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As I described in part one: The location
of Nassau and Paradise Island geographically places them in
the center of some of the greatest sport fishing grounds in
the world. If there was a perfect destination for deep-sea
sport fishing in the Western Hemisphere, Nassau would top
the list.
In part one I listed the top sport fishing destinations to
the northwest and northeast of Nassau and Paradise Island
that fell within an 80 mile radius of Nassau. Part two will
be on fishing destinations to the southeast of Nassau and
Paradise Island.
Thirty miles east south east of Nassau is the northern tip
of the Exuma chain. With southeasterly winds basically the
same conditions are produced in the area between Ship Channel
Cay and Highbourne Cay that you will find at Morgan’s
Bluff and The Pocket. Baitfish are pushed up to the shelf
with the White and Yellow Banks to the west creating ideal
conditions for big-game fishing.
During the winter months of November, December January and
February you can experience fantastic Wahoo fishing in this
area. Most of the Wahoo caught will exceed 50lbs, with many
in the 100lb range. The deep-water shelf off Highbourne Cay
and just to the south seems to yield the largest of these
blue-water speedsters. The largest Wahoo caught on record
was in 1990 at 155lb 8oz and was caught at San Salvador in
the Southeast Bahamas. Trolling with skirted ballyhoo is the
method used by most fishermen to catch Wahoo with red and
black skirts being the popular colour. There is also some
Sailfish and Mahi-Mahi action along this shelf during the
winter months.
March, April, May and often in to June will bring the annual
run of migrating Mahi-Mahi to Exuma. Whereas Wahoo are the
sleek speedsters of the ocean, Mahi-Mahi are the colourful
acrobats. Often large schools can be found along and just
off the shelf ranging in size from 10 to 70lbs with a record
90lb Bull being caught off Highbourne Cay a few years back.
The abundance of Mahi-Mahi off Exuma during this period will
often turn the water around the boat into a hue of gold, blues
and greens. For fly fishermen this is a perfect area and time
to try your skills for Mahi-Mahi as they will often follow
up to the boat and can easily be kept there with a little
chum. I have found Mahi-Mahi when feeding will hit just about
anything tossed to them, I have had them go after bare hooks.
Ship Channel and Highbourne Cay is an easy day trip for boaters
wishing to fish for the day and return to Nassau for that
evening. Highbourne Cay Marina and the many safe anchorages
in the coves of neighboring islands offer safe harbour for
those wishing to spend additional time cruising the beautiful
environment offered by the Exuma Islands. Diving, snorkeling,
shell collecting and a visit to the Iguanas on Allan’s
Cay are but a few of the many unforgettable activities which
one can enjoy.
Part three of this series will be on South Eleuthera and Cat
Island. Davis Harbour on south Eleuthera and Columbus Point
on the southeastern tip of Cat Island are fishing destinations
that I will always remember.
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About the author
Captain Mike Russell, manager
of Chubasco Charters, http://www.sportfishing-nassau-bahamas-paradise-island-fishing-charters.com
, a fishing charter company located in Paradise Island, Bahamas,
he owns all the fishing record of the Bahamas.
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