OFFSHORE
Abaco
Like most of the Northern Bahamas, the tuna bite along The Abacos will be consistent through July. Lots of big yellowfin are being caught. Fishing the top of the wall will produce lots of mutton snapper and grouper. Slow trolling with deep diving plugs can work for grouper. There should also be a decent dolphin bite over the summer as well.
Bimini
According to Capt. Skipper Gentry at Bimini Big Game Club, the blue marlin bite has been world class. Reports of multiple bites every day during the month of June have been very common. The marlin bite in Bimini is “the strongest that it has been in years.” Tuna and dolphin will provide alternative fishing targets and put a little “meat” on the table. Bottom fishing should be great as well with yelloweye snapper and queen snapper in 700 to 1,000 feet of water.
Grand Bahama
June was an awesome month offshore Grand Bahama Island with lots of blue marlin hookups and yellowfin tuna ranging in the 40 to 80 pound range. The marlin bite will taper off but the tuna bite will stay strong. Best time for fishing is before 10 a.m. and in the late evening. Nathan Moody at Old Bahama Bay said a simple old school cedar plug with a feather skirt is working well. The bottom fishing will continue to be exceptional off of Memory Rock. You’ll catch plenty of yellowtails along with mutton snapper using conch slop and squid.
INSHORE
Abaco
Capt. Leroy Lowe from Bonefish Heaven shares hitting the flats early is the key during July. The afternoons are just too hot for the fish and the fisherman. Cherokee Flats will have a little bit of everything – bonefish, permit, tarpon barracuda and more. The bonefish will be in schools of big fish in the 6 to 10 pound range and small fish ranging 1 to 4 pounds. Also check out The Marls on the west side of Abaco, lots of bonefish but typically smaller than Cherokee Sound.
Bimini
The flats of North and South Bimini “heat up” in more ways than one during the early summer months. Bonefish Ebbie promises bonefish will be plentiful but will be found in deeper cooler water. Here is a tip: when fishing the deeper water, use a slightly heavier fly and make the presentation with a longer lead that gives the fly time so sink to the bottom. Also use a faster and more aggressive retrieve. There will also be plenty of permit and they will be good sized.
Grand Bahama
The water on the flats will be the warmest of the year. Capt. Whitney Rolle from Firefly Bonefishing in East Grand Bahama reports most of the bonefish will be moving off the flats into the mouth and opening of creeks where the water has more movement. Schools will be large. There should be more permit during July as well. It is one of the best months for this prized species. There are also plenty of other “fun” fish to catch including barracuda, shark jacks to name a few.
Compiled by CAM Staff with contributions from our Bahamas “on island” fishing forecasters. For complete forecasts and those from the Central and Lower Bahamas, visit www.coastalanglermag.com/bahamas.
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