Handline Fishing In Bermuda
My son and I love to fish. So when we decided to take a trip to Bermuda, we knew that we wanted to fish the local waters. We found a guide named Bryan, who took us out on the water for a morning of fishing. Bryan is a 40-something Bermudian with an intoxicating laugh. His gruff exterior concealed a very charming personality and a great sense of humor. He has been handline fishing the ocean from boat and land since he was a child. Bryan’s knowledge of the sunlit waters and the fish that inhabit them is extensive. The stories he shared about the history of the island were fascinating. I could have sat on that boat all day, floating on turquoise waters, listening to him share tales.
The first thing we noticed when we pulled away from the dock on an old Boston Whaler, was that there were no rods in the boat. My son made mention of it, to which Bryan replied, “We’re going to fish the way I grew up fishing, with a handline. That’s how my father and grandfather fished, and I want to show you how it’s done.”
Handlining is one of the oldest forms of fishing and is still practiced throughout the world today. It’s pretty much just like it sounds. You don’t use a rod or reel. Instead, you hold a single line in your hands. We made our way out to one of Bryans secrets spots. Honestly, I don’t know how he finds it in the middle of a large bay, but he anchored the boat and said, “Right here!
As any fisherman knows, there are many factors that go into a successful catch. You need to choose the right bait, cast your line in the right spot, and have a bit of luck on your side. However, one of the most important elements is knowing how to read the fish and the waters. An experienced fisherman like Bryan, can tell what kind of fish is on the line just by the way it bites and takes the bait.
He baited our hooks with squid and instructed us to lower our lines all the way to the bottom. It wasn’t long before my son had his first fish on the line. He methodically pulled the line hand over hand. Ultimately, hauling in the first fish of the day. Okay… we’re hooked!
We spent the next few hours enjoying the sun, the breeze, and the excitement of every fish that hit our line. By the end of the day, we had caught several fish, including a couple of big ones that put up quite a fight. It was a perfect day, and one that we won’t soon forget.
Jaxon is the afternoon host on WMMR Philadelphia. Hear his show weekdays 3-7 pm. You can also follow him on social media. Instagram Twitter Facebook
