Geography

• The Bahamian geography is made up of a group of 700 islands and nearly 2,500 islets (very small islands) or cays (small, low islands or keys). About 30 of the islands are inhabited with Nassau and Freeport being the major population centers. The remaining islands are known as Family Islands. The Bahama Islands are the product of coral reefs which, over time, became dry land. Spanning 650 miles from the east coast of Florida, to the southeastern tip of Cuba, the Bahamas white and pink sand beaches and aquamarine waters beckon sun-worshipers, fish and anglers alike.
  
  

Types of Fish

• The Bahamas are home, at least for some time, to many fish species ranging from bonefish found in tidal-creek flats and ocean-side flats, to the large, migratory sport fish of Bahamian lore, like the blue marlin and blackfin tuna. Sea fishing in the Bahamas yield numerous shark species including black-tip, sandtiger and nurse sharks. Smaller but no less challenging to land are fish like the amberjack, wahoo, grouper, snapper and tarpon found in the deep waters off the Bahamas.
  
  

Season

• The hot Bahamian sun and crystal clear waters are a constant in the Bahamas, but the fishing seasons are not. November kicks off wahoo season with some billfish like sailfish, white and blue marlin biting. December finds the wahoo biting, with marlin beginning to taper off until Spring. February brings the resurgence of yellowfin and dolphin with the ever-present wahoo campaigning for most popular fish in the ocean. May is like Christmas for anglers in the Bahamas with strong yellowfin and dolphin numbers. May into late-May also happens to be the blue and white marlin showcase, as they are around in good population. New moons in the night skies means active waters at the end of June through mid-July, with the most productive blue marlin fishing of the year.
  
  

License and Regulations

• To get started sea fishing in the Bahamas, fishing permits should be purchased at ports of entry from customs officials. Fishing equipment requirements include fishing with a line and hook with no more than six rods unless a special permit for more than six rods is obtained. Regulations include the standards like size limitations and bag limits with restrictions on crawfish and lobster and six per person allotments for dolphin, wahoo and kingfish. No permit is required if fishing from a pier or a beach and the usual no-no's apply like selling fish, taking of turtles (although turtles may be eaten on the islands), conch (an endangered species) and the use of nets or spears to name a few.
  
  

Where To Drop a Line

• If catching bonefish while sea fishing in the Bahamas is your desire, you won't want to miss Exuma and Abaco. For heaven on earth bonefishing be sure to visit Andros, dubbed "the bonefishing capital of the world" according to the Tourist Office of the United Kingdom's: Islands of the Bahamas: Ultimate Fishing Experience. The deep gulf stream infused waters off Bimini boast some of the best sport fishing in the world, with world records to back up that claim. Coast over and alongside the vibrant reefs of the Exuma coastline, as well as the reefs of Grand Bahama Island and Nassau/Paradise Island for action-packed sport fishing.