Fishing:

      There are a variety of fishing opportunities to be had on Eleuthera with or without a guide.   One of the great things about Eleuthera is it offers a little bit of everything when it comes to fishing.  If you are looking for a reef or deep sea fishing experience you will need to hire a guide with a boat.  If you are looking for a do it yourself fishing experience you can try bonefishing, spearfishing or spinfishing.   You can hire a guide for these too, but either way you will need to bring your own equipment.        
      Most of the fish in the Bahamas are susceptible the ciguatera toxin, but it tends to accumulate in the larger carnivorous fish so use caution if you catch a really large fish, particularly barracuda.  If you caught something that was not suitable for dinner, please catch and release.  The number for aquatic toxins hotline in Florida is 888-232-8635, they are available 24/7 and can answer all your concerns about any symptoms you may have from ingesting or coming into contact with any poisonous aquatic species.

 
Fishing Regulations:

As of January 9th 2017 you need a fishing license fish the flats (Bonefish, Tarpon, Cobia and Permit) in the Bahamas.  
The fee's are as follows:
Daily $15.00; Weekly $20; Monthly $30 and Yearly $60.
More information and the application form can be found here.  Currently you are only able to download the form online so you still need to take it to nearest Administrators office to pick up your license. 

You do not need a fishing license on Eleuthera to reef fish but you do need to follow all the regulations in terms of seasons, size and distance from shore.   
  • Spearfishing:  Spearfishing is allowed in the Bahamas only by free diving and using a Hawaiian Sling or Pole Spear.  You are not allowed to use scuba equipment, air compressors or spear guns for fishing in the Bahamas.  Spearing is not allowed within 200 yards of the shore around the Out Islands.  In New Providence, Freeport and Grand Bahama spearing is not allowed within one mile of the shore.  Spearing or taking marine life (by any means) is prohibited within national sea parks.
  • Scale fish (aka Demersal species): Grouper, Snapper, Hog Fish, etc. must be larger than 3lbs and vessels cannot possess more than 60 pounds or 20 fish total.  Their skin must remain intact during transport so species identification is possible.  Nassau Grouper season is closed annually from December 1st through the end of February.   Nassau Grouper has recently been listed as critically endangered.   Although the Bahamian government for the time being still allows the harvest of Nassau Grouper in season, we highly discourage it.  
  • Lobster:  Lobster season is open from August 1st to March 31st.  You are limited to 6 per person and they must have a minimum of 3 3/8” carapace or 6”tail length.  Egg bearing lobsters are protected and illegal to harvest.  
  • Conch:  Queen Conch is now listed as an endangered species in many areas including the Bahamas.  Current regulations will be listed on your fishing license and state a maximum of 6 per person with a maximum of 10 per vessel and they must have a well formed lip.  Due to their endangered status it is highly recommended that visitors should abstain from taking conch.  
  •  Wahoo/Dolphin/Kingfish/Tuna:  Migratory species shall not exceed 18 fish per vessel at any time.  If you are sport fishing you will most likely have hired a guide with a boat that has the proper permits knows all of the specific boating and fishing regulations.  
  •  Stone Crabs: The minimum harvestable claw is four inches. Harvesting of females is prohibited. The season is closed from June 1 to October 15.
  • Turtles: Protected species!! Illegal to import. No vessel shall have onboard marine turtles.
  •  Shark: Protected species!!  The Bahamas banned all commercial shark fishing in 2011.  Only catch and release shark fishing is allowed.


Spearfishing:
      Spearfishing is the livelihood of many of the local fishermen.   If you decide you might want to try it yourself you can hire a local guide or try on your own.  If you do decide to give spearfishing a try please respect the resource, be conservative and only kill fish and lobster of regulation size, in season and only what you are planning to eat.  
      You cannot use spear guns, scuba tanks or air compressors for spearfishing and you are limited to the use of a Hawaiian sling or pole spear only.  Hawaiian slings can be purchased at the Clearwater Dive Shop in Governors Harbor.  You may want to call ahead and make sure they have what you need in stock.  Spearing is not allowed within 200 yards of the shore so it is recommended that you take a boat or kayak out to the reefs.  Keep a small cooler on the boat so you can immediately get the fish out of the water.  Remember 3 lbs or larger and the water magnifies things so please don’t shoot the small ones.  There is a big learning curve with spearfishing so we recommend practicing quite a bit before you actually try to spear fish.  You do not want to leave wounded fish, particularly because you will, without a doubt, attract sharks if you do.  Most likely if you are spearing at all you will see sharks, some are just curious but others will steal your fish.  If they try, just let them take it and then get out of the water.  We do not recommend spearing alone, bring a friend and always remain cautious.  If you see sharks arrive after you have speared a fish just hop in the boat and leave, especially if they are showing aggressive tendencies.
      Most of the good eating fish you will be able to spear without a guide are a variety of snapper and grouper along with the occasional hogfish.  You will see plenty of other large fish such as chub, jacks, eels, parrotfish, angelfish, squirrelfish, bigeye, grunts, etc. most of which are either inedible, or not worth your time.  Lionfish are the other fish suitable for eating that you will be able to easily spear.  They have a nice mild light, but firm meat that is comparable to grouper.  We prepared them side by side and actually preferred the lionfish over the grouper.  They are a highly invasive species that can have serious consequences on the Bahamas ecosystem.  Although some locals believe that the population around Eleuthera is at a controllable level and possibly has even decreased a little from its peak a few years ago, they are still an invasive species with the potential to cause real harm.  If you do happen to see them while spear fishing, harvesting them is encouraged.  The spines are highly toxic so extreme care needs to be taken when killing and cleaning them.  If you do happen to accidentally get poked by a lionfish spine, soak the affected area in hot water (as hot as you can tolerate about 100-120°) for 15-30 minutes this will denature the proteins in the lionfish venom.  If hot water is not available aspirin or aspirin with codeine can be taken, but do not take aspirin and immerse in hot water, only one or the other.  Soaking the lionfish in ice water till lightly frozen, before cleaning them, greatly helps neutralize the poison in their spines. 
      
 Spinfishing:
      You can spin-fish almost anywhere on Eleuthera, catching a fish that is suitable for eating is the challenge.  Go ahead and give it a try form shore or off the docks scattered around the island   Remember to catch and release until you get at least a 3lb fish.  If you are having troubles consider hiring a local guide to take you out reef or deep sea fishing.   
     

Bonefishing:
      Eleuthera as with many of the Out Islands has numerous bonefishing flats, but what is unique about Eleuthera is that most of these flats can be accessed without a boat.  As Eleuthera becomes better known for its bonefishing, the fish at the most easily accessible sites are becoming more and more skittish.  Bonefish can be caught in the more popular places like Ten Bay, Savannah Sound and Governors Harbor, they are just smarter here and more easily spooked than if you were to explore the island for less popular sites.  If bonefishing is your thing it is worth taking the time to explore the island to find some of the many remote bonefishing flats.  There are also some great guides on Eleuthera that can take you to these secret places and definitely help you get that elusive bonefish.  If it is your first time, hiring a guide is highly recommended.  You will need to provide all your own equipment for bonefishing on Eleuthera, as you will not be able to buy it when you get there.  We have not had any trouble taking our rods and reels as carry-on’s but they will get gate checked on some of the smaller flights.  AS mentioned above you now need a fishing license fish the flats (Bonefish, Tarpon, Cobia and Permit).  
The fee's are as follows:
Daily $15.00; Weekly $20; Monthly $30 and Yearly $60.
More information and the application form can be found here.  Currently you are only able to download the form online so you still need to take it to nearest Administrators office to pick up your license.

Deep Sea or Reef (bottom) Fishing:
      If you take a charter out you can catch much more than you would catch from shore including, Tuna, Mahi-Mahi (Dolphin fish or Durado), Cobia, Shark (catch and release), King mackerel (kingfish), Spanish mackerel, Marlin, Sailfish, Wahoo, Grouper and Snapper.  Reef fishing is non-stop action and there can be as many as six or eight people fishing at the same time.  It is a great option for a group outing or family trip.  Deep Sea or sport fishing is a little slower but you can catch some huge fish.  Many guides will give you the opportunity to split the day up between reef(bottom) fishing and deep sea fishing.  


Fishing Guides:

North Eleuthera, Spanish Wells and Harbor Island:
  • Woody Perry (Spanish Wells): 242-333-4433.  Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or bonefishing guide (by boat).
  • Tweedie Sands (Spanish Wells): 242-333-4926 or 242-359-7516 (cell).  [email protected].   Offers it all, Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or bonefishing. 
  • Sterling Moss (Harbor Island): 242-333-3418 or 242-470-8340.  Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or bonefishing guide (by boat).
  • Stuart Cleare (bonefish Stuart) (Harbor Island): 242-333-2072.  Bonefishing guide (by boat). 
  • Vincent Cleare (Harbor Island): 242-333-2154.  Bonefishing guide (by boat). 
  • Jermain Johnson (Harbor Island): 242-333-3597.  Deep sea Fishing charter and bonefishing guide (wading or by boat).
  • Bahamabones:.  888-847-0305.  Offers bonefishing vacation packages and is a good source for Bahamas bonefishing information. 

North Central Eleuthera:
  • Captain Z (Gregory Town): 242-551-0641 or [email protected].  Offers Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters, plus snorkeling and surfing equipment rentals. 
  • Captain Sean Morgan (Gregory Town): 242-551-0641.  Offers it all, Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or bonefishing guide (by boat or land).
  • Naaman Rolle (James Cistern):  242-359-7166.  Reef fishing charter.
  • Gershom Pinder (Hatchet Bay/Alicetown): 242-464-0754.  Bonefish guide, wading or by boat. 

Central and South Central Eleuthera:
  • Paul Petty (Governors Harbor): Call his wife at 242-332-2963 to schedule a trip,  for other questions his cell is 243-557-7269.  He offers it all, reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or guided bonefishing trips (by boat or land).  
  • Addison Cooper (Palmetto Point): 242-332-1288 or 242-332-1830.  Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters or guided bonefishing (by boat).
  • Denny Rankin (Savannah Sound): 242-332-6035.or 242-332-6166.  Reef fishing and deep sea fishing charters.
  • Kelsey Rankin (Savannah Sound):  Guided trips for bonefish or tarpon (by boat).  
  • Lorenzo Hunt (Tarpum Bay): 242-334-4289. Reef or deep sea charter. 
  • Fishbone tours: Julius Rankine (Savannah Sound):  242-332-6524(h) 242-464-0039 (c) or email [email protected].  Reef fishing and snorkeling 
 
South Eleuthera: