They're Baaaaack !!

[Certifiable]

I have recieved 2 sepperate reports from reliable scources that have popped a few Yellowfins on the East side of the Gulfstream. Mostly school fish up to 50lbs.
Time to get the tackle ready and fuel up the barge, once the weather breaks it is "game on".
Just watch your GPS, Coast Guard says if you get within 12 miles of any dry land, you need to check in. They will be flying overhead and watching with the satelites, so you cant claim ignorance.
Got the word from the coast guard commander, they are not doing a joint venture with the island boys, and they are only concerned with US laws and US fishing regs.
US law dictates that you clear local customs if you get within the 12 mile mark of land. Otherwise our coast guard claims you are in international waters and are only subject to US bag limits (not the islands) when you return to our waters.
The economic zone line shown on the nautical charts only applies to commercial fisheries, not recreational anglers, it is open water for rec's.

NOW, that doesn't mean that the island boys don't have a different opinion of the situation. They will claim soveriegn waters as far as they want, regardless of upland locations. They think the submerged banks are thier waters, and they will snatch your boat if they can catch you. My advice, if you are going to fish close to the banks, go and clear customs and pay your dues to take away any possibility of a problem.

[Warrior]

I've heard the same. Let me know when you go!

[quack quack]

Does memory count as dry land?

[Certifiable]

Yes, Memory Rock and Walkers Cay would be the 2 pieces of dry land that were specificly mentioned by the Coast Guard Commander. Matinella Reef does not count as it is submerged at high tide and is not a "dry" piece of land.
The Bahamian Fisheries Minister may have a different opinion, but I am only concerned with the USCG.
You can be sure you will have a problem with the locals if you get caught on Matinella Reef, or deep dropping on the bank, without clearing customs.

[Warrior]

Certifiable, Broadbill said we were supposed to keep the bite quiet on the corner.

Seriously, PM me when you are going over.

[RiskTaker]

Consider the question already asked.

Any signs of Tuna runs going on yet, on the western side of the Bahamas?

I asked on another post if there was any news going on around Cat Cay on another thread?

Any heads up knowledge would be greatly appreciated, if there are more details. A PM would be fine, too.

[bajakian]

Originally Posted by RiskTaker

Consider the question already asked.

Any signs of Tuna runs going on yet, on the western side of the Bahamas?

I asked on another post if there was any news going on around Cat Cay on another thread?

Any heads up knowledge would be greatly appreciated, if there are more details. A PM would be fine, too.

Mike- If you want to do some tuna fishing, I'm up for it and Ive got the radar to find the birds!!

[Certifiable]

Warrior,
I have a charter on the "Ticket" out of Port Canaveral on the 26th. I will drop a report after the trip, hopefully the weather cooperates.
I will be watching the weather from today forward, looking for seas 3 foot or less to the promised land. I can pm you if it looks good. I usually start preparing 2 days in advance and hope the weather holds. If you want to pool the gas $$ and jump on my sled, you are more than welcome. Now is time for the best success, the fish are hungry and stupid, and not very boat shy.

[Warrior]

Not only that, but there will be very few of us idiots over there for atleast another month. I saw the ticket report from the other day. Looks promising for an early season. Good luck, and let me know.

Mike - Warrior / Grey Ghost

[cogzwell]

weather permitting, Risk Taker, Dakine and i are going over to west end next thursday - sat on my boat.

How is the tuna and wahoo fishing to the south of the west end. I have only done the Bimini area and not that familiar with the norther end of the chain. Any suggestions are apreciated.

[Warrior]

NorthWest Providence Channel!!! Look for frigates south of West End

[wanabe]

Originally Posted by Warrior

Not only that, but there will be very few of us idiots over there for atleast another month. I saw the ticket report from the other day. Looks promising for an early season. Good luck, and let me know.

Mike - Warrior / Grey Ghost

are you the same grey ghost from the cape??

[cogzwell]

heading over sunday thru mid week with RT and the Boss. We will report nightly on position and catch..... Base camp , West End.

[christopherkeene9]

We're only about 3 wks. away from our first trip over

[riskreward]

Last day of feb Jr. davis on wednsday I belive headed to the buoy but found birds 90miles out limitted out I think. Seas were calm, another boat tried the next day had to turn around seas picked up. So the next week I took wednsday off work forcast was 2-3 and 5-10 swordfished straight out of ft pierce, current was ripping 4-6 knots!!!!!! drifted 24miles by 4am released one pup then headed east. wind picked up 10-15 seas 3-5 fished 25 miles NE of matinella. no birds no fish. came in on the bank just west of matinella reef put 6 nice hoos in the box all 40-60lbs. Got back and check the sea suface temp chart and the temp break was 9 miles further east of where we were fishing Been waiting for weather break every since Ticket made a run last friday small fish off buoy one around 50# and a blue @ the buoy. Not a great day for them. Some friends fishing the tourny in lucaya won the daily mon with a 101# hoo and again on tues with a 75# yft caught SE of lucaya they are there and have probably been there. Just need good weather and luck to find the break. Going to try on tues next week. But forcast looks always monitor 72 will shout if we do any good.

[Warrior]

Wanabe, no I am from Ft. Pierce. Back in the late 80s and early 90s, a good friend of my dad had a Hatteras out of Micco called the greyghost. The boat was kept at his marina/restaurant called Summit Landings. Charlie is a great guy, and I have a lot of memories with he and his crew from Walkers and Treasure.
I named my boat GreyGhost because they used to hammer the fish, and I wanted some of that luck!

Certifiable - Looks like the weather is going to break in time. Should be ok on the ticket. I can't wait to hear the report.

[cogzwell]

weather still blowing hard.... looks like we'll be land locked on this side until mid week.....

[chummer]

Going to attempt a crossing over to Lucaya tomorrow morning for a week of fishing. Glad to hear a big YFT was caught SE of Lucaya. I've spent the last 6 weeks getting ready - 2 new Tiagra 30-wides, wind-on leaders, new double-hook rigs, boat is locked and loaded. I'll let you guys know how I do, if I don't get swamped by rogue wave on the crossing.

Chummer

[cogzwell]

stay safe........

[chummer]

Came across one school of tuna underneath a frigate, just south of Lucaya. Saw them busting bait, but these guys were boat shy. These guys were within 4 miles of Lucaya and in the past have been shy. We probably could have switched to chunking, but they were moving fast and away from us. No frigates over near Freeport or West End, probably due to a constant 20-25kt wind.