Got a call to run a boat across to Bimini in January. Any tips on the crossing and fishing would be much appreciated!
Hey man, got your other message but hadn’t had a chance to respond. Here are a few tips:
- Buy a yellow quarantine flag. You are supposed to display this when entering Bahamian waters until you clear customs. They do check this.
- Make sure you know what time customs opens. In West End it was like 8am-5pm. Some stations have after hours, but they did not in West End. You are legally not allowed to step foot on land until you have initiated the check in process. Technically, only the captain can step on land until you clear, but I have found them to be a little more lenient on this. We pull up and people have to take a leak and they will let them off the boat in West End with “no problem mon!”
- Bahamian waters starts at the exact midpoint between the USA and the Bahamas. That means, if you get just over half way across and see a school of tuna busting, you are legally not allowed to fish for them without a Bahamian fishing permit.
- Fishing permits cost money, so bring some cash with you. I don’t remember them taking CC or Check. If I recall, for boats under 35’ it was like $150 for first 3 passengers and $20 for each additional. So, 6 people would be like $210. It’s even more for larger boats. You get these when checking in. Also note that you must ask them to spearfish when you check in. They usually just scribble “Spearfishing allowed” on your permit. But that is the process.
- Avoid crossing on a N\NE wind. It can get pretty hairy out there when the Gulfstream and wind are pushing against each other
- No matter what people tell you… No matter what you read on the internet, there are a lot of rumors out there about what is legal to bring back. They will tell you, “Hey man, you can buy 100lbs of stone crab claws and as long as you keep your receipt, you can bring them back to Florida”. That is completely false no matter how many times someone has done that. The laws are pretty clear: http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bahamas/
- Limits in the Bahamas
You’re the man. I really appreciate the write up. I doubt we’ll be stockpiling fish/lobsta to bring back. We’ll just put enough in the boat for dinner each evening. Really wanting a few shots a bones OTF.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
quote:No problem. I did quite a bit of research on it and know that you will hear a lot of rumors out there that can get you in a lot of trouble.
Originally posted by ToucheYou’re the man. I really appreciate the write up. I doubt we’ll be stockpiling fish/lobsta to bring back. We’ll just put enough in the boat for dinner each evening. Really wanting a few shots a bones OTF.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
Also one more thing. Check with customs about the lobsters. My recollection is that there are really only two seasons, nassau grouper season and lobster season. I think that they run opposite of each other. I am pretty sure that you will be there during lobster season and not during nassau grouper season.
Nassau is shut down until Fed 29th and Lobster closes from April to June I believe. These were internet posted regs so I put an email into the Bahamas DNR. No reply yet.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
Everything skineej said, except that I carry a gun or 3:smiley: You have to declare them, and each bullet, but I don’t go without. The crossing is easy as long as the wind is not out of the north. About 48 miles and 2 hours in a good boat in good weather. In January you will be getting cold fronts that may keep you trapped for days though. We once crossed in February in flat calm seas, and sat at West End for a week waiting on decent weather to run back home. Don’t plan the trip on a tight schedule.
Take plenty of cash, they love cash. The customs and immigration people are much friendlier if you tip them, offer them a cold coke or beer, or a sandwich when they come on board 
Yes sir, no sir…
Follow every law and rule, you do not want to go to jail there [:0]
I miss this place, too bad it burned down. It really used to rock 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
skinneej
That has to be the single best post I have ever read on this subject. I for one have printed it out and saved a copy on my computer for future reference. Thanks
Skinnee and Larry, What do you guys know about Great Issacs and Gingerbread as far as fishing/diving is concerned?
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
quote:We always went to West End, so I've not been to either Issacs or Gingerbreads, but some of my local buddies down there raved about the Gingerbreads and said "that is where it's at". I think what you will find is that the further away you get from Bimini, the better the fishing will be. Bimini is so close to Miami, they get a lot of Bug Catcher types in there. Most of the people that I have talked to run 15-30 miles away from Bimini.
Originally posted by ToucheSkinnee and Larry, What do you guys know about Great Issacs and Gingerbread as far as fishing/diving is concerned?
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
Sorry, I’m not much help there either. Bimini is usually just a place to clear customs for us and not a destination in itself. Fun spot to spend a night, then time to move on to points south and east. It’s a funky little place. I reckon that’s why they call it the gateway to the Bahamas:smiley:
There is a patch reef just south of Isaac called Hen and Chickens that we’ve had good luck spearfishing and lobstering but I haven’t been there in 20 years. Like skineej said, that area near Bimini gets a huge amount of pressure.
One more thing skinnej didn’t mention in his excellent post, along with the yellow Q flag you should always fly a Bahama courtesy flag in their waters. As soon as you enter their territorial waters, hoist the Q flag and courtesy flag on the starboard side of the boat. After you clear customs, remove the Q flag and fly the courtesy flag while in their country.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Very good info…so you would not want to bring back cleaned fish if our rules apply upon return right ?
If you go to the southeast side of the island with the lighthouse on it (20 mile-ish) north of Bimini, you’ll find plenty of lobster, triggers, and other fish to go after. There are plenty of reef sharks as well, so watch yourself. If you head a bit further north, the depth drops off big time and you may be able to find some BFT or the like. Do some research on yellowfin as well, as there are some killer spots not too far from Bimini. I towed my Edgewater 245cc down to Miami in late October and ran to Bimini for 3 days. Spearing was good, water was warm, weather was perfect. The customs guys are pretty chill, but I’m sure they can/will make life miserable if you give them a reason. DON’T give them a reason.
I’ll be running across to Freeport on the 27th in my sailboat, but I’ve got trolling, spearing, and bottom fishing gear on board…there are some great spots out there!
Edgewater 245cc
17’ Shamrock
Catalina 350
Take Me Conrad, I’m an expert at Bones OTF over there and will be a great service to you
quote:Actually, there are some allowances around this. They will actually count the fillets and the number of fillets must not exceed the bag limits for the EEZ. That is for bottom fish only. Pelagics must remain head and tail in tact. Please see the regulations here which describe everything in full:
Originally posted by Two SonsVery good info…so you would not want to bring back cleaned fish if our rules apply upon return right ?
http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/bahamas/
Oh, and remember, those FWC guys are very used to this process. I’m sure that they have seen all of the “tricks” in the book. We’ve never brought back fillets because we usually fish the last day and just run straight back. This also means that you have to be in direct transit. That is, if you see a school of fish on the way back and stop to fish for them in US waters, then you are in violation. To me, it just makes sense to keep them whole. It’s much easier and let’s you fish on the way back if you would like.
Again, note that you can’t “stock up” on fish in the Bahamas. It doesn’t matter if you stayed there for 6 months. When you get back into US waters, the US daily limit will apply.
Could you guys elaborate a little more on the Bahamas courtesy flag? What it looks like, what position its flown etc.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
quote:I don't think you really need it nowadays. It's not required. Supposedly it just let's them know you have already checked in, but 90% of the boats I saw were not flying it and if they want to check you, they are going to check you anyway.
Originally posted by ToucheCould you guys elaborate a little more on the Bahamas courtesy flag? What it looks like, what position its flown etc.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
They will definitely ask about the yellow quarantine flag and they pretty much always said to me, “Please take down your yellow flag now” after checking in. They seem to take that one a bit more seriously.
This is the one though:
Solid. Can’t thank you guys enough.
Do not tell fish stories where the people know you; but particularly, don’t tell them where they know the fish.
- More Maxims of Mark, Johnson, 1927
31’ Contender
“Touche”
250 HPDIs
See this link, it explains the expected flag etiquette…
http://www.biminipolice.com/Flag_Etiquette___Links.html
quote:
Also foreign boats fly this flag or ensign (pronounced N-SUN) while in The Bahamas as a courtesy flag in recognition of Bahamian sovereignty.
It just makes them feel special Also fly a US flag on the stern. The Bahama flag must be higher than the US flag.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Cracker, “Compleat Angler” wow great memories there !!!
Also really cool to watch the Chalks Sea Planes land and takeoff.
What was Anglers owner name ? Ozzie if I recall.