By Noemie-Capucine Quessy From Foot Loose Diary

It was a gloomy morning in Grand Cayman, and the tarmac was still wet from the rain that heavily poured the previous night. We grabbed a quick breakfast at a coffee shop in Camana Bay, awaiting impatiently 8 o’clock to arrive.

At the dock, Captain Jon and First Mate Peri welcomed us aboard the ‘Keeping It Reel’ and showed us our ride and roof for the next 4 hours. The 62′ Ocean Sport Fisherman vessel was equipped with a spacious air-conditioned cabin, a galley (kitchen), 3 state rooms (bedrooms) and 3 heads (bathrooms). It was large enough to accommodate our group of 10, and the crew of 2.

Since the weather seemed to clear out, I decided to climb upstairs and sit by the Captain. We slowly cruised towards the deep ocean. The usual calm and turquoise water was then choppy with shades of dark blues and greys, yet I could see some clear blue patches as we passed shallow areas. It wasn’t raining, but the clouds darkened the sky ahead making the picture beautiful and serene.

The 7 lines trolled behind the boat at different depths, and everyone was eager to catch a monster.

At times the waves picked up, and if I only knew the trick of starring at an immobile point in the boat instead of watching the moving sea, perhaps I wouldn’t have lost my breakfast croissant in the toilet.

While I tried to stabilize my motion sickness, laid on the couch in the cabin and starring at the ceiling, I heard the Captain scream: “Fish, fish!.

I jumped off my safe zone and hurried to the deck.

Kayla, whose sea sickness was beat by excitement to catch a prey, grabbed hold of the rod. After sweat and strong efforts, she victoriously brought back the first mahi mahi onboard.

Back to my couch and to my ceiling… until I hear the captain once more: “Fish, fish!”

It was a big one.

I was dizzy, could barely balance myself on the deck, but what the heck -I haven’t come here just to stare at a ceiling!

I was in, rod in hand, and ready to fight the beast.

This is the moment when you hate yourself for gaining those extra few pounds from wine and cheese and slacking on workout and exercise.

The captain strapped me to the chair. I wanted to strangle everyone for their endless encouragement words that didn’t help at all: “You’re almost there!”

“Ya right”, I yelled between two breathes. “I can see the line 100ft away!” My whole body was shaking, already aching for days.

I want to die.

I want to quit.

No, I won’t quit.

I’m gonna get this fish into this boat and thank it for the good fight.

Then I’ll eat it.

After sweating the last drop of water I had in my already dehydrated body, I saw the end of the tunnel, or rather the tail of the catch. It took 20 min, and a load of sweats and swears, but I reeled it onboard, and all by myself!

I didn’t feel sick anymore. I was too excited!

Everyone got turns to reel the rods.

Captain Jon thought at one point we had a marlin. I’ve never seen someone so excited! I’m still not sure what he yelled at Peri, maybe some fisherman slangs in a Caymanian patois.

On our way back, the sky growled and the thick black clouds released themselves. We sheltered ourselves comfortably inside the cabin and shared our experience.

When we returned to the dock, Captain Jon offered to filet our fishes. I couldn’t resist and went ahead and ate a big piece. I was followed by everyone else.

We thanked our crew and left with our ziploc bags.

It was an amazing deepsea fishing experience with Slackem Charters. Captain Jon and his First Mate Peri were very helpful and knowledgeable. Not only their patience and work ethic made us feel very safe and comfortable, but their passion for the fish and the sea, and their willingness to go the extra mile made this day at sea a memorable experience.

That day, we caught 10 mahi mahi.
And not that I want to brag, but I got the biggest one

About the Author:
Having grown up in the French province of Quebec, Canada, and moving solo to the wilds of British Columbia, I soon got bitten by the travel bug. Always looking for new experiences, I travel the world exploring and embracing foreign cultures. My past travels have educated and shaped me to become a passionate and compassionate globe trotter. A couple of years ago, I had the overseas opportunity to live, work and play in the Cayman Islands for nearly 2 years. I also volunteered in Morocco, teaching French and English to children, and empowering women. I reside now in Whistler, BC where I enjoy some of the best outdoors of the world. From visiting the isolated lands of Tibet, to diving the Blue Hole of Belize, to motorcycling the wet roads of Sri Lanka, to surfing at the remote beaches of El Salvador, from Mountain Life to Island Life, I consider myself as a true footloose wanderer and hope to inspire people in stretching out of their comfort zone, working on their Bucket List and following their dreams.
Travel. Dream. Live.

IMAGES: FootLoose Diary

For more on this story and images go to: https://footloosediary.com/2015/01/25/sportfishing-in-the-cayman-islands/