Diy Exuma??

[upcoaster]

I need some advice. I want to DIY bonefishing on Exuma. Is this a good idea? Anybody recommend lodging, flats to try--how expensive? Want to go first week in March '04.

email me if you wish.

[figen]

I need some advice. I want to DIY bonefishing on Exuma. Is this a good idea? Anybody recommend lodging, flats to try--how expensive? Want to go first week in March '04.

email me if you wish.


Hi Upcoaster,

Sorry can't be of much help yet. I'm currently researching Exuma myself, we're going to Bahamas in mid February, and will stay at Abaco for the main bulk of the trip. Considering a 3-4 day trip to Exuma. It seems there are quite a few places for reasonably priced lodging. Som websites I found useful

high-end lodge: http://www.peaceandplenty.com/en/rates-bonefishing.html
guides http://exumabonefish.com/
general info, including lodging: http://www.exumabahamas.com/

Let me know what you come up with!

[upcoaster]

Figen:
I found some interesting stuff at www.anglingdestinations.com--good links to the Out islands, and reasonably-priced packages, etc. Good site.

[Henry]

Your idea of a DIY trip to Exuma is a good one. Last year I was planning on doing the same thing after finding a place to stay south of Georgetown that included a vehicle rental and ulimited use of a 15ft "Whaler type" skiff with new motor all for around $160.00/night..."Hartswell Cottages"...link attached (split between two guys would be very reasonable). You have to consider that renting a vehicle anywhere in the Bahama's will run you $50.00 to $70.00 per day. Likewise, rental of a small skiff tends to run around $100.00/day. Add another $100.00 or so per day for accomidations...and you're up to around $250.00 per day....AND YOU STILL HAVE TO EAT!!!

http://www.exumabahamas.com/hartswellcottages.html

I was almost ready to pull the trigger on this trip and book it. Then all of a sudden, the owners removed the "skiff included with rental" option. The boat is apparently still avaiable, but for a fee!. My trip was planned to be on a shoestring budget and the shoestring was getting too long for my means...so...it's back to Eleuthera for 2 1/2 weeks for me.

You still might check it out though, perhaps you and the owners can come to an agreement to include the boat for a few days or at a reduced price.

Early March should be great time for bones if the weather holds up for you. We were on Eleuthera March 3rd-9th last year and had a fantastic heatwave so the bones were active and reasonably co-operative.

Good luck with it and give us a report when you get back.

Best regards,

Henry

[jazztime]

I'm booked at Hartswell Cottages from March 11 thru the 18th. Cottage included vehicle but skiff is an extra $40.00 per day. For two people we didn't think it was to bad.

Plan to hook up with guide for 3 of the days we are there as per recommendations of others who have been there before. I was infomed by several peole that it's a good place for a first time trip for bonefish although they don't run very big. Hey I just thrilled to escape the Northeast and sample the warm waters.
Have tied up more flies than I ever use and I'm ready to go now! --126-3-

f you have any questions I may be able to help.

Will post trip update when I return. Does anyone know if I can bring a cooler of frozen meats down with me? I had planned to eat moose and deer steaks along with sampling the local food.

Thanks

[Henry]

Cool, you going to Hartswell. Is it possible for you to email me when you get back with all the details on the place...ie)condition, quality of vehicle, skiff and motor, things you didn't like. I really interested to hear how you did. I almost booked there myself but wussed out and am going back to Eleuthera March 19 to April 4.

Thanks dude,

[flysully]

jazztime-On two trips to Great Exuma (where I stayed at the Bonefish Lodge), I did see people coming to the island with coolers of meat. However, this was about 5 years ago before new restrictions so I'd suggest that you check with your airline and Exuma shuttle before you pack up the cooler.

[Marshrunner]

jazztime,
I've carried frozen beef and swordfish steaks to the Bahamas every spring for years. Just pack them in a small 6-pack size cooler with dry ice and then pack the cooler inside a duffel or other bag to disguise it so the baggage handlers don't "accidently" pull it off the conveyor and take it home for dinner (happened one year). And if you haven't tied any, you might want to add a few Pflueger Hoys to your stash, a local Exuma pattern developed at Peace and Plenty that is optimized for tailing fish on skinny white flats. If you can't find the recipe, post a request or email me.

Question: Reading your and Henry's posts and doing the math, it looks like the day rate total at Hartswell for house, car, and boat is about $200. Am I correct? If so, that's quite reasonable.

[jazztime]

Thanks for the information on bringing food. Hartswell is$159.00 (U.S.) per night, double occupancy Includes: airport taxi, cottage, and car.
10% discount for stays of 7 nights and longer

We thought it was a good deal and will post our experience on the place and trip when we return. I did find some excellent looking houses for rent on the web and will be taking a look at them while on Exuma. It may be the way I go next year as I'm sure that it could end up as a 4-person trip if all goes well and the fishing is good. When I find the web site for house rentals I'll post it.

thanks again

[LeeG]

If you're looking for a guide-check out Reno Rolle. He as a website. We went out with him twice-he knows his water, works hard, and is friendly. Oh, and we caught fish.

Enjoy the trip.

[jazztime]

Lee,

thanks for the suggestion. I booked Reno several months ago and glad to see you enjoyed your trip and the experience.

I've booked a guide every other day (JJ, Garth, Reno) and will rent the skiff and DIY the other 3 days or drive and locate spots to wade. I figured that fishing with a guide for 7 or 8 days in a row would be to much like work. I'd like to see what we can find on our own, relax, drink a few, toss a few flies and catch a few bones. Ahhhhhhhhh....can't wait. Just might not come back...they'll never miss me a work anyway!