Fishing for Blue Marlin in the Bahamas
A financial professional in Nassau, Bahamas, Lester Turnquest has worked for such entities as the Ministry of Finance, Cititrust, Ltd., and Clariden Leu. Currently serving as the managing director of Green Bay Group, Ltd., he coordinates all of the financial services company’s operational activities. In his free time, Lester Turnquest enjoys fishing.
Fishers can find a wide range of species in Nassau and throughout the Bahamas, but the country’s national fish, the blue marlin, remains one of the most sought-after game fish.
Blue marlin favor the warmer temperatures found in the Caribbean and are particularly active in June and July. Anglers may be able to catch a blue marlin as early as April, which is the beginning of the country’s marlin season. However, white marlin are most commonly seen in April and May. While this species still puts up a huge fight when caught, white marlin are much smaller than blue marlin. On average, blue marlin weigh around 225 pounds, but they can grow to be more than 1,800 pounds in the Bahamas.
In most cases, they are found along oceanic islands and coral reefs since these are their favorite places to feed on squid, mackerel, and tuna. They are drawn to both artificial and natural baits and are best fished at a speed of around 7.5 knots to 9 knots. When using an artificial lure, anglers should try to find something the 7-inch-to-14-inch range to ensure a blue marlin can spot it. Meanwhile, anglers need a strong line and rod and plenty of patience to manage the characteristic fight involved with reeling in a blue marlin.