The Tribune

AS SUMMER has arrived, many fishermen change their tackle box from deep sea fishing gear to bottom fishing or deep drop gear.

The water temperatures are increasing and the game fish are migrating north. On an early morning or sunset run the chances of snagging a Yellowfin Tuna or Mahi are a lot less at this time of year.

So, through the summer months, targeting bottom fish at different depths should be your plan. This may be in shallow water – from 20ft to 60ft or in deeper water from 100ft to 800ft in search of a giant Grouper or Red Snapper. Whatever your target fish – it all tastes good on the grill.

For a sample of the spectacular fishing to be had in The Bahamas, expert advice, tournament dates and results, informative features and photo galleries visit the Bahamas Sport Fishing Network page at tribune242.com or www.bsfn.biz.

BSFN’s fifth slideshow with US Today Travel has been released and is expected to take the total number of views for the series past the two million mark. The slideshow can be viewed on USA Today’s website in the Travel section at experience.usatoday.com

As more anglers register for the Fun Fish Tournament hosted by Old Bahama Bay in Grand Bahama from June 25 to 28, the prize pool potential also increases.

“With 30 boats entering every category we do have a potential for $75,000 in cash and prizes,” said Tournament Director Cliff Jensen. “The guarantee is $15,000 but with more involvement we will see that figure climb.”

Jensen said The Fun Fish Tournament, featuring categories for Wahoo, Tuna, Dolphin and Kingfish – with a special category for billfish – will be part of a three-day Beach Bash celebration co-hosted by Loggerhead Marina, the major tournament and awards dinner sponsor.

Tournament categories include Overall Funfish Winner, Heaviest Single Funfish, Billfish Winner, Female Angler, Junior Angler, Winner Take All and Overall Heaviest. Registration is $350 per angler, with a minimum of four anglers per boat.

Old Bahama Bay kicked off 2015 with the first event of their Bonfire Series, a two-day Wahoo Tournament and the unveiling of Bobby Little’s Burning Wahoo sculpture in February. The sculpture will again be the celebratory centrepiece of the June event and will double as a beach outdoor grill.

Participating in the tournament will be legendary angler Billy Black, who was a charter captain at Walker’s Cay from 1977 to 2004. During his long tenure in the Bahamas, he has had many of the Bahamian record catches for Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Bluefin Tuna, Yellowfin Tuna, Dolphin, Wahoo and Sailfish.

As part of the “Travel With a Purpose” mission, which combines a unique celebration at Outpost Destinations while promoting conservation, awareness and education to future artists and ocean enthusiasts, Guy Harvey Outpost Resorts has partnered with the Bahamas and Old Bahama Bay to benefit the West End All-Age School.

The community of Spanish Wells is preparing to celebrate its fifth annual Fishermen’s Fest on July 17 and 18.