Nassau, Bahamas question
General Topic
Contributors to this thread:
So I am taking my wife on a cruise for her 50th day in February. This is our first cruise and I am not totally excited, but for her 50th and dealing with my Job in law enforcement last 28 years (just retired) she deserves it.
My question is the only thing I asked was I maybe try a fishing excursion while in Port at Nassau.
Anyone ever do this or have any suggestions?
Our cruise line has a few but doesn't sound like would be for me. I would love to try for barracuda, Mahi Mahi or even better yet a Taropon.
I also know will only have a few hours so I don't miss the boat too lol
Thanks ahead of time
The safest bet is like excursions provided by the cruise company. If you go outside of the cruise sponsored option then do your homework and get reviews and references. As a flatlander, I’m not getting on a boat with some person I don’t know and have no clue if they know what they are doing. Especially offshore.
Enjoy the trip with your wife. 28 years in law enforcement…thanks for her service. Salt if the earth people. And go to the cruise shows with her and just smile and say you loved it. She might love you real good back.
That was my fear too especially in another country I am to paranoid for that, after all those years as a LEO lol
I am going to do some research into the cruise line fishing excursions to see what I can find out too.
Shawn
Congrats on your retirement and years of service
You indicated that you are only going to have a few hours at your stop in the Bahamas. THAT is your number one problem. You probably have time to go catch a quick Barracuda or two and maybe luck into a Wahoo or Mahi if they can find some floating debris to fish over. That time of year is excellent for Barracuda, wahoo and bonefish (which are not offshore)
I have fished the Bahamas maybe a half dozen times but always in a private boat not a charter one, so I can't help you there. What I would do is an internet search for MARLIN Magazine. Then do a search in that magazine for Nassau Bahamas fishing charters. You should come up with vetted charters as well as general good info on Nassau
The ONLY advantage in using a charter recommended by your cruise line is that They are obviously accustomed to dealing with cruise line passengers and the schedule. So you won't miss the boat so to speak. Also you can search fishing calendar for the Bahamas to see what is biting when you plan to be their. In general it's not the overall best time but there certainly are still plenty of fish around
Good luck and enjoy the cruise for what it is and you and your wife will have a great time!!
Through the cruise is safest, boat will even wait for you if late and you have an avenue for complaint
Go on your own can be worth it, but cruise will not hp
If you use a fishing charter from outside the cruise company you will have to setup your own transportation. Make sure you are back on time so they don’t leave you lol. With a cruise sponsored excursion they will handle transportation and make sure you are back in time. But the cruise excursion are usually more expensive. I’ll bet someone here has a recommendation for you.
The water color in the Bahamas is beautiful. Enjoy your trip. Post some fish pics!!!
Edit: RK and Bob beat me to it.
You'll have to decide whether you want to fish inshore or offshore. The species will vary for each. Inshore will be shallow water in smaller boats. Usually there will be only 1-2 fisherman on board. Offshore will be larger boats in deeper water with more fisherman. If you're only going to have a 1/2 day, I'd suggest inshore to maximize actual fishing time instead of boating time. If you get lucky you might see some bonefish, snappers, or grouper. Tarpon and permit will be around mid-summer usually.
Matt
I had the same concerns on my first cruise but it turned out to be great fun. Just go with what’s included and you’ll have a great time. Forget the fishing and enjoy the buffet. Congrats on retirement.
Agree with Charlie. I would make the cruse about her and you won't regret it. You could make the fishing trip at another time and both be happy. This approach has worked very well for me over the years but not every situation is the same.
I was in Nassau a few years ago. It has some decent bone fishing DIY. We had a rental car. I was mostly fishing on south side of island which is opposite where ships come in. We did a VRBO on Nassau a few nights then a few nights at Atlantis. I did not try fishing once on Paradise Island but couple of the employees there I talked to said there is good bone fishing just out side the entrance to Atlantis. You could take a 4 piece rod and some wading shoes and give it a shot. If you want more info shoot me a PM. Will say wading flats for bone fishing is some of the most fun fishing I have done. If you don't fish the Aquariums at Atlantis are worth seeing and I don't even think you have to pay.
I knew I would get good advice on here.
Thank you for all the great suggestions and information. Makes me feel better some of my research was correct about getting back to the boat, amount of people while fishing, what if problems arise etc. Gives me a lot to think about
I am going to check with the cruise line and see what they offer and if it would be even worth the little time I would have to enjoy the actual fishing.
I am leaning into saying the heck with it and just relax and enjoy it.
I also wanted to Thank everyone for the congrats on my retirement.
The 28 years was a whirlwind and the last few especially so. I was lucky to have a strong wife that stood by me through it and now we can enjoy life.
Interesting fact about fishing the Bahamas at least about 4 years ago. You don't need a fishing license to fish with a spinning rod but do with a fly rod. Needing one with a fly rod was a little new law when I was there. I might have been first to buy one in Nassau. I think it was typed out when I was there.
You could probably get a local thru the cruise line to take you on a conch/lobster trip.Very easy and great fun probably have a lunch on a beach of fresh lobster and conch salad. Also keep in mind if you plan outside the cruise line you are in the bahamas and on island time their island and their time which can be notoriously slow.Better to stick with cruiseline trips.Your wife will love the trip I just described its hands on snorkling and probably catch a barracude or two. Have fun
I hope you saved your license, that would be a cool souvenir.
Dollar,
That would be awesome. She would definatley snorkel and eat the lobster, but I kmow for sure she wouldn't catch it lol.
Congrats on retirement and thank you for y9ur service!
I've been on a few fishing charters. My recommendation would be to ask what's biting best instead of being hung up on a certain species. Take the wife with you (not sure if that was planned or not) with a cooler of beer. Get into hot n heavy fishing and have some relaxed fun with the wife.
Catscratch,
Those are good ideas, both the beer and ask what's biting instead of trying to target fish.
I've targeted halibut and shark. Both trips were a blast but they were work also. The trips that I simple said take me to the hot fishing were a blast. Relaxed fun for everyone on board. If you bring a cooler make sure ask the captain if he's OK with it (respect) then offer him one when you get your first one out. May not take it but will appreciate the offer.
Cat. You fished for Halibut in the Bahamas ?
No sir RK. My recommendations are for charters in general, not Nassau specifically. Probably should have made that more clear from the start. Apologies for not doing so.
Halibut and Lingcod was in Oregon. Shark in Texas. Maui Maui in Hawaii. Cobia and Spadefish in Virginia. Nothing in Nassau.
Lets us know if you see whitetail deer there, I know there a tropical island somewhere that has whitetails but haven't figured it out yet...8^)
Zbone - Florida Keys couple of the islands have Key Deer. There mini whitetails.
Jamaica has whitetail deer, not Bahamas
Carscratch
No worries. Just checking.
Jamaica Mon... No kidding RK, did not know that, thanks...
When I go ocean fishing I always ask what the captain recommends we fish for. I do say I would like to bring home some good seafood. Even if it is leak time of year for something that does not mean they are around that day. A good captain will not steer you wrong (pun intended). I strongly recommend:
1. Find a good captain 2. Go all day (8-10 hours) 3. Do not try to negotiate/bargain 4. Follow their recommendations for what to fish for 5. Find a way to eat a lot FRESH, raw on the dock right of the fish and hopefully a restaurant will cook your catch - very very common in ocean areas on the east coast. In Key West even the fanciest places have cook your catch on the menu.
PS sharks get big and are easy to catch, also I liked eating them more then other species I caught. They are not the best tasting seafood but they are really good.
Tuna, cobia and mahi mahi fresh are by far some of the best meals of my life.
We did a charter with Born Free while we in in Atlantis. Had a good time-caught Mahi Mahi and Wahoo. Restaurant on the shore cooked them for us that night.
Stick with the boat. Of all the places in the Bahamas Nassau is the worst in all shapes and forms when it comes to planning and execution. I can see it now some guy in a skiff motoring behind the cruise ship trying to get you back onboard.
Congratulations on the retirement!