Florida & Georgia - Autec?

I tried this on the "other forum" and didnt get any bites.
Headed to Staniel Cay for a family boating vacation in June and I have always heard about the legendary AUTEC buoys off Eastern Andros. I was thinking of stopping for a couple of days on my way back and try to see what all the hype is about. I like to do as much research on an area before I just show up. So,I'm looking for some advise on lodging and fishing.

As for lodging, it looks like there isn't much to choose from. The Lighthouse Marina seems to fit my needs (cold air and a dock) but, I need to keep the rest of the crew happy too. Is Fresh Creek the kind of place you can leave the Ladys and kids behind while I go out fishing for the day? If not what would be on your short list of places to stay around there?

As for the AUTEC buoys, I've found some old numbers on this forum, thanks. My concerns are they are a few years old and from the "internet". I hear they move from time to time. Do you think if I just show up at the Naval base they will give me the latest lat and long's? :grin:
Is June even a good time of the year for tuna there? If not, when is the best time ?

We crushed some tuna there a few years ago..... I have not been back and it wasnt on my boat -- but I think we were close to Fresh Creek ... I dont know cause I was pouring rum the entire trip .. LOL

I hear Fresh Creek is the hood.... and not good for the family...

I caught this Snapper in a creek in 5ft of water .... Some nice fishing down there....

http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o431/triplenet/IMG_0431.jpg

Guy had a cool house as well.... The roof opened up with a bunch of pulleys ...

http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o431/triplenet/IMG_0425.jpg

I live and work at AUTEC the buoys are still here we've been landing several nice yellowfin tuna a day plus dolphin to 50 lbs. The south buoy "1/2" has been good. bring vertyical jigs for blackfin and some yellowfin action. Live bait can be found right across from the lighthouse hotel at "hanks place". June 7-10 is crab fest and there wont be any rooms im guessing at the light house because 12000 people from surrounding island and the world come in and rage. Awesome sights to see here keep in touch i have a car and can show you some cool stuff.

And yes you can leave the ladies behind i have seen some transient boaters stay there in nice outboard rigs and there is actually a beautiful 63 bertram there now. I would however remind you it is backwoods bahamas, meaning poor but on the norm pretty decent people.There isnt much to see. You can access the north buoy easily from nassau and has the ammeneties but i love it here. Also, i can get the numbers for the buoy tommorow, i work on a testing vessel and will be catching tuna on the buoy as always. If you go fishing there is exploring to be done around the area but its a small town. very small. If it alligns with my day off or something i can show you the famous blueholes and stuff. Keep in touch

We crushed some tuna there a few years ago..... I have not been back and it wasnt on my boat -- but I think we were close to Fresh Creek ... I dont know cause I was pouring rum the entire trip .. LOL

I hear Fresh Creek is the hood.... and not good for the family...

I caught this Snapper in a creek in 5ft of water .... Some nice fishing down there....

http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o431/triplenet/IMG_0431.jpg

Guy had a cool house as well.... The roof opened up with a bunch of pulleys ...

http://i342.photobucket.com/albums/o431/triplenet/IMG_0425.jpg

is that a cubera? are you shooting a birdie with your right hand?

It was a cubera. And funny. It looks like I am. Lol

Thanks for the info guys! I plan on staying June 16th and 17th at The Lighthouse Marina if they still have room.
Maxsajenda, you mentioned the blue holes? Do you have to have a car to get to them, or can they be accessed by boat? Anything else in the area that I shouldn't miss?

The crab fest will be over by then so you should be good. And a comforting note a 130 foot westport "Contigo" just pulled in with a brand new 36 yellowfin tender so its not too ghetto for them. As far as the blue holes they are everywhere here, some in the water and a ton on land. Google earth the area and look NW of the town and those blue ponds are all holes. There is one thats really large prolly 200 yards across and it has a cool pavillion and platform to jump in and swim. Like i said i wouldnt mind helping out a fellow THT'er with a ride one afternoon or something as It is accesible by car. I accidentllly put my shorts in the wash with the coordinates for the south buoy, i will get it up tommorow. Also you should stop and see the springs by high cay ( which is between AUTEC and the South buoy). I'll try to see if i have the numbers.There are a couple of islands right off fresh creek with a beach on the inshore side always a fun place to cool off and swim with the family. They are called the Goats. Live bait is plentiful right now in the AUTEC basin which you cannot enter but id imagine the are also in fresh creek. Diving is beautiful here. There is an excellent conch salad stand just around the corner from the lighthouse too. Mutton are plentiful up close to the shore right now too.

max......andros has been on my bucket list for awhile. I might have to take you up on it. Plus i hear the creek that goes thru Andros is a straight shot to my place in the keys. Dont worry about posting the coordinates for the buoy....nobody here really wants those coordinates. Just PM me so we can spare the masses.:grin:

Rod, you can make it through the bightsas they are called with any outboard boat. I see a lot of sure to be "missing" larger center consoles hitting it up quite a bit. Definately an awesome place to visit. The buoy is on most charts and is visible from miles so its no secret just getting there is a little extreme for most. The only down side to this place is fuel docks, the do have them in a FEW places. Luckily we have our own at AUTEC with $4.50 Ethanol free 93. its def a perk but no available to public.The offer stands i would show a THT'er around the island any time if im off. Fishing is awesome here but for some reason i Spear more fish in the Abacos. But tuna fishing and mahi fishing is world class. Lemme know any time you want to come.