The tides do play a large role in fishing the Bahamas, especially for those species which love the shallow waters of the flats. In many areas, the fishing will slow down when the tide is slack, meaning the time between high and low tides when the water movement is minimal, but high tide and low tide both bring with it their own issues. When fishing in the flats, high tide means they are often flooded into the mangroves.
This allows fish to swim up into the mangroves for shelter from predators, including angles. Low tide has a completely opposite effect on these shallow waters.
Many of the flats are dry during low tides, or so shallow the fish are not able to swim in them. During these times, the fish will group in the entrance to the channels and into deeper waters. Being located in the hurricane belt of the world, storms play a major role in the fishing of the Bahamas. During these months, the fishing is at its peak for many species with the calm waters.
However, this changed from July to November when tropical storms and hurricanes can wreak havoc on fishing plans. Though these are some peak months for many species, trips are often canceled or postponed due to weather. And, once a storm passes, it may take several days for the fishing to return to normal.
Being in the tropics means the temperatures around the Bahamas never reach what we would call cold. In fact, as mentioned many times already, between the months of December and June are some of the best fishing the Bahamas have to offer. The waters tend to be calm and cool, the perfect recipe for hard and fast fishing action.
I am an avid angler and outdoorsman. I grew up fishing for anything that swims but really cut my teeth fishing for trout, chain pickerel, bass, and bullheads in my teenage years.
Since then, I've lived across the country and have really taken that passion for fishing to a new level. Boston is one of the most historic cities in the country but it also offers tremendous access to good fishing.
There are certain windows of the year when the fishing in Boston is superior and well Naples is one of the best fishing locations in Florida due to its abundant coastline and rich fish populations. Knowing the best times to come fish these rich waterways will make a huge difference Skip to content. Best Time to Fish Bahamas Unlike other tropical destinations, you might be accustomed to, the tourist season for the Bahamas is from mid-December to April.
Grand Bahama Island The clear, deep waters along Grand Bahama offer some of the best fishing in the world. New Providence Island From anchoring and bottom fishing to trolling for monsters, the waters around New Providence are known for their many game fish species.
The Exumas This area allows anglers to fly fish for the bonefish or go out into the deep for fish like the wahoo, kingfish, tuna, and mahi-mahi. Treasure Cay Treasure Cay is home to some excellent fishing in the Bahamas. Booking Charters in Bahamas Deep-sea fishing is undoubtedly what allures many to fishing in the Bahamas. Afternoon Though not numerous, there are a couple of differences between fishing in the morning in the Bahamas to fishing in the afternoon.
Morning When setting out in the morning to fish the Bahamas, competition will be at its highest, especially during the peak months of December to June. Afternoon There is still some great fishing to be had in the afternoon hours. Length of Fishing Charter Trip You will find many options available for lengths of fishing charter trips. Full Day If you are after the bigger fish or wanting to take a chance in the deeper waters, a full-day trip is almost a necessity. Multi-day trips Multi-day fishing charters in the Bahamas are designed to be more of an all-inclusive vacation package.
Bonefish The bonefish was the one to put the Bahamas on the map for anglers all over the world. Barracuda You can not mention fishing in the Bahamas without naming the barracuda. Dolphin Mahi Mahi As the mahi-mahi love to hang out below float debris, the best location to catch these angler favorites is the Sargasso Sea area, which borders both Florida and the Bahamas.
Marlin The best time of the year to marlin fish the Bahamas is going to be between the months of March and July. Wahoo No list of Bahama fish would be complete without mentioning the wahoo.
Tuna Yellowfin tuna are a staple in the Bahamas, with many anglers hoping to land one while fishing for other species.
The red snapper is a bottom-feeding fish typically found around rocks, reefs, and wrecks. Red snappers are recognized by their distinctive pinkish color, white underbelly, red eyes , and their prominent snout which tends to be pointed.
Generally weighing less than 10 pounds and are between one and two feet in length, they have been known to reach up to 40 inches long and weighing in at 50 pounds. The largest red snappers can live for up to 20 years. Due to its popularity as a commercial fish, the population of the red snapper has declined.
As a result, you'll be limited to catching two per day. Be sure to consult the guidelines set by the government denoting which times of the year fishing for red snapper is permitted when fishing in Nassau, Bahamas. The Nassau grouper represents the most important finfish in the Caribbean and is valued as a major fishery resource.
Also known as a bottom-feeding fish, the grouper seeks habitat among reefs, rocks, and ledges. Easily tempted with live bait, the grouper makes an excellent choice for local and vacationing fishermen. It is for this very reason that fishing of grouper fish is banned during spawning season in efforts to minimize endangerment.
Although adult grouper are usually solitary animals, during the full moon of November to March winter they migrate over long distances, grouping together in large numbers to breed. A school of breeding fish is called a spawning aggregation.
Historically aggregations had tens of thousands of fish, but today these numbers have dwindled significantly. Interesting fact: All groupers are born female, and some will change to male when they reach breeding age. There are many types of Bahamian grouper, but the Nassau grouper is easily distinguished.
It is recognized by its diagonal markings through the eyes, five olive brown vertical markings bars on a light body, Y-shaped marking on the front of the face between the eyes, and the dark saddle-shaped marking on the base of the tail. When fishing in Nassau, Bahamas you will find groupers that are generally between 1 and 10 pounds maxing out at 50 pounds. Clear sunny skies, ocean breezes, and turquoise waters: the postcard-perfect destination begets outstanding conditions for game fishing.
Home to many species, the warm waters of Nassau house predators such as marlin, tuna, sailfish, barracuda, mahi mahi, wahoo and sharks to name a few.
Short trips or long excursions, deep-sea fanatics eagerly attempt to beat over 50 world records set here. A day out at sea on a fishing charter off the shores of Nassau is a day of frenzied fun and promises to contend as one of your best fishing trips you will ever have. Below is a detailed breakdown of the different types of game fishing you can do which should set you on your way. Until you have successfully hooked your first barracuda, you have not yet experienced deep-sea fishing.
Found offshore and inshore, the barracuda can grow up to six feet in length and a foot wide, with a row of razor-sharp teeth that can intimidate even the most seasoned fisherman. Known as the tiger of the sea , the barracuda prowls the ocean preying on smaller fish including jacks, grunts, groupers, snappers, small tunas, mullets, killifishes, herrings, and anchovies. Though, they are not impartial to bigger prey. Stealth, surprise and short bursts of speed is what separates this predator from its prey.
Always hungry, the barracuda tears through the waters at an average pace of 27 mph which means that there are few fish in the ocean that strike your line with the ferocious force of a feeding barracuda.
Distinguished mostly by its silvery sides and chalky-white belly, this game fish varies in color from dark blue to dark green or even gray on its upper body. In our Bahamian waters, the species typically have a row of darker crossbars on each side.
Marlins, white or blue, are bountiful across the shimmering blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean. As the largest and most powerful fish of the Bahamas , the silvery blue marlin represents the national fish and can be found on the Bahamas coat of arms.
Marlins are known for their size with the females growing up to four times as large as the males. While the larger males usually weigh about pounds, a female can reach up to 1, pounds.
White marlin and blue marlin fishing have many similarities, particularly in the dramatic show that the fish puts on when caught. Though one of the most popular fish in the Bahamas, catching one, may prove difficult due to their strength and size, but is extremely rewarding. Both the blue and white marlin are spectacular jumpers and persevering fighters.
The marlin effortlessly launches itself out of the water displaying its strength as you stand your ground in your vessel. The blue marlin, however, wins the prize for being stronger and more powerful.
The fish is usually blueish-black to cobalt blue on top with a silverish-white underside. The rounded dorsal, pectoral, and anal fins are the notable differentiating characteristics of the white marlin. Natural bait and artificial bait can all be used when catching marlins. Dating as far back as the s natural rigged bait like Spanish mackerel and horse ballyhoo have been used and are still popular today.
To catch the crown jewel of the Bahamas, the splashing action and bubble trail of an artificial lure is usually a more popular option. The artificial lure should be between 7 and 14 inches and fished at a speed of 7.
It can be fished from an outrigger or rod tip. With a preference for warmer waters and warmer temperatures, the marlins generally stay in the tropical areas of the Atlantic Ocean, particularly in the waters of the Caribbean and Central and South America, as well as the coast of Africa near the equator.
Noted for its incredible fight, the Sailfish is widely known as the world-class fighter. Dubbed one of the fastest fishes in the ocean, ploughing through meters of water in under five seconds , Sailfish angling is some of the most rewarding big game fishing out there.
Like its cousin the marlin and swordfish, it has an elongated bill, and is commonly known as a billfish. These ocean warriors can grow up to eight and nine feet in length and top out at two hundred pounds. This beautiful sailfish gets its name from its large dorsal fin which resembles a sail, and which often stretches the entire length of its back.
Not only does the sailfish offer a world-class fight, but once hooked their sensitive skin changes colors in response to their nervous systems. You will see an incredible range of colors, from browns and grays to shimmering purples, blues, and silver, as this amazing fish dances through the sea and across the waves. Hoping for an Ernest-Hemingway-style portrait?
Sailfish are found around Nassau, in late fall—October and November - and in the spring, April and May. As easy as a Sunday, Bahamas mahi mahi fishing makes for a lovely day out at sea. Commonly known as dorado or dolphinfish , mahi mahi catches the eye as it shimmers in colors of gold, green, blue, and even red coloring on a sleek body of pure fighting muscle. The name mahi mahi is Hawaiin for strong.
As the name would suggest, the mahi mahi puts up a hard fight. A telling sign that you may be in the presence of a school mahi mahi are the frigate birds swooping into the water diving for food. The fierce predators are drawn to floating wood, fronds, or seaweed where the smaller fish congregate for a feed.
The male, or bull is characterized from its distinctive blunt head or the cow with the more rounded head, either way, mahi mahi typically weigh in between 15 and 30 pounds. Though not the biggest of the game fish, once on your line, mahi-mahi are incredibly fast. When you reel one in with the help of your captain and crew, you'll enjoy its vibrant colors that soon fade once caught.
Able to respawn very quickly when in season, mahi mahi are very tasty with a mild flavor. This game fish is known for its long hard runs at speeds of up to 45 mph. The boat may troll up to 10 knots for this catch. Recognized for its beautiful blue vertical stripes, this species can grow up to eight feet long and weigh over pounds.
While not the easiest fish to catch, Bahamian experts recommend an early morning rise as success is more likely at daybreak. Turning off the engine and allowing the fish to come to you may also help. While feeding in groups, these fish are also prone to travelling with other groups of fish , leaving fishermen pleasantly surprised when they reel in their nets and find that they have caught one. A Bahamian summertime favorite! During the months of June and July , large blackfin are in abundance making them easier to find in open water.
Though not the biggest of its species, the average adult measures approximately 40 inches in length and weighs in at about pounds.
The Blackfin can be characterized by its distinctive dark back and white body. They usually have yellow-tipped fins and narrow light-yellow bands above their side fins. Blackfins live an average of five years and breed at roughly two years old. Their spawning season is during the summers , therefore among the best times of the year for a delicious red-fleshed steak.
In the Bahamas, Blackfins hunt and feed mainly in the mornings as well as early afternoons. All fishing parties are to abide by local Bahamian fishing laws. Keep in mind that in The Bahamas, only six tuna species per boat can be caught and kept — any extra fish must be caught and released for conservation purposes.
Sports fishing enthusiasts head to the Bahamas throughout the year in the hope to catch what is recognized as one of the most prized of trophies , the Bluefin tuna. Its rarity is due to the Bluefin being over-fished commercially for decades making a catch that much more difficult, but that much sweeter. The Bahamas has prime ground for every type of sports fishing, and you can fish your way across the archipelago to experience all of the habitats.
While fishing is technically a year round sport, you may be frustrated in the late fall and winter months, because the windy weather makes boating unreliable and the majority of the big game fish are on hiatus.
Fortunately, when the open ocean is not spitting up the goods, the vast shallows that surround the Islands of the Bahamas are always ready to welcome fly-fishing enthusiast. Andros Island is the go to choice for fly fishing, but Long Island, Grand Bahama and the Abacos are also popular choices, not to mention the more remote southern islands of Crooked Island and Acklins, where the fishing flats are practically undisturbed.
The island of Andros doesn't just stand out because it is the largest in the Bahamian archipelago. It's also renowned for its world-class, salt-water sport fishing—bonefishing in particular.
The sheer number of fishable flats surrounding the island teem with schools of bonefish.
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