Will you be looking to catch enough for a meal for two or are hoping to stock up for a rainy day? Yes, the Bahamas are definitely the perfect getaway. Inshore fishing: What fish to expect With such variety, it is very easy to understand the lure to world-class competitors. Copyright 2023 Nassau Paradise Island Promotion Board. They spook at the first sign of danger and hit 40 miles per hour as they escape across the flats. Out on the flats, your guide knows just what to look for. Similarly, most companies will scale/fillet/clean/bag the fish for you so you can take it home, or if you intend on taking your days catch to a restaurant to cook it. Your Guide to Fishing in The Bahamas | Nassau Paradise Island In the past 13 years, Kylie loved to work with various newspapers, magazines and blogs in the Caribbean. The reason for this is because the tuna push baitfish up to the surface of the water thus inviting the birds to swoop down to feed. My wife and I have been thinking of going on a trip for our anniversary that is secluded and relaxing since our full-time jobs can be stressful. We specialize in snorkeling, fishing, and turtle swim tours in Nassau! Grab your snorkel and mask to peek at colorful tropical fish and haunting shipwrecks, or go a little deeper during a scuba-diving excursion. 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. Please ask your crew for full safety directions for the charter. My blog has a lot of unique content Ive either created Picture: A local diver spearing himself a Nassau grouper. Theres no reason why a charter wouldnt be able to take you out. You know you have a good fight ahead. Then onto snorkeling and lunch at Rose island. Camera to capture your Ernest Hemingway moment. You want to be sure your captain knows whats in season and what isnt, quantity restrictions, whether you can keep a certain fish or not and what the boundaries of any protected waters may be. When fishing in the flats, its important to pay attention to the impact of the tides. Due to its popularity as a commercial fish, the population of the red snapper has declined. Start by going after Yellowtail Snapper near the surface. Blissfully Secluded in the Bahamas: 10 Off-the-Radar Destinations - 10Best Make sure to bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat for sun protection. Or simply soak up the island views from the deck of a sailboat or a fun day cruise. Join more than 150,000 others who receive exclusive access to the best beach deals in Nassau Paradise Island. When fishing on the flats, expect to find bonefish, permit, and tarpon. With Hunter Charters, you're a mere 15 minutes from catching marlin, sailfish, Mahi Mahi, and more! Anglers can use this to their advantage. The crew will have everything you need. Thanks for the article. Check for any changes with the Bahamas Department of Marine Resources at https://www.bahamas.gov.bs. +1 (242) 425-0436. So the flats are a fly fishers paradise and the bluewaters are a big game battlefield, but what if you just want to reel in something tasty for dinner? Just like Grouper, Snapper, and Lobster, Hogfish are abundant in the Bahamas. If youre going out with a charter, then your guide will take care of everything for you. In our Bahamian waters, the species typically have a row of darker crossbars on each side. The fierce predators are drawn to floating wood, fronds, or seaweed where the smaller fish congregate for a feed. Best price guaranteed, verified reviews, and secure online booking. Luminous water in shades of electric blue merges with bone-white sand, creating a dazzling backdrop for a range of water sports. You must have JavaScript enabled to use this form. Its awesome that Marlin is your national fish because its so loved in the Bahamas, we mentioned it in the article as well. During low tide, many of the flats dry out, causing fish to group together in the entrance to the channels in deeper waters. The right vessel for you when fishing in Nassau will ultimately come down to your budget. You cannot harvest female stone crabs or crawfish and all species of turtle are illegal to harvest. Its always advised to be gentle with them when you get one on the line and to release them unharmed. You can go after a slew of species and crustaceans in these clear waters, including Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Lobster, and even sea snails (Conch). Here are a few favorites among locals and visiting anglers alike. I hope you have many more amazing fishing days in the Bahamas, James! With gin-clear waters and endless flats with hard white sand bottoms, the Bahamas are among the best locations in the world for sight fishing and wade fishing. Depending on the depth, you could reel in Red, Strawberry (Red Hind), Yellowfin, and Black Grouper. The most fruitful spearfishing is done on reefs or around heads of coral, where the fish tend to hide. Dont worry these are just the A-listers. I hope the info helps, enjoy your vacation! document.getElementById( "ak_js_13" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on December 14, 2020 The largest of all tuna species, Bluefin tuna can weigh more than 500 pounds and stretch more than six feet in length. Stone Crabs must have a harvestable claw of four inches. The silver underside of a bluefins body is marked with white dots and uneven lines. Inshore: Shorter distances and durations, smaller boats and fish. Angling enthusiasts descend on the Bahamas throughout the year to pit themselves against some of the biggest predators of the sea. You can choose to have your catch grilled and prepared at the Green Parrot restaurant, have it mounted and sent home, or donate to a family in need. You might be a seasoned angler looking to catch a sport fish and have it mounted but are unfamiliar with the Bahamas. Want to enjoy world-class sport fishing in the blue Bahamian sea? You may only us a pole spear or Hawaiian sling. When fishing on the flats, expect to find bonefish, permit, and tarpon. The experienced crew member hastily reaches for the rod to set the hook into the catch before handing it over to you. Heres a rundown of the top catches that steal the show here: There are many, many reasons anglers come to the islands, but the main one is the arrival of Marlin in the spring. Size: 3 38 inches carapace length or six inches tail length. Offshore fishing in Nassau is far from the shore, typically 20-30 miles out, in waters hundreds of feet deep. By far, one of the best water adventures is securing a boat rental for your first fishing experience in Nassau. You might be under the impression that the Bahamians are rather relaxed about the rules of spearfishing. Make sure the boat has proper safety equipment. Spearing lobster is legal in The Bahamas. The great thing about big game fishing in the Bahamas is that most of the top game fish are around at the same time. The Best Bonefishing in the Bahamas - Fly Fisherman So if you have your heart set on catching a deep-sea tuna or marlin, this is the time to head out. Impossible to spot. Famous for its deep-sea fishing and record-breaking catches, anglers are drawn to Paradise in search of their next big catch. Another superstar of big game fishing in the Bahamas is the mighty Tuna. If you are new to the fishing scene, youre about to discover that when fishing in Nassau, you will experience some of the fiercest fishing in the archipelago, with Bonefish as the focus inshore. 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. Want to enjoy world-class sport fishing in the blue Bahamian sea? Margaritaville Beach Resort, Nassau, Bahamas, The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas, https://www.facebook.com/nassauparadiseisland, https://www.instagram.com/nassauparadiseisland/, https://www.tiktok.com/@nassauparadiseisland. Google works hard to stop what it considers plagiarized content ranking on search results, although sometimes it does get through and ranks higher than your posts. Margaritaville Beach Resort, Nassau, Bahamas, The Ocean Club, A Four Seasons Resort, Bahamas, https://www.facebook.com/nassauparadiseisland, https://www.instagram.com/nassauparadiseisland/, https://www.tiktok.com/@nassauparadiseisland. He has poles and bait. All Rights Reserved. The tail fin has yellow and grey coloring. While the larger males usually weigh about 350 pounds, a female can reach up to 1,800 pounds. Choosing the right charter Youll learn the best times to cast your line, what kind of fish you might catch, what to bring on board, and which fishing charters are offered in Nassau Paradise Island. Thats why its on the $100 note. Specializing in offshore deep sea fishing, the company has five boats to take you to some prime Bahamas fishing spots. Choose from trolling for large trophy fish or getting in on the action with light tackle in more shallow waters. 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. 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. Though teeming with marine life, the two main fish you will encounter right from the shoreline are red snapper and grouper. document.getElementById( "ak_js_20" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for reading the article! Another species you may come across is the Nassau Grouper. If an adrenaline rush on the water doesnt cut it for you, then your next adventure should be underwater. Offshore: Seasonality often dictates what type of fish you will catch. A good place to target tarpon is in the canals and water channels which head into the island, where the biggest silver kings like to lurk. Born Free Charters even offer a no fish, no pay policy on their full-day charters! Go to Snorkeling Snorkeling. And you might get lucky and end up reeling in marlin, sailfish, bluefin and blackfin tuna, and Mahi Mahi on your deep-sea fishing. That said, you can still find excellent fishing in the afternoon. document.getElementById( "ak_js_19" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Replied on November 4, 2022 Choose a charter that is near where you are staying. There are a number of regulations to think of. This event caters to fishing enthusiasts wishing to visit the Abacos and enjoy the hunt of the blue marlin and Tuna. A school of breeding fish is called a spawning aggregation. The most important thing to remember is to follow the movement of birds when youre on a Tuna hunt, as theyll give away the fishs feeding ground. During the months of June and July, large blackfin are in abundance making them easier to find in open water. Born Free Fishing Charters offers half-day and full-day charters. While not the easiest fish to catch, Bahamian experts recommend an early morning rise as success is more likely at daybreak. Offshore: Longer distances and durations (often overnight), larger boats & fish (more ice required). Fishing in the Bahamas is a rite of passage for any ambitious angler. The Best of Bimini: Where to Stay on this Dual Island Destination Go to Facebook; Go to Instagram Hope this helps! During this time, fish swim into the mangroves for shelter and are less accessible. Clear sunny skies, ocean breezes, and turquoise waters: the postcard-perfect destination begets outstanding conditions for game fishing. Atlantis, a luxury hotel, aquarium, water park, and entertainment complex is one of the top places to visit in The Bahamas. Close proximity to the U.S. makes this a fast and easy destination for anglers, with regular and direct access to islands like Grand Bahama, Abaco, Andros, and Nassau. That said, you can still find excellent fishing in the afternoon. Interesting fact: All groupers are born female, and some will change to male when they reach breeding age. 4.7. document.getElementById( "ak_js_16" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); With havin so much content and articles do you ever Tough to trick. This means superb Snapper and Grouper action. Feb 16, 2023. Outdoor Activities. 2019 Old Bahama Bay Wahoo Charity Cup While bluefin tuna tend to be bigger than yellowfin tuna, it can be difficult to distinguish between smaller bluefin and yellowfin tuna, especially since their coloring changes slightly after a long fight. Flat, non-slip shoes. A private charter is your best bet. Light tackle fishing is a carefully thought-out approach that centers around your own ability as an angler, the species you seek, and the conditions under which you must fish. 2017 All rights reserved. Unless youre a citizen of the Bahamas, youre going to need a valid fishing license before you cast your line. Fly Fishing In The Bahamas: All You Need To Know | SANDALS This means they need to consume large quantities of food if they are to survive the cold ocean waters. Whether its bonefishing, spearfishing, deep-sea fishing or reef fishing, anglers cast their lines throughout the year here in the capital city. Standard catches are in the 200300 lb ballpark, but there are mammoths out there that weigh thrice that. The largest of all tuna species, Bluefin tuna can weigh more than 500 pounds and stretch more than six feet in length. Year-round fishing, paired with some of the most favorable conditions, makes The Bahamas an ultimate fishing destination.