Abacos/Guana info

[Ken Buke]

Just booked a trip for the third week in Dec. This will be my first trip and need some advice.

I will be renting a boat for a couple of days, so please include some offshore info.

Looking for DIY for Guana mostly...

And now for the real killer, I don't fly fish --124-3 ...Therefore anything that will bend my rod (at least to start!).

Any info would be very appreciated...

Thanks. Ken.

[widdoes]

Ken- Dec. weather can be iffy- at least windy. But, you are there for peak wahoo season and there are some very good spots on the east shore of the Guana/Man O War/Tilloo area. For just bending a rod, I used to catch lots of nice yellowtail inside the reef in a 13' Whaler. Shrimp or cut ballyhoo will get the job done. For bonefish, if you can get over to Cherokee Sound, that is the spot. If not, I'll tell you quite honestly that I caught a bonefish (and saw plenty more) on the little sand flat on the north end of MOW cay. Its a small flat and there aren't lots of fish, but they're there. Look for fish moving onto the flat with the flood tide and off with the ebb. Slack tide is bad. A shrimp or crab (even a hermit crab) will work. I also watched a guy catch a bonefish in the MOW harbour on a shrimp fished on the bottom.
Just dunk a line in a fishy looking spot and you've got a chance. And give the wahoo idea a shot, just bring your sea legs (or Dramamine) 'cause it's mighty lumpy out there in Dec. :confused: --123-3
-WJ

[Ken Buke]

Thanks for the info. Very much appreciated...

Will be with the wife and 3 kids so fishing will be busy :rolleyes:

My intention is to chase some baracuda(sp?), wahoo trolling and bait for the rest...since the boat will be loaded...

Do you know where to get bait (Guana or Marsh Harbor)?

What rigs will work for cuda (leader shy?).

Will be staying on the atlantic side right on the beach --127-3- . Is there any fishing to be had there?

And as always a recommended local tackle shop?

Thanks again Ken.

[widdoes]

Ken- it's been a while since I've been there, but most of your "supplies" will likely come from either Marsh Harbour or Treasure Cay- about equidistant from Guana. For trolling for cudas and wahoo, a ballyhoo and an Islander or other weighted head is the way to go. Also, Marauder and Bonita swimming lures- big Rapalas too. 2-3 feet of 180# single strand wire for leader, 8/0 hook. Keep the connection between the leader and the line small- wahoo will take a whack at that sometimes. Magic number for wahoo is 40 fathoms- keep it on 40 fathoms just outside the reef, look for current breaks, upwellings, turbulance, and go fast! 8 knots min., 14 knots best (too fast for Rapalas).
Now for the hard part- when you do hook up, a wahoo will run like there's no tomorow- and then stop and come back just as fast. More fish are lost at that point. The angler can't let go of the handle on the run, and keep the rod tip down too. You need both to keep up with the fish when he turns back.
Finally, watch those teeth! I'm of the opinion that gaffing wahoo is asking for trouble. Lift them right into the box, give them a "bonk" at the last minute and sit on the lid for 10 minutes after they stop! Even a dead one is dangerous. Really- cudas are nothing compared to 'hoos.
Hope that helps- best luck!
-WJ

PS- fishing the ocean side between the island and the reef can be very productive and fun if you can locate some structure. Plenty of big cudas in there too. DON'T EAT CUDAS!!!!! Look up "ciguatera" if you don't know why.

[Ken Buke]

Thanks for the reply. Very helpful.

Ken.