Grand Bahama
“It’s tuna time here on Grand Bahama,” says Capt. Dave Dawson, fishing out of the West End/Boodles Bay area. Capt. Dawson reports fish are ranging between 45 and 65 pounds. Wahoo fishing has slowed down but the dolphin are filling in and yellowfin are being caught on the night chunk in the canyon off Lucaya. On the inshore scene, Capt. Whitney Rolle of Firefly Bonefishing, out on East End, claims, June is one of the top months for bone fishing—fish are spawning, and the warming weather causes the fish to come together in very large schools. To catch a bone in the large schools Rolle says to cast the fly or bait right into the center of the school.
Abaco
Abaco forecaster June Russell of Schooner Bay, South Abaco almost missed her forecast this month because she’s been taking so much time off to go fishing! June said anglers can expect a great showing of yellowfin and that waters are the perfect temperature for the influx of tuna to the south. Migrating up from Andros along the edge, 100 pound yellowfin can be found jumping on the surface. Trolling or chunking are getting the best haul.
Bimini
Capt. Chase Camacho, Chase N Dreams Yacht Charters, out of the Bimini Big Game Club says, “June brings a strong production of blackfin and yellowfin, and while blue marlin take up full residence right out in front of Bimini.” Thus far, the blue marlin bite has been spotty and finicky: “They show up in your spread, charging your baits and then just seem to fade into the blue, just inches before they have reach the hook!”. Bonefish Ebbie is reporting stellar bonefish catches and expects the trend to continue. “A recent catch went 14 pounds and on some days we are releasing 20 to 30 fish.”
Nassau
Capt. Teddy Pratt of Reel Deal offered from Nassau, “The fishing is starting to heat up just like the weather.” His clients are catching some nice size football-size blackfin tuna, with some yellowfin in the mix. He also said a few mahi-mahi are still around, and it’s time for the billfish to show up.
Exuma
June brings a change to Exumas reports Capt. Doug Rowe, Fish Rowe Charters. “Specifically, water temperatures will begin to rise, which will slow down the mahimahi, which will be replaced with more tuna.” Capt. Rowe recommends using small artificial feathers and baby jet heads. Silver and silver/blue will catch small tuna and purple/black, as well as purple/silver combos will also work.
South Eleuthera
Chad Melton of Ocean Fox at Davis Harbour reports red hot fishing action. “Dolphin are averaging 20 pounds plus, followed up by a mixed bag of wahoo and tuna. Billfish are showing up, both marlin and sailfish, and the marlin are averaging around 400 pounds and it is early!”
Report compiled by CAM Staff from our CAM Bahamas contributors.