Fishing in Bimini

Bimini has long been regarded as one of the premier sportfishing destinations in the Western Hemisphere, and for good reason. Its close proximity to the Gulf Stream, vibrant reefs, deep drop-offs, and tidal flats offer access to nearly every type of saltwater fishery, often within just a few miles of shore. Whether you're chasing big pelagics offshore or filling the cooler with reef species, the waters around Bimini deliver year-round action for anglers of every level.

Trolling for Mahi Mahi, Tuna & Wahoo

Bimini’s offshore waters are a playground for big-game trolling. In the spring and early summer months, mahi mahi swarm the weed lines just offshore, especially after a south wind or during a strong eastbound current. These fast-moving, hard-hitting fish are prized for their color, acrobatics, and table quality.

Blackfin tuna are often found in similar areas, particularly along the drop-offs known as Tuna Alley, where baitfish are pushed up by rising structure. These fish typically bite best in the early morning and late afternoon and are often targeted with vertical jigs, trolling feathers, or live bait. Adding to the offshore excitement, tuna migrations follow the currents north along the Gulf Stream from spring through early summer. Yellowfin tuna, especially in the 40- to 80-pound range, are more frequently caught in deeper water just offshore of the drop-off zones. While blackfins are the more common catch near Bimini itself, yellowfins often show up in force when bait is abundant and currents align. On the right day, it’s possible to hook into multiple species of tuna in the same spread.

Wahoo, Bimini’s most iconic game fish, arrive in force during the cooler months, from November through March, and provide blistering runs and savage strikes. The edge between Bimini south from Riding Rock north to Great Isaacs is the prime zone for high-speed trolling with wire lines and lures rigged for speed.

Marlin Fishing

Bimini’s location on the western edge of the Great Bahama Bank and adjacent to the deep-running Gulf Stream makes it a prime staging ground for blue and white marlin during the late spring and early summer months. The blue marlin bite typically peaks between April and July, especially around temperature breaks, underwater ridges, and bait concentrations off the west wall and south toward Ocean Cay.

Though not as heavily targeted as in the central Bahamas, Bimini’s marlin fishery is highly underrated. For anglers trolling larger lures or rigged baits in the 600- to 1,000-foot range, the reward can be a hard-hitting, high-leaping blue pushing 400 pounds or more. White marlin, while less common, are also present and occasionally caught while trolling for tuna and mahi.

Reef Fishing for Yellowtail Snapper and Grouper

Closer to shore, Bimini’s patch reefs and ledges are rich with structure and teeming with life. Yellowtail snapper fishing here is world-class, especially when the current is just right and you’re chumming heavily over a live reef. These fish are smart and selective but incredibly rewarding, offering fast-paced action and some of the best-eating fillets in the Bahamas.

Grouper, including black, red, and Nassau varieties, are found on deeper reefs and rocky outcroppings. They often require precise anchoring or controlled drifting, followed by dropping live bait or jigs directly into their strike zone. While Nassau grouper are protected during their spawning season, other species offer fantastic opportunities for anglers who know where to look.

Deep Dropping for Yelloweye and Queen Snapper

For those willing to venture deeper, the ledges beyond 500 feet offer access to yelloweye snapper, queen snapper, blackfin snapper, and other prized deep-water species. These trips typically involve electric reels, heavy leads, and precise GPS positioning over sharp drop-offs and seamounts.

Queen snapper, in particular, are known for their brilliant red color and delicate, flaky meat. They often school in very specific depths and require patience and attention to conditions like drift speed and current direction. When it comes together, the payoff is exceptional.

Seasonal Fishing: Mutton Snapper Spawning Runs

Bimini is also home to one of the most exciting seasonal fisheries in the region: the mutton snapper spawning aggregation, which typically occurs in late spring and early summer, particularly around the full moon in May and June. Large schools of mature mutton snapper gather on predictable spawning grounds in deeper water, and with the right moon phase and current, the bite can be explosive. This window of opportunity draws experienced anglers from all over, and it requires precise timing, a quiet approach, and local knowledge of the spots. These big muttons fight hard and taste incredible, making them a bucket-list target for serious bottom fishermen.

aptain’s Insight: What makes Bimini so special is not just the variety of fisheries, but how close everything is. You can be trolling for tuna in the morning, anchoring over a reef for snapper by lunchtime, and deep dropping by mid-afternoon, all within just a few miles of each other. That kind of access is rare, and when guided by someone who’s fished these waters for decades, it makes for an unforgettable day on the water.

premier sportfishing destination