Fishing Trip to the Island of Bimini The Bahamas (May 2007)

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1 Bimini Big Game Resort Are a tiny group of islands, consisting of North and South Bimini, Cat Cay and Gun Cay. They are located 50 miles east of Miami, Florida, on the edge of the Gulf Stream (deep-sea fishing territory) with the Great Bahamas Bank (bonefish haunt) at its back door. The waters of this little chunk of The Bahamas spawn some of the largest game fish in the world. It has an area of 9 sq. miles and a population of 1,638. The Best times to fish in Bimini and what we will be fishing for Jan-Feb Marlin Sailfish Blackfin Tuna Amberjack Shark Snapper Wahoo Mar-July Marlin Bluefin Tuna Sailfish Dolphin Blackfin Tuna May-June Big Marlin* Bluefin Tuna Dolphin Amberjack Snapper Grouper July-Aug Big Marlin* Dolphin Amberjack Snapper Grouper Sept-Oct Sailfish Dolphin Amberjack Snapper Wahoo Grouper Nov-Dec Sailfish Blackfin Tuna Amerjack Shark Snapper Wahoo Grouper 1 of 12

2 Here is the plan... Join the Downriggers Fishing Club for its annual Deep Sea Fishing Adventure to the Island of Bimini, in the Bahamas. The trip is planned for the month of May-June The specific dates will be the 30 th, 31 st of May and the 1 st, 2 nd and 3 rd of June We will arrive in Bimini on an evening flight (4:30 pm) on Wednesday, the 30 th of May, 2007.We will take a shuttle to the Ferry in South Bimini and take the Ferry to the Bimini Big Game Resort in North Bimini. We will rise and leave the hotel early in the morning (around 8:00 am) and board the boat for departure for the open ocean for our first day of great fishing. While in Bimini, we will have three full days of fishing. The plan calls for us to return on Sunday morning, the 3 rd of June While in Bimini, we will Bottom fish for Grouper, Snapper, Shark, Yellow Tail, Blue Runners, Triggers and Amberjack and Troll for Tuna, Dolphin (our choice). We will also Deep Drop for Yellow Eyes! Fishing in Bimini is great at all times of the year but I chose the first Full Moon in June because that is one of the optimum times for fishing in Bimini. We can change our tactics based on what we want to catch. For example, we can kite fish, troll or bottom fish in water ranging from 60' to 120'. For Wahoo or Dolphin, we fast troll with wire leaders. It doesn't matter which fish we pick, they are all fun and full of action! More about fishing in Bimini. Fishing; that s what put Bimini on the map and it s what continues to be the biggest draw. The bottom fishing is top-notch, with numerous ledges, reefs and drop-offs nearby. For us hardcore bottom scrapers, a 20 mile run up to the lighthouse on Great Isaac could be just the ticket. Venture a bit further and you reach the Gingerbread grounds, which gets even less fishing pressure. Depending on the season, trolling yields the traditional species Tuna, Wahoo, Marlin, Sailfish and the ever-present Dolphin. The best trolling grounds are within minutes of shore, including the famous wall that is literally in sight of the beach. Bimini is a place where you can forget about long offshore runs, you ll have baits in the water before your morning java has had a chance to cool down. Live baiting is less common in Bimini than in Florida due to the healthy barracuda population. Ravenous is a good way to describe these locals. If you troll in anything less than 300 feet use wire leaders, or tackle that you re not too fond of. 2 of 12

3 It should also be noted that Bimini is gaining acclaim as a first class diving destination. In Scuba Magazine s annual poll, Bimini scored in the top 5 of six categories in the Atlantic / Caribbean. There are two full service dive shops on island. We will also spend some time Deep Dropping for the Yellow Eye Red Snapper. Last trip we found them very abundant in 850 to 900 feet of water a very short distance off the east coast of Bimini. What a day we had. Deep Drop Fishing will be a new and exciting experience for many of you so Get Ready. After fishing... After a day of fishing we will pull into port in Bimini, for the night. The boat will dock at the Blue water Marina. We will be staying at the Bimini The boat Big will Game be docked Resort. on Those the main of you strip that of Bimini traveled with us last year to Bimini know that this is a very nice angler s resort with all of the amenities you could ask for. The ship's mate will clean, pack down and freeze the fish for us and clean the boat while we clean ourselves up for a relaxing dinner and an evening of fun (if we're not too tired). The Big Game Resort is right downtown Alice Town where; all of the hotels, restaurants and clubs are located within a few minutes walking distances along the one half mile strip. Transportation on the Island is primarily limited to bikes, mopeds, scooters and water taxis. The next morning(s).. The charter boat Bewitched will embark (around 8:00 am) on another full day of fishing off the North or South coast of Bimini. 3 of 12

4 Getting to the Bimini... We will fly round trip from Baltimore Washington Airport (BWI) to South Bimini. We will be flying down to Ft. Lauderdale, FL. and transfer to Continental Airlines for a short 20 minute flight to Bimini. Bimini is about 54 nautical miles from Ft. Lauderdale. We will fly down with one or two bags for luggage but total weight must not exceed 72 lbs. We will carry several 40qt. coolers to bring our fish back for our return trip. We can only bring back a maximum of 25lbs of cleaned fish per person. The Bewitched will carry up to six people. It includes berthing for up to four (4) people, ice, water, fishing license, fishing tackle, rigged bait and lures. It also includes fuel, crew, and full fishing equipment for many different options of fishing. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided for our early arrival. Additionally, we will have to pay customs and immigration fees and Bahamas cruising and fishing permit. What you will need to bring... Extra change of clothes and a rain jacket. You can always take it off and put them in the cabin. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and rain gear (just in case it's needed). Your sense of humor and muscles ready to fight. We are going to have a great time catching fish. Soft soled shoes for traction (white bottom preferred). A camera. The ship s mate will take digital pictures of the trip and will be sent via directly to you. However, it s nice to have you own because when the action gets hot, the crew is busy working and not taking pictures!! Any important medications you may need throughout the day. Seasickness: I recommend taking Dramamine or The Patch. Please remember to bring your Passports! 4 of 12

5 Where we will stay in Bimini.. Hotel lodging will be at the Bimini Big Game Resort. This is essentially a resort complex for sport fishermen, with complete dockside services, containing 74 modern slips. It's one of the finest places of its kind in the Bahamas. The Big Game Resort is in the center of the town parish and is within walking distance of the restaurants, clubs, shops and the Big Game s on-site dining room, bar and swimming pool from which you can look out onto the ocean. Bimini Big Game Resort, Hotel & Marina P.O. Box Boynton Beach, FL Phone: (242) , Toll free: (800) Fax: of 12

6 Most breakfasts and dinners will be on shore at local restaurants. We will also be eating fish that we catch. The restaurant does an excellent job of preparing your fish and side dishes for about $12/plate. Lunch will be served aboard the Bewitched each day. If you drink alcohol, beer is around $50/case in Bimini. The rum is inexpensive in Bimini, but most everything else is costly. If you know what you want, it s much better to bring it with you before leaving the States. We will talk more about provisions, as we get closer to the date. The People. To find out more about Bahamian culture, be sure to contact People-to-People at (242) , (242) , (242) This year-round Ministry of Tourism program gives visitors a genuine and informal view of Bahamian hospitality and culture as you might see it when visiting a friend. There will be a total of six (6) people per boat (including myself). I have reserved the charter boat Bewitched. The Bewitched is a very comfortable 52 Hatteras. It has two new Cummins diesel engines for speed and reliability. The interior is equipped with a full galley, two heads (bathrooms), shower, air conditioning, stereo, Satellite TV and VCR. The boat has plenty of room for fish, ample storage for additional food, four (4) berths and a fold out sofa for over night trips. Sleeping accommodations for up to six (6) people so, if you get tired or sleepy you can take a nap. - All boat and fishing related expenses to include: mate, bait, fuel, dockage, - Customs and immigration fees, and Bahamas cruising and fishing permit. - Sleeping accommodations for on-board the vessel four people. The Charter Boat Bewitched is a 52' fully equipped Hatteras Sport Fisherman. Air conditioned, private staterooms, two heads, Satellite TV, VCR. 6 of 12

7 What to do while you re there.. There isn't much that you can do on or in the water that you can't do in The Bahamas--these islands offer a smorgasbord for the land-weary. Once ashore, explore the natural beauty of these islands by plane or by bicycle. Or enjoy a round of golf, a set of tennis, or a visit to any of the island's shopping arcades or casinos. And of course, if you prefer, there is always the old standby--relaxing on a beach, with a good book, a refreshing tropical drink and a close friend. Bahamas Travel Tips 7 of 12

8 Important information that can make your trip more enjoyable. Entry Requirements US visitors staying for eight months or less need a return ticket plus a passport (passports expired up to five years may also be used), or a certified birth certificate with an official photo identification; naturalized citizens require naturalization papers and photo identification; permanent residents (green card holders) require their green card and a valid passport from their place of birth. Canadian visitors not staying more than three weeks need the same identification as those from the US All others need a valid passport. Some visitors may also require a visa. Bank Hours Hours vary throughout the Out Islands. Climate The trade winds that blow almost continually throughout The Bahamas give the islands a warm agreeable climate that varies little year round. The most refreshing time is between September through May when the temperature averages 70-75F degrees. The rest of the year is a bit warmer with temperatures between 80-85F degrees. Clothing Casual summer wear can be worn during the day any time of the year; but be sure to bring a jacket or sweater for cooler evenings from December to February. On the laid-back Out Islands (one being Bimini), dress codes are flexible. Currency The legal tender is the Bahamian dollar (B$1), which is equivalent in value to the US dollar. Both US and Bahamian dollars are accepted interchangeably throughout the islands. Customs Regulations & Taxes Upon entering The Bahamas, everyone must fill out and sign an Immigration form, keeping a portion of the card in hand until departing. An oral baggage declaration is required. Each adult visitor is allowed to bring 50 cigars, 200 cigarettes or one pound of tobacco, one quart of spirits, and a variety of personal effects (personal radio headsets, bicycle, two still cameras, etc.). Purchases up to a value of one hundred dollars are permitted by all arriving passengers. 8 of 12

9 When departing, all visitors are required to pay a $15.00 departure tax. Departures to the US must go through US Customs pre-clearance. US visitors may take home US$600 worth of duty-free merchandise. The next $l is taxed at 10%. Gifts valued up to $50 may be mailed home duty-free. One liter of wine, liqueur or liquor and five cartons of cigarettes may be taken duty-free. Driving British rules apply, so please drive on the left and watch those roundabouts! Visitors may use their home license for up to three months and may also apply for an international driver's license. Pedestrians should remember to look right before crossing streets. Electricity Electricity is normally 120 volts AC. American appliances are fully compatible. Fishing and Diving To protect the marine environment, spear fishing using scuba gear and possession of spear guns are illegal in the Bahamas. Cruising boats must clear customs at the nearest port of entry before beginning any diving or fishing activities. A permit is required for visiting vessels to engage in sports fishing at a cost of $20 per trip or $150 per year for vessels on which not more than six reels will be used. Language The official language of The Bahamas is English, more British than American, and generally intertwined with a special Bahamian dialect. Some Indian words like cassava and guava have been retained in the language. Shopping Effective January 1, 1992, the Government of the Commonwealth of The Bahamas abolished all import duties on 11 categories of items. Perfumes and Fragrances, Crystal, Leather Goods, Jewelry, Fine Linens and Tablecloths, Watches and Clocks, Photographic Equipment, China, Binoculars, and Telescopes are all duty free. Savings on these items are between 25% - 50% below US prices. It's easy to see why people often return from The Bahamas with more than nice tans. 9 of 12

10 Time Fishing Trip to the Island of Bimini Eastern Standard Time is used on all islands. July to October is Eastern Daylight Time, in conjunction with US summer hours. Tipping Tip according to quality of service. Bellboys and porters usually receive $1 per bag, while most other servers (waiters, taxis, etc.) receive 15%. Some establishments include the gratuity in their bills. Photo Gallery Radio Beach looking west 10 of 12

11 Photos from the Bimini 2006 Fishing Trip 11 of 12

12 Wahoo from the days catch Photos from the Bimini 2005 Fishing trip 12 of 12