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AS SEEN IN THE JAN/FEB 2008 ISSUE
January / febuary Southern
Bahamas Fishing Forecast:
Long Island, San Salvador, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and
Inagua.
Farther south,
let’s head to Stella Maris Resort on Long Island where Captain
Docky Smith (800.426.0466) rules the shallows. Captain Docky reports
that during January and February, he expects the coolest water temps
of the year to push big bones close to shore. He says that winter
offers the best opportunity to land trophy bonefish on fly because
they roam into the clear-shallows where anglers can effectively sight
cast to them. His favorite areas to target are near creeks that dump
out onto the flats. Docky suggests that during high tide, big fish
will be prevalent as they forage deep in the mangroves in these tidal
creeks.
A little further
to the east, lies the famed Rum Cay where wahoo reign supreme.
Captain Jay Engelder (242.331.2023) of Rum Cay Marina says that
anglers flock here from around the world to experience the incredible
wahoo bite. In addition, anglers can expect to battle other species
such as marlin and high-jumping dolphin. The trick to successful
fishing off Rum Cay is to troll north with the current from the
southeast point of the island. Drag bullet-head lures deep for wahoo,
and cup faced chuggers on top for the occasional blue marlin and big
‘phin.
If light tackle
is your game, try seeking tarpon in the Salt Mine Pond a mile or so
inland from the marina- Captain Jay will be more than happy to send
you in the right direction.
Down at the
bottom of the Bahamas chain is Mayaguana, where Captain John Pinto
(586.445.8874) specializes in poling the flats in search of trophy
bonefish. Captain John says this time of year; the bonefish average
four to six pounds and can plentiful, even when it is cold and windy.
Fish around the mangrove shorelines around the Front Door and First
Night flats. John prefers to fish out of the canoe and won’t
hesitate wade-fishing once he reaches a spot that appears promising.
Over in Crooked
Island, Captain Carter Andrews of Thunderbird Charters
(242.344.2507) says that giant wahoo are available only 12 miles from
port at the famed Diana Bank. This massive underwater hump is
notorious for attracting record-size fish. Towards the end of
February, if the weather is warm, expect yellowfin tuna, blackfin
tuna and blue marlin to show up around Diana Bank as well.
For fast paced
action closer to shore, Carter says that chumming the reefs in less
than 100 feet of water creates a feeding frenzy between mackerel,
grouper, snapper, jack and barracuda.
Finally, we head
down to Inagua where light tackle fishing is unrivaled during the
winter months. Captain Ezzard Cartwright (242.339.1362) is the man to
fish with on this remote Bahamian island. He says that Inagua offers
excellent sight-fishing for bonefish, tarpon and even the occasional
permit. Ezzard claims that 10 pound bonefish are not uncommon on the
shallow flats during January and February. He also mentioned that you
can locate schools of permit on the deeper flats along with tarpon in
Lake Windsor, just a short drive from Mathews Town.
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