THE FISHERY

Fish species of Bonaire

Billfish, tuna, reef and flats. Every fish you can catch with Fishtales, and how we hunt them.

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Sport fishing boat trolling the deep blue dropoff off Bonaire

Bonaire has a wide variety of pelagic and bottom species that can be targeted. Depending on the season and the charter length you book, it’s not uncommon to catch multiple species. Here’s an overview of the most common and targeted species in our waters.

Every fish that bites off Bonaire

Bonaire's steep drop-off and healthy reefs hold an incredible variety of game fish, from billfish in the blue water to snapper and grouper on the deep ledges. Here is what you can catch with Fishtales, when each species runs, and how we target them.
Blue marlin, Bonaire big game fish

Blue Marlin

150–400 lb
30 min – 2 hrs+
Nov to Jun
A true bucket-list sportfish
The king. Released every time.
Swordfish (Xiphias gladius), Bonaire big-game fishing

Swordfish

100–250 lb
45 min – 2 hrs+
Year-round
Rare deep-water prize
The deep's broadbill. A rare, prized catch.
White marlin (Kajikia albida), Bonaire billfish fishing

White Marlin

40–80 lb
15–45 min
Nov to Jun
The finicky billfish
Light-tackle billfish. Pure acrobatics, released every time.
Sailfish, Bonaire game fish

Sailfish

30–60 lb
15–45 min · aerial
Nov to Jun
Good odds in season
All show: greyhounding across the surface. Released every time.
Yellowfin tuna, Bonaire big game fish

Yellowfin Tuna

20–190 lb
20–60 min+ · brutal
Year-round, peak Nov to Jul
Reliable year-round
Straight down and never stops. The one that humbles people.
Blackfin tuna caught offshore Bonaire

Blackfin Tuna

5–25 lb
Fast · deep circles
Year-round · peak Nov–Mar
Common offshore
Small tuna, huge fight.
Skipjack tuna (Katsuwonus pelamis), Bonaire light-tackle fishing

Skipjack Tuna

5–20 lb
A few frantic minutes
Year-round · birds working the FADs
Fast & frequent
Blistering little runs, fun for everyone.
Wahoo, Bonaire big game fish

Wahoo

15–40 lb
5–15 min · one screaming run
Year-round, peak Nov to Jul
Nearly every trip
The fastest thing off the dock.
Mahi-mahi / dorado (Coryphaena hippurus), Bonaire big-game fishing

Mahi Mahi

8–25 lb
5–15 min · acrobatic
Year-round · peak Mar–Nov
Very common
Electric green and gold, the prettiest brawler in the sea.
Almaco jack amberjack from Bonaire

Amberjack (Almaco Jack)

15–50 lb
Brutal · straight for the wreck
Year-round
Reliable on the wrecks
All muscle, no quit.
Rainbow runner, Bonaire offshore game fish

Rainbow Runner

3–12 lb
Fast · long runs
Year-round
Common offshore
Neon stripes, blazing runs.
Great barracuda, a Bonaire reef game fish

Great Barracuda

5–25 lb
5–15 min · slashing strikes
Year-round
Very common
Lightning strikes from the reef edge.
Queen snapper (Etelis oculatus), Bonaire deep-drop fishing

Queen Snapper

5–20 lb
10–25 min
Year-round
Deep-drop table prize
Rosy-red deep-water gold. Straight to the table.
Caribbean red snapper caught in Bonaire

Red Snapper

5–20 lb
Short · dives for the reef
Year-round
Good on the reef
Hard-diving and superb on the plate.