Bimini: Big-game fish can still be caught in the deep waters around Bimini, but the most sought-after trophy is the marlin, whose image appears on the Bahamian $100 bill. As many as 40 annual fishing tournaments are held every year in The Bahamas, many of which transform Bimini into a mini-Olympic village where the elusive fish are hunted by a daunting armada of well-equipped fishing boats. Bimini was Ernest Hemingway's favorite place to fish when the oceans were not nearly so depleted as they are now.

Andros: Bonefish thrive in the shallow, sunlit waters off Andros Island. It isn't the best-tasting fish in the islands (as you might guess, it consists mostly of cartilage and bones), but serious anglers say that it puts up one of the strongest fights of any fish in the world. Other islands good for bonefishing include Bimini, Walker's Cay, Abaco, Eleuthera, Exuma, and Long Island.

The Abacos: In the Marsh Harbour area, you'll find bonefish in the flats, marlin in the deep, and yellowtail on the reefs -- and many of the world's greatest anglers will be in hot pursuit. In Elbow Cay, you can arrange to head out with the local fishermen. Another good place for deep-sea charters in the Abacos is Green Turtle Cay, which hosts a hugely popular fishing tournament each May.