Fishing in Nassau
Crystal-clear waters, teeming reefs, and world-class big game action just minutes from port — Nassau is where Bahamian fishing dreams come true.
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About Nassau
Located on New Providence Island, Nassau is the capital and beating heart of the Bahamas. While known for its colonial charm, luxurious resorts, and white-sand beaches, it’s also a gateway to some of the most vibrant and diverse fishing waters in the Caribbean. The surrounding seas are part of the larger Great Bahama Bank and edge into the Atlantic’s deep blue, offering a unique convergence of shallow flats, coral reefs, and sudden drop-offs into deep ocean trenches. This variety of aquatic environments makes Nassau a prime year-round destination for both casual vacation anglers and seasoned sportfishing veterans.
Fishing Types
Just minutes from Nassau’s marinas, anglers can access an incredible range of water types. To the north lies the Northeast Providence Channel, where the seabed plummets from around 50 feet to thousands within a few miles—creating the perfect conditions for big game fishing. These deep blue waters, easily reached within 5 to 10 miles of port, are famous for attracting marlin, tuna, and wahoo, especially near underwater ledges and current seams.
Closer to shore, the Bahama Bank offers reef-studded shoals and shallow flats, ranging from 5 to 30 feet deep. Reefs like Perpall Tract, White Water Reef, and those surrounding nearby Paradise Island teem with snapper, grouper, barracuda, and other reef species. These areas are perfect for light tackle fishing, bottom bouncing, and even spearfishing. On the southern side of New Providence, flats open into tranquil, sandy-bottomed bays where bonefish cruise in just inches of water. These flats extend toward Clifton Bay and the southern cays, offering legendary sight-fishing opportunities.
Targeted Fish Species
In Nassau’s offshore waters, anglers chase blue and white marlin, yellowfin and blackfin tuna, wahoo, and mahi-mahi—especially during peak migrations from spring through early fall. These species cruise the deep drop-offs and temperature breaks near the channel edges. Closer in, the reefs are home to mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, black and red grouper, barracuda, and jacks. In the shallow flats and lagoon systems, bonefish are the primary target, though permit and tarpon are occasionally spotted by skilled anglers with patience and stealth.
Fishing Techniques
Big game fishing in Nassau typically involves trolling with heavy tackle, rigged baits or skirted lures over offshore ledges and canyon edges. Kite fishing and chunking are also used when tuna schools are active. Reef fishing calls for bottom rigs, live bait, and vertical jigging near coral heads and structure. Barracuda and jacks can be caught casting plugs or spoons. In the shallows, fly fishing and light spinning tackle are favored for stalking bonefish—where delicate presentation and sharp eyesight are key. Some charters also offer spearfishing excursions and nighttime trips for deeper-dwelling species.