Best Day On The Water: Epic Day At Sea

After hurricane delays and COVID cancellations, our family finally arrived at Driftwood Cottage on Staniel Cay in the beautiful Exumas, Bahamas. We had rented a Boston Whaler 250 Outrage center-console for the week, and were lucky to find local guide Captain Ran to hopefully put us on fish.

Joining Capt. Ran and me on the boat that day was my son Liam. As we approached the windward side cut, the waves were approaching 7 feet and the wind was blowing 18 to 20 knots, throwing us around like rag dolls. I just knew it was going to be a good day fishing, though, having seen a rainbow arc above the dock and creek outside of our cottage that morning.

Once we got a mile or so offshore in more than 900 feet of bluewater, we set up our rods and Penn INT50VISW 2-Speed Reels, rigged ballyhoo, and started trolling in the rolling seas. I was at the helm as Capt. Ran was standing on the gunwale looking for birds. We didn't have to wait long. As we approached some birds working bait fish, BOOM! Liam's line was hit, and seconds later, my line was hit, too — both with good sized mahi-mahi. Action was what we ordered, and it's what we got!

After a 20-minute fight, which felt like hours, I landed what turned out to be the largest mahi-mahi of the season on Staniel Cay!