There are hundreds of places in the Bahamas just as beautiful as Exuma where you can fish .. don't limit yourself to just one island. They all are unique in their own way, but all have fish :-)

Greetings....

I did not mean to start this long trail of fighting and bickering...for that I apologize....But I must clarify a few things :

* There is no law in the bahamas that states one must fish with a guide while fishing on their own, while on foot. The only law states that anyone keeping fish must have a permit. This is when someone is fishing on foot or off the beach or in a boat. I agree with this law.

* Second the law states that business' in the business of entering bahamiam waters, and promoting guided fishing must use bahamiam guides. I agree with this.

* There is an organization or group of individuals who are using harrasment, etc to make tourists believe that they must use their services or they should go elsewhere. The person who runs this group is an American whose interests lie with himself and not the Exuma people.

* I did not expect to be told if I did not like they way the people where acting "Go to another Island" (Which I am now anyways )

* A college/university degree means little....people know who you are based on your heart, your kindness and your integrity.

* We all should be working together to protect the environment, culture, economy and health of a location. Groups with individual interests can be the downfall of any community......

* Fisherman in many locations contribute significant dollars to economies. Consider Andros...should fisherman stop going to Andros, that economy would be in dire straights. The same could be said for some other locales.

* Most (unfortunately not all) fisherman care about the economy, the environment and the health of where they go to fish. It just makes sense and is the right thing to do.

Tiaesq, if someone put a posting up about my "backyard", I too would defend it. But I would do it with a more open mind and softer approach.......

B

:uk:

Actually, in Andros, one needs a fishing guide too!

Actually, in Andros, one needs a fishing guide too!


darn .. not in Long Island as far as I know

Greetings....

I did not mean to start this long trail of fighting and bickering...for that I apologize....But I must clarify a few things :

* There is no law in the bahamas that states one must fish with a guide while fishing on their own, while on foot. The only law states that anyone keeping fish must have a permit. This is when someone is fishing on foot or off the beach or in a boat. I agree with this law.

* Second the law states that business' in the business of entering bahamiam waters, and promoting guided fishing must use bahamiam guides. I agree with this.

* There is an organization or group of individuals who are using harrasment, etc to make tourists believe that they must use their services or they should go elsewhere. The person who runs this group is an American whose interests lie with himself and not the Exuma people.

* I did not expect to be told if I did not like they way the people where acting "Go to another Island" (Which I am now anyways )

* A college/university degree means little....people know who you are based on your heart, your kindness and your integrity.

* We all should be working together to protect the environment, culture, economy and health of a location. Groups with individual interests can be the downfall of any community......

* Fisherman in many locations contribute significant dollars to economies. Consider Andros...should fisherman stop going to Andros, that economy would be in dire straights. The same could be said for some other locales.

* Most (unfortunately not all) fisherman care about the economy, the environment and the health of where they go to fish. It just makes sense and is the right thing to do.

Tiaesq, if someone put a posting up about my "backyard", I too would defend it. But I would do it with a more open mind and softer approach.......

B

:uk:


Hey I still want you to come to Crooked Island and do some fishing there is no harrassment here....plus it's virgin territory :sailing: :dancer2: :cheers:

Where is your sense of nationalism, you dont have to look to the world or imply that someone hasnt seen it when the beauty is right here in your native land. Anywhere I go I will always proclaim the Bahamas as #1 and not look to nowhere in that. My attitude is positive is yours?

Oh, island in the sun
Willed to me by my father's hand
All my days I will sing in praise
Of your forest, waters, your shining sand

What I will not do is put on blinders
We are so dependent in our independance its scary.

while tact and diplomacy would have really helped this discussion along a little earlier on, i can support tiasg's defense of exuma. in harbour island and eleuthera, we have had too many experiences over the years with visitors who go out with our guides ... or worse yet, our scuba divers ... and then head back the next day on their own and have no sense of balance in terms of what they take from our environment. bahamian guides are a must, whether you're fishing off a flat or a boston whaler, as we have had too many examples of visitors taking more than the six lobsters suggested, spearing 75 year-old grouper, etc.

if you have your own boat, then you've had to take the boater's courses necessary to trawl our waters appropriately .. but if you're new to our waters, and you're renting a boat or walking flats in waters with which you are unfamiliar, we'd even more strongly suggest that you use one of our guides. thank you.

Actually, in Andros, one needs a fishing guide too!


Actually, you only need a permit in Andros or any other Island in the Bahamas if you plan on keeping fish.

Otherwise, you do NOT need a permit OR a guide to fish on foot/boat on your own anywhere in the Bahamas.

The ONLY time you need a bahamian to guide you is when a business is promoting guided fishing in bahamian waters. This goes for any business from anywhere in the world.

Again, more people spreading untruths to force people into using a business.

I think there is a few bad apples that ruin it for everyone. Some will not secure permits to keep fish....

My point is that myself and my circle of friends do not keep fish, we protect the environment, we are respectful to all we come in contact with, we secure any necessary documents and we take trash bags with us and clean areas as we walk in and out. This group spends on average $95,000/bahamian a year in the Bahamas on our numerous trips. This is spread across all business and does not include airfare....To a few of the replies, we will be taking this money and going to another Island. To those that respect us and welcome us as we respect and welcome them. To those who could understand why we where frustrated, thank you. To those who told us to go to another Island, I am sure the business people in Exuma will be disappointed.

that's all well and good for you to say that you and friends are good with the environment, but with all due respect (hey, it goes both ways, you know), we've heard that before.

shouting at the top of your lungs with your fingers pressed in your ears does NOT at all change the fact that yes, yes, yes, there are fishing regulations here for anyone want to fish bahamian waters. there are fishing regulations most everywhere in the world, and you're absolutely right in exclaiming that we're pretty lax about enforcing them.

but yes, unless you're swinging a line off of a government dock, a non-local is expected, requested, required to take on a fishing guide. you may certainly choose to take your $95,000 investment to another island, but the fact is that you'll be pressing your luck if you head out without a guide. same goes for belize, st. vincent, cuba, trinidad, jamaica and nevis/st.kitts, so i really don't know where you're getting all of the defensive anger from.

some of our bahamian fish are offlimits to fishing and spawning at certain times of the year, which is why we suggest that you fish with a knowledgeable guide. giddy ignorance will not be a defense in any court of law, much less the central government courthouse on exuma, andros, crooked island or cuba.

:cheers:

thanks.

while tact and diplomacy would have really helped this discussion along a little earlier on, i can support tiasg's defense of exuma. in harbour island and eleuthera, we have had too many experiences over the years with visitors who go out with our guides ... or worse yet, our scuba divers ... and then head back the next day on their own and have no sense of balance in terms of what they take from our environment. bahamian guides are a must, whether you're fishing off a flat or a boston whaler, as we have had too many examples of visitors taking more than the six lobsters suggested, spearing 75 year-old grouper, etc.

if you have your own boat, then you've had to take the boater's courses necessary to trawl our waters appropriately .. but if you're new to our waters, and you're renting a boat or walking flats in waters with which you are unfamiliar, we'd even more strongly suggest that you use one of our guides. thank you.

Can Bahamians fish in U.S waters without a permit?

nope. whether i fish in florida or california or north carolina, i have to get a permit. what's really strange to me is that the permits specify which fish you are allowed to catch :uh: ...

The states you mention have a saltwater license. There are numerous other states in the US that do not require a license to fish in the ocean or sea. All states in the US do not require the use of a guide for freshwater or saltwater fishing.

The states you mention have a saltwater license. There are numerous other states in the US that do not require a license to fish in the ocean or sea. All states in the US do not require the use of a guide for freshwater or saltwater fishing.

And that's my point exactly; I for one will follow the law of any country that I am in. Be it the USA or Exuma, Bahamas. If it is the law follow it, and if it is not, inquire about the correction procedures and contact the correct authorities.

Tiaesq, if someone put a posting up about my "backyard", I too would defend it. But I would do it with a more open mind and softer approach.......

B

:uk:


If you dont stand for something you will fall for anything, I am not in the business of conformity beacause of someone's defensive take on my opinion your tone was a little too vigilant and I dear say blasphemous, but nooooo you dont hear me...

was watchin OLN...and they had a segment on bone fishin in exuma. And what do i see? the guide standing in the back drop. lol, i'm sorry it made me think of this thread

was watchin OLN...and they had a segment on bone fishin in exuma. And what do i see? the guide standing in the back drop. lol, i'm sorry it made me think of this thread



This is promoting tourism, the people dem dont know the waters they need a guide! Regatta is right around the corner everyone!