Spear Fishing in the Bahamas
Where in the Caribbean can you find numerous different options for fishing, ranging from bone to fly, and even deep-sea fishing? The Bahamas offers all these different options and more, making it one of the premier holiday destinations for fishing enthusiasts. You’ll soon find that, when in the Bahamas fishing, the area is a Mecca for marine life. However, if you forget the modern boats and hi-tech rods you’ll soon find that a native form of catching your prey is not only the most rewarding, but also allows you to get back to nature and discover ancient skills that have been lost in the hubbub of modern life:
Remember the scene in the film, The Beach, when Richard arrives on a remote Thai beach and learns the art of spear-fishing? Swap the Thai beach for the tropical waters of the Caribbean and you have your own natural paradise. However, unlike Leonardo Di Caprio’s character you won’t have to fashion your own spear out of bamboo, as the only weapon allowed in the Bahamas’ fishing version is the Hawaiian sling, designed to act in the same way as an underwater slingshot. While this sling technique isn’t as up to date as the sling gun – the more commonly used method for spear fishing – Bahamas’ officials have banned such methods to preserve the volume of fish currently living in the waters.
You need to be more than just a hunting aficionado in order to really excel in the Bahamas fishing for your prey. Some of the best spear fishermen are masters at free-diving, an extreme sport where competitors reach record depths and distances on a single breath. Taking a Hawaiian slingshot with you and attempting to catch prey while free diving really adds an element of thrill to the mix. However, if you haven’t practised free diving before then it’s probably not a good idea to do so with a slingshot in your hand. It is still easy to enjoy spear fishing while diving normally or even when snorkelling.
The time of the year can really make a difference to, not just the visibility of the water, but the prey that you are fishing. Bahamas’ tropical islands might be the perfect destination on a year round basis, but the months of May, June and July have the best visibility and the warmest waters. If it’s bonefish that you’re after then the cooler waters of November through to February are when wahoo and bonefish are abundant.
When in The Bahamas fishing with just a spear you’ll need to wear a specialist wetsuit. Some of these wetsuits come in two pieces and often include an optional hood and shorts. You’ll also need to wear fins, gloves and a mask. Many professional spear fishers use water belts to aid a faster descent, as well as wearing special fins which are slightly longer than your average scuba diving fins.
Of course, before you get good enough to start spear fishing professionally you’ll need to learn with an experienced guide. There are numerous companies in The Bahamas that can take you out, although you’ll be required to watch some vital safety information and undergo training before you try it for yourself!
Author Bio: Omar Isaacs is the Marketing Executive for The Bahamas Tourist Board, a tourist organisation that can help you discover the perfect Bahamas fishing holiday, and assist you to select and book the right type of Bahamas fishing holiday for you.
Category: Travel
Keywords: Bahamas fishing
