Tritons go to the Bahamas

[Travis Jones]

As most people know, Ross and I both work at an auto dealership. We sell Chevy, Isuzu and Mazda vehicles and sometimes the companies give little perks to their top stores. This year we were 7th in the nation for Isuzu sales and they were kind enough to reward Ross with a fabulous trip to Exuma in the Bahamas. He originally wanted to take his wife, but since his children couldn't come and are much too young to be left with a sitter, I volunteered to take her place. :D We took our pole spears, but really didn't see anthing that we wanted to keep bad enough to buy a cooler for and take back to the states.

[Travis Jones]

Here's a couple angels and a really nice lil Nassau Grouper. What a beautiful fish. The shocker for me was when the lionfish came floating out of a hole like a balloon. It was one of the first little holes that I had looked into on my first dive.

[Killentime]

nic pics

[Travis Jones]

These little fish with the needle noses were really cool looking. I found a really nice conch on this reef, but we were diving from a Catamaran where the Captain wouldn't allow catch or I would have kept that one.

[David Deman]

dude, those reflective fish on your fins kill me! Great trip and great pics dude. we'll have to get the whole gang down there some day...

[Travis Jones]

Special thanks to Smash for letting me borrow his digital u/w camera and u/c spearo for the loan on the Manny Puig. We really didn't get to do as much exploring as we would have liked, but we got a good taste of it and we'll be back for sure.

We also made alot of new friends and connections to go dive places like Jamaica and the oil rigs in Louisianna. I'll have to drag a few of my other spearo homies for some of those trips. Clint.....you may have to fly us all out to Lake Charles buddy. I met the coolest guy who says he can drop up flat into the middle of 150lb YFT all day long.

[jdeirmend]

Travis,

That's admirable that you can have a good time in such an exotic diving-locale, ridden as it is with tasty fish, without killing anything. Either that, or me saying something pussy like that is just an underhanded, subtle way of calling you out. :lol:

Seriously, I'm envious. That's a trip I'd love to make one of these days, with a wicked hawaiian sling and plenty of panko for grouper tacos. Nice photos! :thumps:

[Sebastien]

nice pictures!!!

[Travis Jones]

We were staying at the Four Seasons resort and it was pretty posh. In fact, the night before we checked out, Celine Dion checked into the beach house directly in front of our hotel room. Some of the other Isuzu guests saw her at the restaurant having breakfast the next morning. The next time I hit that area, I'll be doing it on a budget(the way it was meant to be done). I'd really like to have more time to check out the local culture and dive more of the outer reefs. The people there were amazingly friendly everywhere that we went. I highly recommend the Four Seasons on Exuma if you ever want to "get away from it all".

[OceanEd]

Having lived on Exuma for several years I agree that the poeple are great.

I am just sorry I wasn't down there to take you to some of the good dive/spear locations. There are some excellent spearing areas around the East side of the island if you know where to go.

[MACKFISH]

Good story and post , it is just awesome swimming with the fish.

[h20ghost]

hey nice post, quick question. I am going to the bahamas in a week. I was wondering if you need a passport to visit the islands?

[Travis Jones]

Yeah, you need a passport. I was scared that I wouldn't be able to get mine in time, but I went online and it only cost me an extra $100 bucks to get mine within a week. There are companies that will expedite everything for you and they're alot faster than expediting it thru the post office.

Oh, and lobster season opens up at the end of the month. Bon Apetite!

[Travis Jones]

Having lived on Exuma for several years I agree that the poeple are great.

I am just sorry I wasn't down there to take you to some of the good dive/spear locations. There are some excellent spearing areas around the East side of the island if you know where to go.


Ed, Ross and I have already been doing alot of talking about you and how we're going to make you our new buddy. :D

[Travis Jones]

One more thing.....don't underestimate that sun down there. I'm limping from the burn I got on my calves a week ago. My back is peeling in potato chip sized chunks. I've raided the medicine chest for all the left over valium from when my wife had her breasts augmented just so I can make myself pass out at night. Otherwise I can't sleep. Just imagine a bug in the concentrated light of a magnifying glass...that's your butt in the Bahamas.

[oto_gc]

These little fish with the needle noses were really cool looking


those are ballyhoo, make great bait fish for bottom fishing, trolling, etc

nice pictures

[h20ghost]

i have a passport but its in colorado in an office and the people there cant find it. If i am not able to get it i heard that getting to the bahamas can be possible with an ID and birth certificate. Does anyone know about this?

[cmfish]

If you are going on a boat I believe that still works, but if you are flying in a passport is required.

[h20ghost]

i think we are going by boat, how sure are you about that information. I dont mean to question you. I am just anxious about it.

[OceanEd]

Travis:

Because I used to live on my boat in Georgetown, and now spend 4 monts a year down in that area I can really vouch for your comments about the sun. It really is your enemy down there and we have sun awnings on the boat and always wear big hats and long sleeved shirts! Sorry you had to find out the hard way.

Go to Google Earth somethime and take a look at the whole Exuma chain of Cays. It is hard to describe how beautiful this are is with crystal clear water, great hunting, and very few people. I guess one of its saving graces is that you really need a cruising boat to live there and enjoy it for any length of time.