Bahamas
Deep Sea Fishing Guide
With Hunter Charter
Heading to Nassau, Paradise Island soon? If so, check out this deep sea fishing blog explaining everything you need to know before embarking on this must-not-miss adventure!
Did you know that the Bahamas is renowned as one of the great fishing destinations in the world? Home to many species, the warm waters of Nassau house predators such as marlin, tuna, sailfish, barracuda, mahi mahi, wahoo and sharks to name a few. It is a rare destination that allows you to target just about any fish you can think of, making it the ideal fishing spot to test and perfect your angling skills. Whether a first-timer or a seasoned angler, you will be offshore fishing in the world-famous blue seas of The Bahamas just minutes after leaving Nassau. As seasoned fishers, we can’t wait to give you all the details on our favorite Bahamian fishing charter, Hunter Charters, and outline everything you need to know prior to booking this once in a lifetime experience!
Our Experience
As seasoned fishers, we were extremely picky when it came to booking the perfect fishing charter. We have experienced deep sea fishing in numerous places, including Maui, Costa Rica, Cozumel, Cancun, Cabo, Panama, Bahamas, and South Carolina to name a few. And our trophy fish include a 500+ pound blue marlin, numerous mahi mahi, bull sharks, sailfish, grouper, tuna, wahoo, and even a few barracuda! We absolutely love the ocean and the incredible thrill of deep sea fishing, and no company knows how to do it better than Hunter Charters!
We booked a 6 hour fishing trip on the gorgeous 48 ft Lady Jenny boat – an experience that we now consider to be the best fishing day of our lives! The boat itself offers fresh interior, a clean bathroom, a massive bow for sunbathing, top-of-the-line fishing equipment, and most importantly, a steady fishing chair. But what made this day so special goes beyond the boat’s gorgeous amenities…
We’ve all had those deep sea fishing moments when a massive fish hooks and suddenly the first mate and captain are frantically running around stressed, yelling, and making you feel like you are in the way. Let us tell you, firsthand, that Hunter Charters provided the most fun, relaxing, and exhilarating fishing experience of our lives, no matter how big of a fish hooked! Bear in mind that we were aware on the front-end that it was not a full blown ‘season’ for any specific fish. So imagine our surprise getting to reel in a 250lb blue marlin and 7 massive mahi mahi while fishing on Hunter Charters! The first mate and captain were so excited, cheering us on and assisting in every way possible. It was, hands-down, the greatest fishing experience thanks to Hunter Charters. And to top it all off, we visited The Poop Deck directly after fishing to have our fresh catch cooked up for dinner!
About Hunter Charters
Hunter Charters is a Bahamian fishing charter with more than 30 years experience and an impressive fleet of vessels. Serving Nassau and Paradise Island, they specialize in deep sea fishing, taking guests offshore to catch big game fish like Blue Marlin, Dorado, Sailfish and Wahoo. Captain Paul Smith, owner and operator of Hunter Charters, has been fishing Nassau since 1979. Together with his son Pablo, they take pride in providing guests with the highest quality Bahamas fishing charter experience complete with modern and clean boats, trained and friendly captains and crews, and well maintained top brand fishing gear. They offer some of the best Nassau charter boats and luxury cruising yachts on Paradise Island, including a fleet of four boats, ranging from 26 to 48 feet. Whether you are coming into Nassau for the day or staying on Paradise Island, world-class offshore fishing is just minutes away!
What To Expect
How Difficult is it?
Whether a beginner or an expert, deep sea fishing will be a blast! The first mate and captain do most of the work for you. Really all you have to do is bring good luck and reel in the fish! And don’t worry too much about being weak, as your adrenaline will be pumping! And worst case scenario, you can always pass off the rod to someone else for help.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
It depends on which boat you reserve. Boat costs vary from $550 – $1050 for a half day (4 hours), $650 – $1800 for a part day (6 hours), and $1100 – $2100 for a full day (8 hours). Additionally, you should plan to tip 20%, or more if you have an incredible experience.
WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
A good pair of polarized sunglasses
Comfortable non skid shoes or sandals that can get wet
Be prepared with a good wind breaker or light raingear
Sunscreen and perhaps lip balm
Brimmed or billed hat
Snacks, food and drinks
Beach towels
Camera
Drinks to put in the cooler
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?
Like most charters, Hunter Charters offer 3 options: half day (4 hours), part day (6 hours) and full day (8 hours). Because large trophy fish are generally pretty far off the coast, we recommend 6 hours or more.
WHATS INCLUDED?
Your fishing charter includes fishing licenses, bait and tackle, as well as catch cleaning/fileting and a cooler full of ice and water. Additionally, Hunter Charters’ Captains and first mates are all trained in first aid, fire, hygiene and boat safety.
CAN YOU TAKE FISH HOME?
Per Bahamas fishing regulations you can take home up to 8lb per person. The crew will clean and package your fish for you.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO DO IT?
The best season to fish Bahamas is during the months of May to September, when you can expect to catch marlin, snapper, dolphin, amberjack, and yellowfin tuna. If you are wanting to catch big wahoo, the best time to fish in the Bahamas would be the winter season, between December and March.
The Fish
Seasonality and the water depth often dictate what types of fish you will catch, but overall you can expect a little bit of everything in the Bahamas! While we are focusing on offshore, deep sea fishing in this blog, it’s also important to note that inshore fishing is another incredible experience to look into. Below we have broken down some of the most common fish hooked while deep sea fishing:
Barracuda
This aggressive and agile predator is a staple of fantastic Bahamas fishing, both inshore and offshore. Their razor-sharp teeth and powerful bodies mean you are in for explosive strikes, hard fights and huge jumps. Best months: all season.
Blackfin Tuna
Blackfin Tuna are big fighters and a challenge for any big game angler. Despite being a smaller member of the Tuna family, they are plentiful and incredibly tasty! You can expect 7-30 lb fish that are usually seen throughout June and July.
Blue Marlin
The Blue Marlin is the largest and most powerful fish in the Bahamas, with a bite so good they are on the country’s currency! These ferocious fighters are best spotted in warmer and shallower waters throughout March – July. Strap in for huge sprawling jumps and powerful runs at speeds up to 50mph – truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience! These fish are catch and release only.
Dorado (Mahi Mahi)
Dorado, also known as Mahi Mahi, are fierce predators hunting close to the surface nearby floating algae. These vibrant colored fish are delicious to eat and best caught during March through May.
Sailfish
To catch a Sailfish is one of the most rewarding big game fishing experiences out there. Known for their spectacular fights, Sailfish can run at speeds in excess of 68mph, taking an astounding 30m of line per second! The best months: March – April.
Sharks
The Bahamas is one of the few remaining countries where healthy shark populations still exist. Shark species you may hook include Leon, Reef, Blacktip, Tiger, Bull, and Hammerhead sharks. The best months to hook these catch-and-release fish are April – June and September.
Wahoo
Small but nimble among the big game fish in The Bahamas, Wahoo will give you speedy and rigorous runs. Also known as Ono–which in Hawaiian, the Wahoo is a delicacy not to be missed! The best months are December – March.
White Marlin
Smart, fierce and difficult to lure, White Marlin is a big game angler’s dream fishing. Get ready for a lengthy and rewarding battle, filled with aerial displays and powerful runs! The best months are March -June.
Yellowfin Tuna
The largest and most common member of the Tuna family in The Bahamas and an absolute blast to reel in! These fish are big fighters, one of the fastest fish in the ocean, and can grow up to 400lbs! That’s a lot of delicious tuna steaks. The best months are May – September.
Ready To Book?
Online: https://huntercharters.com/contact/
Phone: save 5% (242)-364-1548
Tell them Kennie’s Compass referred you for additional discounts!
Conclusion
You already know that the Bahamas is an amazing vacation destination, but now you know that it’s unmatched when it comes to fishing too! There is something so special about getting out on the ocean, especially when you get to experience the thrill of hooking a trophy fish! We do want to point out that these beautiful fish are rare, meaning you won’t be lucky enough to catch a fish every time you go out. But remember, the experience is about even more than fishing – it’s about boating, the gorgeous views, getting sun, and quality time with your family and friends. And if the fish don’t seem to be biting that day, Hunter Charters offers a number of alternatives such as snorkeling and inshore fishing.
We hope you have enjoyed our deep sea fishing adventure blog and are feeling inspired to get out on the water! Hunter Charters provided such an incredible experience that we had to share. Looking forward to seeing pictures of all of your future caches! And dont forget to head over to our full Atlantis travel guide for even more recommendations. We can’t recommend this experience enough.
