The Official Bimini 2019 Thread
#1
THT Sponsor

Thread Starter

Well, someone had to start it so here goes! With credit to JCane:
"Hey everyone!
Time for the new thread to discuss all things Bimini.
If you've got questions, ask 'em.
If you've got plans to cross, post 'em.
If you want to share pictures, stories, trip reports, etc, go right ahead!
Let's make sure the 2019 thread is the best one yet, haha."
By the way, my son and two of his friends took his 31 Contender over from Miami to Bimini this morning in 2-3 footers from the SE. My son said he did 37 mph the whole way and made the crossing in well under 1 1/2 hours. We just bought this 2005 Contender at the beginning of November 2018, and he can't stop talking about how great it is. After checking in, they were going high speeding for wahoo. I'll hear later how they did. Happy New Year to all Bimini bound THTrs.
"Hey everyone!
Time for the new thread to discuss all things Bimini.
If you've got questions, ask 'em.
If you've got plans to cross, post 'em.
If you want to share pictures, stories, trip reports, etc, go right ahead!
Let's make sure the 2019 thread is the best one yet, haha."
By the way, my son and two of his friends took his 31 Contender over from Miami to Bimini this morning in 2-3 footers from the SE. My son said he did 37 mph the whole way and made the crossing in well under 1 1/2 hours. We just bought this 2005 Contender at the beginning of November 2018, and he can't stop talking about how great it is. After checking in, they were going high speeding for wahoo. I'll hear later how they did. Happy New Year to all Bimini bound THTrs.
Last edited by jillybird; 01-05-2019 at 11:08 AM.
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#2
Senior Member

We just got back today after spending a cpl days over there. We caught 2 smaller ones yesterday, but made up for it this morning!

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#3
THT Sponsor

Thread Starter

Nice job, Snookyj. Looks like the morning bite today was the one. My son went high speeding this afternoon after yellow tailing didn't work out and didn't get a strike. What's worse, the seas really kicked up when the wind started blowing around 20+ from the south. Hopefully, the morning bite will work for him tomorrow.
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#4
Senior Member

i left my helicopter on that yacht behind you....nice feesh
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#6
THT Sponsor

Thread Starter

My son has been high speeding this morning -- lost a nice one at boat side to a shark while trying to gaff the hoo. Boated a 25 pounder. Still at it. Seas are a bit nasty now out of the NW. He may cross over this afternoon. I've told him to wait till the morning when the wind shifts to the NE and lightens. Some guys are doing very well this morning. Others less so.
#7
Senior Member

My son has been high speeding this morning -- lost a nice one at boat side to a shark while trying to gaff the hoo. Boated a 25 pounder. Still at it. Seas are a bit nasty now out of the NW. He may cross over this afternoon. I've told him to wait till the morning when the wind shifts to the NE and lightens. Some guys are doing very well this morning. Others less so.
Thanks for the info Jilly, we might head back over monday afternoon for the evening bite and then hit it on tues morning and then head back, the weather looks pretty good!
#9

Headed over 7/11-18, mostly relaxing and a little reef fishing and spearing...Staying at Sands...wonder if they will have all new management in place and have everything opened back up again by then.
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#10
Member

My brother and I plan on leaving Harbour Towne Marina July 3rd and coming back on the 6th. I'm not beholden to that since I'm not sure if it'll be worth waiting until after the 4th to go because of crowds.
Installed a some more equipment that gives me more peace of mind/comfort, but it makes me want to go sooner. The Mercury Vessel View mobile module is working great and I like how it tells me all the important info. Surprisingly, I had a max distance of 148 miles with three men and our gear yesterday. This was cruising at almost 4k rpm in 2 foot waves. I'll still probably carry an extra 5 gallon gas can just in case.
I haven't seen this covered, so I'll ask. Being that crossing is weather dependent; how do you guys work with the hotels there in cases of having to change arrivals or stay longer? We're scouting out places to stay and marinas. The Hilton looks nice but I'm not sure if they'll give up space for a non-yacht.
I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge you guys take the time to provide.
Installed a some more equipment that gives me more peace of mind/comfort, but it makes me want to go sooner. The Mercury Vessel View mobile module is working great and I like how it tells me all the important info. Surprisingly, I had a max distance of 148 miles with three men and our gear yesterday. This was cruising at almost 4k rpm in 2 foot waves. I'll still probably carry an extra 5 gallon gas can just in case.
I haven't seen this covered, so I'll ask. Being that crossing is weather dependent; how do you guys work with the hotels there in cases of having to change arrivals or stay longer? We're scouting out places to stay and marinas. The Hilton looks nice but I'm not sure if they'll give up space for a non-yacht.
I really appreciate the wealth of knowledge you guys take the time to provide.
#13
Admirals Club 


I never thought to look at their page. No clue on when it will be done.
Side note- One of the posts talks about how hopefully the bull sharks are staying out of the marina. Doubtful, but they credit people not throwing fish scraps in. I wonder if they are still doing the shark cage?
Side note- One of the posts talks about how hopefully the bull sharks are staying out of the marina. Doubtful, but they credit people not throwing fish scraps in. I wonder if they are still doing the shark cage?
#14
THT Sponsor

Thread Starter

Wahoo bite update - The bite has been early morning only the past few days. My son got two this morning - one slightly tail sharked - before the bite turned off. They’re headed back to Miami from Bimini Sands right now. Seas are calm today. Looks like it was a good call to wait until this morning for the run back.
#15
THT Sponsor

Thread Starter

My son reports first 35 miles of crossing this morning from Bimini to Miami was nice with a following slightly beam sea. But then the eastern edge of the Stream was a washing machine before things flattened out at the end. Total time from Bimini Sands to Rickenbacker was an hour twenty minutes. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Turns out the wahoo bite has been first thing in the morning and then it turns off. A bunch of guys skunked it appears unfortunately. Not a hot bite right now at Bimini. And the tax man is always around.
Turns out the wahoo bite has been first thing in the morning and then it turns off. A bunch of guys skunked it appears unfortunately. Not a hot bite right now at Bimini. And the tax man is always around.

#16

I’m planning on second week in June but I have a couple questions.
Im bringing my kids 7 & 5, would a house with a dock be better? Or Bimini big game resort for lodging, food, entertainment?
Thanks
Im bringing my kids 7 & 5, would a house with a dock be better? Or Bimini big game resort for lodging, food, entertainment?
Thanks
#17
Admirals Club 


Big game is traditional Bimini, home for rent in Resorts World are the chic places. I like the Big Game but to each their own.
#18
THT Sponsor

Thread Starter

I like Big Game too, but beware the current. It really rips there -- makes docking interesting, especially the first time.
#19
Admirals Club 

#20
Admirals Club 


My son reports first 35 miles of crossing this morning from Bimini to Miami was nice with a following slightly beam sea. But then the eastern edge of the Stream was a washing machine before things flattened out at the end. Total time from Bimini Sands to Rickenbacker was an hour twenty minutes. Doesn’t get much better than that.
Turns out the wahoo bite has been first thing in the morning and then it turns off. A bunch of guys skunked it appears unfortunately. Not a hot bite right now at Bimini. And the tax man is always around.
Turns out the wahoo bite has been first thing in the morning and then it turns off. A bunch of guys skunked it appears unfortunately. Not a hot bite right now at Bimini. And the tax man is always around.
