By: Reuben Lorenzo Rahming
[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ello, you La-T.O.W’s (Land to Ocean Warriors). I am Reuben Lorenzo Rahming or Land Captain Lorenzo (LCL) an avid surf, rock and all around coastal angler. I am also an inventor, hunter, environmentalist, community organizer, cultural and social activist, youth mentor, believer and friend.
Welcome to my world and I hope to learn about yours.
Come go with me as I share the wonders of life in and around the coastline of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas. I will seek to give you not only a glimpse into my adventures but the opportunity to be the adventure by becoming a “La-T.O.W”. So enjoy my stories, and share yours!
More detail will be posted in the next Coastal Angler Magazine “The Bahamas Edition”
The adventure starts as my wife (Natasha) and I visited one of my secret spots for some R & R. After a 15 minute flight from the capital Nassau to South Andros Island, we landed in Congo Town. We began exploring and scouting the area. Then we turned to interviewing (even interrogating) the residents as only fishermen do about the fish battle stories of Driggs Hill. Now note that seeing a man walking around with 15 foot surf rods and doing the stuff I do is an experience to most Bahamians. Therefore, the sportsman in me loves the verbal friendly battle about my rods and fancy tricks. Those persons I’ve found make the best converts after I show off the photos and videos and “La-TOW” the battle is over! This time with residents in tow, we hit the “chosen” spot and “La-TOW” the battles were on and once more PHOTOS TELL THE TALE!
TIPS
Why this spot? As seen on the map, Driggs Hill has the perfect coastal and ocean topography for monster fish. Cubera snapper, which can grow to over 100 pounds, are found in deep waters but will visit the shallows under the right conditions. You can fish by luck or increase your chances by fishing by the definition of luck, which is “where opportunity meets preparation.” 
L.C.L Lesson 1
Use all you have, give it all you’ve got, learn from your mistakes. Google Earth is an advantage your fathers may not have had. USE IT! With the satellite view you can see with greater clarity what your father’s learned to read by sight and experience. Please note a master La-TOW must respect and know the old ways!
Use Google Earth and local knowledge for the advantage. This is what I found:
- The deep channel leading into the inland basin.
- The deep channel leads and steps down to the Tongue of the Ocean (the deepest water in the Bahamas).
- The channel is located on the front door of a massive fish nursery/mangroves.
- You should use the peninsula; it will likely naturally be the closest point a fish may pass to land.
- The reef and sand channels are visible.
L.C.L Lesson 2
If possible, avoid fishing with just one type of rig! Why? Like people, all fish are NOT the same and a variety of presentation always increase hook-ups even with one or two bait types.
Example 1: For the 65-pound Cubera snapper on 25-pound nono, a bubble harness used with a 7/0 circle hook on the bottom 6 inches of the rig baited with a flared 5-inch split shad tail and the top a 3/0 circle hook with a (old/ripe) whole squid body. This was done to help keep the line high, which also helps to disperse the aroma of the squid to quickly attract smaller fish, which starts a feeding frenzy and squid chum line around the main bait near the bottom. Casting: I used a 4-ounce lead 6 inches from my main bottom bait. This allows for anchoring and a balanced flight in casting. Also this rig would keep the weight on the face of the fish during the fight and off the bottom thus reducing snagging on structures.
Example 2: For the mutton snapper I used a sliding rig because distance was needed for the placement zone. This rig allows the bait and weight to become one in flight to maximize distance while minimizing loss of the bait. It also allows for the bait to move freely with the ocean for the best presentation and hook-up of even the most finicky of fish. Also in the fight, it puts the weight at the head of the fish and away from the bottom.
Example 3: For the grouper, I used a single circle hook attached to a three-way swivel tied about 4 feet off the bottom and loaded with a 4-ounce weight. Tackle and rigs: Circle Hooks. Bait: Squid and shads. Time and Tide: We landed these fish within two-and-a-half hours, during a full moon and we fished the high spring tide.
You are welcome to friend me on Facebook or find a video on YouTube, just search Reuben Rahming.