Drill2Fish Posted June 13, 2023 Report Share Posted June 13, 2023 Hi guys and girls. I am a gulf coast Saint Pete guy that wants to take his new 26 HPS Pathfinder from Delray Beach area across to the Bahamas. I plan to go Fourth of July week only if there’s a good weather window. I need recommendations as to a secure boat ramp to leave the truck, and recommendations on where to stay, trolling rods, and reels, trolling lures. I don’t do a lot of trolling in Saint Pete. I am mainly a live bait guy, catching my bait with a cast net 90% of the time. Most of my offshore fishing here is bottom fishing for grouper and snapper. this is a bucket list thing for me. I would love to catch yellowfin tuna, and wahoo on this trip. Recommendations please! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HenrysCreek Posted June 13, 2023 Report Share Posted June 13, 2023 Rule number 1…..have a buddy boat. 3 weeks away, do you have a slip reserved at your destination? That’s a big week for many crossing the stream. Kinda two topics. First is the crossing, second is the fishing/regulations, equipment. Im sure others more experienced will chime in shortly. Might also want to visit THT, where all the armchair qb’s will convey their expert advice. 😎 Seriously though, lots of very experienced folks on that site and you’ll get quicker responses. Enjoy your trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bamaskeet Posted June 13, 2023 Report Share Posted June 13, 2023 There are numerous YouTube videos discussing Bahamas crossings. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted June 13, 2023 Report Share Posted June 13, 2023 I would try to reach out to others making the crossing the same time as you. Always best to travel in pairs. Be prepared to extend your stay if the weather closes in. It could be for several days. Know the custom rules. A safe place for the truck would be Sailfish Marina if possible. Gentle breez and following seas. 😀👍⚓️🙏fin. I planned the same trip on a 37’ MY from Punta Gorda. Crossed the ditch to meet another boat in West Palm. Got their, weather closed down with 30 mph winds and rain, cancelled. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drill2Fish Posted June 13, 2023 Author Report Share Posted June 13, 2023 Thanks guys. I’ll post a report with pictures if things work out! Lots of details for a first timer to sort through. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chief5130 Posted June 13, 2023 Report Share Posted June 13, 2023 I have done it 4 times. Always went with another boat. We launched from Haulover Boat Ramp. Never had an issue with vandals, but we have hitch locks and cable locked the trailers together. Went to Bimini cleared customs and on to the Joulters to bone fish. As mentioned above the weather is everything. We would go for a week and always left 2-3 days to get back depending on the weather. We stayed in Bimini for 3 days once to wait for the weather to calm enough to make the passage back. Cannot help with where to stay as we slept on the boats. Do not forget about clearing US customs on the way back. We called the phone number answered the questions and then went to the closest office to clear. For us it was Ft. Pierce airport as it was on the way home. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted June 13, 2023 Report Share Posted June 13, 2023 Lots of good information.... The only problem with going to Bimini....IS YOU HAVE TO RETURN.... weather can change drastically from the days before....my recommendation - LEAVE FROM BIMINI EARLY....0800 TO AVOID THE PM THUNDERSTORMS..(ask me how I know this ) DC 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Drill2Fish Posted July 16, 2023 Author Popular Post Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 Here’s a update as promised. we made the crossing on July 3. It was a flat calm day. The Pathfinder gave us a smooth ride, 35 to 40 miles an hour all the way and burned about 40 gallons. It took about 2 1/2 hours from Boca Inlet to Lucaya Grand Bahama (90 miles). There were no issues with gas or ice or anything. They may have had supply issues post hurricane Dorian, but where we were in Lucaya there were no problems anywhere. No waiting in line for anything either, just pull up to the gas dock, get gas and ice, and leave. We did use a Mr. funnel gas filter as a precaution ( thank you moderator Mark) There are many Airbnb’s like the one we stayed at that will save you A LOT of money and hassles if you just look around. I would do this every year if we had nice weather. That’s a big IF!! We use the windAlert app for Weather. Does anyone have a better weather app? Here’s the boat at the customs dock, our Airbnb is the yellow house in the distance. At the gingerbread grounds, you can catch yellowtail snapper on plugs. I was reeling in a 30 inch barracuda, and an amber jack about as big as me tried to eat it. This is truly a special place. 6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George Seither Posted July 16, 2023 Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 Definitely sounds like a great trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wanaflatsfish Posted July 16, 2023 Report Share Posted July 16, 2023 Keep the reports coming dc Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Posted July 17, 2023 Report Share Posted July 17, 2023 Glad you had a great trip !! More reports and photos MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whichwaysup Posted July 17, 2023 Report Share Posted July 17, 2023 Thanks for reporting back! Great write up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fin-addict Posted July 18, 2023 Report Share Posted July 18, 2023 Fantastic. Great report, good pics. Happy you back safe and sound. Glad the crossing was good. 👍🏆fin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fsu11 Posted July 18, 2023 Report Share Posted July 18, 2023 in reference to your wind app question I use windfinder pro I pay the 9.99 a year for the upgraded forecasts and it seems to be the most accurate for me i fish a 18 ft flats boat 15-20 miles offshore a lot so need something i can trust Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drill2Fish Posted July 24, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 24, 2023 Fsu11 - I think I may like the Windfinder app better than WindAlert. I downloaded the free version a few days ago. I really like the animated map. Is the pro version a lot better? The pro version of WindAlert is a lot better than the free version. The weather information in my opinion is by far the most critical piece of information as far as planning goes. As far as a Bahamas crossing, if there is a chance of high winds 12 mph or higher, there is no crossing in my boat. At 5-10 mph winds, the trip was 2.5 hours at 35-40 mph. 10-15 mph wind can turn a 2.5 hour trip into a 5 hour *** whooping at 20 mph! We have all experienced this. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonV Posted July 25, 2023 Report Share Posted July 25, 2023 Outstanding! We were there the same week, stayed in Hopetown, had a great time! Not much fishing, mostly sightseeing and snorkeling! See you mentioned the Lucayan area, the Marina was very nice and had fair gas prices! Now time to plan for next year 😎 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Posted July 26, 2023 Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 Hey Don ! Great trip in a CC !! Have they rebuilt Hopetown ? Dorian hit them square, as bad as it could be.. MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonV Posted July 26, 2023 Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 Yes Sir, amazing how nice it was! We stayed in two houses on the south canal and they were up the hill a minimum 20’ to 25’ above the water level and they both had water in them during the hurricane’s storm surge! Was in Grand Cay four weeks before Dorian and from what I hear they are still rebuilding! Picture is from the lighthouse! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Drill2Fish Posted July 26, 2023 Author Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 Wow!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moderator Posted July 26, 2023 Report Share Posted July 26, 2023 They have done well in Hopetown ! Their basin was behind that hill as you pointed out. Marsh is OK, but I love Treasure and GTC.. Share the trips, Fellas ! The stories are great to read and see. MM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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