OFFSHORE
Grand Bahama
When wahoo come to the Bahamas each winter, they certainly do not forget about visiting Grand Bahama Island. Fishing off of Memory Rock and Matanilla Shoal is always productive. January should show some wahoo in the 30 to 40 pound range. Don’t overlook the Settlement Point area and Sandy Cay. Dolphin will be around, but the size will not increase until later in the season. Unlike the “more protected” islands to the south of Grand Bahama, the island is more susceptible to the nasty sea conditions that can be generated by passing cold fronts so choose your “crossing window” carefully.
Abaco
Kevin Sawyer from Island Boy Tackle in Marsh Harbour promises January fishing in the Abacos will not disappoint! The wahoo bite has been consistently strong and is predicted to continue through January. No monsters reported yet but plenty in the 15 to 30 pound range and a few so far to 50 to 60 pounds. Dolphin continue to show strongly and consistently with most fishing in the 8 to 15 pound range. For tuna fans, there will be blackfin and yellowfin. Bottom fishing has been and should continue to bring some tasty meals to the dinner table. Plenty of mutton and yellowtail snapper are covering the reefs. Deep dropping enthusiasts, look for strawberry grouper as well as red and silk snapper to fill your fish box.
Bimini
Capt. Skipper Gentry from the Carolina Gentleman said January is unique in the Biminis in that there is a wide variety of fish species “visiting” at this time of year…from bottom fishing for grouper and snapper to great offshore fishing for wahoo. January is the beginning of the peak season for wahoo fishing in Bimini. There are two styles sport fisherman use to target wahoo. First is high-speed trolling with heavy lures, shock leaders and additional trolling weights trolling at 12 to 17 knots. If the high speed thing is not for you, slow it down and pull natural baits topped with lures just beneath the surface as well as diving plugs and planers to get the baits down deep. By utilizing this method you stand the chance of catching other species such as dolphin and sailfish as well. While on the topic of sails, remember that there are plenty of sailfish in Bimini this time of the year. Capt. Gentry shared live bait fishing is the best bet once you find them and there is an abundant amount of live bait in the channel.
INSHORE
Grand Bahama
Capt. Whitney Rolle from Firefly Bonefishing in East Grand Bahama, Grand Bahama Island reported that even through there hasn’t been any really strong cold fronts, the water temperature is just right for fishing the miles and miles of Grand Bahama flats….cool but not cold. He said that typically at this time of year most of the larger bonefish will be cruising the flats as “singles”, not in large schools. These “singles” will easily be in the ten pound range. There are a number of great species to target in addition to bonefish. Capt. Rolle said there are plenty of permit, barracuda, jacks, mutton snapper and more for your fishing pleasure.
Abaco
Fish guide Donnie Lowe from Bonefish Heaven in Marsh Harbour, Abaco said most Januarys, the water temperature is really cool. Your best bet is to tackle the flats that lay next to deeper water. There will be more singles and doubles, as well as a lot of tails in the shallow waters. Donnie says January is also a great month for permit. Tackle recommended is an 8-weight fly rod with 10 foot long 10 pound test leader and #6 flies. Use light pink to medium tan colors. For permit, the recommendation is a 10-weight fly rod with a 10 to 12 foot long 15 to 20 pound test leader. Choose crab pattern flies.
Bimini
Bonefish Ebbie’s fishing mantra for January is “Think big in Bimini this January.” Ebbie says if you are looking to hook up with some bonefish in the 10 to 12 pound range that should be the average of the Bimini bones this month. They will be around the edges of the deeper channels throughout north and south Bimini. Looking for permit? How does 25 to 35 pound permit sound? Bottom fishing enthusiasts will enjoy a great yellowtail and lane snapper bite along with triggerfish. The weather does play more of a role in your fishing adventures in January. Passing fronts can make for some windy and brisk days on the water. In those cases, being experienced in casting in the wind will definitely be an advantage.
[easy-social-share]