Catching Yellowfin Tuna in the Bahamas

Outboard powered center consoles that eclipse 60 mph are ideal for chasing roaming tuna schools. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

While you will likely encounter diving birds and schooling tuna en route to your Bahamian port of call, once you are within 12 nautical miles of land you'll have to forgo fishing until you clear customs. Yellow quarantine flags indicate vessels that have yet to receive their fishing license and vessel documentation. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Once you've found a flock of birds, position yourself in relation to the wind and current so your chunk and live baits intercept the schooling tuna. Finding the fish isn't difficult, but achieving consistent success will take time. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Light tackle is the name of the game, with Shimano's Stella one of the most well equipped spinning reels on the market. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

A quality yellowfin makes its last circle as it nears the gaff. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Spooled with thin diameter braid for increased line capacity, today's advanced conventional reels are up for the challenge. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Open center consoles provide 360° fishability. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Although chunk baits will do the trick, nothing beats a livewell full of scaled sardines. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Bahamian yellowfin don't rival the cows caught in other foreign destinations, but what they lack in size they make up for in numbers. High flying frigate birds indicate the prize below. . Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Sharks are insanely aggressive in the Bahamas and require anglers to make quick work of their catch. Within reach of even the smallest center consoles, the Bahamas are a favored summertime stomping grounds of anglers in the know. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Once you've been infected with yellow fever only a trip to the Bahamas will cure your sickness. Photo: Steve Dougherty-doughertyphotos.com

Yellowfin Fever