Monday, September 13, 2010

Guanaja's International Fishing

Hello out there!

How is everyone doing?  Bob & I are doing fabulous.  We haven't done too much since we haven't had guests in a while.  (yes, I'm whining!)  ha ha.

I just wanted to help get the word out that Guanaja is hosting it's first IGFA Offshore Fishing Tournament.  This is huge for this little island.  Hopefully this event will drum up some tourism for our sleepy little island.  The tourney will be the weekend of October 21st - 24th; for any of you who may be interested.  

I wish I had the equipment and fishing boat to enter.  They actually have a bracket for women.  I think I'll have to check it out this year and maybe get my stuff together and fish next year.  Any of my girlfriends want to join me?   I'll need a team of 4 girls and a captain.  Of course, I'll work on getting a captain.

Anyway, I'm proud of the "locals" around here that are spear heading this event.  They seem to be pumped, putting in a lot of hours and doing a good job organizing it.  They do have a website if anyone has questions.  www.guanajafishing.com

I'll have to find out how Bob & I can get involved.  Maybe volunteer at a booth or something.  I'm pretty excited about this as you can tell.

While we're on the subject of fishing.  My "island" husband picked up a new hobby.  Unfortunately the island is being hit hard with Lionfish.  Not a good thing.  While this fish is pretty they are also pretty deadly to the reef system.  They are very territorial and aggressive & have no natural predators.  The Lionfish is not native to the Caribbean or other warmer coral regions of the Atlantic, yet they have started to flourish.  Most reports show that the aquarium trade is to blame for releasing this species into the wild.  Way to go people.  If you buy them for your salt water hobby...keep them or eat them.

We had one lingering around our boat dock and Bob decided he's getting him a Lionfish.  Bob had bought a spear gun and thought it was time to figure it out.

He's on a mission, folks!
And yes, this is his 1st time using a spear gun. 
Should I be worried?
Hero, Our dog is observing from the dock.
Guess what, folks?  He got it!
He actually speared the fish!
I'll be damned.
That my friends, is what a speared Lionfish looks like.
Had I known he is actually good eatin;
He would have been an appetizer that night.
Bob, go get us another one.
The dorsal and side fins of this fish are venomous.  But once you cut those off with scissors, scrape of the scales and remove the guts... it's time to season, flour and fry.  We need to get the local folks around here to realize that this fish is delicious so they too can get out there and fish them.  We need to remove as many of these creatures as possible to preserve the reef. 

Really don't have too much more to say.  But we hope everyone is doing well.  If you can swing it; come see us. 

Much love,
Bonnie & Bob

3 comments:

Elizabeth @ My Life, Such as it is... said...

Interesting that Lionfish are good to eat. I would have not guessed that. Good for you that you are preserving the natural reef and remvoing invasive non-native species. I'm sure you could Google some environmental groups and find some other helpers too. :)

Cindy Lou said...

nice job mary! looks like fun and yes bonnie you should be scared. Put me on the fish list for next year. love you and miss you Cindy

Anonymous said...

Hey 'old man Langston" It's about time you explored the outdoor/sportsman opportunities in your backyard Garden Of Eden! There are some great fishing and spearfishing opportunities right beneath your nose! Get some basic fishing gear and jump in one of those boats and learn the water. It's fun and eventually what you learn will pay you back in fresh fish, and possibly income from guided fishing trips.

I love to read ya'll's posts! Best wishes and tight lines!