Fish on.Fish On!!

The curse is broken. As we headed into Exuma Sound yesterday (Saturday) through Little Farmer's Cut, we had the yoyo fishing line already rigged and in the water. We left through the cut around 8 am with and incoming tide and wind from the east. The current was running pretty strong and we were making about 2 knots over the bottom. But as soon as we cleared the current we put sails up and attempted to point into the wind. The seas had not flattened out as promised by the weather weasels - and
in fact they were 4 to 6 feet with the waves and chop close together. Not exactly comfortable (but Pam, it's not always like that!)

We weren't making much progress and needed to make it the 40 or so miles before dark - so we had to turn on the iron genny and motor sail. We were heeled over pretty well - so we switched fishing sides putting the yoyo on the low side and Barbara with her Slick Butt Slammer fishing pole on the high side. Let the fishing competition begin!!!

Michael had on a rattle jet in blue and light green. Barbara had a skirted lure in dark blue and pink. About 9 am - Michael had a hit on his line. Of course, we weren't quite ready for a fish. No tail loop line on deck, no alcohol (for us or the fish), no gaff set up. And it was rolling. After the fire drill of getting everything sort of ready - (and not being able to get the hook off the pole to put the gaff on) - Michael was able to land the fish on deck. Barbara couldn't tie a tail loop
to save her life and the fish (a lovely mahi (also called dorado or dolphin fish - but not of the "Flipper the dolphin" variety) was flopping about. We knocked the knock-out alcohol bottle overboard after barely getting some in the fish's gills.

But in the end the fish was on-board. Michael 1 - Barbara - 0.

Michael cleaned the fish (not an easy task in the sloppy seas for an out of practice fish filleter.) Then cleaned the decks off. As soon as that was done.Barbara had a hit on the reel and watched the fish leap out of the water. It ran with a good bit of line and was a good fighter. As soon as we got him close to the boat he ran again - and she had to reel him in. At this point we have a gaff ready and Michael expertly (okay second try) gaffed the fish and brought him on board - and the tail
looping went more smoothly as well. He was a BIG mahi.

Score even. Michael wins first fish, Barbara wins biggest fish. Michael cleans this one and the decks. Now the fishing gear is paid for. We figured we spent about $54 on new lures, hooks, swivels etc. We have easily nine meals of fish at $10 each (which is what Michael used to pay at the fish market for that amount of mahi) - we're ahead.

The freezer is full again and we dined on fabulously grilled, very fresh mahi after arrival and anchoring in Georgetown. We arrived around 4:30 pm and anchored. This place is amazing - the population of boats is 30% of the population of the entire Exuma chain of islands. It's like a little city - with all kind of planned activities (softball, volleyball, scavenger hunts, yoga, painting lessons etc). People come here and spend the entire "season" anchored here. It's also nicknamed "chicken harbor"
because this is as far as many cruisers make it.

We are using it as a stopover for laundry, fuel a few fresh grocery items and then we'll be on our way south. We're hoping for internet connectivity so we can post pictures, make Skype calls and check our other e-mails. But so far no luck. We went into town this morning hoping to get laundry done (all the books say the laundry is open daily) - but we found out daily doesn't mean Sunday. Same with the fuel. So we won't get as much done as we had hoped.

Happy Birthday to Captain Michael. Maybe I'll bake a cake this afternoon for him. The weather is supposed to be really bad overnight into Monday morning - so we're hoping we can get stuff done and sneak out of here on the next weather window.