Northern Bahamas Fishing Forecast: May/ June 2008

AS SEEN IN THE May/June 2008 ISSUE 

May/June Northern Bahamas Fishing Forecast:

Northern Bahamas: Grand Bahama, The Abacos, The Berry Islands and Bimini.

During the months of May and June, anglers targeting skinny-water haunts will find the bonefishing around Grand Bahama to be fast and furious. At Phil and Mel's Bonefishing Service (877.613.2454) on the east side of Grand Bahama, Captain Phil says the bonefish will be gathering into the largest schools of the year. He reports that there will be plenty of juvenile, more aggressive fish mixed in with the trophy-size bones. As a result, enticing the larger fish to strike will be a bit tougher during the warmer months, and finally, don't be surprised if a permit or mutton snapper decides to crash your bonefish party.

The west side of Grand Bahama is also home to prime bonefishing flats and winding creeks that go off when the early summer arrives. Mosby Vogler (www.grandbahamabonefishing.com) says that his guides are expecting a spectacular late spring bite on the flats, with permit sticking around until warmer water temperatures arrive later in the summer. He says it is not unusual to hook permit and bonefish on the same flat during the late spring. His guides consist of the famous Pinder brothers who know the area’s shallow-water as well as anyone.

If you plan on visiting Port Lucaya, contact Doug Silvera at Reef Tours (242.373.5880) to find out how spectacular the fishing can be. Doug runs a fleet of offshore sport fishing boats captained by the island's finest guides. The fleet will be targeting dolphin, kingfish, tuna, Spanish mackerel and even amberjack in their adventures during the early summer months. Variety is the name of the game in this popular Bahamian destination with blue and white marlin making their strongest showing of the year during the full and new moon periods of May and June.

If it's marlin you truly seek, cross the channel and try the fertile drop-offs around Great Isaacs or the Gingerbread Grounds. Memory Rock is another hot-spot, especially for slammer dolphin and late season ‘hoos.

Heading east to Abaco, the bonefishing trip of a lifetime awaits you at the famed Marls. At JR's Bonefish Guide Service (242.366.3058), Captain JR knows this maze of mangroves like the back of his hand. He says that the ocean-side flats near Cherokee Sound hold some giant bones, but they become very spooky this time of year. If you really want to nail gray ghosts then you better hire a professional to take you deep into the fringes of The Marls. There is a misconception that all Marls bonefish are small, but JR consistently catches fish averaging four to six-pounds. His favorite fly for big bonefish is the JR Special, a proven pattern tied by his son and available upon request. JR claims that if the sun is bright, the bones will bite.

Captain Henry Sands (242.365.5140) is fortunate enough to have grown up in Guana Cay, which is smack dab in the middle of the Abacos and surrounded by incredible fishing venues. Henry says that the mutton snapper will be invading near-shore reefs during May and the bite should remain strong well into June. He claims that just about any stretch of shallow-reef from 20 to 250-feet deep will hold healthy concentrations of mutton snapper. A fresh goggle-eye is the bait of choice, but tipped-jigs will put their share of snapper in the box as well.

Henry also mentioned that you just never know what is going to show up in your spread when trolling near The Table – a popular Abaco hot spot - it could be a dolphin, yellowfin tuna or even a giant blue marlin.

Even farther south, extremely productive fishing will be found around The Pocket, just a short run from Chub Cay Marina (242.325.1490) in the Berry Islands. Derron Webb says that big yellowfin tuna and monster marlin can be found anywhere there is forage migrating through the Tongue of the Ocean. Live chumming with pilchards or goggle-eyes is the most effective way of intercepting the yellowfin, but if you would rather troll, stick with cedar plugs and small feathers dragged way, way back. Marlin, too, will size-up a variety of artificial offerings, but many local pros experience the best success with horse ballyhoo. Derron finished things off by mentioning that big dolphin will be so thick at times that they are actually a nuisance to those targeting prestigious billfish.

If you are ready for a change of pace from the offshore scene, head to Great Harbour Cay in the Northern Berry Islands. Captain Percy Darville (242.464.4149) is a flats-fishing connoisseur, and brags of massive schools of bonefish that follow the high tides up onto the flats of Fanny Cay down to Pigeon Cay. These fish will be smaller than their winter counterparts, but consistent action will make up for what they lack in size. The waters surrounding Great Harbour also offer excellent wade-fishing opportunities for those adventurous anglers who like to explore the shallows on foot.

Just west of the Berry Islands lies Bimini, a fishing Mecca for nearby Florida anglers. Kicking off in May, calm seas will prevail and anglers will be making the quick cross in hopes of red-hot trolling and super-productive bottom fishing. Captain Jerome Stuart (242.347.2081) says that dolphin, amberjack, snapper and grouper will make up the majority of his catch, but reminds us that there are some real brutes roaming these waters. Monster bluefin tuna and giant blue marlin move through every May and June. However, you better be prepared with some serious tackle if you want to stand a chance against the fish of a lifetime!

Around the flats of Bimini, Ebbie David, aka “Bonefish Ebbie” (242.347.2053), anticipates plenty of action during the warmer summer months. Ebbie says that the sight-fishing opportunities will be excellent with healthy bones holding tight in shallow-water throughout the day. He added that permit will still be foraging around the deeper edges looking to inhale a properly presented crab imitation or freshly cut conch. Ebbie says that he never travels more than 15-minutes from the local docks to find consistent action.

Captain Chris Agardy – Conch Tales Charters