Sorry its a week late but had to get right back to work and life duties before I could put this together. Also it is not as fish pic heavy as I would have liked but you'll read why.
First and foremost thank you to all who read along with my previous boat's theft just before this trip putting it in jeopardy. A special thank you to "Leeroyjenkins" for his insight early on. Thank you to Progressive, Sea Hunt, and Plantation Boat Mart for getting me up and running in a very short time. Thank you to "Paulboat" for the inspiration to do such a trip and "DPDash" for the last minute pointers. Also, thanks to the Abacoforum and THT for extra research materials.
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getting ready to head out...
Now that that is out of the way on to the report. Yes I was warned that late July-August would make for some tough fishing but it was the time when I could get us all together. And those who warned me were right; sort of. Catching a cooler full of food fish ain't gonna happen really. Well at least it didn't seem like it would as it didn't for us. Catching dinner every night was not really to hard just had to put in some time. NOW keeping a bend in you rod constantly, that's easy as long as you ain't picky. Luckily my boy Drew (yes I know he has a name Paul) is happy just fishing......(i.e. Joesph). So there is more than enough sharks, cudas and triggers to keep you very busy while you try to get some YT and strawberry's.
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Plus there are the dock surprises, to include Drew jumping off a couple tarpon (at Port Lucaya Marina).
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For what it's worth the night we decided to start looking for conch is the night he scored a nice mutton. This also happened to be the night we chose to have GTC cook our catch so it was a win win night for us.
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I also planned this trip to coincide with "crawfish" season since I planned on getting my kids in the water to learn how to spear fish and practice with spearing some lobster. Unfortunately the hurricane killed our chances. It produced some heavy wind drifts and overcast skies. This made it difficult for Mami who is just getting used to driving the boat. Nonetheless we got some practice time in but couldn't capitalize on the prime areas leaving just her on the boat. On a positive she went out with us on a couple days when the seas were easy 6' swells tightly spaced and she did awesome. She got her sea legs this trip.
Drew did manage to get his first spear, a single lobster.
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I must admit I hit the lobster friend twice with my spear but didn't penetrate. Not a fan of a new "rock point" tip I got. Maybe I just need to learn how to use it, honestly.
All the above was done during our first 4 nights in Hope Town and next 3 at GTC. From there we moved to Lucaya which is out of the way but Drew had never been thru the waterway. BTW my daughter could only spend the first 4 days with us since she is a working adult, which we all know is an inconvenience.
Best fishing was when we moved to Isaacs, as usual for us. Scored a nice YT and some strawberries for dinner when we returned home to the states. Isaacs was a pit stop so Mami could explore the lighthouse and Drew could fish since it's his favorite area. From there it was off to OBB where Mami loves. It was a thank you to her for the trip. Wanted to end it with a night in comfort and class.
I'll post some travel pics and just share a couple highlights. Our stay at the VRBO Carrisa Cottage was awesome. No complaints. Almost IN town, our own dock and a view that can't be beat.
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Cristy had been feeling ill and went to the clinic (wait for the highlight). After 2 days she went to the town nurse. $14 later she paid for the visit AND the medicine to treat the strep throat she dealt with all trip. Amazing care there. Dinner at the Abaco Inn at sunset CANNOT be described well enough. You have to do it if you go. Just amazing scenery and food. Ocean waves crashing at you while you dine on one side or the sounds of the ocean as you overlook the sunset on the bay side. Mami's favorite.IMG_0281.jpgIMG_0091.jpg
Lunch break at Treasure Sands Beach Club was unforgettable and honestly the food was top notch. Best burger I had over there. Great food and service plus the scenery and pool to refresh in.
As far as GTC we got one of the rooms on the water.IMG_0320.JPGIMG_0385.JPG
GTC did a great job cooking our catch and the service was top notch. Obviously we made out mark in green.IMG_0394.jpg
If you stay on Green Turtle you have to go to McIntosh Restaurant and BAKERY. Awesome baked goods in case you can't tell by the cap lock. Went 2 nights in a row and was mad I missed the third night lol. Last night we ate at Ballyhoo's. I was a little fried food out so ordered a chopped salad with a chicken breast. It was delicious and well needed.
Well now the low point, Pelican Bay. TBH I have stayed there before the last being maybe 2 years ago. Unfortunately the first room sent Mami running before I even saw it. The second one we had was marginally expectable. It seems like it has been allowed to go down hill in the last 2 years. We would have moved into a suite in the "newer" building but none were available. I may give it one more chance next tuna season for just the guys but doubt Mami is going back anytime soon and can't blame her. On the plus the tarpon are abundant around the docks.........which some (mine) are getting a little rough so bring some good fenders. The one bright spot was out dinner at Agave. Good food and drinks. Just an FYI we were all set for Pizza Hut when we got there but that is no more. Lots of construction going on in the plaza. New stuff being built and other places being changed.
OBB. What can you say pretty much near perfect. Even with the broken washer hose lol. Only real hiccup was wifi was spotty due to lightning the week before. Still it worked in an emergency as long as you say near the office. One very cool thing was the room they put us in was the same room they gave us two years ago when we made our first family trip. Pretty neat to us actually.
Other than the obvious fishing/spearing exploration and adventures we did the following when Lauren was there, and had so much fun did some things again after she left.
- Visited Piggy Ville on No Name Cay. Definitely a favorite of Mami
- Fed the sting rays and sharks at Manjack. Very cool.
- Swam the reef at Pelican Land and Sea Park near Pete's Pub.
- Visited both the Hope Town and Isaacs Lighthouses.
- Golf cart rides for fun. The road to Ballyhoos from GTC is an adventure in itself. Might as well be an off road Baja race.
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One thing I want to let everyone that checks in at OBB know. CJ is reportedly being transferred to Headquarters soon. The crew there right now isn't bad but there are often fill ins so be patient and don't expect the fast service CJ offered. Also if you pre fill your paperwork I had to list the total amount of rods, spears, and cast nets aboard in the stores sections. Plus list "miscellaneous foods/consumables". Also the customs agent came to the boat for a round count and gun inspection. Basically everything was done by the book (which I'm not complaining about) and slowly. Supposedly some young new replacements will be getting assigned there soon and will do the same but slower lol. So again be patient.
I forgot to reset the trip meter until an hour into the trip so add an hour and 30 miles to the gauge but by the numbers after reset I averaged 1.844 mpg on the new rig. That's awesome since I was very heavy for a lot of the trip, had some stuff winds and heavy seas, and had a led foot a lot of times. Came to learn the sweet spot for me on the boat is 40 mph at 2.0 mpg. I'm happy with that!
In summary the fishing and spearing could have been better but you gotta take what Mother Nature gives you. The amount of family time and bonding we had couldn't be beat anywhere else. I loved the new places we saw, the new things we did, and the memories we now have that will last a lifetime. The biggest confirmation that the trip was a success is a couple days after we got back Wifey (my Cuban "city girl" who LOVES New York) was wanting to be back and talking about another trip next year! I think she misses the piggies!!!
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Only complaint was I forgot the Grey Poupon and could find any there.........
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If I can help anyone do something like this just ask but honestly the pros to ask were named in the beginning. Again thanks to them.
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