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Author Topic:   Bimini, Bahama Crossing

mikejana posted 05-14-2010 12:04 AM ET (US)
Greetings,
Vacation week has arrived and the boat is nearly ready for our planned fishing adventure out of Grande Isle, Louisiana. Obviously we are changing plans.
We are thinking of a quick 2-3 day midweek Bimini trip. I have done little planning or research for this impromptu jaunt, so any input is appreciated.
We will preposition in Melbourne, thinking Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale for departure?
We are a family of five and rustic accommodations are fine. The boys are 11, 15 &17. Our goal is a few fish for the freezer, a bit of snorkeling and no cell phones or distractions. We want to travel lighter so no scuba tanks.
Our boat is a 22 Outrage with a single OX-66 (Yamaha 250) on a bracket. Tow Boat subscription will be up to date.
Again, any advice, criticism or input is appreciated.
Thanks, Mike

TRAFFICLAWYER posted 05-14-2010 12:53 PM ET (US)
The Whaler sponsored Bimini trip is pricey, hotel, fuel, entry fee customs, etc.
I am taking the gambling ship over ro Freeport for a couple days rather than my boat. Costs about $500 for 3 of us out of Palm Beach Inlet.
Tohsgib posted 05-14-2010 01:16 PM ET (US)
For 2-3 days you would be better off in Islamorada or some place in the keys. If weather kicks up, you might be stuck in the Bahamas for another week. Customs, etc is VERY expensive for a short visit.
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 05-14-2010 02:11 PM ET (US)
Yup figure, 150 Entry
1500 gas
350 day hotel x3
250 misc.
150 hotel in FTL
150 dockage
300 beverages/bait/ice
contender posted 05-14-2010 03:32 PM ET (US)
Mikejane: Tohsgib and Traffic are correct, expensive and they do not care, The last time I was there it almost took longer to check in than the crossing. Hit the keys they are doing very well with the dolphin catch right now. There are plenty of nice places to eat and stay. You can check out Robbies on MM77 Bay side Boys will get a kick out hand feeding the tarpon. The keys have some very nice places to snorkel in the Islamorada/ Tavenier area. Check this site out for a place to stay VRBO.com
L H G posted 05-14-2010 05:20 PM ET (US)
Bimini is one of the most overrated places around, although the blue water is beautiful.
I have made several single boat trips over there in my twin engine 25 Outrage (when I was under 60!). I would NEVER even consider such a 60 mile open water crossing in a 22 with 5 lives at stake and a single engine, unless there are other boats in company.
Only go when the forecast is for "light and variable" winds, both directions, and NEVER when there is a North aspect to the wind. The Gulf Stream flows North at about 5 mph and sets up REALLY NASTY seas against a North wind. Best time to head out the inlet is 6am, before the sea breeze comes up. People often return early also, but I have done it later afternoon and you pick up the sea breeze as a tail wind about 15 miles off shore.
mikejana posted 05-14-2010 05:28 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the response and keep it coming.
Entry fee, okay 150 but it includes "fishing rights" correct?
Found lots of hotels under $100 a night, not sure of condition? (mid-week last minute)
No Hotel in FTL needed, my Dad lives nearby.
Gas maybe $200-300. (Our 22 outrage gets 3 mpg at 3800 rpm, about 32mph and 10.5 gph).
Bait, beverages and misc will be spent anywhere, maybe 2x in the Bahamas.
We've done the keys a bunch and thought that Bimini would be a new experience. We are far from the cruise boat and casino types. I am an Airline Pilot by trade, so trying to get off the beaten path and away from travelling public is important.
Also hoping for Tuna, the reports say Bluefin is good now.
Cheers, Mike
mikejana posted 05-14-2010 05:35 PM ET (US)
Larry,
Thanks, thats the stuff I need to know.
I used to take my 16 Eastport out to the Chesapeake light (Virginia Beach + 40 miles, in my college days). It would also hit the Molokai channel several times a week for night dives (as a Marine in my late 20s). I know it is different with a family and I get no cautionary "Bermuda Traingle" input here in my Florida panhandle circles.
Mike
contender posted 05-14-2010 09:47 PM ET (US)
Gas is probably around $6.00 a gallon in Bimini now. The $150. will include the fish rights but, the catch is you can only take fish that you are going to eat, so the law is subjective. Best to get the straight talk when you check in. LHG is also correct you need to cross early (both ways) and watch the weather. Have fun be safe
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 05-15-2010 10:12 AM ET (US)
Bluefin???? uh maybe Yellowfin if you're set up radar to find the birds.
mikejana posted 05-15-2010 09:49 PM ET (US)
Sorry, checked the report again. Blackfin Tuna, not Bluefin.
This is why I'm asking advice.
Judging from the complete lack of reccomendations, we are trying to regroup. I thought someone would have liked Bimini.
Thanks, Mike
TRAFFICLAWYER posted 05-16-2010 01:52 PM ET (US)
Go post over at the florida sportsman site, you'll get a ton of input.
Murphy posted 05-17-2010 05:18 PM ET (US)
There are lots of people posting about Bimini on TheHullTruth.com in the GA/FL section.
RM

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Author	Topic: Bimini, Bahama Crossing
mikejana	posted 05-14-2010 12:04 AM ET (US) Greetings, Vacation week has arrived and the boat is nearly ready for our planned fishing adventure out of Grande Isle, Louisiana. Obviously we are changing plans. We are thinking of a quick 2-3 day midweek Bimini trip. I have done little planning or research for this impromptu jaunt, so any input is appreciated. We will preposition in Melbourne, thinking Port Everglades in Ft Lauderdale for departure? We are a family of five and rustic accommodations are fine. The boys are 11, 15 &17. Our goal is a few fish for the freezer, a bit of snorkeling and no cell phones or distractions. We want to travel lighter so no scuba tanks. Our boat is a 22 Outrage with a single OX-66 (Yamaha 250) on a bracket. Tow Boat subscription will be up to date. Again, any advice, criticism or input is appreciated. Thanks, Mike
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 05-14-2010 12:53 PM ET (US) The Whaler sponsored Bimini trip is pricey, hotel, fuel, entry fee customs, etc. I am taking the gambling ship over ro Freeport for a couple days rather than my boat. Costs about $500 for 3 of us out of Palm Beach Inlet.
Tohsgib	posted 05-14-2010 01:16 PM ET (US) For 2-3 days you would be better off in Islamorada or some place in the keys. If weather kicks up, you might be stuck in the Bahamas for another week. Customs, etc is VERY expensive for a short visit.
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 05-14-2010 02:11 PM ET (US) Yup figure, 150 Entry 1500 gas 350 day hotel x3 250 misc. 150 hotel in FTL 150 dockage 300 beverages/bait/ice
contender	posted 05-14-2010 03:32 PM ET (US) Mikejane: Tohsgib and Traffic are correct, expensive and they do not care, The last time I was there it almost took longer to check in than the crossing. Hit the keys they are doing very well with the dolphin catch right now. There are plenty of nice places to eat and stay. You can check out Robbies on MM77 Bay side Boys will get a kick out hand feeding the tarpon. The keys have some very nice places to snorkel in the Islamorada/ Tavenier area. Check this site out for a place to stay VRBO.com
L H G	posted 05-14-2010 05:20 PM ET (US) Bimini is one of the most overrated places around, although the blue water is beautiful. I have made several single boat trips over there in my twin engine 25 Outrage (when I was under 60!). I would NEVER even consider such a 60 mile open water crossing in a 22 with 5 lives at stake and a single engine, unless there are other boats in company. Only go when the forecast is for "light and variable" winds, both directions, and NEVER when there is a North aspect to the wind. The Gulf Stream flows North at about 5 mph and sets up REALLY NASTY seas against a North wind. Best time to head out the inlet is 6am, before the sea breeze comes up. People often return early also, but I have done it later afternoon and you pick up the sea breeze as a tail wind about 15 miles off shore.
mikejana	posted 05-14-2010 05:28 PM ET (US) Thanks for the response and keep it coming. Entry fee, okay 150 but it includes "fishing rights" correct? Found lots of hotels under $100 a night, not sure of condition? (mid-week last minute) No Hotel in FTL needed, my Dad lives nearby. Gas maybe $200-300. (Our 22 outrage gets 3 mpg at 3800 rpm, about 32mph and 10.5 gph). Bait, beverages and misc will be spent anywhere, maybe 2x in the Bahamas. We've done the keys a bunch and thought that Bimini would be a new experience. We are far from the cruise boat and casino types. I am an Airline Pilot by trade, so trying to get off the beaten path and away from travelling public is important. Also hoping for Tuna, the reports say Bluefin is good now. Cheers, Mike
mikejana	posted 05-14-2010 05:35 PM ET (US) Larry, Thanks, thats the stuff I need to know. I used to take my 16 Eastport out to the Chesapeake light (Virginia Beach + 40 miles, in my college days). It would also hit the Molokai channel several times a week for night dives (as a Marine in my late 20s). I know it is different with a family and I get no cautionary "Bermuda Traingle" input here in my Florida panhandle circles. Mike
contender	posted 05-14-2010 09:47 PM ET (US) Gas is probably around $6.00 a gallon in Bimini now. The $150. will include the fish rights but, the catch is you can only take fish that you are going to eat, so the law is subjective. Best to get the straight talk when you check in. LHG is also correct you need to cross early (both ways) and watch the weather. Have fun be safe
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 05-15-2010 10:12 AM ET (US) Bluefin???? uh maybe Yellowfin if you're set up radar to find the birds.
mikejana	posted 05-15-2010 09:49 PM ET (US) Sorry, checked the report again. Blackfin Tuna, not Bluefin. This is why I'm asking advice. Judging from the complete lack of reccomendations, we are trying to regroup. I thought someone would have liked Bimini. Thanks, Mike
TRAFFICLAWYER	posted 05-16-2010 01:52 PM ET (US) Go post over at the florida sportsman site, you'll get a ton of input.
Murphy	posted 05-17-2010 05:18 PM ET (US) There are lots of people posting about Bimini on TheHullTruth.com in the GA/FL section. RM