Walkers Cay

[Certifiable]

This message is being brought to you through the kind generosity of Captain Morgan Rum...........drinkers

Now that we have stirred the Walkers Cay pot a little....here is my rummed up opinion:
Walkers is the greatest fishing destination this side of Panama....no doubt.
However, the private ownership of the island has become a major stumbling point against its resurection. The current owners want $20 million for the sale of the island......never gonna happen.
The entire island must be bulldozed clean and dumped into the ocean for a restart. The hotel is a structural danger and would be condemned in the states...the sewer plant is completely shot...the private cottages need complete rebuilding from the foundation up....nothing could be saved including the customs shack.
Soooo, 20 million to buy and another 1 million(+) to scrape / clear and dump the infrastructure into the ocean.
Add another 5 million for desalination water plant / package sewer plant and associated piping and miscelaneous runway improvements and you have a clean slate to work with.
You are $25 million in the hole now with no vertical construction.
Build a 100 room hotel and average resteraunt.....$20 million.
Rebuild the marina...2 million.
throw in another 3 million for the required government bribes and we are at a cool $50 million investment.
How does a businessman recover his cost when he can only charge $200-$500 a night for a room and $50-$300 a night for the boat slip.
You can only service the patrons that arrive by boat...or in small airplanes (6 seat max). The wives that do not fish will never come to the rock with no beaches or shopping.
Bottom line...IMPOSSIBLE to recover the expenditure for the island and infrastructure with the limited access and ammenities.
Sell private condo's?....drop the 100 rooms to 50 and good luck at over 1.5 million a piece plus monthly expenses for a remote place with limited access due to weather and location.

This is a good example of why the Bahamian Gov't should recall the lease on the property and re-lease the land for $1 a year to a major player that can turn the rock into a revenue maker for the Bahamian Government and restore the sportsmans island back to its prestine history. Get rid of that $20 million acquisition fee and someone may take the risk and make the investment.

Until then...it will remain the rat and cat infested rock that it currently is.

If you build it....I will come cuz I love that place.

Splelling chek curtizy of Craptin Morgn

[Disco Lady]

That sucks! Hade some great times at Walkers in the 90s sad storie brother. Thanks for sharing the info: on the place.

DL,

[GT Fish]

Leave it the way it is...The fishing is 10X better than the old days...Reefs arent getting hammmerd...

[quack quack]

I think the Abplanalps should be ashamed of them selves!!! It was their fathers favorite place in the world. They have more than enough money to fix the place up. I think it comes down to family infighting that screwed things up. I remember the old man well from Montauk. I fished on the Sealion from the time I could stand on deck. My dad mated for Larry Thompson a lot back then. He fished with Nixon a bunch of times. Another guy that loved to fish was Dick Butkus. While he loved to fish he used to get seasick a lot. My dad was a small guy and would tease the hell out if butkus when he got sick. He had to slip away from his grab a few times. On a side note does any one know what happen to the boat? I also fished on her sister ship the Grand Crue for a few years with Paul Dewolf.

[54bullwinkle]

Has anyone been there? Are there still locals living on the island?

[Disco Lady]

It was Flanigan's Big Daddy's favorite place too. Those guys use to hammer the reef well spearfishing.

DL,

[GT Fish]

Originally Posted by Disco Lady

It was Flanigan's Big Daddy's favorite place too. Those guys use to hammer the reef well spearfishing.

DL,

He is still there with his houseboat..he payed duty tax to keep it there full time..I think 2 locals live there also..

[Disco Lady]

Thanks for the info GT, I guess the kids still go there and fish.


DL,

[TTesterman]

.... great spot on earth ... is it still up with customs and immigration?

[Disco Lady]

Hey! TT how is the fall recovery coming? Hope your doing better and get out soon.

DL,

[Certifiable]

Customs is still there.
Be carefull when getting off your boat, they have no catwalk to climb onto. You have to jump for the seawall to reach land.

I can see GT's point of view on less fishing pressure.......but I sure do miss the party days at the Lobster Trap Bar with the other die hard fishermen.

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!!! The Lobster Trap Bar!


DL,

[JT]

So many memories there. 1st trip in 1984...beautiful island in the sun. 1st day fishing right out front, 1st half hour blue marlin on long right rigger. Later triple header yellowfins and a great party on center dock with Billy Black and the gang.
Trading a six pack of bud for six lobster tails.
Taking your fresh catch to the resturant and having it prepared 4 or so different ways.
Wake up in the morning to glorious colors as you gaze at the sea looming to the east.

Riding the " Love Train " to Rosies in the dark going through the rocks. Turtle steaks, fried grouper and the best peas and rice while natives played dominos.

Fish fries on the south dock with Sam Crutchfield...Sam's favorite yellowfin grouper. Clear Becks beer!

Meeting so many good folks over the years including Richard Bajakian on his "Fish Magnet". Catching a 721 lb. blue marlin with my all female crew when Richard's mate, Tim, jumped overboard and swam over to assist my girl crew.

Doing battle with and getting humbled by GIANT( 600 to 1000 lb ) bluefin tunas one year in May.

Fished my first BBC there and boated a blue marlin that split a daily double with the Reel Tight. Got to take Omie Tillet fishing there on my Merritt in Barta kids tournament one year and won MFG division with a blue marlin release.

My wife's birthdays weekend there many years with maitre d Joe's wife cooking her favorite birthday cake. Carey catching what was a world record mutton and eating it for dinner.

I stoped there last year and it brought a tear to my eyes. Perhaps Ray is right and what ever it takes I sure hope someone finds the answer to get one of the sweetest spots anywhere up and going again.

[Disco Lady]

COÑO!!!! You are killing! me.


DL,

[bajakian]

Originally Posted by JT

So many memories there. 1st trip in 1984...beautiful island in the sun. 1st day fishing right out front, 1st half hour blue marlin on long right rigger. Later triple header yellowfins and a great party on center dock with Billy Black and the gang.
Trading a six pack of bud for six lobster tails.
Taking your fresh catch to the resturant and having it prepared 4 or so different ways.
Wake up in the morning to glorious colors as you gaze at the sea looming to the east.

Riding the " Love Train " to Rosies in the dark going through the rocks. Turtle steaks, fried grouper and the best peas and rice while natives played dominos.

Fish fries on the south dock with Sam Crutchfield...Sam's favorite yellowfin grouper. Clear Becks beer!

Meeting so many good folks over the years including Richard Bajakian on his "Fish Magnet". Catching a 721 lb. blue marlin with my all female crew when Richard's mate, Tim, jumped overboard and swam over to assist my girl crew.

Doing battle with and getting humbled by GIANT( 600 to 1000 lb ) bluefin tunas one year in May.

Fished my first BBC there and boated a blue marlin that split a daily double with the Reel Tight. Got to take Omie Tillet fishing there on my Merritt in Barta kids tournament one year and won MFG division with a blue marlin release.

My wife's birthdays weekend there many years with maitre d Joe's wife cooking her favorite birthday cake. Carey catching what was a world record mutton and eating it for dinner.

I stoped there last year and it brought a tear to my eyes. Perhaps Ray is right and what ever it takes I sure hope someone finds the answer to get one of the sweetest spots anywhere up and going again.

Those were some good times John. I caught my first 3 blue marlin there the week that I met you and Carey. Still want a picture of us with that big fish hanging..