Types of Fishing in the Bahamas

The Bahamas offer anglers many varieties of fishing and many varieties of fish to try to catch. There are methods of fishing that range from deep-sea fishing to fishing a reef close to shore. The islands have reefs, clear water and steep drop-offs, all of which lend themselves to spectacular fishing. People from all around the world come to the islands of the Bahamas to enjoy the sport of fishing.

  1. Flats Fishing

    • Bonefish are one of the most sought after game fish in the Bahamas. These fish are often called the "gray ghost" because they are difficult to find and will require some patience to catch.

      If an you hook a bonefish, you will find yourself "hooked" on the sport. Once hooked, these elusive fish can reach 30 mph and offer a great fight. Bonefish can be caught by fishing from flat-bottomed boats or wading into the water to about the knees.

      The one drawback of bonefish is that they are not a good meal because, as their name states, they are full of bones.

    Reef Fishing

    • Reef fishing might not be the most popular type of fishing, but it might be the most enjoyable, especially for the adventurous angler. Fishing on a reef requires a bit more skill than other types of fishing because the reefs are large and the fish have a multitude of hiding spots.

      If a fish is hooked it has a multitude of ways of escaping also because line can be cut on the sharp edges of the reef. The beauty of reef fishing is the number of fish that might be caught.

      When you reel in your line, you may have caught a grouper, jack, barracuda, shark or one of a 100 other species of fish that make their home in or around the reefs of the Bahamas.

    Deep-Sea Fishing

    • Deep-sea fishing is the most popular type of fishing in the Bahamas and the type most people are looking for when they come to the islands. Deep-sea fishing is done farther off the coast and will require a boat, whether it is your own or a charter.

      The joy of deep-sea fishing is the wide variety of fish that can be caught and the size of the fish can be downright amazing. You can catch tuna, shark, marlin, sailfish, mahi-mahi, Spanish mackerel and many others.

      If you like competition, there is nothing to worry about because there are fishing tournaments scheduled year-round in the Bahamas.