July | 2015 | Big Game Club Bimini

Getting to Know the Wahoo Fish

Posted on July 31, 2015 by Bimini Big Game Club

Found worldwide in tropical and subtropical areas like the Bahamas, the wahoo is a prized game fish—and not just because of its fun name. This saltwater torpedo is known for its speed, tenacity, strength and excellent flavor. Closely related to another delicious fish, the mackerel, the wahoo is known as one of the best eating fish around; though you might see it listed as “peto” or “ono” on the menu, depending on the area.

A Touch of Color

The wahoo is distinguished by its elongated body with silvery sides, irregular vertical striping, and iridescent blue back. Its scales are small and barely visible, creating a silky smooth appearance. Beware of its large mouth lined with razor sharp teeth, which can cut skin easily as you hoist it into your boat. Its jaw has a sharper appearance, which helps distinguish it from its cousin the mackerel, as well as the patch of skin that covers its mouth when closed. It’s sleek body and bladelike fins help the wahoo reach its notable speeds.

A large, parasitic worm makes its home in the wahoo’s stomach, but this doesn’t affect the portion eaten by humans, nor does it seem to bother the host.

Catch It If You Can

With bursts of speed up to 60 MPH, the wahoo is one of the fastest fish in the sea and a challenging catch for even a skilled fisherman. Light to medium tackle makes for a stellar bout, but heavy tackle is best to compete with its aggression and fast speed. This fish won’t go down without a fight.

Though averaging between 35-60 pounds, 80-90 pound catches for this stunning, medium-sized fish are not uncommon. They’re known for being fast growing, with some studies having shown growth by as much as 22 pounds in under a year. The largest caught measured 8 feet in length and weighed over 150 pounds.

The wahoo sustains itself on an appealing diet of mackerel, butterfishes, scads, jacks, and squid. They feed aggressively during tide changes, making it the optimal time to troll for larger catches. If tuna, billfish, or dolphin fish are around, so might the wahoo.

Best Fishing

The Bahamas is the one of the best locations for baiting some of the world’s largest wahoo, with November to April being the most ideal time for a trip. A multi-leg wahoo championship is held there each year.

While this species can be found in small groups of three or four, conditions in the Bahamas are perfect for running into schools of up to 100 fish. Because of these large numbers, after you’ve had success, work the area thoroughly. You’re likely to catch a few more.

Wahoo can be a bit picky in their lures. Combinations like red/black and purple/black work best. They like fast food so don’t be afraid to troll at eight or even nine knots.

The Future of the Wahoo

Every day we’re learning more and more about these fast, strong and tasty creatures. Because of their commonality worldwide and growing popularity, the wahoo are a current favorite for scientific study. These studies hope to uncover how wahoo from different areas are similar and distinguished from one another. Don’t fret, though! Population numbers suggest this fish is unlikely to be flagged for overfishing any time soon.

Bimini Big Game Club Resort & Marina is host to the Annual Wahoo Smackdown Fishing Tournament. This years Wahoo Smackdown VII will be taking place November 12 -14, 2015. for information and registration visit: Wahoo Smackdown VII.

What you need to know about the Bahamas Weather

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Bimini Big Game Club

People in Bimini and throughout the Bahamas often enjoy the benefits of tropical weather throughout the entire year. The coolest time of the year occurs between September and May, when the temperatures average between 70 and 75 degrees. During the remainder of the year, the temperatures in the Bahamas typically increase to a range of 80 to 85 degrees. The temperature of the sea surface averages around 74 degrees during the winter and around 84 degrees during the summer season. At night, the temperature typically drops about 5 to 7 degrees. From November to April, the Bahamas averages less than six inches of precipitation per month.

The warm climate of the Bahamas rarely ever turns to harsh weather conditions, such as snow, frost, hail or sleet. The last time the Bahamas received as much as a flurry of snow was during 1977. The lowest temperature recorded in the past 30 years was 41 degrees during 1981, but the winter temperatures rarely drop below 60 degrees. Winter temperatures usually reach 75 degrees by the afternoon. The summer temperatures during the daytime rarely exceed 90 degrees, and rarely drop below 78 degrees at night. The temperatures on the northern islands are often 5 degrees cooler than those realized by the islands to the south.

On average, there are clear skies and sunny weather for at least seven hours per day in the Bahamas. The length of the days in the Bahamas range from 10 to 13 hours throughout the year. This leaves plenty of time to enjoy long swims in the clear, warm water, or to participate in any variety of water recreation. The environmental conditions for scuba diving, jet skis, fishing and other activities are often ideal throughout the entire year. The islands are usually busiest with tourist activity from December to April.

Most of the rain in the Bahamas occurs between May and October, however, the local and thunderstorms tend to clear rather clearly. Some of the favorite destinations to enjoy with the nice weather in the Bahamas include Castaway Cay, Gold Rock Beach, Pink Sands Beach and Stocking Island. Many travelers enjoy participating in the local food, bike and eco tours as well. The Exuma Cays Land and Sea Park is another popular attraction for many people visiting the Bahamas. The Marine Habitat at Atlantis on Paradise Island may also be ideal for anyone interested in a more educational experience about some of the prevalent wildlife in the area.

Get your 10 day weather forecast on weather.com

Visit our Faq’s page for more things to know about Bimini and the Bahamas.

What to Expect When You Go Deep-Sea Fishing

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Bimini Big Game Club

The first thing to expect is that your ocean fishing expedition will not be like the ones depicted on T.V. shows like Shark Men or Deadliest Catch. In probability, your deep sea fishing trip will be a lot more relaxing and a lot less hazardous.

The trip will last anywhere from a half day to possibly a week. Plan your packing accordingly. After embarking, stow your gear below. Don’t leave things on the deck, for they will either get wet or get in people’s way or both. Sign the ship’s manifest so the captain and crew know you’ve arrived. When a crew member asks if you want a bag for your fish, say yes. People aren’t allowed to bring coolers aboard because of space. Remember your assigned bag number.

A crew member may also ask if you want to enter the jackpot. Whoever catches the biggest fish wins the jackpot. It’s true that more experienced anglers catch more fish than do novices – but that doesn’t mean a beginner can’t get lucky and catch that big fish. All people entering the jackpot must have their own bag.

After the boat is underway, the captain will give a talk explaining what you can expect during the trip, where all the safety gear is kept, and how to rig up your fishing gear. If it’s a day trip or shorter, the boat will take a half hour to an hour to reach the fishing grounds. During that time, the deckhands will be setting up the rental equipment and teaching people how to use it. The deckhands will also spell out any rules peculiar to their boat.

Upon reaching the fishing grounds, pick a spot by the railing and wait for the captain’s order to drop lines. Dropping lines before he gives the order is not recommended; the boat may still be moving, and your line could get tangled up.

The bait will be either chopped-up squid or live fish. If it’s squid, go ahead and bait the hook early. If you’re using live fish, though, you want the fish to be wriggling and active when you drop the line. If it’s already limp and dying, it won’t attract the target fish, and you won’t catch anything.

When you catch something, a deckhand will get it off the hook for you and ask for your bag number. They will then put the fish in the bag for you.

At the end of the trip, the deckhands will weigh the fish for the jackpot. If you’ve entered, you give them your biggest fish, and they will weigh it. The jackpot weigh-in gives people a chance to see what other folks caught and take pictures of their catches. Afterwards, the crew will cut your fish for you, which typically may have a cost.

Tips:

Listen to the captain and crew.
If you’re using live fish as bait, change the bait often.
Concentrate on having a good time. There will be days when the fish just aren’t biting. Try to have fun anyway.
Tip the crew if you do have a good time.
Familiarize yourself with the Fishing Regulations

At Bimini Big Game Club we offer a variety of Private Charter options for fishing – choose from full or half day excursions for bonefishing or deep sea fishing.

Helpful links:

How to Have the Best Summer Vacation in 7 Steps

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Bimini Big Game Club

Summer offers many reasons to celebrate. In addition to the warmer weather comes a variety of warm weather activities such as camping, swimming, and kayaking that can be done in Bimini or throughout the Island of the Bahamas. If you have vacation time saved up, it’s high time you used it. Plan the getaway of a lifetime by following these simple tips. They’ll save you and your family time and money as well as take away the stresses caused by high pressure jobs and continuous schoolwork.

Here’s how you plan and partake in the best vacation experience of your lifetime:

1 – Decide on a main goal. What do you hope to accomplish on your vacation? Are you looking for action and adventure or prefer a restful retreat with limited access to the outside world? Are you comfortable with roughing it or do you need luxury accommodations to feel at ease while vacationing?

2 – Create an itinerary and make reservations. Even campgrounds require advance notice that you’re planning to stay at them. Decide where you want to sleep and what you hope to do while you’re gone. Create an itinerary that matches your interests and visit websites for travel brochures, group rates, and to reserve your spot on the date of your choice.

3 – Start packing what you need. Print out a packing list and check things off once they’re placed in your suitcase or carry-on bag. If you’re traveling by plane, read the rules and restrictions prior to arriving at the airport. You don’t want to miss your flight by being held up by airport security.

4 – Take photos of each item placed in your suitcase just in case your luggage is lost. Although it takes time to document every shirt, pair of pants, and toiletry you’ve packed, it is well worth the effort. If your bags are lost in transit, you’ll have an easier time filing a claim.

5 – Be realistic. Things go wrong at home and they certainly go wrong when you’re away on vacation. Learn to stop sweating the small stuff and relish the moment. Every cloud has its silver lining and one day you’ll laugh about all the things that happened on your vacation.

6 – Be spontaneous. If an opportunity presents itself, seize it! Some of the best fun a person can have while vacationing is unplanned. That’s why it’s important to be flexible and have a ‘go with the flow’ attitude. You swing the doors of possibility wide open!

7 – Cherish every moment like it’s your last. Life is short so you really need to be present to fully enjoy it. Take photos, create a scrapbook or family journal of your trip, collect seashells with your spouse or children, and most importantly, smile and laugh. It’s the little things that collectively add to the enjoyment of a vacation.

Now that the hard part of planning is over, all that is left to do to ready yourself for vacation is to enjoy whatever activity you have on your itinerary. Following the list of tips above gives you an idea of what to expect and what to do to make you and your family’s summer vacation one they’ll never forget. So, what are you waiting for? Go on and get lost in the moment!

10 Things You Might Not Know About the Bahamas

Posted on July 17, 2015 by Bimini Big Game Club

1) Pink Sands Beach, Harbour Island

Pink Sands Beach owes its pink sand to microscopic marine creatures called Foraminifera. As might be guessed, they have bright red or pink shells.

2) Mount Alvernia, Cat Island

Mount Alvernia is the tallest “mountain” in the Bahamas. It stands 63 meters or 206.7 feet tall. Originally called “Como Hill,” it was renamed Mount Alvernia after La Verna, a hill in Tuscany where St. Francis of Assisi experienced stigmata.

3) Underwater cave systems

Several thousand years ago, during the Ice Age, the sea level was 250 feet lower than it is today. Acid rain eroded the limestone that formed the islands and created hundreds of horizontal and vertical caves. When the glaciers melted, the caves were submerged.

4) The origin of the name “Bahamas”

“Bahamas” comes from the Spanish words “baja mar,” which means “shallow seas.” Bahamas’ waters actually vary widely in depth, but there are areas where it is less than 10 meters or 33 feet deep.

5) The indigenous people

The first people to settle in the Bahamas were an Arawak people called the Tainos. They lived in the Caribbean, but their ancestors had traveled north from South America.

6) Dean’s Blue Hole, West of Clarence Town, on Long Island

Dean’s Blue Hole is the deepest blue hole in the world, for it has a depth of 202 meters or 662.7 feet. A blue hole is an underwater sinkhole or vertical cave. They are usually circular depressions with steep walls, and they owe their name to the contrast between their dark waters and the lighter water of the shallows around them.

7) The national symbols of the Bahamas

The blue marlin is the national fish, and the flamingo is the national bird. The Lignum Vitae (Tree of Life) is the national tree, and the yellow elder is the national flower.

8) Distance from the United States

The Bahamas is the second closest non-contiguous country to the United States. There are 31 islands in the Bahamas, and the one nearest the United States is Bimini which is only about 50 miles from Miami. Only Russia is closer; Big Diomede Island (Russia) and Little Diomede Island (US) are only about 2.5 miles apart.

9) Versailles Garden, Paradise Island

The Versailles Garden is one of the most popular places for weddings. It is named after the gardens at Versailles outside of Paris. It is a formal garden like its namesake, but it smaller and more intimate.

10) Fountain of Youth, South Bimini

Explorer Juan Ponce de Leon learned from the Indians in the 1500’s that Bimini was the site of the Fountain of Youth.

Top 10 Activities to Do With Kids at the Beach

Posted on July 9, 2015 by Bimini Big Game Club

Summer is all about fun in the sun, but your little ones can only inhale so much saltwater and build so many sandcastles! Fortunately, there are plenty of fun beach activities for your little beach lovers to enjoy when they’ve had their fill of the surf, sand castles, and sea gulls. From beach Skee-Ball and sand Pictionary to relay races and family Olympics, the 10 fun beach activities below will ensure everyone has an undeniably fun seaside summer to remember.

Create Beach Art with Found Shells

Combining two activities into one by creating beach art from scavenged shells is a great way to let your little Picasso showcase their creativity. From dolphins and turtles to mermaids and everything in between, there’s no limit to the awesome beach art your kiddos can create!

Relay Race

The name of the game is simple: divide everyone into two separate teams and have everyone race one another by running back and forth from the breakers with large shells in order to fill up their team’s sand pail with salty H2O. The team that fills up their pail first wins!

Become a Mermaid

Everyone’s buried themselves in the sand at the beach before, but take this classic beach activity up a notch by transforming your little one into a mermaid while you’re at it! To transform your princess into “Ariel” simply let her bury her bottom half beneath the sand and help out by designing a mermaid tail with all of the surrounding sand.

Build a Sand (Snow) Man

Sweltering summertime temps may turn traditional snow men into dripping puddles, but they’re ideal conditions for a sand (snow) man! Buckets, shovels, and other sand toys make excellent seasonal accessories to bring life to any sand man.

Create Sand Animals

If you thought sand (snow) men were fun, wait until you and your little ones start creating your favorite sand animals. Who wants to build sand castles when there are sand sea monsters to create?!

Beach Scavenger Hunt

There are hidden treasures just waiting to be discovered on any beach. If your little “Captain Jack” has a few more years before diving into ocean exploration, a beachside scavenger hunt will certainly make for a great afternoon. Everyone will feel like a true pirate in search of their plunder by the day’s end.

Beach Skee-Ball

Everyone loves Skee-Ball, but beach Skee-Ball may just trump the original. Simply dig some holes and get the balls rolling to recreate one of the most famous arcade games of all time.

Dig a Hole

It may not sound like much fun, but digging a hole can be a surprisingly fun way to pass the time at the beach. Whether you compete to hit water first or everyone joins in to create an epic swimming pool for the sand castle you just built, digging a hole is a great beach pastime.

Family Olympics

Tired of tanning, lounging, and doing the same old things at the beach? If so, try spicing up an ordinary day at the beach with a game of family Olympics. With games like the discus throw, long jump, 40-yard dash, hurdles, and more, everyone can showcase their athleticism in the sand. You can even plan ahead and make special t-shirts to go all out!

Sand Pictionary

There’s no better place to play a game of Pictionary than a sandy beach. Between miles of blank canvas and waves that will naturally wash the “board” clean for the next round, the beach is the perfect place for a fun game of Pictionary.

When the sun begins to dip and the activities come to an end, try treating everyone to a cold treat for the perfect cap to the perfect beach day!