REPORTS FROM THE RIP: Outstanding day

Sport fish sticker graffiti on the fuel pumps where ever we go.

Make sure you page all the way down. Lots of pics today

Departing Nassau headed to the banks

Outstanding conch fritters

Thank you Boss for an outstanding day. When I left Tampa I told the boss I was going to save him money and go slow where I could. Today was one of those days. We fueled up at Hurricane hole and departed Nassau Harbor heading south east. The winds were 10-15and seas were light. We idled about 18 miles SE towards the Exuma island chain. Half way to the Exumas is a shallow bank with lots of coral heads. I have always done well there for lobsters. The water on the bank is so damn clear. In 17 feet of water, it looks as though you can reach out and touch the sandy bottom. As you look from the bridge of the boat when you are out on the bank, all you can see is the most brilliant turquois blue green water as far as you can see. The color is only the sand and blue sky reflecting in the water. The water itself is as clear as air. When you snorkel here it is kinda weird. You get a kind of vertigo. If it were not for the cool water on your skin or the salt on your tongue, You would swear you were suspended in the air.

Kyle diving for bugs on a coral head in 17 feet of water ( Gin clear)

The coral heads that we find the lobsters on are Beautiful. Some are as big as a garbage can, some are as big as a truck. Each one is as different as a snowflake. They all team with fishes of all kinds and all colors. Must of the fish are smaller on these heads, almost like a nursery. But the lobster love these spots. Some spots had more bugs than others and some had none. But even the ones that had no bugs were a pleasure to dive. Some of the coral heads had a nurse shark or two, one had a sea turtle, All of them had tropical fish of every color of the rainbow.
One of the the heads I jumped in on had 100 barracudas varying in size from 20 inches to 30 feet. As I swam through them, I saw that they were all sitting in place and most had their mouths wide. Upon closer looking, I saw that they were all being cleaned. At first it was intimidating to see all these cudas with their mouth agape. But then I saw the little cleaner fish( wrases) swimming all over them picking parasites from their scales and from in their mouths. Very cool.

First lobster of the morning.

Kyle and I took turns diving all day as we worked our way towards the Exumas. We Caught our limit easily. Some of the bugs were real nice size as well. Here in the Bahamas you are allowed to use a pole spear to shoot bugs. One one coral head I dove down and shot a good lobster. I dropped the spear so that the lobster would die a bit before I tried to pull him out of the rock. when I dove back down and pulled on the pole spear, it tugged back. I went up for another breath of air. upon trying again, I found a 4 foot green moray eel had eat the lobster on the end of my spear. I shook the bug off the spear and let him have it. I dont mind sharks or Barracudas, but eels freak me out.

Welcome aboard mister lobster

We pulled into Highbourn Cay at the north end of the Exuma island chain around 4;30. We washed the boat and headed up to the new restaurant and bar they have just opened here. Those of you that have traveled through Highbourn would be shocked and pleasently so at the improvements that have been made here. Lush landscaping and a new deck bar called XUMA which sits on the hill just about the office. It has a wonderful view facing west. Kyle and I ate there tonight as well. They had a Bahamian BBQ complete with Island Mac and cheese, Ribs chicken , dorado, conch chowder, conch fritters, cole slaw, and peas and rice. Wow what a great meal.
The dinner was only to be outdone by the sunset. Spectacular. I think it was all couple there tonight. Oh and Kyle and I. NO kyle and I DID NOT have a couples moment at sunset.LOL.