My son Scott came to visit on 3/7.  Since Kim was in Colorado, he thought he’d come down and we could do some “father son bonding”.  It was fantastic!

He got in on a Saturday afternoon to Georgetown so we went immediately to the Chat N’ Chill on Stocking Island.  It’s an open beach bar in the truest sense.  We had a few beers, he met Kathy and Mike on Sapphire, and we went back to the boat for a good dinner.  The next day we “toured” the area.  There were over 300 boats anchored in the area.

The next day, the weather cleared and Fine Lion and Sapphire took off fishing.  We fished over to Cape Santa Maria Long Island and neither boat caught anything so…we decided to keep going to Conception Island.  We didn’t catch a thing, but Sapphire caught a huge Bull Mahi Mahi.  So that night at Conception, we had Mahi fingers on Sapphire.

We went snorkeling (hunting) the next day.  It was Scott’s first snorkel and we got a huge lobster.  It had to be 2-3 lbs.  Then as if on queue, a 7’ Black Tip Shark came cruising by a giving us way too much attention.  So, we decided to move to a different reef.  On the second reef, we got another huge lobster.  We were having a real good day of spearing.  There were big grouper, but they just didn’t give us a chance for a good shot.  Later, Scott went out and was catching Gray Triggerfish via a fishing pole. 

Dinner that night was Mahi Mahi done in a “pouch”, fresh lobster, and Mike made Bahamian Mac N’ Cheese.

We fished back the next day and Scott got big hit and fought a very large Mahi.  However, it broke the line and made off with all of the lure.  He bounced back and brought in a 47” Mahi a few minutes later.  Then a short while later, he landed a Black Fin Tuna.  We had lots of fish to clean now!  We anchored on Long Island, cleaned the fish, and had another great Mahi dinner that night. 

The next day, Sapphire went on to Thompson Bay while Scott and I stayed there to do some Bonefishing in the tidal flats.  We had fun running around in the flats, but didn’t get a Bonefish.  In the afternoon, we went to do some more hunting on the reefs in that area.  Scott must be a Shark magnet.  Once again, a big Black Tip came cruising on through while we were hunting on the reef.  We didn’t get a Grouper, but did get a small lobster.

So, dinner was Mahi and Lobster Fried Rice (that number #10 on the Chinese Menu).

That night, Scott decided to pull out his “shark rig” and use the Tuna head as bait.  He did this just before dinner.  As we were relaxing down below after dinner with a glass of wine, the reel went screaming out…shark on!  We jumped out while getting a flashlight,  the rod holder belt on, and grabbing the pole.  It was dark and the shark jumped three times and actually straightened the hook out!  This guy was big and got away with the tuna head.  Scott ended up doing some fishing and catching some Jacks for fun.  They really are fighters.  Lots of activity.

The next day had us fishing our way back to Georgetown.  It was a windier day, so the chop was bigger, but Scott saw a school of Tuna feeding.  He really wanted to get Kim a Tuna, her favorite fish.  We trolled through the school and he pulled out another Mahi.  This one was 47”, but fatter than the last one.  Just a couple minutes later, he pulled in another Mahi Mahi.  We already had too much fish for our freezer, and this one was “only” 30”, we put it back…for another day.

So , with a well stocked freezer, we anchored back in Georgetown to get ready for Kim’s return the next day.  We had dinner ashore that night…Cracked Conch and Ribs.

Kim arrived the next day (Saturday) and we went to the Bahamian Music Festival…that’s one big party!  Earlier in the day, we watched sailboat races in the harbor, went to an “internet café”, got fuel, and ate Mahi Mahi.  That’s life!

After all that, we re-anchored and spent a VERY laid back day.  Kim had the opportunity to have some fresh Mahi fingers that night for dinner.  Very good!

Scott flew out Monday afternoon.  It was sort of sad for me because we had such a great time.  I’m a lucky guy to have a son like Scott.  We had a ball.  I’ll remember his visit for a long time…with every bite of Mahi and Tuna.

So now, Kim and I are in Thompson Bay with a “plan” to head off to the Jumentos.  So, until the next time…

Steve and Kim