Tag: south andros

Wading the Flats: The Next Step – a collection of our best articles to up your wading game

There comes a time in a man’s life when he must take the next step! For fly fisherman, that’s a step out of the boat in pursuit of bonefish. There are usually opportunities to wade anywhere you bonefish. Then, there are destinations that are literally all wading. To tackle them you need to start thinking outside the boat. Click on the links below to up your game or find a new destination.

Thinking Outside the Boat

Wading puts you in the bonefish’s environment. It allows you to get close to the fish. It provides the opportunity to approach fish down wind. Two anglers can fish at the same time. It’s good exercise. It enables you to fish water too shallow for a boat. Sometimes it’s easier to catch fish on foot, sometimes it’s harder. Regardless, there’s a lot of satisfaction to tracking down your prey on foot.

Beyond the Blue Bonefishing, South Caicos

Less than 140 anglers fish South Caicos each year, creating one of the most remarkable ratios of angler per thousand bonefish anywhere short of Christmas Island or Seychelles. The remoteness of South Caicos is most savored when you cover mile upon mile of it’s gorgeous, shallow flats by airboat and never see a “prop scar”. You realize no one else fishes here. It’s all yours. Everything about South Caicos … “south” as it’s called, is different … in a good way. It’s all wading.

How to Catch More Bonefish

Use a triple surgeon’s knot when tying leader to leader and the improved clinch knot or better yet the non-slip mono loop knot when tying the tippet to the fly. Many experts have abandoned the blood or barrel knot in favor of the surgeon’s knot for connecting leader to leader and likewise have abandoned the clinch knot in favor of the non-slip mono loop. Your guides may continue to use barrel knots and clinch knots, so we recommend you learn to tie the knots we recommend for yourself.

Every time you or the guide ties a section of leader to leader, or you tie the tippet to the fly, you should test the knot strength by affixing the fly to something stationary and pulling firmly. More fish are lost due to leader or knot failure than any other reason.

Update on South Andros

Over the last few years, more and more clients fishing Bair’s Lodge, Andros South, Pleasant Bay or Mars Bay are catching big bonefish. The 7 – 10 pounders are being landed every month. Mars Bay has kept a record of the bonefish caught this season, here are some highlights.

Go Small. Go Light. Go Weedless

You can encounter tailing fish on any fertile bottom, but weedy bottoms hold the most prey, therefore the most fish. Big fish seem more comfortable feeding in the shallows over a dark bottom. Click here for tips on Shallow Water, Tailing Fish.

The end of the outgoing and beginning of the incoming brings the skinniest water that’s when you’ll find fish tailing over the weeds. To catch them, you’ll need a fly that doesn’t “plop” when it hits the water: go small.

Preparing for Your Bonefishing Trip: Wading

Protect Your Feet with a good pair of wading shoes or boots designed for flats fishing, a few pairs of wet wading socks, and don’t forget to break in your shoes. Wading shoes and socks will help to keep sand out and reduce blister forming friction, as well as giving support for a day of wading. But, if the first time you put on your wading shoes in the Bahamas, it’ll be a long week. Break in your shoes by wearing them around the house for an hour or two a couple times per week. It’s much better than blisters or sore arches. Do Not wear last years sneakers with cotton socks or open sandals – your feet will thank you.

Religious Experience vs Purpose in Life

Being in the right place at the right time, then having it confirmed by the sudden appearance of an enormous tail, creates an explosion of urgency, nervousness, opportunity and energy …. An adrenalin rush beyond compare. You get pretty good at judging the size of the fish by the thickness and width of the fork in his tail. Think jaws of life, not pruning shears!

January 25, 2019

Update on South Andros

Most anglers identify South Andros as a huge expanse of wadable flats around the southern and southwestern tip of the island: Flats filled with large schools of uneducated bonefish in the 2-4 pound range eager to eat flies. Anyone interested in seeing larger fish in singles and doubles would gravitate the North Bight of Andros, the West Side of Andros, or the North Shore of Grand Bahama. Think again!

Over the last few years, more and more clients fishing Bair’s Lodge, Andros South, Pleasant Bay or Mars Bay are catching big bonefish. The 7 – 10 pounders are being landed every month. Mars Bay has kept a record of the bonefish caught this season, here are some highlights.

1) The numbers of fish being caught over the spring and neap tides are virtually identical, but the “moon” tides are producing bigger fish.

2) Anglers are landing good numbers of fish in the 27” – 31” range in each month.

3) The largest bonefish landed was an astounding 36”.

To put some of this into perspective, and provide information on how to estimate the weight of your Atlantic bonefish, please refer to the table below, which has been excerpted from page 20 of Randall Kaufmann’s Bonefishing!.

Size (in)	Weight (lbs)	Size (in)	Weight (lbs)
18″	3.5	28″	8.6
19″	3.8	29″	9.6
20″	4.1	30″	10.8
21″	4.6	31″	11.9
22″	5.1	32″	13
23″	5.5	33″	14.4
24″	6	34″	15.6
25″	6.5	35″	16.8
26″	7.2	36″	18
27″	7.7	37″	19.2

This method of estimating weight is not as accurate as [girth² x length / 800], however it does highlight the massive size of a 36” bonefish! For those of us with ruler marks on our rods, it also provides an easy way to estimate the weight of our bonefish and minimize the amount of time spent handling the bonefish (click here for best practices for on handling and releasing bonefish).

Go ahead and speculate why there are so many more big bonefish being caught on the South Andros flats. It could be cyclical, climate change, guides getting better at finding bigger fish, or better anglers doing the fishing. With anglers landing plenty of fish in the 7.7 to 11.9 pound range, our conclusion is that this might be the best time to fish South Andros.

May 10, 2013

Bonefishing Essential Destinations: The Lodges of South Andros, Bahamas

I loved visiting South Andros for the second time to explore its fishing lodges. I saw and fished with virtually every lodge there including the remote Mars Bay on Andros’s southern-most tip. As most of my clients know, I love fishing and the more I learn about an area the more enthusiastic I become.

The South Bight of Andros is a large, virtually untouched land mass surrounded by flats and mangroves. My purpose this trip was to investigate each lodge there to determine whether it had all of the essentials. By essentials, I mean those qualities that make a specific lodge worthy of any angler’s wish list; specifically, excellent fishing, guides and management as well as amenities suitable to specific anglers’ needs.

Transportation to the island can be easily arranged by flying into Andros’s Congo Town Airport via Nassau or Ft. Lauderdale. Flights are usually very reasonably priced, making the trip quite convenient from most the U.S.

My journey started on Andros’s southern reaches at Mars Bay Lodge. I couldn’t wait to visit Mars Bay’s remote and undiscovered flats. Mars Bay’s location equates to less time spent traveling to spectacular southern fisheries like Jack Fish Cay, Water Cays, and Curley Cut Cays. And of course, less time in the boat means more time fishing. The facility at Mars Bay consists of two buildings designed in the practical, minimalist style of the Bahamaian Villa. The main building consists of two bedrooms, with shared bath. The second one has one bedroom, private bath, Satellite TV, dining room, kitchen and a very nice sitting area. The lodge emphasizes basic, clean comfort.

Debbie is the assistant manager as well as the lodge’s gourmet cook. Bill Howard, the on-site owner / manager makes Mars Bay function very smoothly. Bill has very strict standards concerning his staff which are especially noted in his team of guides. Wilfred, for example, has been a south Andros resident all of his life and has been guiding professionally for over 20 years. A true Bahamian, he is one of the finest boatman I have ever come across as well as an expert flats wader. George is also an excellent boatman and a determined flats stalker. Chris has the best eyes of the group and spots fish at impossible distances. Mars Bay keeps Rahming skiffs and nicely kept poling boats.

From Mars Bay I traveled to Bair’s Lodge. I had been to Bair’s once before for an extensive stay during which I enjoyed optimal fishing with one of my clients. I knew immediately that I would have to visit again.

Upon my return I received a warm welcome from managers, Nicolas and Cecelia, Argentine citizens whom also manage Futa Lodge for Bair’s parent company, Nervous Waters. Nicolas and Cecelia are great managers. Their personal, hands-on approach to guests and the lodge’s daily operation has made Bair’s the “5 Star of South Andros.” Nicolas also oversees Bair’s professional and experienced guiding staff. The staple guides, Leslie, Nate, “T” and Gary all have slightly different areas of guiding expertise. Nicholas takes advantage of this by putting his guides on a rotation, which allows guests to explore the large flats, creeks, and mangroves thoroughly. Depending on tides, trips to Andros’s west side can be made as well. Nervous Waters is continually re-investing in Bair’s by rigorously maintaining and improving boats and accommodations. Nervous Waters is very consistent in its ability to maintain the perfect mix of staff, guides and management.

Bair’s has recently added space for two more anglers; the lodge can now accommodate 10 rods at a time.

Past trips to Andros South (formerly the Bonefish Bay Club) have made me a bit wary of recommending it to my clients. Having come under new management and ownership, though, I decided to return to see what future clients could expect. I could have not been more pleased with the changes made by Andros South’s new owner, Andrew Bennett. He has made ambitious improvements to the plumbing systems, single accommodations, landscaping, boats and other equipment. He has also added a Tiki bar and casting area beside the white sandy beach in front of the lodge.

The meals were also very good, often consisting of a fresh catch of the day reeled in by manager John Toker. Like Bair’s, Andros South uses a rotating-guide system that works well to make each guide’s specific knowledge and experienced accessible. All guides at Andros South are hardworking and extremely enthusiastic. Their are quickly becoming legends on the island due to their fishing zeal.

Before leaving south Andros I stopped at three other lodges: Glatos, Sunrise, and Nathan’s Lodge. I would not recommend Glatos or Sunrise.

I was somewhat impressed by Nathan’s Lodge. The atmosphere there was friendly, comfortable, and it offered real Bahamian charm. The inconsistent guiding quality, however, makes me a little hesitant about giving Nathan’s my full endorsement.

I can confidently say, though, that the south Andros fishing lodges as a whole have improved considerably since my last visit. At Mars Bay, Bair’s and Andros South anglers will certainly find those fishing essentials that make guest return again and again. Given the right conditions, these lodges can provide an atmosphere of fishing nirvana, allowing guests to see why this area of the Bahamas has become part of fishing lore.

December 5, 2006
Andros Island Fishing Lodges and 3 new routes to the West Side

ANDROS REVISITED – 3 NEW ROUTES TO THE WEST SIDE

I first visited Andros in 1982. There was one fishing lodge, Charlie’s Haven, located at Behring Point on the North Bight. I was the only angler staying at the lodge. I fished Big Wood Cay for several days, never seeing another guide or angler.

Since that trip, I’ve been back to Andros at least a dozen times and every trip I discover something new.

My most recent trip was in November, 2002. The “new” thing I discovered on this trip was Flamingo Cay Rod & Gun Club, the only lodge located on the unpopulated west side of Andros.

I was the only angler staying at Flamingo Cay. I fished numerous west side flats as far north as Billy Island, never seeing another angler or guide. I waded for miles plucking off bonefish tailing in six inches of water, caught a 50 pound tarpon that ate the fly within 3 rod lengths of the boat and cast to numerous permit from 20-40 pounds.

Flamingo Cay is located near the mouth of “The Wide Opening”. Access to the lodge is by floatplane. This location is about 100 miles from nowhere. I was expecting “rustic”, instead, I found an oasis, with every comfort imaginable, including outstanding food, Hell’s Bay skiffs, an airboat and several top notch guides. For anyone who wants to experience Andros like it was 50 years ago, this place is a find.

I fished the remote southwest side of Andros extensively in the early 1990’s, when Stanley Bain first opened his Grassy Cays Camp. Building that lodge was an incredible feat. The fishing was even more remarkable, endless wading for humongous schools of bones in shallow water. Tragically, Stanley Bain disappeared in 1995 and with his departure the lodge fell to ruin in a few years.

Interestingly, this void is now being filled by the two lodges based in Kemp’s Bay, South Andros, Bair Bahama Guest House (now Bair’s Lodge) and Bonefish Bay Camp (now Andros South). The South Andros guides have found a way to travel by skiff from the east side to the west side of South Andros through the protected waters of Little Creek.

The single route to the southwest side used to be a weather dependent one hour boat ride down the east coast. Breaching the west side through Little Creek opens up a huge new chunk of bonefishing habitat and eliminates the often pounding boat ride down the east side when the wind is up.

I’m happy to report that fishing on the southwest flats of Andros is just as incredible today as it was in 1990 and should stay that way for years to come. With just two lodges fishing these vast southern flats, there is little threat of over fishing. You will find slightly warier fish closer to these lodges, but with so much real estate no one spot gets pounded.

Also noteworthy is the pending change in management at Bonefish Bay Camp (now Andros South). Operated for the past 7 years by the Rahming family, we expect that within the next 30 days, American, JerryBottcher will have government approval to take over operation of the lodge. Bottcher has promised many improvements.

Today, there are at least 14 fishing lodges on Andros. I’ve visited every one. Fourteen may sound like a lot, but not when you consider the size of Andros. It’s immense. And, it’s all fishable. Andros has been referred to as the “Alaska of the Bahamas.” Please view our Andros map at https://www.angleradventures.com/androsmap.html

The highest concentration of lodges exists in the Behring Point, Cargill Creek area where Charlie’s Haven got started. There is Ivan Neymour’s, Tranquility Hill Lodge right on the North Bight. Rupert Leadon’s, Andros Island Bonefish Club (AIBC) located a mile or so away at the mouth of Cargill Creek. Next to AIBC is Creekside, formerly Cargill Creek Lodge. Across Cargill Creek is two time Bahamian National Bonefishing Champion Simon Bain’s brand new Bonefish Bay Club.

From these 4 lodges you have easy access to both the Middle and North Bights, and the excellent wading flats on the East side. In addition, a vortex of guiding talent lives and works in these two neighborhoods, guides such as Andy Smith, Simon Bain, Charlie Neymour, Ricardo Mackey, Nick Leadon, Glister Wallace, Danny Newbold, Ivan Neymour, Dwayne Neymour and many more.

About 20 minutes southwest is Mangrove Cay, located on the east side of the Middle Bight. Mangrove Cay is an island unto itself, with its own airport. The spectacular Mangrove Cay Club was built in 2000 by Liz and Allie Bain, who have turned Mangrove Cay Club into one of the best run lodges in the Bahamas in a matter of a few years.

In North Andros, Prescott Smith’s Stafford Creek Lodge continues to fish local east side flats and the Joulter Cays, but more and more is trailering to a small fishing village on northwest Andros, called Red Bays, and running south to fish. Here are more flats that have not seen a “prop scar” and are home to big bonefish, permit and tarpon.

The nearby Kamalame Cay, while offering an outstanding fishing program concentrating on east side flats and the Joulter Cays, is probably best known for having raised the bar on what anglers can expect in terms of luxury and elegance.

More information on the lodges described above can be found on our web sites noted below. However, if you would like to discuss theses or other Bahamian lodges, don’t hesitate to call.

Regards,
Chip Bates

January 1, 2003
World Class Bahamas Bonefishing in South Andros Island, Bahamas

In recent years the southern tip and southwest side of Andros Island, Bahamas, has become one of the hottest bonefishing destinations in the world. South Andros is a relatively new spot on the angling map and is comprised of vast, unpressured flats, tidal creeks, mangroves and unique inland lakes. Few other locales offer such a diversity of bonefishing habitats, and visitors to south Andros can often experience all of them in the same day. Roaming these remote waters are schools of unsophisticated 2- to 4-pound bonefish numbering in the

thousands. Anglers will also find bigger, warier bonefish and the occasional double-digit giant in Deep Creek, Little Creek and along the west side.

I recently fished this bonefishing hot spot to see exactly what it has to offer and to investigate the area’s bonefish lodges. I visited Bair’s Lodge, Glatos, Andros South, Nathan’s Lodge, Sunrise Lodge and Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge.

Bair’s Lodge is the most centrally located of these operations. While there is good fishing just five minutes to the north in Deep Creek and five minutes to the south in Little Creek, the guides are willing to take long boat rides to the southernmost fishing areas. Consequently, I saw an enormous area of fishable water during my stay, including crossing through Little Creek to access the west side. This trip can take an hour or more depending on tides, but the protected creek offers a smooth ride and is home to some very large bonefish.

Bair’s has done an excellent job of hiring a team of guides whose skills are as

diverse as the south Andros fishery. I fished at different times with Leslie, William, “T,” Chip and Gary, each of whom has a different specialtyand takes a different approach to daily fishing. This guide rotation allowed me to experience each guide’s favorite spots and techniques.

In terms of accommodations, food and management I found Bair’s Lodge to be among the best lodges in the Bahamas. For more information on Bair’s Lodge please visit www.www.angleradventures.com/bairba.

Andros South, formerly the Bonefish Bay Club, has been taken over by Andrew Bennett who has had great success with his Alaskan fishing lodges. Andros South takes full advantage of the fishery’s variety. Andros South guides will fish the east coast and southern tip of south Andros as well as its west side. They are expert at navigating the maze of tidal creeks that runs through south Andros and can almost always find good, leeward fishing there.

They have also discovered a network of inland flats and saltwater lakes that can be loaded with fish under certain conditions. These areas cannot be accessed by boat and so are very rarely fished. A good deal of walking and bush whacking is required to reach them but, as an experienced bonefisherman, I enjoyed the novelty and ingenuity of these inland excursions. Andros South also offers exploratory blue water fly fishing for tuna, dorado, sharks and billfish aboard a 25-foot Power Cat with twin 150hp Yamaha four-stroke outboards.

The accommodations at Andros South are not as luxurious as they are at Bair’s, though they have recently been renovated and updated. They are now modern, clean and comfortable, and are all single occupancy.

Meals focus on freshness. Some of the dinners consisted of manager John Toker’s daily catches skillfully prepared by the lodge chef. The daily lodge operations run very smoothly and I found the staff to be friendly and attentive. For more information on Andros South please visit www.www.angleradventures.com/androssouth.

Being the southernmost lodge on Andros, Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge has the quickest access to the island’s southern tip and south east side. This equates to more time fishing. The pristine fisheries of Jack Fish Cay, Water Cay and Curley Cut Cay, which can be difficult to reach from other lodges, 20-30 minutes north of Mars Bay. Mars Bay guides rarely, if ever, venture north, preferring to take advantage of their proximity to the renowned flats of the south end of Andros.

Accommodations at Mars Bay bonefish lodge are clean and comfortable, but very basic. Bill Howard manages the lodge expertly and the chef offers very good Bahamian cuisine. The lodge does not offer many amenities, but it does offer some of the best bonefishing in the Bahamas.

I would recommend Mars Bay for the serious angler wishing to concentrate on large numbers of smaller, unpressured bonefish. For more information on Mars Bay please visit www.www.angleradventures.com/marsbay.

I would be happy to discuss these lodges or to answer any questions. Please call or email me for details or to reserve space in south Andros for this season.

Tight lines,
Judy Hall

U.S.: 800-628-1447 – Int’l: 860-434-9624
Fax: 860-434-8605
E-Mail: judy@angleradventures.com
PO Box 872, Old Lyme, CT 06371
Website: www.www.angleradventures.com

August 23, 2012
Summertime: Light Winds, Less Pressure, Great Fishing for Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon

Some of the best Bonefish, Permit and Tarpon fishing occurs in the summertime. Due to cool ocean currents / breezes, the Bahamas temperatures typically never get over 85o F in the summer and don’t heat up like the large land masses in the U.S. Rain showers are short lived and there’s little or no wind to deal with. Some lodges close down, but the ones that remain open know it’s the best chance for a Grand Slam all year. Permit prefer warm water, Migratory Tarpon begin to show. Glistening Bonefish tails are a common sight, early and late in the day.

Abaco Island

Rickmon Bonefish Lodge in Sandy Point, Abaco is open in June and July, because it’s the best time for Permit and Mutton Snapper (Yes on the fly rod!), according to Ricardo Burrows.

Abaco Lodge, The light summer winds allow you to do “More Cool Stuff”, like trailering up north, fishing out of the Upper Cays and Oceanside flats in pursuit of Big Bones, and Mutton Snapper.

Available Dates:
June 14 – 20, 10 rods
June 22 – 26, 8 rods
June 26 – July 3, 8 rods

Blackfly Lodge In addition to flats fishing for Bonefish, Permit, Mutton Snapper, and occasionally Tarpon, Blackfly has an offshore option with its 31′ Yellow Fin docked on the East Side just minutes from Reefs and Blue Water.
The last openings are June 24 – July 7 and Aug 1 – 13

Andros Island

Prescott Smith of Stafford Creek Lodge says emphatically that summertime is your best chance at a Grand Slam (Tarpon, Permit & Bonefish). Mutton Snapper fishing in June and July is exceptional. If you prefer Reef and Offshore fishing, go for Tuna in the morning, (catch your dinner) and hit the flats in the afternoon.

Pleasant Bay and Bair’s Lodge are open in June and still have some great space available. Some of the best fishing in South Andros takes place in June with plenty of fish and no pressure!

Bair’s Lodge is a luxury lodge with good management and great bonefishing.

Available Dates:
June 4 – 8, 4 rods
June 4 – 11, 4 rods
June 8 – 12, 10 rods

Click or Tap here to for more on Summer Fishing on Grand Bahama and in Belize.

May 6, 2014
Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge, South Andros, Bahamas

The vast flats of South Andros have been one of our favorite bonefishing destinations for over 2 decades. This is a true wilderness fishery, offering an incredible variety of places to target bonefish. There are a myriad of creeks, cuts, cays and mangrove lagoons to explore with the skiff. Best of all, and our favorite part, there are miles and miles of firm, clean sand flats where you can wade for days! These flats are home to massive schools of nicely sized bones (3 – 5 lbs), as well as singles or smaller pods of bruisers ranging well above the double digit mark!

Sitting at the end of civilization, literally “the end of the road” on South Andros, is Mars Bay Bonefish Lodge – a down-to-earth, comfortable, no frills fishing lodge for anglers focused on great fishing, not the amenities.

The guides are excellent, the staff is friendly and attentive, and the rooms are clean, comfortable and cool with new beds and new AC units. The food is always a highlight; with a carefully planned menu balancing meals focused on local flavors and comfort food. Don’t forget about the location! Mars Bay offers the shortest travel time of any other operation on Andros to the Southern Flats, which can equal as much as an extra full day of fishing time on a week long trip. Add in that the guides work as hard as any guide we’ve fished with, plus they don’t punch a clock at 4:00 PM, and we’ve got a recipe for some of the longest fishing days you’ll find in the Bahamas.

Mars Bay was 99% full last year, but a few recent group cancellations have opened up some excellent space for the Spring 2018 season, especially for some larger groups.

March 10 – 17, 4 rods
March 31 – April 7, 4 rods (Easter is April 1, 2018)
April 14 – 21, 4 rods
April 28 – May 5, 8 rods
May 5 – 12, 6 rods
May 12 – 19, 6 rods (May 13 is Mothers Day)

The cost for a 7-night / 6-day fishing package is $4,550 per person based on double occupancy accommodations and a shared boat / guide daily.

Have questions? Evan just got back from a January trip to Mars Bay and would be happy to recommend weeks, give a report, or just talk flies.

February 9, 2018

Tag: south andros

Abaco Island

Andros Island