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Expedition Fishing

Lifestyle

2016 Father/Son Trip admin

Matt Thornton's Blue MarlinThe second annual father-son Cat Island fishing trip just wrapped up, this time with the welcome addition of duo Matt and Henry Thornton. Our repeat visit to Hawk’s Nest Marina on remote Cat Island in the Bahamas included plenty of fishing, snorkeling and participating in the 2016 Billfish Blast Fishing Tournament.

The leading boat in the fishing tournament was Karma, taking first place with 237 points. The tournament fishing was slower than normal this year, with no boat landing more than one or two on a given day — and a majority of the boats returning to dock without a billfish. Here is a photograph of Matt Thornton tugging in a Blue Marlin on the Old No. 7.

Creek Cruising in the BahamasAnother highlight of the trip was a two day, two night excursion to the uninhabited Conception Island, Bahamas. After a 45 mile crossing from Cat Island, the Old No. 7 anchored off-shore. Conception Island is a state protected park and wildlife reserve in the Bahamas. We spent two days and nights exploring the reefs, creeks and off-shore potential of this remote island. The Lil’ No. 7 flats boat allowed us the freedom to explore the beaches for fun swimming spots in the tidal flats.

The Lil’ No. 7 flats boat allowed us to explore the tidal flats.

After returning from Conception Island, we took a rest day to regroup, clean laundry, organize and take on a few minor provisions. The kids took off on bikes to the Hawk’s Nest pool and beach for some swimming, paddleboarding, and snorkeling. Their new local buddy, Jesse, and his mother DJ took them to snorkel and feed the smaller decorative reef fish that live among the reefs and rocks along the beach.

Tuna Time

Another excellent trip has been added to the boat’s log file.

A special shout out to the crew of the Old No. 7 (Captain Jamie Ralf, First Mate Dane Ralph, and Mate Travis Ralph) for a great experience.

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LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Cruising out

Cruising out Andy Hyslop, Henry and Matt Thornton cruising out to the fishing spot off Devils Point.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Multiple Snapper

Multiple Snapper Henry Thornton showing off his multiple hook up of red snapper.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Bottom Fishing, Deep Dropping

Species

Snapper

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LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Bottom Fishing

Species

Snapper

Tuna Tower Time

Tuna Tower Time Tyler and Spence enjoying some time atop the tuna tower.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

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LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Cat Island Bone

Cat Island Bone Austin's patience pays off on this bone. A stubborn school of bone required multiple casts and fly offering before hooking this fish.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

The Windhams

The Windhams The Windhams enjoying the Hawks Nest pool.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Snail Collecting

Snail Collecting Ford Musselman and the boys were collecting snails along the beach breakers.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

73 Lb. Wahoo

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Wahoo

Ford — Digging Deep

Ford — Digging Deep Ford was working hard to bring in his 73 pound wahoo.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Wahoo

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LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Tom Windham landing a bonefish on Conception Island, Bahamas.
Tom Windham landing a bonefish on Conception Island, Bahamas.

Tom's First Bone

Tom's First Bone

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Little No. 7

Little No. 7 Little No. 7, just back from a scouting mission on Conception Island, Bahamas.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Conception Creek

Conception Creek Looking up into the tidal creek of Conception Island. This creek went back as far as the eye could see.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Flats Fishing, Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Between Fish

Between Fish

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Spencer's Mahi

Spencer's Mahi

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Mahi Mahi

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LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Returning to Dock

Returning to Dock The boys wouldn't miss a bow ride our or back of the marina each day. A great place to spot sharks and stingrays.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Prior to Launch

Prior to Launch The boys of the 2016 Cat Island trip just prior to leaving from Louisville aboard the Tornton jet. Thanks to Matt and Henry for getting us down to the island!!!!!

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

2016_father_son_trip
2016_father_son_trip

The Crew

The boys striking a pose outside of the "Fish House West". Cat Island, Bahamas.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Flying Tuna Fish

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Tuna

Tyler's Tuna

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Tuna

Storm Forming off Columbus Point, Cat Island

Storm Forming off Columbus Point, Cat Island This photo shows a typical summer storm forming over Columbus Point on Cat Island in the Bahamas. We were able to troll around the edge of the storms this day, while still hooking up with mahi-mahi, tuna and one sailfish.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Cliffs Along Columbus Point

Cliffs Along Columbus Point This is a view of the cliffs just to the west of Columbus Point — Cat Island, Bahamas.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Dane's Bone

Dane's Bone First Mate, Dane Ralph, enjoying a rare bone on a fly.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Exploring Coral Heads

Exploring Coral Heads Dane is returning on deck of the Lil' No. 7 after exploring another coral head for hog fish.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle, Spearfishing

Exploring Coral Heads

Exploring Coral Heads Austin Musselman and Dane Ralph, out on Lil' No. 7 in search of coral heads with good fish activity.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle, Spearfishing

The Beach at Hawks Nest Marina

The Beach at Hawks Nest Marina

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Spencer's Victory Tuna

Spencer's Victory Tuna Spencer lifts his tuna to the skies after bringing it aboard. Check out mother natures hologram on the belly of the tuna.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Tuna

Ford's Monsters Wahoo

Ford's Monsters Wahoo Ford worked hard reeling in this monster fish. Weighing in at 73 pound, this fish filled the fish box and provided countless pieces of sushi to lead into our Ashbourne Farms grass fed steak dinner.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Wahoo

Ford's Monster Wahoo

Ford's Monster Wahoo Ford worked hard reeling in this monster fish. Weighing in at 73 pound, this fish filled the fish box and provided countless pieces of sushi to lead into our Ashbourne Farms grass fed steak dinner.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Wahoo

Ford's Monster Wahoo

Ford's Monster Wahoo Ford worked hard reeling in this monster fish. Weighing in at 73 pound, this fish filled the fish box and provided countless pieces of sushi to lead into our Ashbourne Farms grass fed steak dinner.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Wahoo

Conch Penis

Conch Penis Austin trying the island delicacy of a conch's penis. A bohemian tradition.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Conch Penis

Conch Penis Eli trying the island delicacy of a conch's penis. A bohemian tradition.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

On the Hook in the Bahamas

On the Hook in the Bahamas This photo shows Old No. 7 anchored off shore of Conception Island, Bahamas. Conception Island is a state protected park and wildlife reserve in the Bahamas. We spent two days and nights exploring the reefs, creeks and off-shore potential of this remote and uninhabited island.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Creek Cruising in the Bahamas

Austin is exploring the a tidal flat creek in the Bahamas, in search of pockets of bonefish.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Flats Fishing, Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Tom's First Bonefish

Tom's First Bonefish Austin put Tom on a school of bonefish, and after several close attempts, hooked up with this beauty.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Flats Fishing, Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Tom's First Bonefish

Tom's First Bonefish Austin put Tom on a school of bonefish, and after several close attempts, hooked up with this beauty.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Flats Fishing, Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Austin Musselman's Bonefish

Austin Musselman's Bonefish This bonefish was taken deep into a tidal flat in the Bahamas.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Flats Fishing, Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Matt Thornton's Blue Marlin

Matt works hard bringing in his Blue Marlin during the 2016 Bluefish Blast fishing tournament — Cat Island, Bahamas.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Marlin

Little No. 7

Little No. 7 This photo shows both Old No. 7 and Lil' No .7 at rest after a long day fishing. Hawks Nest Marina, Cat Island, Bahamas.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Lure Selection

Lure Selection These lures were drying off after a long day searching for marlin.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle, Trolling

The Crew

The Crew The boys took a rest from play and fishing to pose for this picture.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Spence's Tuna

Spence's Tuna This was the first fish we pulled aboard during the 2016 Boys trip in Cat Island, Bahamas. This tuna provided plates of sashimi, seared tuna stakes and the leftovers worked into one of the best lunch tuna salads we every tasted.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Tuna

Spencer's Tuna

Spencer's Tuna This was the first fish we pulled aboard during the 2016 Boys trip in Cat Island, Bahamas. This tuna provided plates of sashimi, seared tuna stakes and the leftovers worked into one of the best lunch tuna salads we every tasted.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Tuna

Tuna Time

Tuna Time This was the first fish we pulled aboard during the 2016 Boys trip in Cat Island, Bahamas. This tuna provided plates of sashimi, seared tuna stakes and the leftovers worked into one of the best lunch tuna salads we every tasted.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Trolling

Species

Tuna

The Crew

The Crew The crew of the 2016 Cat Island Father/Son fishing trip take a rare break from their play to pose for this photo.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

LIfestyle

Bonefish

Bonefish Release This is a great example of what to look for when scouring the flats for bonefish. Subtle movements and color changes in the water will reveal this elusive and sought after sports fish.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Flats Fishing, Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Austin Musselman's Bonefish

Austin Musselman's Bonefish This fish was taken exploring a new creek on Cat Island, Bahamas.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Flats Fishing, Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

Austin Musselman's Bonefish

Austin Musselman's Bonefish This fish was taken exploring a new creek on Cat Island, Bahamas.

LOCATION

Cat Island, Bahamas

Fishing Method

Fly Fishing

Species

Bonefish

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