Southern Bahamas Fishing Forecast: May/June 2008

AS SEEN IN THE MAY/JUNE 2008 ISSUE
May/June Southern Bahamas Fishing Forecast:
Southern Bahamas: Long Island, San Salvador, Crooked Island, Mayaguana and Inagua.

Our friend Docky Smith (800.426.0466) down in Long Island is very serious when it comes to bonefishing. He says that the big bonefish found during the cooler winter months will not be as abundant during the summer, but visiting anglers will still have plenty of shots. Docky says this is his favorite time of year to fish because the weather is so pleasant. He says he will be concentrating his efforts towards the open flats where calm winds allow for long casts to approaching schools.

The waters surrounding Rum Cay and San Salvador will be absolutely teeming with life. Captain Jay Engelder (242.331.2023) of Rum Cay Marina expects powerful yellowfin tuna to pounce on cedar plugs trolled way back in the spread. Due to the lack of fishing pressure in this region, live bait is simply not necessary for fooling these aggressive fish. Sharks are everywhere down here so prepare yourself with heavy tackle in the 50lb. class or above.

Along with the tuna, don’t be surprised if you find a few wahoo still feeding around the full moon in May. Big blue marlin can also pop up in your spread at any time and large dolphin are always a given. If you are craving some tasty snapper fillets, try the drop-off right out front of the Rum Cay Marina in 1500-feet of water for some of the largest yellow-eye you have ever seen.

For those really wanting to get away from it all there is Crooked Island. Captain Carter Andrews of Thunderbird Charters (242.344.2507) says that the famed Diana Bank acts as a staging area for monster marlin and hefty tuna during both May and June. Massive schools of bait congregate around this isolated underwater hump and attract some of the largest, most aggressive predators in the entire Bahamian archipelago. Every year I hear a few incredible reports of 80-wides dumped by unknown monsters. The fish are not shy in these parts and offer some of the best blue-water action in the entire world!