In spring, white marlin are plentiful, making it possible for boats that put in the effort each season to achieve a Grand Slam.
The Out Islands of the Bahamas present the finest opportunity for an Atlantic billfish Grand Slam every spring
By Jeff Merrill
With the focus of a fighter eyeing his opponent at weigh-in, Jerry concentrated on the trolling pattern from the tower of the 41-foot center console, seeking a sign of a billfish breaking the surface from the depths of the deep blue waters. He monitored the flat lines, short ‘riggers, long ‘riggers, and the shotgun line, observing how each lure surfaced and sank, creating a cloud of bubbles in its wake.
Suddenly, the shout from the tower pierced the air, “Right short, right short, blue marlin, blue marlin!” The sound of the ‘rigger clip snapping and the reel’s steady click signaled the hookup. The crew quickly moved around the cockpit to clear the lines while Alfie pulled the rod from its holder, secured the gimbal belt and shoulder harness, and prepared for the struggle as line poured from the 50-pound class reel.
“She’s taking a lot of line, Jer’,” Alfie reported while he clipped the harness to the reel lugs. “That’s fine, we’ve got plenty of line on that reel,” Jerry replied confidently as the blue marlin leapt from the water and sped across the surface before darting towards the boat. “Wow, look at her go!” Bill exclaimed as Alfie furiously reeled in the line. After another series of aerial displays followed by relentless runs that lasted over an hour, Jimmy secured the leader, removed the hook, tagged the fish with The Billfish Foundation tag, and released the marlin back into the water. “Nice job, guys, a beautiful fish, weighing around 300 to 350 pounds, I’d estimate,” Jerry acknowledged from the tower as the crew celebrated with high-fives.
It’s hard to imagine a better location in the Atlantic for scoring with billfish during the spring season than The Abaco chain in The Bahamas, which is conveniently close to the U.S. mainland. This series of small islands is roughly 175 miles from Palm Beach, Florida, stretching almost 130 miles from Walker’s Cay in the north to Hole-in-the-Wall in the south. Large center consoles with ample fuel capacity can easily make the trek across the Gulf Stream in the spring when the weather is typically more favorable. The Abacos boast secluded coves, uninhabited cays, sandy beaches, and colonial towns rich in the islands’ history, and although they experienced significant damage from Hurricane Dorian last September, recovery efforts are underway, with repairs progressing throughout the region.
The ideal lures for blue marlin mimic the local bait species.
While The Abacos may seem remote compared to Grand Bahama Island, Nassau, and Paradise Island, several top-tier marinas equipped with modern facilities cater to visiting anglers arriving by sea or air. Among them are Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina; despite the significant impact from Dorian, much of the resort has been rebuilt and they are currently accepting bookings. As of this writing, fuel and most other amenities are available at the marina.
The Abacos attract billfish enthusiasts, with spring marking the start of the marlin season for many boats that winter in Florida and farther south. The best action for white marlin and blue marlin occurs from March through June, while March, April, and May provide the best chances for sailfish, presenting an opportunity for those dedicated to the spring billfish run to achieve a Grand Slam. You can also catch large dolphin and wahoo in between billfish bites, along with plenty of delicious bottom species.
Look for sailfish to gather in shallow waters where they can be abundant in favorable conditions.
While billfish activity in The Abacos can really heat up in spring with a significant number of sailfish and marlin caught, another appealing feature of the fishery is the short journey to productive fishing spots, with over an hour considered a lengthy run from most Out Islands marinas. An ideal destination for center consoles, you can set a course just five miles out of the Man-O-War Cay cut and drop your rigs in over 5,000 feet of water! The region is rich in billfish-friendly structure, with names like Jurassic Park, The Mushroom, Little Abaco Canyon, Wonderland, The Bridge, and Great Abaco Canyon being popular for all three billfish species.
Whether you prefer using artificial lures or natural baits, much of what has been successful in your local fishing spots will also work while fishing in The Abacos, and your trolling patterns and tactics should adapt to the species targeted each day. When white marlin are plentiful, trolling natural mullet and ballyhoo dredges with skipping and swimming ballyhoo on 20- or 30-pound class tackle is an effective strategy, just as it is along the Atlantic coastline. However, be ready for blue marlin to appear more often than they do in waters along the U.S. mainland.
For those aiming for blues, using a range of mid-sized to large lures is advisable. The color schemes and patterns that attract billfish should emulate the local skipjack, bonito, mahi-mahi, and flying fish. Also, it’s useful to have a ballyhoo pitch bait ready in case a white marlin or sailfish enters your spread. Although sailfish are often caught in the spring, they are typically not abundant enough to target specifically, often surprising crews who catch whites and blues, allowing for a chance at the coveted Grand Slam on any given day. Sailfish tend to be found closer to shore in shallower waters, unlike the blues and whites that roam offshore.
A trolling strategy for white marlin and sailfish should consist of a blend of swimming and skipping ballyhoo, along with a Spanish mackerel for the blue marlin angler. A combination of natural and artificial teasers in the spread is generally recommended. This strategy ensures that there is bait in the pattern for each billfish species found in The Abacos during spring. While some skippers prefer using naked ballyhoo, many choose to add skirts to enhance their chances of attracting bites. The abundance of flying fish in The Bahamas makes a blue and white Hawaiian Eye ballyhoo essential in any trolling scheme. Daisy chains and large teasers are also favored as they effectively raise both white and blue marlin.
Spring brings an abundance of blue marlin to the Out Islands of The Bahamas.
The size of your center console will determine how many rods and teasers you can effectively manage in your pattern. Larger vessels can comfortably deploy a seven-rod arrangement, with long ‘riggers placed on the fourth or fifth wave and short ‘riggers on the third or fourth wave. The flat lines are usually kept around 25 to 30 feet from the transom to stay clear of the prop wash, while a shotgun line is typically set slightly beyond the long ‘rigger lures, but not so far that they are out of sight. The trolling speed will depend on sea conditions and the design of the hull, but 4 to 6 knots is ideal for white marlin when using natural baits, and 6 to 9 knots works well for blue marlin lures. Position the baits where they are visible while lures should swim on the front of the wake, breaking the surface to create a long trail of bubbles.
After a long winter, many are eager to head offshore. The close proximity of The Abacos to the East Coast of the United States, combined with exceptional fishing, both inshore and offshore, plus gorgeous beaches, outstanding dining, shopping, and golf, make this area a popular choice every spring. Although The Abacos suffered significant damage from Hurricane Dorian, recovery efforts have revitalized the area. If you plan a visit, it’s prudent to do your research to understand the available options before arriving. Be sure to book your flights and resort reservations early, especially during peak tournament times, since The Abacos is the prime destination for billfish in the spring season!
Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina provides first-class amenities for vessels of all sizes.
With luxurious accommodations, including resort rooms, a bar, a restaurant, and fuel and services, Abaco Beach Resort and Boat Harbour Marina is an ideal option for center console anglers seeking spring adventures in big game fishing.
Abacos Information
For additional information and updates on the restoration of the resort and marina, visit www.abacobeachresort.com. Follow them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/abacobeachresort for regular updates. For tournament details, visit www.skipstournaments.com. For general information regarding The Bahamas—such as travel documentation, advisories, airport statuses, and fishing regulations—check out www.bahamas.com.