Divers: start rehearsing your cough-and-call routine. You will need to execute a flawless performance to avoid getting fired for skipping work July 26 and 27– Florida’s largest undeclared …
Today is the official "First Day of Summer"!
20 Jun 20124:56 PM
Today is the official “First Day of Summer”!! Nothing epitomizes a dream summer vacation more than this photo of the beautiful Green Turtle Club Resort & Marina, the very first Guy Harvey Outpost Expedition Property. Call GHO Reservations today to book your GTC adventure – 800.513.5257!
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![](mailto:?subject=Sword Fights in the Cayman Islands&body=About 12 years ago, Cayman Islands businessman Clarence Flowers-- an avid sport angler-- chartered Miami Beach captain Bouncer Smith for a South Florida swordfishing excursion. Smith shared his tactics and techniques with his customer and they caught a fish. Flowers told the captain about the nascent recreational swordfishery in his Caribbean home waters: a 600-pounder had actually beached itself in Grand Cayman Island's North Sound and recreational anglers were taking some hefty ones on hook-and-line. That fateful conversation led to the inaugural Cayman Swordfish Challenge in 2005.
The 11th Challenge just wrapped up last weekend with local angler Thom Guyton taking top honors for boating four swords--including the tournament's largest, a 108.2-pounder--and releasing one off Cayman Brac.
The contest also serves as an on-water laboratory for scientists seeking to learn as much as possible about this unsung, but robust recreational fishery.
"Better than ours-- especially the night fishing," Smith, a 50-year-veteran charter captain, said of Cayman Islands swordfishing. "The daytime I would say is on a par with here--maybe slightly better."
Fisheries scientist Travis Moore of Pompano Beach-based Gray FishTag Research was on the water for the two-day contest and implanted a 54-incher with a satellite tag before releasing it. The tag, anchored in the dorsal fin, will detach after a year and beam minute-to-minute data about the fish's movements to a satellite which downloads the data to Moore's computer. It is the ninth satellite tag to be implanted in Cayman Island swords by Moore and colleagues since 2011.
"What we're doing is to help develop this fishery for the Cayman Islands," Moore said. "The Cayman government may decide to use this data to regulate foreign fleets coming into their waters."
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/SwordTag2.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-4666" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/SwordTag2.jpg" alt="" width="1440" height="960" /></a>
Right now, both Moore and Smith say, there 's really no directed commercial fishery for swords in the Cayman Islands; the effort is primarily recreational with a few fish kept to eat or sold to local restaurants. But as word of the bounty gets out, the powerful and tasty billfish potentially could face heavy exploitation and would require careful management. The islands' record is a 392-pounder caught in 2012.
Moore says preliminary satellite tracking data shows the Cayman Islands serve as a "rest stop" for the tasty pelagics that hang out here roughly from November through May, then head north as waters warm.
"They're feeding in a perpendicular pattern to the Cayman Trench before going north," he said.
Recreational anglers target them in ways similar to their South Florida counterparts: deep-dropping squid, small tunas, bonitos or belly strips in 1,600 to 1,800 feet of water in daytime and either drifting or slow-trolling baits with planers 100 to 300 feet deep at night. Smith says all three of the Cayman Islands-- Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman--are basically sea mounts surrounded by very deep waters where upwellings concentrate bait, and therefore swords could be found just about anywhere.
"You can fish so close to the islands that you can read the license plates on the cars," he said.
Moore relishes the opportunity to enjoy the sport and collect important information at the same time.
"The fishing there is really off the charts," he said. "Amazing." https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/sword-fights-in-the-cayman-islands/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=A Happy, Obsessive Bonefisherman&body=Below is a testimonial from a guest who recently stayed at the Big Game Club to do a little bonefishing with the Club's backcountry outfitter, Bonefish Pursuits Bimini. Please read on - this is what the Bimini Big Game Club Experience is all about....
Dear Big Game Club & Bonefish Pursuits Bimini Folks,
I wanted to take the opportunity to sincerely thank you for arranging our recent trip to Big Game Club in Bimini. The client care was seamless from start to finish.
Captain Vaughn, it is abundantly clear that you will only put your stamp of approval on a destination that has top class fly fishing. The bonefishing in Bimini was simply the best I have encountered. It was welcome surprise since I made the decision to head to BGC on the spur of the moment after reading your newsletter. The fishing was hands down better than Honduras, CR and Turneffe. So good that I don’t want to tell anybody!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/alister3.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-294" title="Alistair with an 8+ lb. bonefish caught in the flats off Bimini" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/alister3.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="224" /></a>
The bones on average do not come in under 4lbs & are all hard fighting fish always running in to backing. I have attached a picture of me with an 8lb+ bone that I landed. I hooked many bigger fish that broke off which were definitely in the 10lb+ category. Eagle Eyes Fred was the best guide I have fished with. He can spot fish in any conditions and is dogmatic in putting his client on fish. As he has been fly fishing for years himself he knows how to pole the boat in just the right position for the best shot on the fish. He is a soft-spoken gentleman & also is very punctual.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/alister4.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-295" title="Alistair with another prized catch from the flats of Bimini" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/alister4.jpg?w=300" alt="" width="300" height="224" /></a>
I used mostly the brown "squimp" lead & beaded eyes, and Clint's secret fly which the bones went crazy for on the flat. I had never seen bonefish fight each other for a fly. As usual, thanks to the Bonefish Bimini Team for all the continued superb service & great gear!!
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/kim.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-medium wp-image-296" title="Kim and "Eagle Eyes" Fred" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/11/kim.jpg?w=224" alt="" width="224" height="300" /></a>
Beth, thank you for you assistance with all the bookings, it was an absolute pleasure & interacting with you. Thanks for making it so easy to extend the trip by two days because the fishing was that good : ) !
Ned - thank you for taking the time to chat with us. Your genuine interest & follow up in making sure we had a great stay was greatly appreciated. Your concern for marine conservation was refreshing.
Also thanks to Turk for graciously giving us an island tour & ensuring our on island resort needs were all taken care of.
I really can’t see how BGC is not going to be a success. The top notch client care is there, the resort is beautiful, rooms are great, lovely restaurant & gift shop. The Bonefish Pursuits Bimini store will round it off and I know will be a hit.
Take Care,
A happy obsessive bonefisherman - I will be back soon
Alistair https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/a-happy-obsessive-bone-fisherman/){kind=link}
![](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/billfish-invitational-auction-spotlight-its-good-to-be-a-bahamian-pirate-luxury-bahamian-vacation-package/&media=https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/pirate-luxury-bahamian-vacation-package.jpg&description=Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – “It’s Good to be a Bahamian Pirate" Luxury Bahamas Vacation Package){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Billfish Invitational Auction Spotlight – “It’s Good to be a Bahamian Pirate" Luxury Bahamas Vacation Package&body=<a title="Billfish Invitational web site" href="http://www.billfishinvitational.com" target="_blank">BILLFISH INVITATIONAL</a> AUCTION ITEM: "It's Good to be a Bahamian Pirate" Luxury Bahamas Vacation Package
Enjoy a romantic two night stay at the world renowned <a title="Graycliff Hotel web site" href="http://www.graycliff.com" target="_blank">Graycliff</a>, an elegant British Colonial mansion high atop Nassau next to the stately Government House of the Bahamas.
Originally built in 1740 by the notorious priate <a title="History of the Graycliff Hotel" href="http://www.graycliff.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=178&Itemid=152" target="_blank">Captain Graysmith</a>, who plunderd treasure throughout the Spanish Main from the deck of his feared Graywolf, this beautiful home offers an enticing world of colonial elegance tucked away from Nassau’s casino glitter. Surrounded by lush tropical gardens in a resplendent poolside setting, Graycliff is many things - but most of all it is a symbol of tradition, history, excellence and a commitment to providing the ultimate in quality and service. Your deluxe room offers all the amenities and comfort you would expect on an estate that has the only five-star restaurant in the entire Caribbean.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/gc_staying311.jpg"><img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-667" title="Graycliff Hotel - Nassau, Bahamas" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/gc_staying311.jpg" alt="" width="550" height="283" /></a>
Pick your night to enjoy a complimentary four-course "Chef’s Tasting" dinner for two at the award winning Graycliff Restaurant, paired with wine from the award winning wine cellar.
To finish your dinner, select a cigar from your new polished mahogany humidor (6 inches deep), which is highlighted with elegant <a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank">Guy Harvey</a> artwork. This unique treasure will be signed at the tournament by Guy himself, and delivered fully stocked with a selection of 75 fine cigars.
And, what’s it mean to be a pirate if there isn’t any booty? We’ve done some treasure hunting of our own around the 700 Bahamian islands, and unearthed a stunning <a title="Guy Harvey Jewelry web site" href="http://www.guyharveyjewelry.com/" target="_blank">Guy Harvey medallion</a> ( 1 1/4” in diameter) forged in sterling silver with a hard fired enamel Blue Marlin image, complete with sterling silver chain and a set of matching pendant earrings.
<a href="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bm1.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-669" title="Guy Harvey Marlin on Hard Fired Enamel Medallion" src="https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/bm1.jpg" alt="" width="250" height="396" /></a>*Image is a representation of the medallion only - chain used in the auction may vary from the product shown.
To quote Johnny Depp....”Life's pretty good, and why wouldn't it be? I'm a pirate, after all.” And now, so are you! Donated by Graycliff, Unique Furnishings, JW Cigars and Guy Harvey Fine Jewelry.
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-its-good-to-be-a-bahamian-pirate-luxury-bahamian-vacation-package/){kind=link}
![](mailto:?subject=Bimini Big Game Club Now Serving Guy Harvey re:newal Spring Water in 100% Compostable Bottle&body=<a href="http://renewal-water.com/renewal-and-guy-harvey-team-up/"><img class="aligncenter" title="Guy Harvey re:newal Water" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/banner.png" alt="" width="450" height="102" /></a>
<a title="Guy Harvey Inc. web site" href="http://www.guyharvey.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guy Harvey</a> and <a title="re:newal web site" href="http://renewal-water.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">re:newal premium spring water</a> are proud to offer a U.S. sourced premium spring water that uses <a title="About the 100% compostable bottle" href="https://renewellwater.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">a 100% plant-based compostable bottle</a>.
Launched in February 2011, the Guy Harvey special edition re:newal premium spring water product will raise funds for ocean conservation programs by donating 10% of the proceeds from each bottle sold directly to the <a title="GHOF web site" href="http://www.guyharveyoceanfoundation.org" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guy Harvey Ocean Foundation</a>. The GHOF funds inspired scientific research and innovative educational programs to help ensure that future generations will enjoy and benefit from a naturally balanced ocean ecosystem where fish and other marine wildlife flourish.
<a href="newal and Guy Harvey Team Up"><img title="100% compostable bottle from re:newal water" src="http://guyharvey.files.wordpress.com/2011/04/renewalwater.jpg" alt="" width="365" height="301" /></a>Guy Harvey re:newal spring water is proudly served at the Bimini Big Game Club, a Guy Harvey Outpost Resort & Marina.
re:newal premium spring water packages pure spring water in a bottle made from plants, not petroleum. Most importantly, re:newal bottles offer more end-of-life options for consumers, who now have the ability to recycle, compost, incinerate or re-use their bottles.
To learn more about how traditional plastics are damaging the marine environment, read the special feature "Plastics: One Word/One World" in the brand new issue of <a title="GHM web site" href="http://www.guyharveymagazine.com" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Guy Harvey Magazine</a>. https://guyharveyoutpostblog.com/guy-harvey-and-renewal-team-up-to-promote-100-compostable-water-bottle/){kind=link}
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