[Rainmaker]

I have not posted much on the board, but I had to chime in here just to let you know that some of us on the east coast of FL do make the run to the islands at times. I think a good Seacraft gathering could be gotten together in the Bahamas next summer. It would be cool to see all the seacrafts heading over in a convoy.

I left St. Lucie Inlet July 31 and ran over to Walkers Cay. There is nothing left there since the Hurricanes a few years ago, but customs is about as fast as can be since not many folks clear there. Then we made a run down to Fox Town on Little Abaco for a week of Grouper fishing and deep dropping along with some mixed free diving and spearfishing. We had a pretty good grouper catch of 3-4 fish in the 20-30 pound range. The grouper bite was a bit slower than normal, but we did not spend the time on them that we normally do. We also picked up a yellowfin tuna and a bunch of yellow eye snapper along with a couple of Amberjack and a handful of large sharks.

I am without the classic seacraft but I do run a 1998 23' Seacraft CC.

We make this trip every year at the start of August. (skipped last year due to the fishing regulations in the Bahamas).

We had a great crossing on the way over, the way back became a bit nasty as the wind was blowing from the west and the Sea of Abaco was chopped up. Once we reached 20 miles or so off the Florida Coast we hit a thunerstorm that kicked up the seas and stood the hair up on our necks for a few miles. Then it was back to the 35 knot slide we were on pre-storm.

This was my first crossing in the seacraft. The boat performed very well and did not suffer any damage in the head sea that pounded up for 70 miles acrossed the sea of abaco. All in all a great week of fishing in a great location without all the hustle and bustle of home. I am already planning the next trip.