Sunday, December 31, 2006

Another new book announcement...


In addition to specializing in Florida flats fishing, another passion of mine has been traveling the world in search of light tackle fishing in exotic destinations. Oftentimes, I chronicle and review my angling experiences at lodges that represent the very best there is to offer in places like Sandy Point, Green Turtle Cay, The Marls, Andros, British Columbia, Key West, Sanibel, and Cozumel. Other times, I'd pick a great location and arrange angling with some of the best guides I could find: Puerta Vallarta, Little Torch Key, Ketchikan/Alaska and Antigua are typical examples of such instances.

I'd made up my mind that I'd compile these adventures in story form and share them with the world-traveling angling community in the hopes of making their efforts easier as well as more fruitful. I also included some pieces on techniques like advanced wading and microbraid line developments.

All of this data came together in another new book of mine called, " Fishing Tips, Tales, and Travels". This volume should become available by March 2007. It will first appear on my website www.flatsfishingonline.com and spread to Amazon.com, Barnes and Noble.com, and BooksaMillion.com as well as other established online booksellers as the distribution channels mature.

Be on the lookout for it!

Jan

Saturday, December 30, 2006

A Happy Book Announcement!

I'm very pleased to announce that my upcoming book, "Fishing Florida's Flats: A Guide To Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit and Much More" has been given the expected publication date of November 2007 by University Press of Florida( www.upf.com). I'm especially proud that some of Florida's flats finest have joined me to offer their technical, angling, and artistic gifts in the book. They include Captains Bill Curtis, Tom Rowland, Greg Poland, Bob "R.T." Trosett, Butch Constable, Mike Locklear, Jon Cooper, and John Kumiski. I'm honored that artist Vaughn Cochran and artist-writer Tim Borski have contributed. Scott Heywood of Angling Destinations as well as Ranger Boats and Heritage Kayaks have brought in some great images.

This is a project long in the making and it has the kind of thorough content that is sure to add to the knowledge base of all the skill levels and specialties of shallow water anglers that fish- or will fish- Florida's beautiful flats.

Although the book is not physically ready, it can be ordered at any time. The easiest way to find the web page is to go to www.upf.com and type in Jan Stephen Maizler in the Search for Books by author box.

Jan

As the year ends...

Life in SOFLA. and its "capital" Miami (America's Casablanca or Babylon-take your pick) is even crazier as the region poises and poses for the advent of 2007. Shoppers and celebrants glut Lincoln Road and Aventura Mall: they swirl, climb, engulf and consume like locusts ruled by the Dark Force. Cold fronts attempting winter have reached the tip of our peninsula only to be engulfed in the sultry heat of a globally-warmed world.

Father Time leans over to pick up his fallen fly rod only to get butt-kicked into history by a fresh-born blonde brat wearing a Columbia diaper that sports "2007" on its stern. Joining Father on his way to the spinning hypnosis-wheel vortex are Saddam (resplendent but crooked in his hemp necktie), James Brown (with a brand-new bag), and Gerry Ford (pan lower, please... he's fallen!).

Refuge with purity exists on a more timeless and eventless basis for those obsessed with fishing: things like the immutable rises and falls of tides and changing moons, winds, as well as light and dark grab us out of the world of people and their quirks. Despite the changing faces and associations that life has dealt me, angling has given me something so powerful and unchanging, I'd even call fishing Religion!

Jan

Monday, December 25, 2006

1963...Then and Now


Something I recall like yesterday was my senior year in high school. A parade of exciting, triumphing, and promising images, events, and incidents begin their march down the main street of my mind. Though I had the academics easily "knocked", my focus was on far more important things: beautiful girls, a burgeoning taste for my father's Jack Daniels Black Label, and most importantly, lots and lots of fishing.

The priority of the last item became strikingly clear when I made my Prom date from the night before wait in my midnight blue Grand Prix as I fished dawn's light for snook around the docks of Biscayne Point. I released a 15-pounder in short order- it was caught on a Pfleuger Supreme plug reel, custom rod, and rainbow-colored Zara Spook plug. As I returned to the car, the sweet fishy odor on my hands followed me into the parlor of my vehicle already scented by Canoe, Jack Black, and primordial passion. I'm not sure I've changed all that much as to what I consider really important.

This was also a year of heroes for me- especially the Fallen Angel, Good but Bad types. My religion was Doo Wop, Rock and Roll, and Soul, Soul, Soul. A gas station became the place where I would meet my Burning Bush. Prior to biking to Sunny Isles Pier for the mackeral run, I'd stopped for my roady predawn breakfast of peanut butter crackers and ice-cold coke. As I finished, a huge black limo pulled up to the gas pump island and stopped. One of the rear doors swung open and out came James Brown himself. He was all gassed-up with a light blue tuxedo and perfect pomp atop jet black conked-back hair. As the Godfather passed by, he turned to me and said, "hello, son." I felt like I'd been blessed.

This morning I learned that James Brown died. Since I've always believed that James is the Molar Tooth of Soul, the ache of his loss is a hell of a pain. And James, I'll say to you as you sang so many times before... " Baby, please don't go- I love you so."

Jan

Friday, December 22, 2006

A Fine Day...

My good friend, Captain Jon Cooper, and I picked it right as we ventured into South Biscayne Bay today. The last week of fierce onshore winds died down enough to make a soiree on my sixteen-foot Hewes Bonefisher quite doable.

Jon and I had superb nonstop action on ladyfish to three pounds along with a few fat seatrout: the large live shrimp of November were just the ticket! As we drifted along, I hooked a tarpon weighing around sixty pounds. Although my only leader was a double line, I was able to get the fish on the leader after thirty minutes. The silver king fought spectacularly with an initial series of about a dozen greyhounding leaps.

After that, we ran to the flats for our remaining hour of fishing. The skies were cloudy and the winds were gusting to twenty knots. When we got a dark cloud behind our chum, visibility picked up. I spotted one large bonefish bolt in, then out of the chum. Ten minutes later, I hooked and released a ten-pound bonnethead shark.

Then, time to go in for chores and such- all in all, a fine day!

Jan

Sunday, December 17, 2006

Remote Rendezvous



Remote Rendezvous

AS FEATURED IN THE SPRING 04 ISSUE OF SOUTH FLORIDA SPORT FISHING MAGAZINE

by Jan S. Maizler
The Ultimate Mothership Adventure

The captain gently eased off the two throttles of the vessel Outpost. It coasted slowly to a silky stop over the crystal clear waters of the Great Bahama Bank. Gentle wavelets lapped against her shiny white hull. Far aloft of the Outpost, a lone seabird flew a long, lazy circle in the deep blue sky.The angler-passengers, guides, and crew onboard were flushed with excitement and anticipation as they waited for the “drop anchor” signal to be given.

Their fervor was understandable — not far in the distance lay the “Horn” of Andros Island’s fabled West Side. The Outpost got its passengers from Red Bays to the Horn in only three hours, briskly yet comfortably. The group had now arrived at their first delicious destination. The time of the cruise en route was filled with dreams of a bonefish, tarpon, and permit bounty that these virgin waters should yield. Clearly, the visions of explorers!

The five anglers and their two Bahamian guides, Stanford and Percy, had another goal besides fishing these new flats and shallows. This was to learn, document, and possibly map out new West Andros hotspots, a bit like Columbus. The prospect for the entire party was electrifying!The anchor was carefully dropped and more line was played out to ensure a good anchor set.

Head guide Stanford Johnson smiled as he gazed at the green mangrove shoreline.For him, this was a return to the home waters of his youth. Recollections of his deep past filled his head — a childhood in the small settlement of Red Bays, with the West side sea at his feet, and planted vegetable gardens inland to feed his village.As he became a teenager, he learned of a growing need of sponges in the markets of Europe. He knew that there were treasure troves of sponges far to the south, deep into the wild West Side. He set forth, and explored as he went, learning the shorelines as he harvested his sponges.Stanford would venture deep into the creeks to catch snappers and crabs for his meals. If he went deeper into the Andros interior, he would eventually find good, drinkable, “sweet water.”

Practically every shoreline and creek was filled with bonefish, and he learned their habits as he worked.When his boat was filled to the brim with sponges, he would travel far north to his village, where a hot meal of conch and vegetables was inevitably waiting. Then, the sponges would have to be pounded into their smooth, familiar pliability; hard work for anyone.These trips not only forged Stanford’s growth into manhood — they also created West Andros’ premier flats guide!

A friendly tap on his shoulder from Scott Heywood pulled him back into real time. Scott told him that both skiffs were being readied. In went the ice chests filled with food and plenty of water. Each skiff was then loaded with a full complement of fly rods and every conceivable “killer” fly. Each boat was then topped off with three anglers and their guide.Stanford would man the lead skiff. Both four stroke engines fired up quickly and quietly, and off they flew towards the Horn of west Andros to make mothership history.

The next seven days of fishing and exploration brought weather both fair and foul, calm and windy, yet the intricacy of the West Andros shorelines and creeks offered features to make fishing possible in almost any conditions.Under the guidance of Stanford and Percy, Scott and his party caught and released tailing bonefish, mudding bonefish, cruising bonefish; fish both large and small, and in every possible way. As a bonus, a nice permit was caught and released.As the West Andros leg of the mothership journey came to an end that evening, the entire group agreed that the week was a resounding success!

The afterglow and joy of fishing The Horn slowly gave way to the excitement of what their next Bahamian destination would offer.The background and operation of the Bahamian mothership Outpost is quite interesting. Scott Heywood and Brad Wolfe at Angling Destinations (www.anglindestinations.com; 1-800-211-8530) had, and still enjoy tremendous success putting their client-anglers on traveling motherships in Belize and in the faraway, exotic Seychelles. What they needed was a vessel to explore and fish the most remote and least-pressured parts of the Bahamas.

It was a stroke of good fortune that Scott and Brad were contacted by Captain Fred and Penny Wheeler, who had been running the Outpost in the Key West-Marquesas area.What they found with the Outpost was a vessel that exceeded all the necessary requirements for a Bahamas mothership. Long and spacious as a 61 foot Hatteras yacht, she sported two powerful Isuzu “workhorse” engines. Her hull type was of a shoal draft vessel, an absolute necessity for cruising across the shallow Bahamas Banks. Her reverse osmosis water production plant provided lots of fresh water that would easily meet all daily needs. The Outpost’s air conditioning was so efficient that the guests “hollered uncle” as the temperature plummeted to 68 degrees. Full communications systems were onboard for any and all contingencies. In addition, a satellite T.V. entertained all on onboard, as well as keeping everyone informed.The fishing skiffs and other auxiliary vessels that accompany the Outpost met all needs. There are two flats boats outfitted with quiet four stroke engines, trim tabs and modern pushpoles. There is a flat-bottomed Carolina Skiff for snorkellers and scuba divers. Topping off the vessel selection are kayaks for exploratory eco-tours, or just plain fun.Scott also reported to me that the Outpost can take as many as six passenger-anglers, who can look forward not only to the excellent lodgings, but to delicious meals as well.

I asked Scott to elaborate about Angling Destinations’ commitment to motherships. He responded, “we’re sold completely on the mothership concept.” “It provides so many desirable characteristics. The first, of course, is the freedom to establish a base of operations where there are no existing or desirable facilities — often the case in unpressured, virgin waters. The second is that the mothership provides portability that drastically reduces the length of fishing boat runs to and from the fishing grounds.” The third factor he emphasized was the immense control and consistency in food, lodgings, and clients that chartering a mothership affords.

This intimate experience creates significant interaction between guests, guides, and crew, and Angling Destinations either books groups of pre-existing friends or carefully composes a group of individuals they know quite well. This creates friendships and fellowships that far outlast this exciting voyage!The mothership experience not only creates friendship bonds; it also creates family bonding.

The Outpost is perfect for the needs of any average family, because it has the diversity of features that will please every member: “unlimited” fishing for dad, loads of indoor pleasures for mom, and kayaks and snorkeling for the kids. Each family can begin and end their days together at the galley table, and spend time eating great food and sharing their exciting experiences. Come nightfall, the family can go on deck and enjoy intensely starry heavens unmarred by the bright lights of cities. You can be sure the Outpost will be comfortably moored in the lee of an island, yet far from any bugs, or she’ll be underway to a new destination.Scott feels so enthusiastic about using the mothership for enhanced family experiences.

He said, “the main goal of Angling Destinations is for our clients to enjoy themselves and have fun.”Scott went on to relate an extremely moving story that will soon involve the mothership Outpost. He was recently contacted by the sons and daughters of an aging father whose time “was short.” They said to Scott, “we want to give him the dream trip of a lifetime.” Much like a master chef, Scott prepared an experience on the Outpost for this man and his family sure to leave stardust memories.So, the Outpost literally becomes a family’s private traveling hotel or cruise ship, where the dream of a distant Bahamian island is yours for the asking!

The Outpost also has distinct advantages over land-based camps in the Bahamas. The Outpost’s portability can immediately respond and change cruise plans to avoid severe weather, while a land-based lodge must grin and bear it. The Itinerary can also be immediately modified because of any personal urgency or emergency. Compare this to a land-based camp that often must juggle your needs with ten other anglers — you rightfully begin to get the idea that the mothership is ideal for those needing a high level of personal control and personal freedom.

In small measure, I could appreciate their pioneering efforts, having experienced some great fishing in Mexico, Tahiti, Fanning Island, and Belize. Scott and Brad have created the ultimate freedom where anglers transcend themselves. The Outpost provides such a special and unique opportunity for growth and exploration because of the intimacy of the voyage and the frontier virginity of the areas it visits.

The next chartered destination offered a new group of angler-guests another piece of the “Holy Grail” of Bahamas flats fishing — the fabled Marls of Abaco. The Outpost would arrive at its mooring area west of the Marls and north of Moores Island in a few hours. The Outpost’s positioning strategy was designed to fish the least - visited flats — not only would this offer the most productive flats fishing, it would also coordinate angling efforts not to overlap areas reached and fished by the land-based guides.Abaco, so different from Andros, is more like a fertile, magic crescent. The larger outside of the arc to the north, east, and south of the island offered the sapphire deeps that lured so many bluewater anglers in their huge fifty foot vessels.

Yet, it was the inside of Abaco’s crescent on its west side that pulled on the Outposts’ anglers like a fishy magnet. The Marls of Abaco was calling them! The draw for everyone aboard was to explore the almost infinite number of islands and cays that comprise the area. The anglers knew they would be fishing the epicenter of Abaco’s flats nursery that would offer huge quantities of bonefish.Soon, the Outpost would again drop anchor. Then, starry-eyed anglers and their hawk-eyed guides would man the shallow draft skiffs. Trusty engines would fire up quickly. As the guides pushed their throttles forward, they were also pushing their angler-clients towards shallow water habitat that may have never seen a boat or even a person.

It will be a rare and wonderful opportunity to fish truly new and virgin waters. It will be even more wonderful to do this on flats where the encounter with truly brand-new fish is from sighting to cast, battle, and release. There may very well be seas of silvery bonefish tails grazing over sandy flats only a short distance away. You squat down and slowly begin the Walk of all Walks. You have to contain your excitement. You ease forward like a wading bird, striving for not even the slightest pressure wave. After a million heartbeats, you’re in range for a cast. Breathing deep to steady yourself, you make your presentation perfectly. A dozen fish quickly converge on your fly, and tail up all over it. You strip-strike to a hookup that dumps yards of line off your reel in seconds. Tight lines over white sands under blue skies. You’re in Paradise in another day of life for the Outpost!

Jan Maizler

Saturday, December 16, 2006

Rainy Days...

I've always opted for summer as the model for weather predictability. Wintertime in SOFLA. often means working the weather between fronts for fishable times, yet the severity of the just-past front as well as its duration can feature cool dirty water under sunny warming skies. Add the prefrontal lip of a front and you might add a few more days of rainy, cloudy weather-like we're having now.

This is a time for me to work on the boat and the tackle, as well as picking up backburnered projects for completion. One of these is development of a top secret fishery on a South Pacific island. This suits me just fine.

Jan

Monday, December 11, 2006

Back from the Cheeca...


Although a front which blew like a freight train kept me and Captain Greg Poland off the water this weekend, it did nothing to diminish four thoroughly satisfying days at the Cheeca Lodge (www.cheeca.com). This destination- which had its roots as THE PLACE for the fishing elite- has truly come of age as the ultimate full service resort for travelers to the Florida Keys. I and Florida Sport Fishing Magazine (www.southfloridasportfishing.com ) look forward to telling The Cheeca story.

With the windfall (because it didn't) of extra time on land, my explorations turned up two more jewels which sit on the Purple Islands. One was The Stacie Krupa Gallery(305-517-2631). I spoke with Stacie, who is a Mighty Aphrodite of a woman and a multi media artist steeped in a knowledge of art history. Once I mentioned Oscar Kokoschka, we were off and running. Her work is bold, striking, and often technically perfect.

The other jewel was the impeccable Pierre's at Morada Bay (www.pierres.restaurant.com). I cannot recall such superb food and beverage on the shores of Florida Bay before. Their wine selection, food presentations, and marvelous decor make this a must-visit destination for those that appreciate fine dining.

Jan

Friday, December 01, 2006

Bluff House - Green Turtle Cay - Abaco- Bahamas...


Florida Sport Fishing Magazine

DESTINATION FISH: This is no bluff!

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2006 ISSUE By Jan Stephen Maizler

Even though I have always felt that the Abacos offer a rainbow of fishing venues, my recent experience at Green Turtle Cay delivered the proverbial light tackle pot of gold. In retrospect, I cannot recall such large numbers of trophy-sized Bahamian bonefish per square mile in addition to so many strong, hungry reef gamesters tucked into such shallow water.The reasons for this bounty are clear. While Green Turtle Cay is separated from the northeast Abaco mainland by close to two miles of bay, the northeast side of this island features a barrier reef, and then a steep drop into a near abyssal pond called the Atlantic Ocean- where all sorts of fish grow big!

The comparatively small size of Green Turtle Cay and its oceanic position, coupled with the nearby cuts in the reef, allow larger gamesters to approach the island along its eastern shores and work their way west into the bay. But let’s scroll back to the beginning of this adventure, which had its own special brand of excitement.

The planning for my trip and my destination of Bluff House Beach Hotel and fishing with the area’s top flats and light tackle guide, Captain Rick Sawyer, was carefully set in October. This month was supposedly a time of year when hurricanes are on the wane and winter fronts belong to the future. However, a late season storm by the name of Wilma changed all of that. South Florida took a severe beating, as did the northernmost Bahamas. Finally, a month after my original plan called for, I was on a flight from Fort Lauderdale to Treasure Cay, which is on the Abaco mainland, only a couple of miles inshore of Green Turtle.

November brought inevitable changes in climate that ushers in winter to this region. As the plane touched down on the Treasure Cay runway, it was easy to feel the powerful winds of a recently passed front. I grabbed a quick taxi ride to the ferry that would shuttle me across the bay to Green Turtle. As I boarded the vessel with my luggage and rod tube, the cool brisk winds were now joined by a substantial shower, yet the vessel’s ample cabin kept all the passengers snug and dry. The passage to the White Sound area of Green Turtle Cay featured stiff 20 mph winds that created little whitecaps that were barely visible in the waning light. As we got into the lee of the Sound, the wavelets were replaced by the constant splashes of huge schools of balao being savaged by aggressive schools of tarpon. The kings fed with abandon; one forty-pound fish exploded within a few feet of our ferry vessel as it pursued a tasty baitfish. The white water that accompanied its strike gave off a luminous flash that quickly subsided in the darkness.

All these conditions gave me a magic kind of introduction to the Bluff House. The ferry had radioed Bluff House of my arrival, so an attendant with raincoat and a covered golf cart eased my transfer into the resort. My evening registration was accomplished at Bluff House’s Jolly Roger Bar & Bistro. A few quick formalities were followed by friendly welcomes by staff while a colorful libation called a Tranquil Turtle started my evening’s refreshments. I settled into a comfortable waterfront table and dined on a late, first-rate supper of conch, lobster, steak, and Key lime pie.

When my meal was at an end, a staff member drove me to the top of the hill where my room stood. The interior was huge and was set off with luxurious Caribbean appointments. However, the most striking element of this grand room was its exquisite balcony view which overlooked the ocean below.

After settling in, I gave my Green Turtle guide, Captain Rick Sawyer, a call. When we discussed the weather, he said we were in a “squeeze play” between a departing front and an approaching low-pressure system. He said that unless the conditions worsened, we’d be able to fish the next day and would hopefully be able to find some decent action. Those reassuring words, plus my striking nighttime entrance to the island, made deep sleep easy to attain.

Morning came quickly. After preparation, I left my room atop the bluff. As I strolled down the hill towards the Jolly Roger for breakfast, I watched an early morning unfolding which featured a brisk northeast wind under a partly cloudy sky. A hearty breakfast was satisfying and temporarily took away my weather doubts. As I was finishing the last few drops of coffee, I noticed Captain Rick approaching the dock adjacent to my waterfront table. I was pleased to see that his flats fishing rig was a 17 ft. Maverick paired with a 90 horsepower Yamaha four-stroke. The rig looked quite capable of easily handling rough open waters.

As we eased out of White Sound Harbor, we began to lay out our battle plans. It was good that we’d chosen a lunar period that featured neap tides, since the now-rising tide turbocharged by the strong onshore winds made the ocean flats quite deep. Rick said we’d fish the lee sides and western flats of Green Turtle and the cay’s adjoining keys. Our specific poling strategy was to work the sandy strips alongside the pine tree-lined shoreline where visibility would be at its best.In contrast to my own two-stroke engine, Rick’s four-stroke remained quiet when he advanced the throttle.

As we came on plane, he turned his skiff northward and hugged the rocky slopes of the island for wind protection. We crossed a windy cut quite comfortably, and Rick slid his skiff into a winding creek that eventually led to calm water. Around the bend, I could make out another white-capped ocean inlet.As Rick climbed to the poling tower, he encouraged me to use a fresh shrimp with 10lb. spin tackle. He felt spinning gear offered the best cast control during such adverse conditions. The large shrimp would be fine since the wind-riffled surface would muffle the landing of the big bait. As we began to work the sandy shoreline, we spotted a hefty mutton snapper of about 15 pounds roll up along a nearby edge, but the colorful fish quickly bolted at the sight of our skiff. However, this was a good sign that fish were feeding on the flats. Within another minute of poling, Rick spotted a shadow in the distance and instructed me to cast the bait to the two o’clock position within six feet of the shoreline. I quickly complied with an accurate cast, and as the bait settled to the bottom in about twelve inches of water, I too saw the large silhouette ease up to the presentation. It felt like my heart stopped beating as I stood motionless in anticipation. My bait disappeared and instantly my line tightened. I quickly jab-struck the fish a few times for good measure. The line flew off the reel, and I knew I was into a healthy bonefish. In about five minutes, we released a very respectable seven to eight pound bone.

We poled for another half hour without seeing too much. As we rounded another bend, Rick and I both spotted a good-sized ocean tally of about ten pounds tailing forty feet from us next to the shoreline. I simply couldn’t resist, as this is not a typical fish in my home waters of Biscayne Bay. I had an instant take and struck the fish. Much like its predecessor, it gave an excellent fight. As I brought the exhausted battler to the boat, Rick climbed out to unhook and revive the tally before releasing her back into the tropical water. As he climbed back to the poling platform, Rick called my attention to a huge squall line headed our way. Wisely, he felt we should head back to port rather than suffer through this huge gray monster. It was a wise move, since the storm generated gale force winds and torrential rain that blotted out any safe fishing chances for the remainder of the afternoon. Rick and I mapped our contingency plans for the next day as we listened to weather reports back on the island.

Day Two- Hopes of a better day were realized when dawn revealed vastly diminished winds and a greater percentage of blue skies. We left early to maximize the fishing hours I had left. With the high water and low sun, Captain Rick could not resist the opportunity to take me to one of his favorite sunken wrecks. He had no problem finding the site with his handheld GPS and the obvious showering balao. In the few hours we waited for the falling tide, I quickly lost count of the large cero mackerel, big yellowtails, and fat mutton snapper I released using nothing more than an 8lb. spinning rig topped off with a short length of fluorocarbon leader. A white Spro bucktail sweetened with a fresh balao strip was all that was necessary.

As the tide finally began to fall, it was time to head back to the ultra-clear shallows. We quickly ran to a flat on the south side of the island. As we ran the drop-off, we flew over a school of about a hundred bonefish, all of them truly huge. Though the winds were picking up again, Captain Rick ably turned his skiff in pursuit and poled down the flat. We spotted a large mud about fifty feet away, and I made a good cast to the freshest part. In a replay of the day before, my line tightened up and I struck the fish. This was a longer fight, which resulted in the capture and release of a trophy ten-pound bonefish. Though we saw more bonefish on that flat, and all of them were quite large, a freshening wind and time constraints forced us to call it a day. All in all, I had an excellent experience with Captain Rick Sawyer, who expertly guided me in a habitat that may very well be home to the largest bonefish per square mile than any other destination in the Bahamas!

Bluff House Beach Hotel- Bluff House, as I call it, is one of the most beautiful island destinations in the world. Its noble Loyalist past helps create a historically based, Caribbean-motif resort that sits along the slopes atop one of the rare hills not just in the Abacos, but in all of the Bahamas. All the deluxe rooms and suites feature striking ocean views.The activities at Bluff House center around some of the finest fishing, boating, beaching, yachting, trekking, and exploring in the world. Do as little or as much as you want!

Bluff House has been consistent with their Atlantic hideaway philosophy: there are no televisions or phones in the rooms. However, there is a television in the lounge of the Clubhouse. There are also televisions with tapes and videos for rent. In the event of necessary communications, there are fax, internet, and phone services available in the main office.*Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served waterside at the Jolly Roger Bar and Bistro. Other special events can be handled at the Clubhouse atop the hill.* Bluff House features a delightful fresh water pool and newly refurbished tennis court. There are two gift shops at Bluff House. Aladdin’s Cave is located in the main office and The Low Tide Gift Shop is located next to the Jolly Roger* Bluff House offers a total range of top guides, services, and rentals for every conceivable fishing, boating, diving, and beach activity.*Golf cart rentals are available so you can explore the entirety of this magnificent island on your own.

WHEN YOU GO-
Bluff House Beach Hotel,
Green Turtle CayAbaco, Bahamas
1-800-745-4911
www.BluffHouse.com

Captain Rick Sawyer
Green Turtle CayAbaco, Bahamas
1-242-365-4261
www.AbacoFlyFish.com

TRANSPORTATION- You can fly direct from Fort Lauderdale on Continental/Gulfstream to Treasure Cay, Abaco. Take a five- minute taxi ride from the airport to the Ferry Dock. The ferry, which runs every hour, will whisk you to Green Turtle Cay for $10.00 per person. Tell the pilot you’re going to Bluff House and they’ll have someone waiting as you get off right at the Bluff House Dock.NEW PLYMOUTH- Be sure to rent a golf cart and visit New Plymouth, which is the main town of Green Turtle Cay. Located on the southwest side of the island, it is one of the oldest townships in the Bahamas. Plan on visiting the Albert Lowe Museum, Vert’s Model Ships, The Loyalists’ Sculpture Garden, The Historic Jail, and the fine local restaurants and shops.

Jan Maizler for
Florida Sport Fishing Magazine

Back at Biscayne Bay...

Windy weather is prevailing out of the southeast at 20 knots- this did not make the tarpon happy. In contrast, silver kings like the gusty stuff at nights to push crunchy snacks like crabs towards bridge pilings. But in the rising sun and open water situations, not so. I saw a few roll quickly- not the slow tipping or slurping rolls I like to see. I did catch a small king mackeral of 4 lbs. and a large gray snapper of 3 lbs., both of which made it pleasant. As I worked a seawall, 2 large jacks pushing 20 lbs. blasted one of the remaining finger mullet of a tepid fall run. I flipped a TerrorEyz into the melee, but the bullies wanted real meat.

Jan