thebahamasweekly.com - Old Bahama Bay holds its first ever Native Fish Hunt

Old Bahama Bay Hotel
Old Bahama Bay holds its first ever Native Fish Hunt
By Janet A. Albury
Jun 2, 2009 - 11:06:37 PM

Captain's Meeting for First Annual OBB Native Fish Hunt. Sponsors and Participants pose with Bobby Ginn. (L-R Standing) Donald Glass, Kevin Waugh, Lou Carroll, Sonny Waugh, Doug Prudden, Bobby Ginn, Peter Watson (OBB Marina Manager) Dan Romence, Mike Stafford, Dean Spindel, Thurber Withey, Nathan Moody (OBB Operations Manager) - (L-R Kneeling) Godfrey Waugh, Brian Waugh, Michael Malone, Paul Engle, Hugh Efird, Shawn Mehaffey

Freeport, Grand Bahama - All roads led to West End Grand Bahama and the Old Bahama Bay Resort and Marina as the property kicked off its first ever Native Fish Hunt on Whit Monday, May 31, 2009. The two day event sponsored by the Ministry of Tourism, Waugh Construction, Bradford Marine and GB Foods provided a holiday weekend of Sun and Fun for all participants.

Hugh Efird & Moses Moxey on board the "Miss Kitty"

The idea for a Native Fish Hunt was born out of the desire to bring greater attention to the wonderful fishing opportunities available in the Bahamas and more specifically off the coast of West End. For years Old Bahama Bay has hosted scores of international and US fisherman in various tournaments and has had a great deal of success in doing so. The Native Hunt now gives local fishing enthusiasts a similar platform. The wide variety of vessels used in the tournament made the event more interesting.

Crew Members of the "Waugh-Hoo" preparing to launch vessel in tournament.

Despite the days of rainy weather, participants were grateful for the intermittent sunshine which allowed them to move forward with the event. Festivities began with the Captain’s meeting and Welcome on Sunday evening, but the real fun began early Monday morning as scores of local fishing talent turned out to cast their lines in hopes of taking home the titles of Best Bottom Fishing Guru and Trolling Champion. There were 6 entries in the competition; among them Bradford Marine on the “Buddy Davis”, Waugh Construction on the “Waugh-Hoo”, Ramon Lightbourne on the “First Strike”, and Hugh Efird on the “Miss Kitty”. A group from Sanitation also made a showing on board their vessel “Mayhem” as well as well known West End native Bonefish Foley.

Christian Rolle (Grandson of Legendary West End Fisherman Bonefish Foley) weighs in with Winning Heavy Bottom Fish 12.5llb Mutton Snapper.

The Bradford Marine team took home Top honors as the overall winners with a weight of 64 pounds. The team also placed First in the Striking Fish category. Also claiming his own victories was Ramon Lightbourne who caught the First place Bottom Fish as well as the Heaviest Striking fish: a 24 pound dolphin. Not to be outdone though was Bonefish Foley who took home Top prize for the Heaviest Bottom Fish: a 12.5 pound Mutton Snapper.

Godfrey Waugh (foreground) and Mike Stafford (background) clean the day's Catch.

Already Sponsors have recommitted themselves to next year’s Hunt, and plans are in the works to make the next hunt a bigger and better event.

Ramon Lightbourne (Center) receives award for First Place Bottom Fish, and Heaviest Striking Fish in OBB Native Fish Hunt

Paul Engle of Bradford Marine accepts award for First Place in the Striking Fish Category in OBB Native Fish Hunt

Bradford Marine Team accepts award for Overall Winner in OBB Native Fish Hunt

Bonefish Foley Team accepts award for Heaviest Bottom Fish.