8 HR Bottom Fishing Adventure in the Bahamas
Private Trip
Offshore Fishing
Fullday bottom fishing and trolling adventure in BahamasTarget Mahi Mahi, King Mackerel, Grouper, and SnapperAccommodates up to 12 guests on offshore charter
If you're looking for a full-day fishing charter that delivers serious action, our 8-hour bottom fishing adventure has you covered. We'll take you and up to 11 other anglers to some of the most productive fishing grounds in Bahamian waters, where crystal-clear seas meet deep structure that holds trophy fish year-round. This isn't your typical half-day trip – we're talking about a proper fishing expedition that gives you time to really work the water and put multiple species in the boat.
Your day starts early as we head out to our proven fishing spots, typically 5-15 miles offshore where the bottom drops off and the big fish live. The beauty of an 8-hour charter is that we can mix techniques throughout the day. We'll start with some trolling runs to cover water and locate active fish, then anchor up on structure for serious bottom fishing action. The Bahamas offers some of the clearest water you'll fish anywhere, so don't be surprised when you can actually see the fish you're fighting in 60 feet of water. Our experienced captains know these waters like their backyard – every ledge, every drop-off, every piece of structure that holds fish. We provide all the tackle you'll need, from heavy bottom rigs for grouper to lighter setups for snapper, plus the live bait and lures that produce results in these waters.
Bottom fishing in the Bahamas is all about reading the structure and presenting your bait where the fish are feeding. We use everything from heavy conventional reels spooled with 50-80 pound test for the bigger grouper to lighter spinning gear for snapper and smaller reef fish. When we're anchored up, we'll fish with live pilchards, ballyhoo, and cut bait on circle hooks – the key is getting your bait down to the bottom quickly before the barracuda and sharks intercept it. For trolling, we run a spread of lures and rigged ballyhoo at different depths to target mahi and kingfish. The trolling isn't just about covering water – it's about locating schools of baitfish and the predators that follow them. Once we mark fish on the sounder, we'll often switch to live bait or vertical jigging to really capitalize on the bite. The variety keeps things interesting all day long, and there's always something pulling on the other end of your line.
King Mackerel are one of the most exciting fish you'll tangle with on this trip. These speed demons can reach 30-40 pounds in Bahamian waters and they fight like freight trains once hooked. Kings are most active during the cooler months from October through April, but you can find them year-round along the drop-offs and edges. What makes them so fun is their explosive strikes – when a king hits your trolled bait, you'll know it immediately. They make blistering runs that will test your drag system and your arms. Plus, they're fantastic table fare when prepared fresh.
Mahi Mahi, or dolphin fish as locals call them, are the acrobats of the ocean. These golden beauties average 10-20 pounds but can exceed 40 pounds during peak season from March through July. Mahi are schooling fish, so when you find one, there are usually more nearby. They love floating debris, weed lines, and temperature breaks, which is why our captains spend time reading the water conditions each morning. What anglers love most about mahi is their aerial display – they'll jump, tail-walk, and put on a show that's almost as good as eating them later. Their firm, white meat makes them one of the most sought-after fish in these waters.
Mutton Snapper are the bread and butter of Bahamas bottom fishing. These copper-colored fighters typically run 3-8 pounds but can reach 15 pounds or more around the deeper structures. They're year-round residents that feed aggressively on the bottom, making them perfect targets for our bottom fishing techniques. Muttons are notorious for their hard initial run toward the rocks when hooked, so you need to turn them quickly with steady pressure. They're also one of the best eating fish in the ocean – their sweet, flaky meat is prized by locals and visitors alike.
Black Grouper are the heavyweights of the reef and the fish that really test your tackle and technique. These bruisers can weigh anywhere from 5 to 50 pounds, and the bigger ones are true trophies. Blacks are ambush predators that live around rocky bottom, ledges, and coral heads where they can hide and strike at passing prey. When you hook a big grouper, the fight is straight down – they'll try to get back to their hole and break you off on the rocks. That's why we use heavy tackle and high-low rigs that keep you in control of the fish. Peak season runs from December through May, but you can find keeper-sized blacks throughout the year in deeper water.
This 8-hour bottom fishing adventure gives you the time and opportunity to really experience what Bahamas fishing is all about. With a maximum of 12 anglers, there's plenty of room to fish comfortably without feeling crowded. Our top-rated charter service has been putting clients on fish for years, and we know how to make your day both productive and enjoyable. Whether you're an experienced angler looking to add some Bahamas species to your list or a newcomer wanting to learn bottom fishing techniques, this trip delivers the goods. The combination of trolling and bottom fishing means constant action, and the 8-hour timeframe lets us really work the best spots without feeling rushed. Don't wait – the best fishing dates fill up fast, especially during prime season when the bite is hot and the weather is perfect.
This 35-foot Ocean Master center console cuts through Bahamian waters with authority, powered by twin 300HP Yamaha engines that'll get your group of up to 12 anglers to those productive bottom fishing grounds fast. Built in 2000 and fully restored in 2020, she's got everything serious fishermen need for a full day on the water. The spacious center console design gives everyone room to work their lines whether you're dropping down for grouper and snapper or trolling for mahi and kingfish. With a cruising speed hitting 50 knots, you'll spend more time with lines in the water and less time getting there. The onboard icebox keeps your catch fresh and drinks cold during those long battles with big fish. GPS navigation takes the guesswork out of finding those honey holes, while the onboard head means comfort during your 8-hour adventure. This boat handles the open ocean swells with confidence, giving you a stable platform for fighting those deep-water species that make Bahamas fishing legendary.
Mycteroperca BonaciBlack Grouper are the heavy hitters of reef fishing - thick-bodied bruisers that average 10-30 pounds but can top 100. They live around reefs, wrecks, and ledges from 30 feet in winter up to 200+ feet during warmer months. These ambush predators hide in structure waiting to inhale anything that swims by. What makes them special is the raw power - they'll try to drag you straight back to the rocks with bulldogging runs that test your gear and patience. The payoff is some of the best eating fish in the ocean with mild, firm white meat. Year-round fishing is good, but winter brings them shallow where they're more aggressive. Key tip: the moment you feel that thump, crank hard and don't stop. Let them get back to structure and you're done - they'll wrap you up every time.
Scomberomorus CavallaKing Mackerel, or "kingfish" as we call them here, are fast-moving predators that typically run 15-30 pounds, though we've seen some monsters hit 50+ pounds. They cruise the edges of reefs and drop-offs in 40-150 feet of water, especially around structure and current breaks. Spring through fall gives us the best action when water temps hit 70-80°F. These fish are pure adrenaline - they'll scream line off your reel with blistering runs and acrobatic jumps. The meat's excellent too, firm and flaky when cooked right. Here's a tip that works every time: use a wire leader with two hooks on your live bait. Put one hook through the nose, let the second dangle near the tail. Kings love to bite bait from behind, and that back hook saves the day when they do.
Coryphaena HippurusMahi are the most colorful fighters you'll encounter out here - brilliant gold and green that puts on a light show when they come to the boat. Most run 15-30 pounds, though bulls can push 50+. We find them around floating debris, weed lines, and current edges in open water. They're surface dwellers, so we troll baits that skip and dance on top. Spring through early fall is prime time when water temps warm up. Guests love these fish because they jump like crazy, hit hard, and make some of the best table fare in the ocean - sweet, firm white meat. Pro tip: when you hook one mahi, don't boat it right away. Keep it in the water and cast more baits around it. Mahi travel in schools, and that hooked fish will call in his buddies for a multiple hookup.
Lutjanus AnalisMutton Snapper are some of the smartest fish we target, with that distinctive pinkish color and blue lines around their eyes. They average 3-8 pounds but can reach 20+ pounds on a good day. You'll find them around reefs, wrecks, and rocky bottom in 80-200 feet, though big ones sometimes come shallow during cooler months. They're year-round residents here, but winter and spring fishing tends to be most consistent. What makes muttons special is they're both great fighters and excellent eating - sweet, flaky meat that's hard to beat. The challenge is their wariness; they inspect everything before biting. My secret is using the lightest sinker possible with fresh bait on a knocker rig. Let it drift naturally in the current rather than anchoring it down. Patience pays off with these fish.
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