As the SOFLA sun celebrates the time of its' highest radiance, there was no better time to celebrate fishing at what is sure to be the Bahama's largest ownership/rental/hotel resort destination: Bimini Bay Resort and Marina (http://www.biminibay.com/). The setting could not be more ideal where such a "small" Bahamian island could have such a huge impact on angling history: Van Campen Heilner, Hemingway, Lerner, Farrington- the list goes on and on. It became clear to me that more angling history will occur as this island enjoys such exciting reinvigoration as Bimini Bay's expansive marinas beckon the shining sportfishing boats back with snug harbors and amenities just minutes from the Gulf Stream's eastern edge.
My mind seized on the merry-go-round of images that awaited me. The gin-clear waters, historic hotels, reefs, the Bimini Roads, bonefish, jacks, grouper and snapper went up and down like wooden horses in the carnival of pre-trip excitements.
The day arrived in a stretch of sunny, calm, cloudless weather that bore that Gulfstream plane gently across cobalt seas and eased us onto the landing strip in South Bimini. A quick ferry to north Bimini and I was whisked away by the Grand Damme of the island, Antoinette Rolle. I quickly recognized her pedigreed Bahamian name that shared the lofty perchs in the sun with the Saunders, Pinders, Sawyers, and so many other families of deep island roots.
The rooms and decor at the resort were beautifully tropical and Floribbean and kept me in the mood in the land of beaches, swaying palms, pine forests, and sunken tresure from who-knows-where. I was picked up for dinner and dined on a lobster bisque, spinach salad, and grilled yellowfin tuna over a vegetable puree. The meal was served with a Red Diamond cabernet. The resort's restaurant is called Casa Lyon- I preferred to call it Casa Prima!
After walking back to my room under a star-filled salt-scented night, I glanced at the itinerary that Allison Robbins of Bimini Bay had in store for me. It included two days of flats fishing with one of Bimini's finest- Captain Tommy Sewell and a third offshore day with gentleman Captain Jerome of the Miss Bonita charter vessel.
It would turn out that all these fishing trips would be great experiences as would our explorations, but that belongs to another installment of the fun at Bimini Bay Resort....
Jan
No comments:
Post a Comment