Fishing in Freeport, Bahamas: What You Need to Know

Freeport may be considered the playground of the rich and famous, but they aren’t the only ones that get to enjoy this tropical paradise. Christopher Columbus was the first non-native to visit here, or so history tells us. And then, of course, there’s the famous Bahama Mama, with just the right mix of rum, coconut, grenadine, orange juice and pineapple juice. It helps make for a relaxing afternoon and helps one better enjoy the stories of the pirates that once dominated this part of the world.

The Bahamas even has famous swimming pigs. You’ll find them on a boat tour out to big Major Cay, which is also called Pig Island. The pigs will swim out to greet you, or you can go on shore and pet the pigs. They and their caretakers are usually the only ones on the island. And oh, yes. There is so much to do that you’ll have to make a schedule to get it all in. And you don’t want to miss out on the chance to take advantage of the fantastic fishing in the area.

Fishing Near Freeport

The oceanfront district at Lucaya is the most popular destination with everything you’ll need for a great vacation. That includes some top notch options for a chartered fishing trip. If you want to get even closer to the fish, the Deadman’s Reef is popular for diving and snorkeling. There are even extensive underwater caves up the coast at the Lucayan National Park and plenty of kayaking and walking trails.

For fishing, guests are in for a treat because the deep waters of the Atlantic are just a short boat ride away. Here you will find not just a regular fishing experience, but tournament-level fishing opportunities. There are sailfish, blue marlin, white marlin, swordfish, wahoo, mahi mahi, shark, and tuna just to name a few of the big targets here. There are also snapper, grouper, amberjack and barracuda.

While big fish expeditions can take longer and involve more complex fishing skills, there’s one fish that brings people here by the boatload that you can catch pretty much year round. Bonefish run up and down the coast of the island in huge schools. The flats and shallower waters around the island are prime habitats. Bonefish are kind of like the rocket of saltwater fish. They are long, sleek, and stealthy. And when you hook one the next sound you hear will be the zing of your line quickly leaving your reel. Bonefish can be caught from a boat or from shore using squid, which is the most popular and successful bait, and is readily available at local stores. Tarpon and permit are also popular in the shallower areas.

There’s lots more. One popular tradition here is reef, or dry ground, fishing. It involves a hand line and dropping the bait off a dock or pier or off the beach. There are all kinds of fish that swim in these areas and catching a fish on a hand line is an awesome experience. Make sure you wear a glove or protect yourself in case you hook into a really big one.

You can also take advantage of diving and snorkeling to catch fish. There are snapper, grouper, barracuda and even lobster and shrimp for the taking. Make sure you follow laws and regulations on each species. Be aware also that spearguns are not allowed and neither are underwater air supply gear. The taking of fish is limited to using a Hawaiian sling, which makes use of a “shooter” using a high powered rubber strap to shoot a spear shaft forward like a bow and arrow.

More About Visiting Freeport

Freeport is the main city on Grand Bahama, located in the northwest Bahamas off the coast of Florida. There’s so much to see and do here. There is the Garden of Groves trails, waterfalls, a historic chapel, luxury and informal beaches, the Port Lucaya Marina, Rand Nature Center, Peterson Cay National Park, the Ruby Golf Course, and Mayfield Beach and Tennis Club. This area suffered a major blow during Hurricane Dorian in 2019, but Freeport is now back to serving guests and visitors of the region. This area is used to powerful storms, but Dorian was a Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds and a 20-foot storm surge.

Freeport is one of the more laid back areas of the Bahamas and offers a quiet approach to the usual Bahama experience. A trip to the Bahamas offers plenty of options, but don’t miss out on taking at least a half-day fishing trip to some of the beautiful, fish-filled waters surrounding the big island. Whether it’s big game fish or smaller game fish close in, book a Freeport fishing charter with one of our professional and courteous FishAnywhere charter captains. You’ll be glad you did. And the best part is they do all the work and you have all the fun. We can pair you with the perfect charter to make your vacation one you’ll remember for a lifetime.