2017 June Bahamas Gathering

[Capt Terry]

Denny or others-
Is there still customs at Walkers Cay? I recently heard from a friend that Walkers had been pretty much destroyed by a past hurricane & there had been virtually no rebuilding there.

[feltonmichael]

I'm Planning a trip in June to West End with my Seacraft20 cc and would like to meet some other Seacraft Owners has anyone suggested Dates? I'm from Missouri so it takes a little more planning on my part to get down to Florida, Also where are you all leaving from? and any Suggestions on where I could leave my truck and trailer. Thanks

[Bushwacker]

Palm Beach/Lake Worth Inlet is the closest distance to West End, which bears due E, about 60 NM. However if you leave from other inlets further south, you'll get a lift from the Gulf Stream instead of having to head S of due E to compensate for a 2-3 kt current.

Early morning crossings are best (like leave the inlet at dawn.)

If wind is out of any northern quadrant, stay the hell out of the Gulf Stream! A 5-10 kt wind from NW, N, NE is much worse than a 15 kt SE, S or SW wind.

Mid-July is statistically the least wind and also lower chances of rain than June. August is getting too close to hurricane season.

Lake Park Marina is a decent place to leave boat.

Considering the expense & amount of prep work required just for a crossing to West End, you might as well press on another 40 NM to the Abaco's, which have much better diving and fishing! Although Walkers is essentially abandoned (although I think Snookerd said they had customs guys there?), gas and other limited supplies are usually available at Grand Cay.

Beware of having a schedule, the most dangerous thing you can have on a boat! Most folks get into trouble or have rough crossings because they don't have the flexibility to wait for good crossing weather!

[feltonmichael]

Thanks for the advice, I will look into July. I've been across the stream several times mostly doing it by sailboat or larger cuddy cabin boats. It will be a first for the 20cc. But have spent several weeks fishing Palm Beach and Boynton and the boat performs great. I have been thinking of heading back to Green Turtle but I have some timeshare points about to expire and the only place in the Bahamas I could use them up is in West End or Nassau. Is the fishing and spearfishing that much better in the Abacos My Schedule Is pretty flexible for the crossing and return trip. My hardest part is getting away from my job in Missouri. I have to start rescheduling my clients now or I'd never be able to get away. I'm planning on about three weeks off and will spend some time fishing in Florida if I'm waiting for weather. I

[Bushwacker]

The only spearfishing you can do is free diving with pole spears or slings, so unless you can free dive to 65-80' like Connor, that eliminates the West End area, as I don't know of any shallow reefs around Grand Bahama. Lots of nice 20-30' reefs in the Abacos, although I understand they're pretty fished out compared to 30-35 years ago when I was last over there.

As for hook & line fishing, I'm no authority, but it should be good in the deep water off Grand Bahama, but it's hard to beat Matanilla reef off Walkers.