Every season someone steps aboard expecting to drag a marlin back to the dock for a photo on the scales. We do it differently. At Fishtales we run 100% catch and release on all billfish, and we have for good reason. If you have ever wondered how catch and release billfish in Bonaire actually works on the water, and why we hold the line on it, this is the honest version from someone who fishes here every week.
Why billfish go back, every time
Billfish like blue marlin and sailfish are slow-growing apex predators. A big fish has taken many years to reach that size, and there are never as many of them as people imagine. When you kill one, you do not just end one fight. You remove a breeding animal whose numbers matter far beyond a single trip. That math does not work in our favour, so we release every billfish that comes to the boat. You keep the photos and the story. The ocean keeps the fish.
How we release a marlin or sailfish
A good release is not just cutting the fish loose and hoping. It is a routine we do the same way every time, because the careful version is what gets the fish swimming away healthy instead of belly-up an hour later.
- Bring it boatside. We work the fish in efficiently rather than dragging out a long, exhausting fight that leaves it spent.
- Cut the leader or remove the hook. Whichever is gentler for that fish. We keep handling minimal and quick.
- Revive it. We hold the fish in the water and let clean water move over its gills until it kicks and finds its strength again.
- Let it swim away. When it is ready, it goes under its own power, healthy and headed back down.
It takes patience and it takes knowing what you are doing. That is the part you are really hiring a crew for.
Which fish we keep
Releasing billfish does not mean you go home empty-handed at dinner. There is a clear line between the species we protect and the species that are genuinely good eating. The eating fish come home for the table.
| Species | What happens |
|---|---|
| Wahoo | Kept for the table |
| Mahi-mahi | Kept for the table |
| Tuna | Kept for the table |
| Snapper | Kept for the table |
| Blue marlin & sailfish | Always released |
So you can absolutely fill the cooler with fresh wahoo, mahi, tuna or snapper, and still send every marlin and sailfish back where it belongs. The two are not in conflict.
Why responsible fishing is exactly why Bonaire is still this good
The reason the fishing here is still worth flying for is that the people working it have looked after it. Restraint isn’t a sacrifice. It’s the investment. Every billfish that swims away is part of why there are still fish to chase next season, and the one after. Bonaire fishes year-round with peaks through the year rather than a hard closed season, and a fishery only stays that healthy if the crews on it act like they want it to last. This is our home water and our livelihood. We fish it that way.
What this means for your day on the water
For you, catch and release is not a downside. You still get the screaming run, the jumps, the fight of your life on a marlin or sailfish, and the photos to prove it. You just get the better story too: the one where the fish you fought is still out there. And you can still bring home fresh fish for dinner from the eating species. Honest fishing, done with care, that you can feel good about.
If that is the kind of trip you want, come fish with us. Book a fishing trip with Fishtales and let’s get you on the water. Pricing and availability are on request, and we are happy to talk through what your day could look like before you commit.
