Trolling the yellow bank

[cajunrocker]

We will be cruising from Nassau to Exuma next May. Curious if we would catch anything trolling during our crossing? Anyone ever try this?

[belizesailor]

Sure. Especially in the Bahamas, my experience has been that natural or live bait is way more productive (this is generally true everywhere, but Ive been skunked in the Bahamas on artificials then switched to natural dead bait and BOOM!). The most conveneint thing to do is buy some pre-rigged ballyhoo and troll with them. Or break out the cast net, catch your own, and learn how to rig them (its not hard).

[a64pilot]

I do the rigged frozen Ballyhoo myself, nothing else’s required, it comes with about a 6’ leader attached.

[cajunrocker]

Thanks for the replies. Have you tried trolling when crossing from Nassau to Exuma? I’m guessing I could find ballyhoos somewhere in Nassau.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by cajunrocker

Thanks for the replies. Have you tried trolling when crossing from Nassau to Exuma? I’m guessing I could find ballyhoos somewhere in Nassau.

Doubt if you'll catch anything on the Yellow Bank. Go to Highborne or Normans and deke out into Exuma Sound. That's where the fish are. I prefer cedar plugs. Get a Mahi or Wahoo.

[boatman1]

I may be mistaken, but I expect the only specie that you’re likely to attract on the banks is a barracuda. Tasty but possibly infused with ciguatera. There are some coral heads that might be home to a snapper or grouper, and they might take an interest in your trolled offering, but....

[Cheechako]

I've thought about it on the Yellow Bank. I don't remember if I tried though.

[Palarran]

This is a very short distance so I wouldn't get too worked up about your plan. But, from Nassau, you will probably head to Spanish Wells. This is mostly shallow and will only result in Barracuda. From SW to Abacos is a good fishing route and we caught quite a few Mahi. They seemed to be so aggressive they hit on everything.