Marlin Fishing in the Bahamas

Fishing in the Bahamas for blue or black marlin can be done throughout the year. The beautiful tropical Atlantic waters serve as an angler's playground beginning in Bimini, 50 miles east of Florida, and ends in the southernmost island of Inagua, the northern most tip of the Caribbean. Outer islands like Abaco and San Salvador host game fishing tournaments year round if sport fishing competition appeals to you.

  1. Types of Marlin

    • Fishing for marlin in the Bahamas offers the potential of catching either blue or black marlin. Both blue and black marlin can weigh more than 1,000 pounds with several documented records exceeding 1,500 pounds. Both marlin are strong fighters that can take the fight on a deep run or long battles on the surface. Blues are distinguished by their deep blue coloration on their dorsal (back) side and a silvery white belly with light blue or lavender stripes on the sides. Their fins are not rigid and can be folded down to their sides. Blue marlin are found in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Black marlin can be found in the tropical waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. Black marlin have rigid dorsal and anal fins with slate gray coloration on the dorsal side with a silvery white belly beginning at the lateral line. Stripes on their side are generally light blue.

    Geography

    • The Bahamas offer no shortage of areas to start your marlin fishing adventures. You cannot go wrong chartering from Freeport, the northernmost port in the Bahamas. Freeport as the kick-off to the sport fishing season destination due to it's proximity to migratory waters for Atlantic sport fish species. The Biminis are a group of islands 50 miles off the coast of Miami, Florida, known as the big-game-fishing capital of the Bahamas. Nassau on New Providence is situated right next to the continental shelf enabling anglers to drop a line within minutes to begin fishing. Other destinations like San Salvador, Walker's Cay, Rum Cay, Cat Island and the Abaco chain are also known for marlin fishing.

    Time of Year

    • The right time of year can make the biggest difference in your Bahamas fishing trip. While marlin run the waters throughout the year, the best time of year is June and July when the marlin runs peak. Most marlin calendars show a reduction in marlin runs in April, May and August, grading runs from fair to good.

    Regulations

    • Fishing charters in the Bahamas practice catch and release and adhere to Regulation 48 enacted January 1, 2007, by the Department of Marine Resources. The intent of this fishing law is to reduce the effects of sport fishing in Bahamian waters by anglers visiting the Bahamas. Part D of the law states: any migratory fishery resource that is caught shall not in total consist of more than six kingfish, dolphin, tuna or wahoo per vessel and any resource not intended to be used shall not be injured unnecessarily but be returned to the sea alive.

    Charters

    • Most charters for marlin fishing in the Bahamas are offered in either full or half day trips, single-day, multi-day and multi-week itineraries. Charter boats are offered in either crewed or un-crewed charters. You can arrange accommodations, air, transportation and charter a boat yourself or it can be arranged by private charter companies like Over Under Adventures at overundercharters.com.