West End wahoo this weekend

BullMarket · 02-23-2009, 02:43 PM

It looks like this weekend should doable to cross. I think I am heading over to West End if things dont fall through. Does anyone know what the wahoo bite has been like in the past few weeks? Would the bite be better down near bimini? Thank you for any help or reports.

Harry Klauber · 02-23-2009, 05:29 PM

Check your PM's

bajakian · 02-23-2009, 05:30 PM

Harry - I was wondering the same thing. Why not post any information here?

BullMarket · 02-23-2009, 06:45 PM

Thanks Harry i appreciate the help.

big game · 02-24-2009, 11:26 AM

I doubt the bite will be any good down towards Bimini... good luck and safe crossings if you head out

cogzwell · 02-25-2009, 02:09 PM

i talked to Marvin at BMC this morning and he said the wahoo fishing was great out front three weeks ago but not much since. Probably not many boats fishing and it has been blowing. I am thinking of going over friday for the weekend and fishing from Memory and north...

riskreward · 02-25-2009, 04:29 PM

Thinking of doing the same, sat heading north,After a few hoos gonna try my new radar north of the corner. We'll look for ya fri night.if your staying @ old bahama bay,Otherwise give us a shout on 72

RiskTaker · 03-01-2009, 09:29 PM

We just got back from West End, Grand Bahama. We stayed at Blue Marlin Cove where Marvin and Shannon took care of us after a hard day of fishing on Saturday.

We arrived a bit late on Friday afternoon, cleared Customs at Old Bahama Bay and ran over to BMC before sundown. We asked the dock master at the gas dock (OBB) to hook us up with some stone crab and to meet us at BMC, but that never happened. But we did get hooked up with several loaves a fresh baked Bahama bread, cinnamon raisan, and another type that should not be disclosed.

So we had to skip the anticipated appeteezer and proceded to stoke up the grill with charcoals. Cogzwell brought over a gallon size bag of marinated elk sirloin and tenderloins. The Boys, (that's us), tended to the bbq details and roasted some thyme coated potatoes while Shannon brought out her typical batch of bbq baked chicken, pigeon peas & rice, plus another added dish of sugar peas we had brought over for one dinner.

The elk came off the super hot grill, nicely seared and medium rare. We had a mighty fine dinner, with some spectacular wine too, in the dining room. An hour or so of having fun in the game room and we were ready to, "Go fish" in the morning.

High tide was about 9 a.m. so we thought that it may be better Wahoo fishing about an hour or two past the high, but there was still some anxiety about not fishing the early morning hours. We spent those hours doing some snapper fishing; although, we felt no water movement. We managed to catch a few nice Yelloweye, Queens, Green Snapper and a small mystic grouper, but it was more work and more spots than we typically have to do for, a similar amount of fish we have caught in the past. We managed to hook into a ~200# tiger shark on the bottom which caused us delays because we wound up losing an entire deep drop rig. Note to self, this is the time when a stick line cutter would have been the right tool to have handy. After that, we changed up to wahoo fishing from about 10-2 but in all that time we only put one Weehoo into the boat. We did get cutoff and lost a rig with another fish on, so not quite sure what happened there. Needless to say we found the weak spot in JBHC 130 braid.

We fished an hour south of memory Rock to almost the corner. Unfortunately to say, we did not find the fish. Timing, location or lack of Wahoo: that was our results for this trip. The Wahoo bite for us was not on for this trip at the end of February.

We finished the day with some more snapper fishing. Late in the afternoon we caught a few nice size fish: a big queen, a few nicer size yellow-eye and another nice Mystic.

We had another delightful meal Saturday night. Shannon fixed up some nice Panko crusted fried grouper, queen and yellow-eye snapper for dinner.

The weather was expected to start kicking in solid by noon on Sunday. Tom was diligent to get multiple weather fixes and wasn't sleeping easy after dinner time. So we got to packing up the boat at 5 a.m. on Sunday, got a shot of fuel at OBB and we headed back early Sunday morning. There was some initial anxiety about crossing back but we managed to stay on top of the water the entire trip and made it back home in the usual time, albeit a salty wet ride home. (Easier than expected.)

Ya Mon, another Bahamas island adventure.

P.S. - I may as well take a moment to restate the importance to clear customs first when you fish in the Bahamas. We were somewhere south of Memory Rock when a BDF speed boat came up on us fast. They circled around us and kept a distance for about 3 minutes, then in a puff of black smoke were northbound for another inspection. We cleared first: so we presume they simply lets us go about our business of fishing without inspection or radio contact. Or were they trying to get some fishing numbers?

bajakian · 03-01-2009, 10:23 PM

Nice report. Sorry that you didnt find the wahoo.

Jagsare1 · 03-01-2009, 11:23 PM

We're crossing over this weekend. Total of 5 boats coming from NE Florida. Staying at BMC. Any word of the fishing east and down towards Gorda?

riskreward · 03-02-2009, 07:17 AM

Thats wierd, We cleared fri @ 4:00pm ran back out and got a nice bucket of yellow eyes, came back in and tied up to the fuel dock to get a early start sat. High tide on the rock was 10:00am so I knew the bite would be early. Left the dock at the crack of dawn and ran to white sands, I knew the stuff close to west end has been raked over lately

Lines in the water about 7:30, first wahoo in the boat by 8:00. One nice 80lb ande pink sweater knitted and a double wahoo by 9:00. By 11:00 the count was 6 wahoo to 60lbs and a pink sweater. Time for some deep dropping. The bite was sloww but managed a half dozen good size yellow eyes. 3:00pm time to see if any tuna showing yet. Set the course for a temp break 22 miles NE and let her eat. Found a fat weed line reel quick so put out the spread and boated 5 nice gaffers and continued our tuna hunt. Radar was working great, but no birds to find, ran 22 miles NE of corner and nobody home. 20 miles back to the grouper hole where we bagged 1 mystic and a nice snowey. Sun dissapeared, and had to kill so time so we would arrive back at high tide. Tried something new, Put out a spread of nightfighters transformers, a rigged mackeral, and a marauder with inline glow stick. Trolled 4-5 knots about ten miles over the humps in 900-1200ft no takers, First time trolling for swords so I probably wasn't doing it right. Real hard to tell how far back to set the baits

Oh well have to put more time into that. Heard another boat only caught 2 cudas and a king so we sure weren't gonna complain. Great weather saturday and a smooth ride back

post up some pics later. Hats off to a great crew Jay, JB, Steve Tournament quality anglers, Didn't miss a fish!

RiskTaker · 03-02-2009, 08:04 AM

Cool Report Riskreward:

Good job on the Wahoo.

You guys cleaned up right about the time we started fishing for the Wahoo. I have typically had success for the Wahoo in morning hours too, even ignoring the state of the tide at times. Unfortunately this time, we decided to fish some nearby deep drop spots first then go fish for the Wahoo later in the morning, after the falling tide got going at the edge.

Ya Mon, fishing is cool in the Bahamas.

Certifiable · 03-02-2009, 10:54 AM

Rex,
I see you had the killin crew on board for the trip. Wish I could have made the trip, but we will have many more shots at it this summer.
6 more weeks and it should be "game on" for the tuna runs to start.

PETRAFIED · 03-04-2009, 11:56 AM

Jay makes that Hoo look like a 30#er!!!

Thunderstruck · 03-04-2009, 02:10 PM

I resemble that! and the pink 80lb sweater!

bajakian · 03-04-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riskreward

Thats wierd, We cleared fri @ 4:00pm ran back out and got a nice bucket of yellow eyes, came back in and tied up to the fuel dock to get a early start sat. High tide on the rock was 10:00am so I knew the bite would be early. Left the dock at the crack of dawn and ran to white sands, I knew the stuff close to west end has been raked over lately

Lines in the water about 7:30, first wahoo in the boat by 8:00. One nice 80lb ande pink sweater knitted and a double wahoo by 9:00. By 11:00 the count was 6 wahoo to 60lbs and a pink sweater. Time for some deep dropping. The bite was sloww but managed a half dozen good size yellow eyes. 3:00pm time to see if any tuna showing yet. Set the course for a temp break 22 miles NE and let her eat. Found a fat weed line reel quick so put out the spread and boated 5 nice gaffers and continued our tuna hunt. Radar was working great, but no birds to find, ran 22 miles NE of corner and nobody home. 20 miles back to the grouper hole where we bagged 1 mystic and a nice snowey. Sun dissapeared, and had to kill so time so we would arrive back at high tide. Tried something new, Put out a spread of nightfighters transformers, a rigged mackeral, and a marauder with inline glow stick. Trolled 4-5 knots about ten miles over the humps in 900-1200ft no takers, First time trolling for swords so I probably wasn't doing it right. Real hard to tell how far back to set the baits

Oh well have to put more time into that. Heard another boat only caught 2 cudas and a king so we sure weren't gonna complain. Great weather saturday and a smooth ride back

post up some pics later. Hats off to a great crew Jay, JB, Steve Tournament quality anglers, Didn't miss a fish!

Thats what I heard from someone else. They caught 8 up to sixty ppounds Sat. then they went snapper dropping and got a 16 lb yellow eye!!

riskreward · 03-04-2009, 03:48 PM

We only caught six our limit by 11:00, then deepdropping

going over the limits is not a wise choice. Besides 6 hoos to 60lbs is way more meat for 4 pepole to split up than your average day. I qoute the deepdrop master in saying we were Wahooed out! And the pink 80#sweater was amazingly unwoven

gtrfred · 03-04-2009, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by riskreward

We only caught six our limit by 11:00, then deepdropping

going over the limits is not a wise choice.

under the new rules, it appears that you can keep up to 18 migratory species on board the boat at any time.

I was confused, because i thought the rules said 6 of each not to exceed 18, but after reading them it now only says 18 in any combination.

http://www.bahamas.com/sites/default...egulations.pdf

they mention some rule at the bottom where 6 is maximum number, but I believe that iit refers to those flying out as part of their personal baggage.

I agree that 6 is plenty of fish. Great catch over there.

bajakian · 03-04-2009, 04:42 PM

He is right. The limit for the day is 18. This guy knows his limits. He is one of the best wahoo fisherman around. I believe he won the wahoo tournament over there last year. If not he was in the money.

riskreward · 03-05-2009, 06:38 AM

Wasn't sure but after checking it is 18 fish in any combination. Either way we reached our personal limit for that day. So much fishing to do, so little time to do it

RiskTaker · 03-05-2009, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bajakian

He is right. The limit for the day is 18. This guy knows his limits. He is one of the best wahoo fisherman around. I believe he won the wahoo tournament over there last year. If not he was in the money.

Pardon, not to harp on who got what for limits, etc. and the rules do change form time to time. But from last recall, the pelagic limit is 18: and that would be a total vessel limit, not a daily limit.

Certainly you could go to shore, smear the wealth and stock up the next day with another 18 limit. But don't expect to go back to Florida or cruise to your next waypoint, with more than 18 pelagics without being over.

A.P."Sandy" Smith · 03-09-2009, 03:59 PM

Whas up floor products? You going over this weekend? I might try to put together a crew. But not too many of my guys have their passports. I am ready to hang for a few days. Let me know if you need another crew member. S.Pie

nelsoncomas · 03-12-2009, 10:48 AM

Just checked on this, don't need passports just Birth Cert and Photo ID until June. Neice was having the same question.

HeaVEEweight · 03-12-2009, 02:28 PM

You can use birth certificate if traveling by PRIVATE boat. If you are on an airplane or cruise ship you need a passport.

Just an FYI

riskreward · 03-13-2009, 07:49 AM

Last time I had 2 to clear with birth certificates in november last year it seems I was being punished severly on the phone when checking back in

Therfore I will not take anyone who does not have a passport. Just my 02

02-23-2009, 02:43 PM	#1 (permalink)
BullMarket Lines In Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Stuart Boat: 215 Sea Fox Bay Boat Best Catch: 175 lbs Sword Occupation: Student UNF Posts: 23	West End wahoo this weekend It looks like this weekend should doable to cross. I think I am heading over to West End if things dont fall through. Does anyone know what the wahoo bite has been like in the past few weeks? Would the bite be better down near bimini? Thank you for any help or reports.

02-23-2009, 05:30 PM	#3 (permalink)
bajakian Grander Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ocean Ridge, Fl Boat: Venture 34 Best Catch: 300 lb Yellow fin Tuna, Blue Marlin 240 lbs on 30 lb test, 423 lb Swordfish Occupation: MD Posts: 2,071	Harry - I was wondering the same thing. Why not post any information here? __________________ A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer. I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too.

02-25-2009, 02:09 PM	#6 (permalink)
cogzwell Hooked Up Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Boca Raton / Jackson Hole Boat: 2003 34 Venture Best Catch: crabs -- but well worth it Occupation: debt collector Posts: 277	i talked to Marvin at BMC this morning and he said the wahoo fishing was great out front three weeks ago but not much since. Probably not many boats fishing and it has been blowing. I am thinking of going over friday for the weekend and fishing from Memory and north... __________________ The Hailey Ryan

02-25-2009, 04:29 PM	#7 (permalink)
riskreward Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: north hutchinson island Boat: 48'viking Best Catch: 250sword110wahoo110yft Occupation: pavetheplanet Posts: 317	west end Thinking of doing the same, sat heading north,After a few hoos gonna try my new radar north of the corner. We'll look for ya fri night.if your staying @ old bahama bay,Otherwise give us a shout on 72 __________________ PRIVATEER 48' 03 viking Last edited by riskreward; 02-25-2009 at 04:32 PM..

03-01-2009, 09:29 PM	#8 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Boat: Porgee Rock Best Catch: A Snapper Occupation: A Varied and Wandering course Posts: 2,226	Weekend Wahoo Report on the Hailey Ryan We just got back from West End, Grand Bahama. We stayed at Blue Marlin Cove where Marvin and Shannon took care of us after a hard day of fishing on Saturday. We arrived a bit late on Friday afternoon, cleared Customs at Old Bahama Bay and ran over to BMC before sundown. We asked the dock master at the gas dock (OBB) to hook us up with some stone crab and to meet us at BMC, but that never happened. But we did get hooked up with several loaves a fresh baked Bahama bread, cinnamon raisan, and another type that should not be disclosed. So we had to skip the anticipated appeteezer and proceded to stoke up the grill with charcoals. Cogzwell brought over a gallon size bag of marinated elk sirloin and tenderloins. The Boys, (that's us), tended to the bbq details and roasted some thyme coated potatoes while Shannon brought out her typical batch of bbq baked chicken, pigeon peas & rice, plus another added dish of sugar peas we had brought over for one dinner. The elk came off the super hot grill, nicely seared and medium rare. We had a mighty fine dinner, with some spectacular wine too, in the dining room. An hour or so of having fun in the game room and we were ready to, "Go fish" in the morning. High tide was about 9 a.m. so we thought that it may be better Wahoo fishing about an hour or two past the high, but there was still some anxiety about not fishing the early morning hours. We spent those hours doing some snapper fishing; although, we felt no water movement. We managed to catch a few nice Yelloweye, Queens, Green Snapper and a small mystic grouper, but it was more work and more spots than we typically have to do for, a similar amount of fish we have caught in the past. We managed to hook into a ~200# tiger shark on the bottom which caused us delays because we wound up losing an entire deep drop rig. Note to self, this is the time when a stick line cutter would have been the right tool to have handy. After that, we changed up to wahoo fishing from about 10-2 but in all that time we only put one Weehoo into the boat. We did get cutoff and lost a rig with another fish on, so not quite sure what happened there. Needless to say we found the weak spot in JBHC 130 braid. We fished an hour south of memory Rock to almost the corner. Unfortunately to say, we did not find the fish. Timing, location or lack of Wahoo: that was our results for this trip. The Wahoo bite for us was not on for this trip at the end of February. We finished the day with some more snapper fishing. Late in the afternoon we caught a few nice size fish: a big queen, a few nicer size yellow-eye and another nice Mystic. We had another delightful meal Saturday night. Shannon fixed up some nice Panko crusted fried grouper, queen and yellow-eye snapper for dinner. The weather was expected to start kicking in solid by noon on Sunday. Tom was diligent to get multiple weather fixes and wasn't sleeping easy after dinner time. So we got to packing up the boat at 5 a.m. on Sunday, got a shot of fuel at OBB and we headed back early Sunday morning. There was some initial anxiety about crossing back but we managed to stay on top of the water the entire trip and made it back home in the usual time, albeit a salty wet ride home. (Easier than expected.) Ya Mon, another Bahamas island adventure. P.S. - I may as well take a moment to restate the importance to clear customs first when you fish in the Bahamas. We were somewhere south of Memory Rock when a BDF speed boat came up on us fast. They circled around us and kept a distance for about 3 minutes, then in a puff of black smoke were northbound for another inspection. We cleared first: so we presume they simply lets us go about our business of fishing without inspection or radio contact. Or were they trying to get some fishing numbers? __________________ The writer must write what he has to say, not speak it. - Ernest Hemingway.

02-23-2009, 05:29 PM	#2 (permalink)
Harry Klauber Grander Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Miami Best Catch: Blue Fin Tuna - 1049 Pounds Occupation: Retired USCG Unlimited HP Chief Engineer Posts: 1,089	Check your PM's

02-23-2009, 06:45 PM	#4 (permalink)
BullMarket Lines In Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Stuart Boat: 215 Sea Fox Bay Boat Best Catch: 175 lbs Sword Occupation: Student UNF Posts: 23	Thanks Harry i appreciate the help.

02-24-2009, 11:26 AM	#5 (permalink)
big game Lines In Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Fort Myers, FL Boat: Donzi 35ZF Best Catch: 68lb hoo Occupation: Flight Ops Posts: 37	I doubt the bite will be any good down towards Bimini... good luck and safe crossings if you head out

03-01-2009, 10:23 PM	#9 (permalink)
bajakian Grander Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ocean Ridge, Fl Boat: Venture 34 Best Catch: 300 lb Yellow fin Tuna, Blue Marlin 240 lbs on 30 lb test, 423 lb Swordfish Occupation: MD Posts: 2,071	Nice report. Sorry that you didnt find the wahoo. __________________ A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer. I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too.

03-01-2009, 11:23 PM	#10 (permalink)
Jagsare1 Lines In Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 46	We're crossing over this weekend. Total of 5 boats coming from NE Florida. Staying at BMC. Any word of the fishing east and down towards Gorda?

03-02-2009, 08:04 AM	#12 (permalink)
RiskTaker Grander Join Date: May 2004 Location: Pompano Beach, Florida, USA Boat: Porgee Rock Best Catch: A Snapper Occupation: A Varied and Wandering course Posts: 2,226	Cool Report Riskreward: Good job on the Wahoo. You guys cleaned up right about the time we started fishing for the Wahoo. I have typically had success for the Wahoo in morning hours too, even ignoring the state of the tide at times. Unfortunately this time, we decided to fish some nearby deep drop spots first then go fish for the Wahoo later in the morning, after the falling tide got going at the edge. Ya Mon, fishing is cool in the Bahamas. __________________ The writer must write what he has to say, not speak it. - Ernest Hemingway.

03-02-2009, 10:54 AM	#13 (permalink)
Certifiable Hooked Up Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Vero Beach Boat: 36' Contender Best Catch: 200# Blue Marlin/1200#Black Marlin Occupation: Engineer Posts: 650	Rex, I see you had the killin crew on board for the trip. Wish I could have made the trip, but we will have many more shots at it this summer. 6 more weeks and it should be "game on" for the tuna runs to start. __________________ Always remember..."No good deed goes unpunished". copyright protected by "Certifiableisms"

03-04-2009, 11:56 AM	#14 (permalink)
PETRAFIED Lines In Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Zero Beach Boat: Sea Vee 34 Posts: 19	Jay makes that Hoo look like a 30#er!!!

03-04-2009, 02:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
Thunderstruck Lines In Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: vero beach, fl Boat: 39 seavee, quad 275's Occupation: Chrysler Jeep Dodge dealer Posts: 37	I resemble that! and the pink 80lb sweater!

03-04-2009, 03:48 PM	#17 (permalink)
riskreward Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: north hutchinson island Boat: 48'viking Best Catch: 250sword110wahoo110yft Occupation: pavetheplanet Posts: 317	incorrect! We only caught six our limit by 11:00, then deepdroppinggoing over the limits is not a wise choice. Besides 6 hoos to 60lbs is way more meat for 4 pepole to split up than your average day. I qoute the deepdrop master in saying we were Wahooed out! And the pink 80#sweater was amazingly unwoven __________________ PRIVATEER 48' 03 viking

03-04-2009, 04:42 PM	#19 (permalink)
bajakian Grander Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Ocean Ridge, Fl Boat: Venture 34 Best Catch: 300 lb Yellow fin Tuna, Blue Marlin 240 lbs on 30 lb test, 423 lb Swordfish Occupation: MD Posts: 2,071	He is right. The limit for the day is 18. This guy knows his limits. He is one of the best wahoo fisherman around. I believe he won the wahoo tournament over there last year. If not he was in the money. __________________ A severed foot is the ultimate stocking stuffer. I used to do drugs. I still do, but I used to, too.

03-05-2009, 06:38 AM	#20 (permalink)
riskreward Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: north hutchinson island Boat: 48'viking Best Catch: 250sword110wahoo110yft Occupation: pavetheplanet Posts: 317	gtrfred is correct Wasn't sure but after checking it is 18 fish in any combination. Either way we reached our personal limit for that day. So much fishing to do, so little time to do it __________________ PRIVATEER 48' 03 viking

03-09-2009, 03:59 PM	#22 (permalink)
A.P."Sandy" Smith Grunt Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Orlando Boat: 35 Viking Convertible Best Catch: Blue Marlin, several, 250lbs.plus,swordfish 200,plus,Wahoo 88lbs, Dolphin 58lbs Occupation: self Posts: 3	Whas up floor products? You going over this weekend? I might try to put together a crew. But not too many of my guys have their passports. I am ready to hang for a few days. Let me know if you need another crew member. S.Pie

03-12-2009, 10:48 AM	#23 (permalink)
nelsoncomas Grunt Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 1	Just checked on this, don't need passports just Birth Cert and Photo ID until June. Neice was having the same question.

03-12-2009, 02:28 PM	#24 (permalink)
HeaVEEweight Lines In Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Coconut Grove Boat: Sea Vee 32 - Verado Powered Best Catch: I SUCK at fishing! Occupation: Events Posts: 46	You can use birth certificate if traveling by PRIVATE boat. If you are on an airplane or cruise ship you need a passport. Just an FYI

03-13-2009, 07:49 AM	#25 (permalink)
riskreward Hooked Up Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: north hutchinson island Boat: 48'viking Best Catch: 250sword110wahoo110yft Occupation: pavetheplanet Posts: 317	Birth certificate Last time I had 2 to clear with birth certificates in november last year it seems I was being punished severly on the phone when checking back in Therfore I will not take anyone who does not have a passport. Just my 02 __________________ PRIVATEER 48' 03 viking

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