish&body=South Bimini, Bahamas – <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/bimini-bahamas/bimini-sands-bimini.html">Bimini Sands Resort & Marina </a>on South Bimini in the Bahamas hosted <a href="http://www.woodyfoundation.org/event/4th-annual-lionfish-bash/">The Woody Foundation’s </a>Lionfish Bash for the fourth year in a row on August 15-17, 2014. The popular family spearfishing event led to the removal of 276 lionfish – a non-native, invasive species that is threatening native fish stocks in the Bahamas and Florida – from the waters around Bimini.
<img src="http://www.thebahamasweekly.com/uploads/15/biggestlionfishRickRodriguez_lores.jpg" alt="biggestlionfishRickRodriguez_lores.jpg" width="400" height="543" border="1" />Rick Rodriguez, Winner of the Largest Lionfish Trophy, 36.5 oz.
The Lionfish Bash is an annual event created to raise awareness about lionfish as well as to benefit The Woody Foundation, a Miami-based non-profit organization that raises funds to aid in the recovery of persons with spinal injuries. Foundation Board Member James “Woody” Beckham, whose severe spinal injury during a college rugby game in 2011 launched The Woody Foundation, attended the Lionfish Bash in person as he has done every year, inspiring all the participants.
The results of the 4th Annual Lionfish Bash:
Largest Lionfish: Rick Rodriguez, shown above, (36.5 oz.)
Smallest Lionfish: Cody Gunthner (0.061 oz.)
Top Junior Angler: Trace Colson (18.5 oz.)
Most Lionfish Caught, 1st Place: Team Spears & Beers (80)
Most Lionfish Caught, 2nd Place: Team Extra Expense (70).
The fun weekend event included a Captain’s Meeting at the Square Grouper tiki bar, a full day of spearfishing in the spectacular waters around Bimini, and an Awards Banquet at the resort’s waterfront Bimini Twist Restaurant. Most Lionfish Bash participants brought their own boats to the event, but <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/bahamas/bimini-bahamas/bimini-sands-dive.html">Neal Watson’s Bimini Scuba Center’s </a>40-foot dive boat, the Dive God, took out a group who did not have their own vessels.
“The Lionfish Bash is one of the most fun and rewarding events we host each year,” said Bimini Sands President and CEO Frank Cooney. “We enjoy seeing Woody Beckham, his family and fellow board members from The Woody Foundation, and watching the fun as the Lionfish Bash participants helped to rid our beautiful coral reefs of these invasive fish.”
“Thanks again to the Cooney Family for hosting The Lionfish Bash,” said Woody Beckham. “Everyone thoroughly enjoys this unique adventure to Bimini. I can’t wait ’til next year’s event!” --- Louisa Beckett, Bahamas Weekly, Aug 26, 2014 https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bimini-sands-annual-woody-foundation-lionfish-bash-removes-276-invasive-lionfish/){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}
![](mailto:?subject=LYC Commodore Sends Letter of Thanks for Successful 2010 Bimini Blast Event at the BBGC&body=The Commodore of the Lauderdale Yacht Club recently sent a letter to the staff of the <a title="Bimini Big Game Club web site" href="http://www.biminibiggameclub.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> expressing his gratitude to the BBGC for hosting a sucessful "Bimini Blast", which is the LYC's annual gathering in Bimini:
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lyc-loving-letter1.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-133 aligncenter" title="Letter from the Commodore of the LYC" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/lyc-loving-letter1.jpg?w=788" alt="" width="567" height="737" /></a>
<a title="Bimini Blast 2010 at the Bimini Big Game Club" href="http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=13362&id=127094040665962&saved" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see a photo album of the 2010 "Bimini Blast" event at the BBGC. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/lyc-commodore-sends-letter-of-thanks-for-successful-2010-bimini-blast-event-at-the-bbgc/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bimini Fishing Forecast – March&body=FORECAST BY: <a title="About Capt. Billy Black " href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2011/01/10/capt-billy-black-joins-big-game-clubs-offshore-charter-operations/" target="_blank">Captain Billy Black</a>, <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a> Offshore Fleet
For offshore anglers headed to <a title="Islands of the Bahamas web site" href="http://www.bahamas.com/out-islands/bimini" target="_blank">Bimini</a> during the month of March, you will be in for some great fishing. The <a title="Wikipedia entry for wahoo" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wahoo" target="_blank">wahoo</a> bite has been superb and will continue into March with fish averaging in the 40-60 pound range. It appears that the <a title="Wikipedia entry for blue marlin" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlantic_blue_marlin" target="_blank">blue marlin</a> bite is starting early as a nice 250 pound blue was caught mid-February and several <a title="BBGC’s Captain Skipper Gentry Lands Blue Marlin" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2011/02/15/bbgcs-captain-skipper-gentry-lands-blue-marlin/" target="_blank">others have been caught since</a>. Additionally, <a title="Wikipedia entry for blackfin tuna" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackfin_tuna" target="_blank">blackfin</a> and <a title="Wikipedia entry for yellowfin tuna" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yellowfin_tuna" target="_blank">yellowfin tuna</a> will begin migrating through the area. And if that wasn’t enough you may also catch a few <a title="Wikipedia entry for dolphin (mahi-mahi)" href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolphin_fish" target="_blank">dolphin</a>!
<a href="http://www.facebook.com/BiminiBigGameClub"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-518" title="Heading to the Stream!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/cginchannel1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="412" /></a>
For the blackfin, use artificials with a strip bait or ballyhoo behind them. Smaller baits work better for the blackfin. If you are high-speed trolling for wahoo, use artificials with a heavy trolling lead (12 to 24 ounces), 20 feet in front of the lures to get them to the proper depth. Suggested tackle would be 50 pounds and should be ok for the smaller blue marlin.
As far as “best spots”, anywhere off the western shore north or south of the island. You may want to “fish into the wind” as an overall strategy. Remember, you cannot catch a fish if the baits are not presented properly so make it a point to check your baits often especially the deeper ones.
Catch em’ up…and we hope to see you in Bimini soon!
Capt. Billy Black's forecast appears in the March issue of <a title="Coastal Angler Magazine/Flahama on Facebook" href="http://www.facebook.com/CoastalAnglerMagazine.Bahama" target="_blank">Coastal Angler Magazine's Flahama edition</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/bimini-fishing-forecast-march/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Explore Man’s Relationship with the Sea at the History of Diving Museum, Islamorada, April 15th&body=Immerse Yourself, Man’s Relationship with the Sea at the <a href="http://www.divingmuseum.org/">History of Diving Museum</a>, April 15th 7pm. Alyssa Engiles presents the story of Man, Homo Delphinus to the Aquatic Ape Hypothesis.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/alyssa-engiles-history-of-diving-museum-friend.jpg"><img class="wp-image-2681 size-large" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/alyssa-engiles-history-of-diving-museum-friend.jpg?w=550" alt="Alyssa Engiles, History of Diving Museum & Friend" width="550" height="550" /></a>Alyssa Engiles, History of Diving Museum and Friend.
Come early to meet David Charash and learn about the underwater adventure of <a title="Cousteau Dives the Keys!" href="http://guyharveyoutpostnews.com/2014/06/11/cousteau-dives-the-keys/">Mission 31 </a>when Fabian Cousteau broke his grandfather’s endurance record.
The History of Diving Museum is located at: 82990 Overseas Hwy about one mile north of the <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/destinations/florida/islamorada-fl/islamorada-fl-overview.html">Islander Resort, a Guy Harvey Outpost</a>.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dive-helmet.png"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-2678" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/dive-helmet.png" alt="Dive Helmet" width="199" height="275" /></a>
For more information on the <a href="http://www.divingmuseum.org/">History of Diving Museum</a>
For Fishing with Guy Harvey Outpost: <a href="http://www.ghofish.com/">www.ghofish.com</a>
For Guy Harvey Outpost & their great resorts: <a href="http://www.guyharveyoutpost.com/" target="_parent">http://www.guyharveyoutpost.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>
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/00-gho-logo.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-2458" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/00-gho-logo.jpg?w=550" alt="00 GHO-Logo" width="550" height="550" /></a> https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/explore-mans-relationship-with-the-sea-at-the-history-of-diving-museum-islamorada-april-15th/){kind=link}
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-auction-spotlight-bimini-big-gamer-package/&media=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/aerial12-1.jpg&description=Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – "Bimini Big Gamer" Package){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – "Bimini Big Gamer" Package&body=BILLFISH INVITATIONAL AUCTION ITEM: The Bimini Big Gamer
The Big Game Is On at the legendary <a title="BBGC web site" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Club</a>, <a title="About GHO" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/aboutus.htm" target="_blank">a Guy Harvey Outpost</a>, and this package is a front row seat to all the action. Swanky accommodations. A day of offshore fishing. A day of backcountry fishing. A day of diving. A night of wining and dining and some flying around on your own private plane. You’re in the major leagues now! Enjoy a five night stay in one of the Club’s four penthouse one bedroom suites which give new meaning to phrase "million dollar view". Each is designed with an individual style - the Hemingway and Lerner suites, side by side, as these two legends were in real life, or Guy Harvey’s personal suite and the adjoining Blue Marlin. Get rested up because every day is “Game Day” at the Big Game Club.
Day 1 - Sunrise...time to suit up and go chase the Man in the Blue Suit! Gear up for some serious blue water angling with the legendary <a title="About Capt. Billy Black" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/charter-captain-billy.htm" target="_blank">Captain Billy Black</a>, a man who knows these waters like Hemingway knew his mojitos! Enjoy a day with Captain Billy and three of your fishing buddies aboard <a title="Photo of "El Viejo"" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=196290337079665&set=a.167958453246187.29409.127094040665962&type=1&theater" target="_blank">“El Viejo”, a classic 53 Rybovich fishing machine</a>. The Man in the Blue Suit doesn’t take kindly to amateurs, so make sure you know your stuff, and if not, you’d best follow Captain Billy’s orders. It’s true, fish fear him!
Day 2 - And speaking of orders....bonefish, 2 o’clock, 30 feet, cast, strip, try again. Yes, on Day 2, we’re talking tough love from one of <a title="About Bonefish Bimini" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/bonefish-bimini.htm" target="_blank">Bonefish Bimini</a>’s expert guides. These guides grew up fishing the flats of Bimini, and their knowledge of local bonefish and permit habits might constitute trade secrets. The skiff accommodates two anglers, but you may not want to share these secrets with anyone!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/vaughfred-bonefish1.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-650" title="Bonefish Bimini guide "Eagle Eyes" Fred get another one!" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/vaughfred-bonefish1.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="366" /></a>
Day 3 - Time to suit up again...this time in your swimsuit or wet suit, because you and three friends are off for a two tank dive aboard <a title="About M.V. Bimini Blue" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/our-boat.htm" target="_blank">M.V. Bimini Blue</a> with the dive pros of <a title="About Neal Watson's Dive Bimini" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/dive-bimini.htm" target="_blank">Neal Watson’s Dive Bimini</a>. Wrecks, walls, reefs and the mysterious Atlantis Road – there’s no end to the diving options. Enjoy diving in style aboard the Club’s 60ft double deck, glass bottom boat, complete with men’s and women’s bathrooms, warm water showers, and snack bar with adult beverages on board. During your stay, you’ll be a guest of the <a title="About the Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill" href="http://www.biggameclubbimini.com/bimini-bar-grill.htm" target="_blank">Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill</a>, the island’s most popular waterfront restaurant and bar. Enjoy a complimentary dinner for four while overlooking the marina and debating who’s winning the Big Game. We’ll buy you dinner and a nice bottle of wine, but these types of debates go on long into the night, so cocktails are for your account!
When it comes there is no more time on the score clock, and the Big Game draws to a close, regardless of the score everyone’s a winner, for you and your friends are going home in style....just like the way you arrived ! On your very own private <a title="About Sky Limo Air Charter" href="http://www.skylimoaircharter.com/aboutus.php" target="_blank">Sky Limo</a> <a title="About the Cessna Caravan" href="http://www.skylimoaircharter.com/aircraft-cessna-caravan-208CX.php" target="_blank">Cessna Caravan</a> charter that seats seven - or you alone and a lot of luggage – round trip from <a title="FT. Lauderdale Executive Airport web site" href="http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/FXE/" target="_blank">Ft. Lauderdale Executive Airport</a>. As you climb out over Bimini and look back at Alice Town and the Big Game Club, you know the Big Game will go on, but the Outpost team awaits the return of you, the Bimini Big Gamer! . Donated by the Bimini Big Game Club, “El Viejo” Sportfishing Charters, and Sky Limo Charters.
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-bimini-big-gamer-package/){kind=link}
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