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NEWS & EVENTS

This Is Fly/ Sea Hunter
Tuesday, December 6, 2011



Originally Posted by Fly Paper/Scott Heywood
As the tide dropped, I made my way to the edge of the flat toward a channel of deep water. I knew that big fish will eventually congregate in the deeper water and I could intercept plenty of bonefish fleeing the flat when the water quickly receded. I cautiously waded towards the edge, my anticipation rising with each step, my high hopes set on hooking a memorable big fish. With the edge now in casting distance, I stop and position myself, to see if I can spot any fish. It did not take long to pick up a pair of bonefish moving along the edge of the flat, approaching from my right. I calmly cast my Doug’s Crimp fly in front of them. Without much inspection nor any hesitation, one of the fish pounces on the fly and I am hooked up. After a solid run and fight, I land and release an average 4-lb bonefish. We are not in Mexico, kids, and I know this area is home to much bigger fish. Our group of renegade anglers has experienced great fishing, catching fish up to 9-lbs. I just needed my skills to shine and the stars to align so I could successfully land the trophy-size bonefish I sought.

My bonefish guru, Scott Heywood of Angling Destinations, advised me to hang out once I saw fish because more would follow. I took Scott’s advice since he had countless years of experience bonefishing throughout the world and was keen on their behavior. Scott was right—headed straight towards me from the deep water was a massive shape that I first identified as a shark, but after a double-take I began to cast my Sage One 8wt to the big single swimming bonefish. The Sage One did what it’s meant to do and the fly quietly fell into the monster’s path while I tried to keep my cool as that critical moment unfolds — the fish was either going to eat or ignore my offering. I stripped the fly once and the fish slightly changed his course: I knew he was intrigued. I stripped again and the fly line came tight. I was hooked up to the monster!

Most of you avid This is Fly readers know I am an obsessed bonefish bum who will do just about anything to chase after these fish. And by now you are surelywondering: “Where is Paris this time?” and “How the hell can I book the trip?”

This trip, dear readers, was a part of my fortunate invitation to board the Sea Hunter, a fabulous yacht from Florida, currently anchored near the eminent Jackfish Channel on the southern tip of Andros Island. Scott introduced me to the live-aboard experience and I really dig it, especially when the experience is set up as a series of exploratory adventures.

The reasons I enjoyed the live-aboard are simple: long days of hardcore fishing and access to unpressured water. I am not saying that no one has fished South Andros, but when you are fishing from a traditional lodge, you are limited by the time of the day. To escape the often-pressured water in close proximity to the lodge, you have to make long runs in the skiff. Let’s face it: you can only go so far before turning around and enduring the long ride back to the lodge. But in a live-aboard, you experience longer fishing days because your ride home is a mere ten-minute trip back to the yacht on your skiff. The most exciting part of these trips is the rush of anticipation when scouting virgin water that does not get regularly plundered by anglers. For example, aboard the Sea Hunter we hop in the skiffs and push our way beyond Grassy Cays up the uninhabited west side of the island. This area is difficult to reach from the northern lodges and if you can make the run, the guides do not have much time to dial-in the tides and fish the most productive flats. Aboard the Sea Hunter, we have seven days of freedom to push the limits of a conventional day of flats’ fishing.

This trip is pitched to anglers as self-guided and hardcore: so be prepared to endure lots of wading and expect to spot your own fish. Some might be apprehensive about this itinerary, but for me, these ingredients are ideal. The chance to wade South Andros for an entire week is a dream come true. I am fanatical when it comes to bonefishing and I easily get excited, but this opportunity set me off the charts. South Andros does have a reputation for providing refuge to acre-size schools of smaller bonefish (which I usually shy away from) but this area also holds big bones, which I saw firsthand when I fished South Andros a couple years back and got a taste of Grassy Cay during a day of guided fishing. I wrote a story on the trip in a previous issue of This is Fly entitled “Bonefish Heaven.” Now I am fortunate enough to return to heaven.

At 84-feet, the Sea Hunter is a steel-hulled ship that feels formed from one monolithic slab. The Sea Hunter has two complete reverse-osmosis water-making systems that can create 80 gallons of quality bottled drinking water every hour and gives the grimiest of anglers that rare chance to enjoy a long, hot shower at the end the day. Cooled by dual AC units and propelled by two 450-horsepower CAT diesel engines, she carries an average load of 16,000 gallons of diesel fuel, which allows her to sit steady in the water and have a global range potential. This massive load, combined with her considerable displacement, buffers almost any sea motion while the Sea Hunter is at anchor.
Our group of renegade pirates includes Scott Heywood of Angling Destinations, Scott Sawtelle from San Antonio, John and Anna Riggs from Little Rock, and Jay Hillerson from Virigina. The key to a memorable week on a live-aboard is to have a cohesive group with personalities that mesh well. Our brew of personalities created a perfect concoction and everyone felt at ease, dedicated to the task, and focused on long days of wading and exploring the bounty of South Andros. There were days when we opted to fish uncharted areas that could potentially produce poor fishing, but this group eagerly took that chance. I tip my hat to each of them.

If you want a break from bonefishing during the week, the Sea Hunter offers diversity. You can participate in spear fishing for hog snappers around coral heads, snorkeling, or awesome blue water fishing. Besides towing two shallow draft skiffs, the Sea Hunter also tows a 34-foot sport fisher, equipped for offshore fishing. Anchored close to the famed Tongue of the Ocean, a day of blue water fishing means access to a plethora of pelagic species.

But back to the monster bonefish I hooked at the edge of the flat that just peeled 150-yards of Dacron from the Abel QC reel. The fish heads towards the mangroves on the other side of the channel, immediately giving me enough anxiety to warrant a dose of Xanax. Everything happens excessively fast and I find myself motionlessly watching the crash course this bonefish has decided to take. I ask myself if this is going to end like Thelma & Louise with the Cadillac heading off a cliff, but the fish stops short of the mangroves and starts to thrash his body, creating an impressive commotion. I know what the fish is doing and I’m not happy about it. I watch him thrash around and rub his mouth in the sand with hopes of dislodging the fly. Just as I start to head into the deeper water in hopes of chasing the fish, the line goes limp and my shoulders fall in disgust, realizing I just lost the largest hooked bonefish of my career. I had a temporary breakdown reaction consisting of screamed obscenities, kicking the water, and punching the air, but I got hold of myself and snapped out of it when I remembered where I was. Bonefish Heaven!

TESTIMONIALS & LETTERS

It just doesn't get any better...

I wanted to let you know what an exceptional time I had while on the Sea Hunter. It just doesn’t get any better than that in my book and I have been doing “bonefishing” for 30 years. The boat is as comfortable and functional as it gets, add the Sweet Jesse and the skiffs and the ocean is your apple. Particularly, you and your crew run the operation seamlessly and with smiles on your faces. We really liked the friendly, engaged, laid back style that you and your crew portray. “Sure we can do that” was the answer to questions. Good people doing good things and enjoying it!

Enjoy your times with your new guests and take pride in knowing you are the best ship and crew in the Bahamas!

- John Wilson

Just a fantastic trip...

Thank you and your crew for a great job. It was all absolutely fabulous EVERYTHING Food, Fishing, Staff, Music, Accommodations. You guys should be very proud of yourselves as you run a "first class" operation. Say hello to everyone and please pass on my compliments to the crew. Best wishes for a great summer.

I thought that every facet of the trip was fabulous. The boat was comfy, fishing good, great crew and captain, fabulous food and drink. I enjoyed every minute of it and really enjoyed spending time with all of you. We will certainly have to go back soon especially for the cookin' and the fookin'.
 
- Tim Devine

Absolutely Fabulous!

I have been meaning to touch base with you to let you know what a great time I had on this trip. South Andros was nice but the variety of things we were able to do on Crooked was phenomenal. Also, I was really pleased with the crew you have put together and of course your cooking is incredible. Just a fantastic trip. Just saw your ad on Florida Sportsman Report on TV - very cool! Look forward to seeing you again
 
- Keith McMenamy

I live to fish and hunt.

Right now I work as a National Park Ranger
in Del Rio, Texas. I grew up in the mountains fishing for everything freshwater. I used light tackle fly fishing for gar, carp, tilapia and bass.

For work I am on the dive team and patrol Lake Amistad by boat. My cousin Cam called from Florida. He's a pilot and was flying to the Southern Bahamas. I got a chance to hitch a ride on the SEA
HUNTER a full expedition fishing charter in the remote Southern Bahamas. They were cruising the Crooked-Acklins area which is famous for its blue marlin, tuna and wahoo. In the entire area there's
maybe 200 residents. We didn't see another big boat all week.

The first night when I first got on board we had lights on the water from the back of the boat and we fished off the dive platform. I caught my first saltwater fish. A huge horse-eyed jack and fed it 10 minutes later to a 8ft bull shark. Pretty exciting.

My first salt water dive changed my life. We dropped in on a coral head and swam over white sand to the edge of a wall. The dropoff is like looking down over the edge of a cliff. I was pointing at colorful fish
the dive master had seen a million times. I was impressed with his thoroughness and we went down to 80ft for the first time.

Bonefishing was the highlight. I used a pink shrimp fly and hooked up right away. It took my line and was the best bad ass fight I ever had. It fought as good as any salmon in Alaska and the water was
only knee high.

We tried to chart how good the food was on board. Off the hook, Off the chain, world class, outrageous, every meal was great. Each night of the trip I said 'This has been the best day of my life!' We went
diving twice a day Every dive more spectacular than the last. Our daily choice was dive, fish, dive or fish, dive, fish. After this no other vacation can compare.

- Ryan Lindsay