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AS SEEN IN THE MARCH/APRIL 2008 ISSUE
March/April Southern
Bahamas Fishing Forecast:
Long Island, San Salvador,
Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.
Down in Long Island, the fish will be
chewing as the water temperatures begin to rise. Frank Berke (242.338.5273), of
Cape Santa Maria Beach Resort, says that wahoo and kingfish will be thick
around area drop-offs in March, with schooling dolphin and yellowfin tuna showing
up towards the latter part of April. He also recommends keeping an eye out for
blue and white marlin when trolling between Long Island and Conception Island.
Docky Smith (242.357.1417) of Bonafide
Bonefishing says that large schools of bonefish can be located on the flats,
with bigger and smaller bones separated to give anglers a choice of quarry.
Docky says it is not unusual to spot massive schools with hundreds of individuals
this time of year. Anglers can also expect juvenile tarpon to become more
numerous as water temperatures warm.
San Salvador is not often thought of as a shallow-water destination,
but Garnell Williams (242.331.2306) of Island
Venture Fishing Charters will swear otherwise. He says that on the southeast
side of the island anglers can wade-fish the Pigeon Creek area all the way on
up to Poly Hill for plenty of shots at medium-size bonefish. These areas are
easily accessible by vehicle and you will most likely be the only angler within
miles.
If its offshore pelagics you are after, Garnell says that
this is the best season to get a shot at triple-digit yellowfin, wahoo and
billfish in the same day! He suggests trolling large purple feathers deep for wahoo
and way back on the surface for the tuna. Concentrate your efforts along the
drop-off that runs towards Rum Cay and you should see excellent results.
Captain Carter Andrews of Thunderbird Charters (242.344.2507) expects the blue-water fishing
to be going off around the many offshore banks surrounding Crooked Island.
Monster ‘hoos will remain prevalent around the Diana Bank all the way into early April. As the wahoo bite fades,
giant marlin and schooling yellowfin tuna will take over the scene. Carter says
it is not unusual to catch more than ten wahoo in a single day! On the inshore
front, Carter says, "There are extensive systems of interior creek and
lagoons that harbor big bonefish, an assortment of snapper, barracuda, juvenile
grouper, permit and the occasional tarpon. Towards the outer edges of the
island, out in the bight, it’s entirely different fishing. Poling and wading
are the most effective methods of approach here, and the crystal-clear sand
flats hold thousands of school-size bones."
Inagua represents the southernmost point of our forecast
area, and it is probably the least frequented by visiting anglers. If you do
head down to this remote region, I suggest you hook up with Captain Ezzard
Cartwright (242.339.1362), who reports that the inland lake system should be
teeming with tarpon eager to feed on small baitfish imitations. Give Ezzard a
call and he will set you up with the inshore trip of a lifetime!
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