48 hours with cabin boy Gary (aka Captain Sandbank)

The sea starts to build as we get out past the banks. I'm at the back of the boat trying to set the set the lure and adequate distance from the boat. The ratchet wines away as the line drifts out the back of the boat. The Lure has been in the water about 20 seconds, flying fish are jumping everywhere behind us infront and to the side. Then I see it, the water violently rising as a light green flash pummels towards the lure. It's all a bit of a shock and let out the yell "BIG DOLPHIN INCOMMING", BANG! The line smokes of the reel, its at this point that cabin boy Gary realises that he hasn't tightened up the spool, being mesmorized watching the dolphin strike. There are two ways to know this, one how quickly the line is peeeling of the back and two the intense pain as my thumb still rests on the line and burns away! Quickly locked it up , but the boat was doing a steady 7 knots and wasn't going to stop quickly. As soon as the slighest drag waqs on , the acrobatics began, it was a pretty large fish, at least a metre and really thick, the whole thing lastest only a few seconds before it bit through the steel trace! Gutted
Got some good sailing going on the CAN'T raced along at 7-9knts , then we got another strike. This time it was nowhere near as impressive and managed to drag the Dolphin up to the boat. Unfortunately we had no Gaf and the boat is about 4ft out of the water. Jason made a valiant attempt to land it but it was too heavy and broke off at the hook.
Continued the good sailing into Highbourne Cay and set the anchor. Just as we were doing so, heard a strange beeping noise coming from inside the boat. OH NO! turns out a pipe had come of the engine and turned most of the cooling water into steam! So stopped for some maintenance, meanwhile the boys showed up (narrowly avoiding a reef at the last minute when Liz radioed them, "lost boys, lost boys you are approaching a reef turn around".

After that dissapointment, they redeemed themselves by showing us the remains of the 2 filleted Mahi Mahi. Which was delicious.
Got up early in the morning and headed over to the stunning and unihabited Alan's Key.
Anchored up and headed ashore to have breakfast. Were there for about a minute before the 1st of the Iguana's came down. Our respectable captain decided it would be a good idea to feed them some Cherios. Iguana's like Cherios. Soon enough about a dozen had gathered for the Cherio feeding frenzy. I'm not expert on Reptile digestive systems but im sure CHerios aren't that good for them so resigned to taking pictures. They got a bit mad when the Cherio supply was withdrawn and it looked like we might have to make a bolt for the dinghy as the edged closer and closer.

Luckily the lost boys showed up and upon smelling the occupants, mainly Jacob I think they scattered into the forest. Went for a dive around the rocks and Jas got 3 decent sized Crays and headed out into the ocean towards Nassau.
Got a stirke not long after leaving the banks, Liz got the fish up to the boat but again its pretty hard to get a fish this size into the boat without a gaf and it too got away.
Had just about given up all hope of landing a Mahi Mahi when just as we were approaching the banks again one struck. Paula handled it perfectly and insted of risking getting it in the ocean , decided to drag it into the Banks and try and get it with the dinghy. Jas jumped over and grabbed the fish like a pro, at last we have finally got one on board.


With a good wind in the rear quarter , sailed on to Nassau at 7knots pretty much the whole way. Pretty awesome day.