Abacos in December

CaptainT

Hey Guys, looking for some direction here. We are from Jacksonville and taking our first trip to the abacos with 4 guys Dec. 16-20th. We are seasoned fisherman and spearfishing guys, up to about 20-25'. We are staying on Treasure Cay and will have a boat for 3 days. Not looking for anyone's honey holes, but if you could point us in the right direction to spear some fish and maybe hunt a lobster or two would be great. We are going over to get a feel for the area and will be in the boat the entire time we aren't sleeping. Would love some areas to catch snappers and maybe a grouper as well.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated....also thoughts on hiring a local to show us some of this stuff?

Thanks,

troy

dragon bait

You might want to check out
http://abacoforum.com/

CaptainT

Yeah ive been looking for information on there but most the information seems to be land based.

privateer19

Diving the reefs off Guana, Scotland and the little cut between Scotland and fowl cay could be good. we have done well there in the past. in December you should not have much pressure.

CaptainT

Thanks so much Privateer19. Are you talking about the "ocean" side or the Sea of Abaco? Is the sea of abaco worth spending time in to try and find areas that hold shootable fish?

Thanks again!

abacofever

Winter in Abaco is either drop dead beautiful or down right ugly. A front is either moving through or has passed. Any decent front will wreck your visibility for several days. Front moving through will have wind blowing right @ the Islands from the Ocean. Sea of Abaco will be milky as will the reef. Crap shoot in December. Maybe 65/35 you will get good weather when you are there.
Now, having said that. December has historically had a good 10-14 day period where a front moved through and the next one either stalls to the North or is very weak.
Take a Quick look at Don't rock. South side has a chunk of the rock that fell in the sea. Sometimes has decent bugs underneath. Small, done in 10 min. If the water is clear you will see antennas sticking out from under the rock if any decent bugs are there. Only 7'-8'.
Keep eyes open in Sea of Abaco..a few condos here and there. Otherwise just hit the reef in front of Green Turtle or Bakers Bay.
If more adventurous and the weather cooperates try the Ocean side of Manjack. Some good size Coral heads. 75% chance you will see a shark over 6' there. Also the Ocean side of Green Turtle a bit south east closest to No Name has some interesting reef.
All weather dependent. Lots of current in all those locations on the tide change.
Take a copy of the Abaco Guide. It will help.

CaptainT

Wow, great info! Yeah we are worried about the weather, but praying we get some good weather for our first trip. Its out of our control, so well see. Looking at some maps, I don't see "Don't Rock", any suggestions?

I guess the reefs on the "outside" would hold more shooter fish than the sea of Abaco?

Thanks again!

dragon bait

CaptainT wrote: »

Wow, great info! Yeah we are worried about the weather, but praying we get some good weather for our first trip. Its out of our control, so well see. Looking at some maps, I don't see "Don't Rock", any suggestions?

I guess the reefs on the "outside" would hold more shooter fish than the sea of Abaco?

Thanks again!

it's in the sea of Abaco
http://www.drralph.net/Hub2GTC.html

privateer19

CaptainT wrote: »

Thanks so much Privateer19. Are you talking about the "ocean" side or the Sea of Abaco? Is the sea of abaco worth spending time in to try and find areas that hold shootable fish?

Thanks again!

Ocean side from my experience. We have found bugs, conch and smallish fish on the inside but nothing great. I don;t know how much time i would spend on the inside unless it was just too rough to get out. One caveat, you are on the open ocean side and the taxman will be looking for lunch when the pole spear dinner bell sounds. Be vigilant and prepared to move, often....

CaptainT

Thanks guys, really appreciate yet. Yeah the sharks don't have me too thrilled, but I grew up a water Boy and there is no turning back now!

abacofever

Sea of Abaco is mostly Sand and Turtle Grass. best use of time will be towing a couple people behind the boat if you see an area that looks interesting from above. If you tow in the ship channel @ bakers bay (on the edges) you may find a condo or two and for sure will see some Mutton Snappers. Tiger Sharks transit the area on a regular basis. Including the Sea of Abaco. Never had an issue with them during the day. They swim over and take a look and keep going. Mostly.
Normal Shark protocol applies. Anything that gets speared gets out of the water asap.

CaptainT

Thanks AbacoFever, and others!