RSSFishing is the major marine sport in the Bermuda Islands. Many of the International Game Fishing Association's World Record catches were made in Bermuda waters.
Over 650 species of fish inhabit Bermuda waters which include barracuda, dorado or mahi mahi, blue and white marlin, shark, amber jack, bonefish, chub, gray snapper, mackerel, pompano, rainbow runner, tuna, yellowtail, wahoo, jacks, snapper, and yellowtail. But there are limitations in catching blue and white marlin and skippers and clients are not allowed by local law to take protected species which include conchs, corals, dolphin, marine turtles, porpoises, sea fans and whales nor catch local lobsters.
As you would get the thrill in catching a huge bill fish and would want to take it home for stuffing and mounting, ask in advance the catch policy of the charter boat captain. An experienced charter boat captain may take you 10 miles or so offshore, for strikes.
On the ocean, captains or first mates bait and cast lines on the port and starboard sides. Clients are assigned to a particular rod, or the fighting chair. If a strike is made when a client has the fighting chair, he or she is given the rod and instructed on how to use it to fight the fish. Angling tournaments occur throughout the year, on charter, private fishing and sports boats.
Big Game Fishing involves fishing for the fierce fish like barracuda, blue marlin, dorado or mahi mahi, marlin, shark or wahoo.
Spear Fishing
Under the 1972 Fisheries Regulations, this is illegal in waters in or less than 1 mile from shore and offenders caught will be fined up to US$5,000.
Light Tackle Fishing is for amber jack, bonefish, chub, gray snapper, mackerel, pompano, rainbow runner, tuna or yellowtail. Some captains will focus on one or the other, or both. You get space on a charter boat equipped for fishing, plus services of the Captain and his First Mate, lines and bait.
Fishing from shore
Fishing is done from any beach on the South Shore or North Shore and has public access, and for which no license is required. In deeper water, you might catch a barracuda, dorado or mahi mahi, garfish, grouper, shark, wahoo, amber jack, chub, gray snapper, mackerel, rainbow runner, tuna or yellowtail. Local fishermen have made catches of groupers weighing 90 pounds or more. Bring your own gear, or rent or buy locally.
