Captain’s Story Hour

The boat is secured, the sun is low on the horizon, the beer is chilled. Old shipmates and new acquaintances gather. Captain’s Story Hour is about to commence.

Story Hour; a time when the Captain elicits tales of wander from those gathered on the dock and deck. Story Hour is not defined by one hour. Always before dinner, often enhanced by island music as background to the tale being told.

Each Captain listed is acknowledged for introducing, presiding and contributing to an end-of-the-day Captain’s Story Hour.

by: Dick Lane, Put-In-Bay, South Bass Island, Lake Erie, Ohio

Having discovered Put-In-Bay on past business travels, I suggested a return trip to my wife, to share the beauty of South Bass Island and Put-in-Bay.  For $35.00 round trip, we opted for the 20-25 minute ride aboard the high-speed Jet Express ferry departing Port Clinton, OH. 

Lake Erie ferries reach Put-In-Bay from 2-3 different Ohio ports on the North shore of Lake Erie.  A commuter 20–25-minute airport also serves South Bass Island.  Throngs arrive to this 1.5 x 4 mile island every summer day in high season. 

Primary mode of transportation on the island is the golf cart – approximately $15-25/hour depending on the vendor and your ability to negotiate.  Lodging is scarce, secure in advance of your arrival. 

We disembarked midafternoon, checked in to the Commodore Resort Hotel, a two-star hotel that I assume bribed the rating company for one of their stars.  To say the lodging was sufficient ekes out the meaning of sufficient at its edges.  We were late in making reservations and got, essentially, the dregs in this regard.  

Nonetheless, it was nice to be on the island.  We spent the late afternoon and early evening wandering the town.  There is shopping and live music along main street, including at the Round House Bar, generally consisting of 3-5 man bands screeching out Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Freebird and the likes, with an occasional Jimmy Buffet tune thrown into the mix.  Yet an early August evening alongside any harbor in the Great Lakes with the breeze stirring about and a cold drink in hand, is to be cherished.

An early evening walk from the over-starred Commodore Hotel took us to the Boardwalk Restaurant for a 6:30 dinner.  After a cocktail and a reasonable wait on the outdoor deck overlooking the harbor, we enjoyed a great dinner that started with their famous Lobster Bisque.  A cup is plenty if you are going to have, or even share a dinner. 

The food and service were great. I highly recommend this spot for lunch, dinner or cocktails on the deck.  Great views.  We found our way back to the Commodore hotel (6–7-minute walk) and dozed off to the pool party immediately adjacent to the hotel and a flashing Subway sandwich shop sign just outside our window. 

The pool party wrapped at 11pm.  Subway’s sign blinked all night.  Curtains couldn’t quite suppress the lighting enough to sleep in a dark room.  It made finding the bathroom in the middle of the night quite easy.   Needless to say, I would not recommend the Commodore hotel.  Trip Adviser reviews said, “Dirty, Rude, Nasty” and another contributor advising “Don’t Stay Here”.  Simply stated, I should have read the reviews before booking.

The next morning, we rented a golf cart to tour of the island.  Seeking out a Cappuccino took a precious fifteen minutes of our rental time, as only two spots on the island sell this soothing drink.  Even with this lost 15 minutes, we circumnavigated South Bass Island, with brief stops along the way, in just over an hour.  Our top speed, as gauged with our cell phones, was 13 mph.  It was a well spent $18.25 for the tour.  There are spectacular houses and properties away from the downtown area, and South Bass Island has an interesting history. 

We returned the golf cart, and again wandered Put-In Bay town – through the village Green.  Our route led us to the Boathouse Bar & Grill for a loaded Bloody Mary and a burger before we departed the island.  Nice deck/porch to enjoy lunch and people watch.

The incoming ferries unload just steps from the Boathouse.  Most newcomers walk pass the Boathouse on their way to the main part of town.  

People watching was eye-opening – and an appetite suppressant at the same time.  There are some big people in the world, and many were being off-loaded on South Bass Island this August day. 

I recommend Put-In-Bay as a day trip, perhaps two if you can secure good lodging (3 stars plus).  As the day fades and the bars come to life, I am reminded in large part of a smaller version of Key West, and in particular Duval Street for those of you knowledgeable about Key West.  Two words come to mind – Zany and Zoo-ey. 

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by:  Dan Martin, Bone fishing, Andros, February 2020

Carleton, my guide and I were bone-fishing the shallows just offshore on Andros Island, Bahamas.

     Carleton broke our silence, “Quick, hand me your fly rod, Dan.”  Grasping my rod, he swapped me the rod he had just finished preparing; a spinning rod with a steel leader baited for Barracuda. “Cast to nine o’clock,” he pointed, “out as far as you can. Then reel in in, fast, fast.”

Fifty feet from our boat the fish hit my lure. The next quarter hour was a battle; exhausting, exhilarating. I was huffing as Carleton and I pulled the four-foot Barry over the rail.  Almost into our boat, the fish coiled, then lunged and snapped at the same instant – making a final try for Carleton’s face.

I gaffed the thrashing barracuda and hauled him aboard. We pinned him in the well. When the flailing ceased, we packed the Barry in ice and locked the fish box on our boat.

     Carleton was silent a short while, then asked, “Ok if I take the fish?”

     “With pleasure,” I replied, “I’ve been told barracuda aren’t too good to eat.”

     “Barracuda is considered a delicacy here on Andros, “ Carleton said.  “Bahamian Islanders know how to prepare.”

     “Some of my Andros friends,” I said, “tell me barracuda carry a toxin that could make people very sick. One islander told me that he went blind for three days.”

Carleton grinned at me. “Oooo,” he replied.

     I said, “Another local told me he was impotent for six months after eating barracuda.”

     “Maybe,” said Carleton, “but it’s worth the risk because there nothing better than fresh barracuda and peas”.