So putting a plan in force to take a trip to S Florida the 3rd week of July. All hope is to get atleast 1 chance to make a day trip over to Bahamian waters. Going to have to be a really good forecast as plan is to have the wife and kids on the boat too. Other than that plan is to troll and bottom fish when possible near land. We’ve checked a place out at Riviera Beach, FL. Looks like 60 mile run to Freeport, Bahamas. Who has suggestions on places to stay (minimum 4 bedrooms), best locations to hit Bahamian waters the fastest, good live bottom spots and best trolling grounds and methods during that time. My trolling experience is based on Sea Witches and Yozuri Bonitas right now. Never did nor set up for a high speed troll as I don’t have downriggers. Thanks in advance. We’re looking at staying and fishing out of somewhere between W Palm and Miami.
Check VRBO.com You can find a good number of homes with docks in that area. The issue is what to do with your trailer once the boat if off. A good number are HOA restricted and do not allow boat trailers at that houses. We found a house at Jupiter for our planned stay in January 18.
Now that’s interesting. I know one guy that only uses his down rigger for teasers. I think he’s stupid, but that’s the beauty of fishing. There’s a million ways to do one thing. Catch fish.
FL Boy you mean to say “outriggers?” not down riggers??
Florida I would recommend at least 50w tackle and bent butts for high speed trolling or like we used to do back in the day ol penn 14/0 with monel tried to outlaw it in the bahama tournaments back in the day. As far as the lead goes it is attached to your main line on one end and then the other end is rigged with about say 15 ft of 400lbs test mono for shock and then 5ft or so of cable going to your lure this is not perfection just giving you the concept. When your trolling at 14-17knots it takes the weight to keep the lure in the water. As far as the Bahamas go there is probably not one place that I haven’t fished there walkers was my favorite till the storms devastated the island some of the biggest wahoos I’ve ever seen have come off of walkers and San Salvador but both are heavy fished. Isaics can be real good fishing as well. Closest run for you and a day trip would be to run out of Stuart or palm beach. It’s around 50 nm run from Stuart to west end you can stay and dock up at old bahama bay and run on down to Freeport if you choose.as far as fishing off west end take some good maps there is some good fishing off memory rock there is a deep drop there you can find snapper from there all the way to mantinella there is also a couple of spots north of sandy that might be good. If your gonna troll check out tuna canyons it’s on the maps it can be decent as well.
Chad, I have outriggers, I don’t have downriggers.
23SF, I have no intentions to HST. Maybe one day but not anytime soon on my boat. Just do what I know how to do and roll with the results.
Ran to Bimini last summer from Ft Lauderdale and stayed at bimini sands. Didn’t find the meat fish but did get a beautiful big blue to the boat. Going back may 24 with the guys for spearing and in June with the wife. It is a blast. Plenty of trolling south of Bimini for billfish, north is where Tuna hide, or just go out at night and bottom fish(its nice in the summer). I’m also in Columbia, shoot me a PM with your number and i’ll text you.
Ran to Bimini last summer from Ft Lauderdale and stayed at bimini sands. Didn’t find the meat fish but did get a beautiful big blue to the boat. Going back may 24 with the guys for spearing and in June with the wife. It is a blast. Plenty of trolling south of Bimini for billfish, north is where Tuna hide, or just go out at night and bottom fish(its nice in the summer). I’m also in Columbia, shoot me a PM with your number and i’ll text you.
If you are going to the Bahamas from Florida, I would register with the Small Vessel Reporting System. https://svrs.cbp.dhs.gov/Default.aspx
This makes customs much easier.
