[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ere are the latest fishing reports and forecasts from our Bahamas’ fishing forecasters. For more detailed reports, visit www.cambahamas.com.
ABACO
Kevin Sawyer, of Island Boy Tackle in Marsh Harbour, reports that the wahoo will still be pretty plentiful through February and indeed there have been some large ones caught over the last month. Plenty of mahi-mahi are hitting the docks, but they have been small. However, Kevin said at press time, “We are now starting to see some size to them and they are averaging in the 20 to 25 pound range”.
EXUMA
Capt. Doug Rowe from Fish Rowe Charters in George Town, Great Exuma, forecasts the big boys and all the crew will start showing up in February. Marlin are already showing—a 400 pounder caught in mid-January, and yellowfin tuna will soon arrive. Decent mahi, some impressive in size, will also begin to show. Capt. Rowe said to run everything you’ve got, “One deep, couple long, one big bait in the back long, a big one close and some small close. This will cover everything! Color won’t matter, just mix it up and see what gets busted up!”
LONG ISLAND
Capt. Markk Cartwright at Long Island Bonefishing Lodge tells us “In February, the water and air temperature is cooler, which means that the bonefish will be further up on the flats and we’ll see a lot of single, doubles and bigger schools tailing (waving their flags at you). There also will be the occasional. ‘cuda. For gear and flies, I recommend 8- or 9-weight rods with #6 or #8 Crazy Charlies, Gotcha’s, shrimps and clousers flies, and the green ‘cuda tubes or flies for the ‘cudas, also known as shallow water wahoo.”
NASSAU
Capt. Teddy Pratt on the Reel Deal reports wahoo catches in the 80-plus-pound range, as well as some wee ‘hoos in the 10- to 30-pound range. Trolling the ledges at speeds of 8 to 10 knots with bait, and faster using lures, have been producing. Mahi-mahi should begin to be more plentiful in February.
NORTH ELEUTHERA
Capt. Ryan Neilly in Spanish Wells said they’ve been catching mahi-mahi in January, but expects bigger numbers in February. Trolling colorful skirts with ballyhoo or live bait are working best at Shallow Ground Bar and Dutch Bar. He reminds sports fishermen that Nassau grouper season is closed until March 1.
SOUTH ELEUTHERA
Chad Melton at Ocean Fox Cotton Bay Deep Sea Fishing out of Davis Harbour reports that wahoo are still running, big and often. Best tactic for hookup is high speed trolling with large shock leaders and the normal skits in black, red and blue. Unusually large pods of fresh weeds are showing up and that is bringing tuna and mahi-mahi. Chad said to catch more fish, continue to change your spread speed and bait.