Fishing Bimini

The flats

Bimini's flats hold bonefish year-round and are regarded among the best anywhere. The IGFA all-tackle world record — 16 lb, caught 25 February 1971 about 300 yards from the Bimini Big Game Club — was landed by Jerry Lavenstein, poled by Ansil Saunders.

Peak Jan · Feb · Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug · Sep · Oct · Nov · Dec

The flats

The flats between South Bimini and the eastern cays are rated one of the planet's best fly-permit fisheries.

Peak Mar · Apr · May · Jun · Jul · Aug

The flats

Smaller tarpon work the channels and mangrove edges, peaking in the warm months.

Peak Jun · Jul · Aug

The reef

Grouper hold on Bimini's reef and around the wrecks, and the island holds the IGFA all-tackle Nassau grouper world record (38 lb 8 oz, 1994). Nassau grouper is Critically Endangered and closed to all take in the Bahamas from 1 December to 28 February.

Peak Jun · Jul · Aug

The reef

A reliable reef target year-round, and the easiest good eating to bring back to the dock.

Peak Jun · Jul · Aug

Bluewater

Blue marlin run the Gulf Stream edge each spring into summer — the same fishery Hemingway found in Bimini through the 1930s, and the reason the Bimini Big Game Club anchors the island's big-game reputation.

Peak Apr · May · Jun · Jul

Bluewater

Giant bluefin migrate north past Bimini in late spring on their return from Gulf of Mexico spawning grounds.

Peak May

Bluewater

Spring into summer along the same bluewater edge, often under weed lines a mile off the beach.

Peak Apr · May · Jun

Bluewater

Runs with the spring billfish window along the Gulf Stream edge.

Peak Apr · May

Bluewater

The winter catch du jour. November through February is prime, with the Wahoo Smackdown series running out of the Big Game Club.

Peak Jan · Feb · Nov · Dec