Bermuda is one of the world's finest destinations for anglers, especially in light-tackle fishing. Blue marlin catches have increased dramatically in recent years, and Bermuda can add bill fishing (for marlin, swordfish, and sailfish) to its already enviable reputation. Fishing is a year-round sport, but it's best from May to November. No license is required.
You can obtain fishing information from the International Game Fish Association's representative for Bermuda, Keith Winter, at tel. 441/292-7131. He can only be reached at home in the evening.
Deep-Sea Fishing
Wahoo, amberjack, blue marlin, white marlin, dolphin, tuna, and many other varieties of fish call Bermuda's warm waters home. A number of island outfitters offer the equipment to help you fish for them.
Reef Fishing -- Three major reef banks lie off Bermuda, and they're likely to yield such catches as greater amberjack, almaco jack, great barracuda, little tunny, Bermuda chub, gray snapper, yellowtail snapper, and assorted bottom fish. The closest one begins about 1km (2/3 mile) offshore and stretches for nearly 8km (5 miles). The Challenger Bank is about 23km (14 miles) offshore, and the Argus Bank is about 50km (31 miles) distant. The farther out you go, the more likely you are to turn up larger fish.
Several companies offer half- or full-day charters. Arrangements can be made through the activities desks of the big resort hotels as well as Bermuda Sportsfishing, and Sea Wolfe Sportfishing.
Shore Fishing -- Shore fishing turns up such catches as bonefish, palometa (pompano), gray snapper, and great barracuda. Locals and most visitors prefer shore fishing at Spring Benny's Bay or West Whale Bay; Great Sound and St. George's Harbour are other promising grounds. The activities director at your hotel can help make fishing arrangements for you.
Anglers Aweigh: How to Make Your Big Catch a Winning One
The Bermuda Game Fishing Tournament is open to any angler who takes the time and trouble to fill out the tournament application when he or she catches a really big fish. No special license is required, but your catch must be weighed and three witnesses must sign an affidavit attesting to its weight. Special prizes are awarded each year for top catches of 17 species of game fish. For more information on registering the ones that didn't get away, contact the Bermuda Department of Tourism, Global House, 43 Church St., Hamilton HM 12, Bermuda (tel. 441/292-0023; www.bermudatourism.com). Open daily 9am to 5pm.
