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AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL 2008 ISSUE
March/April Northern Bahamas Fishing Forecast:
Grand Bahama, The Abacos, The Berry Islands
and Bimini.
As winter fades to spring, Grand Bahama offers visiting
anglers a wide range of angling opportunities. At Angler's Adventures Guide Service (800.628.1447), David Pinder Jr. reports
that large tarpon and permit begin to invade the flats during the months of
March and April. While fishing the northern side of Grand Bahama, visitors can
also expect bonefish up to seven pounds foraging on the flats, taking advantage
of the milder conditions and feeding around sandy shorelines during higher
tidal stages.
On the southern end of Grand Bahama,
Doug Silvera operates Reef Tours Charter
Service (242.373.5880). Doug says that blue-water aficionados can expect wahoo
and dolphin to make up a majority of the catch for those who target their
efforts around the drop-offs. However, as the spring season progresses,
yellowfin tuna will begin to reveal their presence as they crash baits on the
surface, just beneath the fury of diving birds. Target these power-houses by
chunking, live-baiting, or trolling near the surface frenzies.
To the southeast, the outer islands of the Abacos are
bordered by miles and miles of fish attracting structures and steep drop-offs.
Captain Henry Sands (242.365.5140) of Guana Cay, forecasts that rising water
temperatures trigger hot bottom fishing for grouper and mutton snapper in 50-
to 250-feet of water over rock and rubble. With above average water temperatures,
anglers can expect an early season yellowfin tuna bite around underwater humps
such as The Mushroom or The Table, located just a few miles
offshore of Hopetown.
Captain Buddy Pinder (242.366.2163) knows that when it comes
to bonefishing, it is hard to beat the broad expanse of flats that lie on the west
side of Great Abaco. Buddy says that moderate
water temperatures should have juvenile bonefish feeding in large schools with
upwards of a thousand individuals. The Marls receive very little tidal flow and
bonefish will often feed on a single flat for the entire day. If it is larger
trophy-size bones you are after, then look towards Moore’s
Island to quench your angling thirst. These bonefish
can reach double-digit proportions, and a flawless presentation is required if
you want to get the attention of these ultra-spooky ghosts.
Derron Web of Chub Cay Marina (242.325.1490) reports that
this is the time of year when blue marlin begin to show up around the Tongue of
the Ocean. The Pocket is a great
place to begin trolling for big blues, as long as silt from the Bahama Bank hasn’t
affected the water clarity. Trolling horse ballyhoo and Spanish mackerel seem
to be the ticket if you want to hook into a fish well over 300 pounds. Look for
wahoo fishing to remain steady with large dolphin taking over the scene as March
progresses. Closer to shore, Derron reports that bottom fishing and deep-dropping
will produce quick limits of large grouper and snapper.
The shallow oceanic-flats around Chub Cay are notorious for
producing large bonefish and permit in the springtime. Fanny Cay is a great
option, as the fish in this area receive very little pressure. Out of Great
Harbour Cay, Percy Darville (242.464.4149) says that large schools of small
bonefish can be found foraging near the shoreline of Soldier Cay, with a few
larger fish thrown in the mix.
The flats of Bimini will be teeming with life as well. Captain
Tommy Sewell (242.347.3234) suggests targeting the eastern flats as they will be
loaded with bones ranging to five pounds. Look for tarpon to be active in the
deeper channels, especially on warmer nights. Lemon sharks will fill the void
when the more glamorous species are not cooperating, and they can offer tackle-busting
action all day long.
Captain Jerome Stuart (242.347.2081) is the man to contact
if you want to test your angling skills in the beautiful blue-water that lies
just offshore of Bimini. According to Jerome, March and April are the best
months to target blue marlin. Besides billfish, virtually every blue-water species
you can think of can be caught off Bimini during the spring. Historically, bluefin
tuna are always a possibility, so it is a good idea to fish stout marlin tackle
to up the odds of landing a giant should the opportunity arise.
Excellent deep-dropping can be had right out front of
Bimini, all the way down to Orange Key. If the bottom fishing is red hot, it is
easy to get carried away when pulling up stringer after stringer of tasty
demersals. Remember to follow the current fishing regulations to avoid hefty penalties.
Captain Chris Agardy –
Snook Bite Charters
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