[dropcap]H[/dropcap]ere’s a quick fishing report round up and forecasts from across the Bahamas. For more detailed fishing reports and fishing forecasts, be sure to visit our Bahamas Coastal Angler Magazine website.
Abaco Offshore
According to Kevin Sawyer of Island Boy Tackle in Marsh Harbour, fishing has been great and will only get better. Mahi-mahi showed up early this year and over the last several weeks, the fish have gotten more aggressive and larger (15- to 20-pound range) with some pushing 30- and 40-pounds. The bite should stay strong through May. There are still plenty of wahoo being caught and the marlin are showing up just in time for the launch of the Bahamas Billfish Challenge (BBC). As of mid-March a number of blues have been caught, along with a white. Roffs™ Bahamas Season Fishing Forecast for 2015, issued in mid-March, calls for fishing action improvement during the April-June BBC tournament season.
Bimini Inshore
Bonefish Ebbie says it is typical this time of year for the bonefish schools to become smaller and the fish to be larger, averaging in the 8- to 10-pound range. Sight fishing gets easier in April since bones will be spending more times on the flats and easily spotted by their “tailing”. Crab and shrimp are the preferred baits. If you go to Bimini, be sure to stop by Ebbie and Pat’s Bonefish Camp and ask about Ebbie’s “special Bonefish Ebbie” flies. Permit are on the flats as well, and in good size. Nearshore fishing will result in trigger fish, yellowtail, lane snapper and muttons.
Exuma
Capt. Doug Rowe, Fish Rowe Charters, tells us the fishing in Exuma Sound should do nothing but improve in April and May. Wahoo are still being found on the wall, mahi will be arriving in scads and “Finding tuna will the Holy Grail of a great day of fishing.” Highbourne Cay should have some of the most impressive fishing anyone could ask for. Winds will pump bait and seaweed just off shore. The most difficult thing to do is figure what to try and focus on it. Feathers, swimming baits, deep wahoo bullets will cover all the bases. Birds will be around and make for easy pickings. By May, marlin will also be a good possibility with fish to 600-pounds.
South Eleuthera
Chad Melton, Ocean Fox Cotton Bay, reports “The fishing has been EPIC! If March is any indication of what April and May will be like, then you should be here. Marlin are red hot and we’re seeing more and more over 500-pounds. The dolphin bite is amazing and should remain so until June first. Yellowfin are here for the first time in a long time. Be aggressive on the drag and get them to the boat fast before the man in the brown suit gets them. Marlin must be feeding on the perfect ten-pound football size yellowfin.”
