Eleuthera report

[catspaw]

Returning to New England after spending time in the Bahamas is the definition of sensory deprivation. 80 degrees, turquoise water, blue skies, green palm trees, white sand beaches and flats then having to return to grey skies, grey trees, brown lawns, 18 degrees; it's almost more than one can stand.
We spent 10 days on Eleuthera, we rented a house on North Palmetto area near Unique village. I've been to other Bahamas Islands but Eleuthera is by far my favorite. There are so many places to fish it's hard to decide where to go. There are several very good restaurants, some pretty neat places to visit (sight see), beaches are some of the best in the world, the local people are very friendly, no crime. Did I mention the fishing? I landed 10 fish during the stay and no two were caught on the same fly, go figure. I certainly don't claim to be a great bonefisherman but I've caught a few, I've traveled a bit and can usually figure out the fish where I go, but these fish were just plain nutty. I threw #10 unweighted shrimp fly on a 16' leader 20' in front of a school of 10 fish, waited for the school to get within 2 feet and made a soft 6" strip and they blew out like I had throw a brick at them. A couple of days later I have a weighted #2 buggy creation of my own design on, a pair is coming down the flat, I cast, the wind takes my leader and carries my fly too close to the fish, it SPLASHES down 1 foot in front of the fish, fish charges and the fly like he hasn't eaten in week, go figure.
I'd have to say of the places I saw Savannah Sound would have to be my favorite, unfortunately it's also every one elses favorite too. The first day there were 4 other anglers on the flat besides myself. After that I only saw one other angler. There are plenty of bones there but they are very spooky and have probably seen every fly ever tied.
Savannah is where I took the largest fish of the trip 5-6 lbs, but I saw several fish that were double digit, they wouldn't even look at the fly. I also dropped two fish here also.
I didn't have a boat and didn't hire a guide (maybe I should have hired a guide for a day) but with the number of easy access flats I don't know if one is really needed. I fished Savannah Sound, Balara Beach, Ten Bay, and Double Bay on the ocean side (caught two small cudas and Jack Crevalle here as well). Double Bay is one of the best beaches I have ever been on, two miles of white sand with not a soul on it other than us. I only see one logical soulution to this dilemma of too many places to fish in this tropical paradise, more visits and longer stays.
If anyone wants any more specific information -where to stay, see, eat, fish, etc. let me know, I'll be glad to share any info I have, and thanks to all on this site who shared their knowledge with me. Thanks again.

[BobG]

Great report!

I think the internet is really making Eleuthera popular these days. Plus, it's one of those few places where you can drive up with a car, and take bonefish.
Ditto on Ten Bay, and Double Bay. Some of the prettiest beaches on the planet.

Did you ever get over to Mate & Jenny's in S. Palmetto for the pizza and :-% ?

[Henry]

It's nice to hear a report from one of my favorite places in the world. I'm looking forward to the challenge of those fussy bones in just under 4 weeks. My pal and I are going to be there for 16 days of sun, fun, fishin and a few Kaliks and rum punches.

Just added a little something below to make you wish you were back there.

[catspaw]

Great report!

I think the internet is really making Eleuthera popular these days. Plus, it's one of those few places where you can drive up with a car, and take bonefish.
Ditto on Ten Bay, and Double Bay. Some of the prettiest beaches on the planet.

Did you ever get over to Mate & Jenny's in S. Palmetto for the pizza and :-% ?

Absolutely, the first time we went to Mate and Jenny's, there were only 4 other couples in the place, they were all from Connecticut as we are. The only trouble with Mate & Jennys is the Kalik is $7.00 each. Try Tippy's, pizza is just as good if not better, and the Kalik and cocktails are $4.00.

[Pucho]

Hi, i would like to know for a good place to stay in Eleuthera, I am the kind of person that wake up at 6 am go to fish :brow get back to eat at 6pm and go for a walk :-% and get back to sleep, so i dont mind for too much comodities, I just need a bed with air condition in the room and maybe a tv.
Thanks
Pucho --127-3-

[peanuts]

check out www.rainbowinn.com

[jjonas]

Hi, i would like to know for a good place to stay in Eleuthera, I am the kind of person that wake up at 6 am go to fish :brow get back to eat at 6pm and go for a walk :-% and get back to sleep, so i dont mind for too much comodities, I just need a bed with air condition in the room and maybe a tv.
Thanks
Pucho --127-3-

Pucho,
The screaming deal on Eleuthera is a bungalow rented by a German Couple, Will and Irene, located just nort of Governor's Harbour in German Village. $60 for one bedroom with $20 more for an additional bedroom, which is attached. Nice place with large kitchen and dining room and livingroom. Web address is http://www.bahamas4u.com/. They mainly rent to German tourist so they are not on the usual listings.

Jason

[catspaw]

Hi, i would like to know for a good place to stay in Eleuthera, I am the kind of person that wake up at 6 am go to fish :brow get back to eat at 6pm and go for a walk :-% and get back to sleep, so i dont mind for too much comodities, I just need a bed with air condition in the room and maybe a tv.
Thanks
Pucho --127-3-
Rainbow Inn is certainly one place, I don't know about the rooms but the food is good. Another place is Coca di Mama, just south of the Govenor's Harbor airport. Great accomodations, great food, and a flat right outside your front door. If you're looking for something less upscale you might try the Duck Inn in Govenor's Harbor. In any case you'll need a car to take advantage of the island. IMHO Rainbow Inn is a little far north to travel to the flats I'm familiar with.
www.cocodimama.com
I don't know the site address for The Duck Inn but it shouldn't be too hard to find out. There's also a ton of houses you can rent.

[Fishon1]

Catspaw,

Sounds like you had a really great time. A friend and I will be going down in the first week of May. We are renting a beach villa, possibly on the carribean side in south palmetto. I really appreciate seeing reports such as yours which tell guys like me what to expect, thanks for that.

We will be renting a car-do you think it needs to be 4WD? Where is balara bay? Did you find the fish were much tougher at savannah than elsewhere? OR would you say that they were more abudant so worthwhile to chase down?


I've heard the lower section of savannah can be awesome but tough to get to without a boat. We were thinking of renting kayaks and paddling down to the southern end of the sound. Any info on that would be great.

Lastly, did you grocery shop at all? Did you find reasonable items at reasonable prices?

Thanks in Advance-we're pretty excited about this trip.

Dan Connor
AKA Fishon1

--127-3-

[catspaw]

Catspaw,

Sounds like you had a really great time. A friend and I will be going down in the first week of May. We are renting a beach villa, possibly on the carribean side in south palmetto. I really appreciate seeing reports such as yours which tell guys like me what to expect, thanks for that.

We will be renting a car-do you think it needs to be 4WD? Where is balara bay? Did you find the fish were much tougher at savannah than elsewhere? OR would you say that they were more abudant so worthwhile to chase down?


I've heard the lower section of savannah can be awesome but tough to get to without a boat. We were thinking of renting kayaks and paddling down to the southern end of the sound. Any info on that would be great.

Lastly, did you grocery shop at all? Did you find reasonable items at reasonable prices?

Thanks in Advance-we're pretty excited about this trip.

Dan Connor
AKA Fishon1

--127-3-
You should definately fish Savannah Sound, the fish a spooky everywhere, but I saw the largest fish on Sav Sound.
I never got to the Southern end.
Balara Bay is north of Gov. Harbour, a few miles. After passing large white and blue building on your right, the Worker's House, immediately look for a small dirt road on the left, go past the old washers, refrigerator, and rusting cars; the road ends at a coral/sand flat, fish it on a rising tide, keep an eye on the depression right next to the shore, as it starts to fill up the fish may come in and tail.
The grocery store right in Gov. Harbour is about as good as you'll find in the Bahamas. Don't pass up the flat in Gov. Harbour, even though it's in the middle of town it has some good fish. Also I would recommend the flat in front of CocoDiMama, although I didn't fish it I heard of bones, tarpon, and small tuna being hooked there early in the morning.
Bring some tan and some white crab flies, smaller than a dime.
Please let me know how the house in S. Palmetto works out, I really liked that location. Hope you have as much fun as I did. Good Luck.
Catspaw

[Pherman]

Hey Catspaw- Really appreciate the report. Especially thanks to the long time users of reel-time for all their time and info. Bobg; you need to write a book. I know I'd pay good money for it. I'm going on a honeymoon for the first two weeks of april. Done a fair amount of flats fishing, but mainly in mexico and belize with just a few trips to the bahamas. Will be staying on Harbor island at the Coral Sands. Heard it is under new management, but it was rumored to by a dump prior to the buy out. Has anyone stayed there in the last few months? Recommend a guide off Harbor island? Also plan on exploring as we will be there for 12d. Any recommendations on a beautiful beach up north on eleuthera? While I will have a flyrod, as you might imagine, this is not a fishing trip. Maybe a day or two at most. Would love to sneak away to a secluded beach with the wife for lunch and while she reads, I wouldn't mind if there was the option to stalk a few fish. Double and ten bay sound beautiful. Do you know which is further north? Any other recs? And if anybody needs western recs for trout (WY, UT, ID, OR) happy to help. Basically live on the water during post run-off.

[Fishon1]

You should definately fish Savannah Sound, the fish a spooky everywhere, but I saw the largest fish on Sav Sound.
I never got to the Southern end.
Balara Bay is north of Gov. Harbour, a few miles. After passing large white and blue building on your right, the Worker's House, immediately look for a small dirt road on the left, go past the old washers, refrigerator, and rusting cars; the road ends at a coral/sand flat, fish it on a rising tide, keep an eye on the depression right next to the shore, as it starts to fill up the fish may come in and tail.
The grocery store right in Gov. Harbour is about as good as you'll find in the Bahamas. Don't pass up the flat in Gov. Harbour, even though it's in the middle of town it has some good fish. Also I would recommend the flat in front of CocoDiMama, although I didn't fish it I heard of bones, tarpon, and small tuna being hooked there early in the morning.
Bring some tan and some white crab flies, smaller than a dime.
Please let me know how the house in S. Palmetto works out, I really liked that location. Hope you have as much fun as I did. Good Luck.
Catspaw



Thanks Catspaw. May you have fair winds and following seas...


Dan

[catspaw]

Hey Catspaw- Really appreciate the report. Especially thanks to the long time users of reel-time for all their time and info. Bobg; you need to write a book. I know I'd pay good money for it. I'm going on a honeymoon for the first two weeks of april. Done a fair amount of flats fishing, but mainly in mexico and belize with just a few trips to the bahamas. Will be staying on Harbor island at the Coral Sands. Heard it is under new management, but it was rumored to by a dump prior to the buy out. Has anyone stayed there in the last few months? Recommend a guide off Harbor island? Also plan on exploring as we will be there for 12d. Any recommendations on a beautiful beach up north on eleuthera? While I will have a flyrod, as you might imagine, this is not a fishing trip. Maybe a day or two at most. Would love to sneak away to a secluded beach with the wife for lunch and while she reads, I wouldn't mind if there was the option to stalk a few fish. Double and ten bay sound beautiful. Do you know which is further north? Any other recs? And if anybody needs western recs for trout (WY, UT, ID, OR) happy to help. Basically live on the water during post run-off.
Pherman,
Sorry I can't be of more help but I've never fished North Eleuthera and have only played tourist during day trips to Habour Island. I know it gets fished quite a bit and there a some good flats there but I have no information, just ask around the people are by and large very friendly. Good luck.

[SemperFly]

You can walk along the west side of Harbour Island (past the dock where the ferries from North Eleuthera land), past the dump and the garbage scows, and come to some very large and productive flats called "Girl's Bank." These fish well on the incoming. You will pass several spots where guides hang out. A nice day trip would be to Spanish Wells (requires another ferry ride) where you can hire golf carts to tootle to the flats.

[Pherman]

SemperFly- Really appreciate the details. How is Spanish Wells for wade fishing and how are the beaches. Alas, I woun't be alone on this venture. Finally, have you hired a guide arround harbor island before? If you have, should I book one in advanve, or is it possible to find one at the docks? Also have access to a boat while on Harbor island. Anyone done any reef fishing. Have a couple of full sinking lines and big clousers, just didn't know if it would be worth it to bring them down. So excited for the sun and sand.

[catspaw]

SemperFly- Really appreciate the details. How is Spanish Wells for wade fishing and how are the beaches. Alas, I woun't be alone on this venture. Finally, have you hired a guide arround harbor island before? If you have, should I book one in advanve, or is it possible to find one at the docks? Also have access to a boat while on Harbor island. Anyone done any reef fishing. Have a couple of full sinking lines and big clousers, just didn't know if it would be worth it to bring them down. So excited for the sun and sand.
I'm pretty familiar with Spanish Wells, I vacationed there for a few years running. There's really only one flat but it runs the whole lenght of the island, the oppositesied of the island the ferry lands at. If you take the ferry you'll see a small flat on your right near the chanel poles, just follow the shoreline around westward and you can fish the whole way. It starts out as a grass flat and turns into a sand flat.
There's a good flat on the eastern side of the ferry channel but you need a boat to get there. The fish there seemed to get tougher every year even though you hardly ever see anyone fishing. The beaches are good about halfway down the island. Good luck.

[catspaw]

[QUOTE=Pherman]SemperFly- Really appreciate the details. How is Spanish Wells for wade fishing and how are the beaches. Alas, I woun't be alone on this venture. Finally, have you hired a guide arround harbor island before? If you have, should I book one in advanve, or is it possible to find one at the docks? Also have access to a boat while on Harbor island. Anyone done any reef fishing. Have a couple of full sinking lines and big clousers, just didn't know if it would be worth it to bring them down. So excited for the sun and sand.[/QUOTE

Sorry, I have never hired a guide out of Harbour Island, the only one I've heard of is the legendary "Bonefish" Joe LeClare, I would guess you should try and get in touch with him as early as possible.
Catspaw

[Pherman]

Catspaw- Great info. Will definitely head over to Spanish Wells. Can you recommend any places to eat on Spanish Wells? Would love to do a day and evening and be able to bait my wife over there based on the promise of good food. As I start tying up some flies, do yoiu have a favorite size? Have lots of small stuff from belize and mexico, but nothing too big (largest being #6s). Should I go bigger? Thanks again for the help, and let me know if yoiu make it west of CO. Should be a great water year for the trout.

[catspaw]

Catspaw- Great info. Will definitely head over to Spanish Wells. Can you recommend any places to eat on Spanish Wells? Would love to do a day and evening and be able to bait my wife over there based on the promise of good food. As I start tying up some flies, do yoiu have a favorite size? Have lots of small stuff from belize and mexico, but nothing too big (largest being #6s). Should I go bigger? Thanks again for the help, and let me know if yoiu make it west of CO. Should be a great water year for the trout.
If you're going to try and bait your wife to Spanish Wells with the promise of good food you're in BIG trouble. There is no good place to eat. There are two small places to eat, neither one very good, fried food, small burgers, so-so conch fritters. That's one of the reasons I won't go back to Spanish Wells after going to Eleuthera. It is a very strange island, take a look in the Spanish Wells phone book, 3 last names cover about 90% of the population, their family tree looks like a telephone pole. The men are all very wealthy fisherman and are gone for a good part of the year, the women drive around the island ALL DAY LONG. The island is 1/2 mile wide and two miles long, the average woman puts 20,000 miles per year on their cars; I'm not kidding and I didn't add any extra zeros to the mileage number.
IMHO I'd head somewhere other than there for a day trip.
Catspaw

[Pherman]

Catspaw- Thanks TONS for that advice. Definitely will keep the little lady over on Harbor Island. Love the extra info. Might just go over there to take a gander at the phone book and wave to the women as they repeatedly lap me. Have you explored any arround the N. end of Eleuthera? Know I can rent a car pretty easily and was thinking of trying to take the woman for a picnic to double or ten bay, but not sure how far the drive will be. Any ideas? Did you have much luck with crab patterns. Was thinking of trying to whip out a few really little ones, but don't know what colors or even if it would be worth it. Promise photos, if I have any luck, when I return. ciao. pherman

[catspaw]

Catspaw- Thanks TONS for that advice. Definitely will keep the little lady over on Harbor Island. Love the extra info. Might just go over there to take a gander at the phone book and wave to the women as they repeatedly lap me. Have you explored any arround the N. end of Eleuthera? Know I can rent a car pretty easily and was thinking of trying to take the woman for a picnic to double or ten bay, but not sure how far the drive will be. Any ideas? Did you have much luck with crab patterns. Was thinking of trying to whip out a few really little ones, but don't know what colors or even if it would be worth it. Promise photos, if I have any luck, when I return. ciao. pherman
Pherman
I have not done anything on N. Eleuthera. Double Bay and Ten Bay are both about an hour from N. Eleuthera airport, both very nice beaches. Receivers beach in a shorter drive,1/2 hr-45 min., the Coca Di Mama Inn is right on the beach, first rate food and scenery, mama will love it, run by a really nice Italian couple with really great taste; you may see some fish tailing-cruising-busting in the bay. Small, dime size and smaller, tan or white. Chiao
Catspaw