Cat Island

[dbutcher]

We are excited about a bonefishing trip to Cat Island. Mostly on our own, drive-to or walk bonefishing, but some guiding as well.
Anyone with suggestions on where to stay, whom to book as guide, or where to go on my own, would be most appreciated.
Thanks. --126-3-

[BobG]

Cat is full of DIY bonefish opportunities. Unlike other Bahamian destinations, Cat really doesn't have large, expansive flats. Rather, their bone fishing is made up of medium, to large creeks and estuaries with small flats and mangroves. A couple of these creeks receive no pressure at all, and the bonefish can be pretty easy. I've never done it there, but an infaltable kayak would be a winner on Cat. Many of the better creeks have no 'on foot' access due to deep mud and mangroves.
As far as places to stay, they range from inexpensive, spartan, but comfortable places such as the Orange Creek Inn ,http://thebahamian.com/orange_creek_inn/, to fully furnished homes, right on beautiful secluded beaches, http://www.e-vacationrentals.com/bahamas/shangri-la/shangri-la.htm
We've stayed at both, and would recommend both. If you're looking for a bargin trip either by yourself of with a fishing buddy, the Orange creek Inn is tough to beat. Located right on a prime bonefish creek (Orange Creek), and literally a 2 minute walk to the flats. For an extended stay with the family the other home may be your choice.
Cat is very remote, and has NO nightlife. I'd suggest bringing frozen food with you, rather than depend on what you might find in the local stores. Rental cars are available, and kind of pricey, as is gas, when they have it.
As far as guides, I've used Willard Cleare a number of times, and he's great.
I know there might be one or two other guides on the south end in the Hawk's Nest area, but I've never used them.
Cat's a real cool places, and there arean't many places like it left on the planet.

[TerryH]

I've fished the southerly end a few times staying at a rental house near Hawk's Nest Creek. There's a flat at Hawk's Nest where I've caught fish and the creek there is good too. When last there, you could rent a kayak from the Hawks Nest marina, although once i got to know them they didn't charge me. As for other places to fish, Port Howe has a big flat open to the ocean and I've seen and been broken off by huge bonefish there 10+ lbs anyway. Where Government Road terminates and you can go either left to Port Howe or Right to Devils Point , you can park and walk past a small concrete block building to a large flat that's fed by a creek - Frankfort's Creek I believe, I've done well there. At Old Bight take the road across from the school and go until you cross the creek. A short ways further on you'll see a power line where you'll turn left and go to the end. If the area around the power line has grown over, go a little further and there's a road that parallels the ocean. Again, go left and go to the end. Park and walk to your left away from the ocean. It will be muddy and mangrovy, but it opens up to what I believe is Joe sound Creek and I've had great fishing there. Bring some small crab flies. My son noticed small blue crabs floating along on leaves and the bonefish snapping them right off of the leaves. So we tied on a crab fly and nearly had to fend off the marauding bones they were so agressive. There's one guide at Devil's Point I believe his name is Nathaniel. He was expensive and lazy but found fish, however, no more than I found on my own. If you're up for some excitement, catch a barracuda around the HN marina docks, slice the fillets so they hang from the body and then chum with it off the gas dock on an outgoing tide at night - bull sharks aplenty of 400+ pounds will show up to mange. My son fished them w/conventional tackle and had a ball. I tried w/a fly, but couldn't get one to hit. A piece of cuda on a hook however was a different story.
Great conch fritters at the restaurant in Devil's Point just east of where the road branches to HN Creek.
Have a great time.

Terry

[echo]

dbutcher,
Have you decided on a place to stay yet? When are you going? I just booked a trip to Fernandez Bay Village for 5/07 and would be interested in hearing anybody's experiences staying there.

[TerryH]

Fernandez Bay is very nice and everyone's quite friendly. They had a guide who operated from there when I was last at CI. There's also opportunities for yellow fin a short ways from shore at the south end of the island. They're often on the surface crashing bait.

[dbutcher]

dbutcher,
Have you decided on a place to stay yet? When are you going? I just booked a trip to Fernandez Bay Village for 5/07 and would be interested in hearing anybody's experiences staying there.


We will be staying at a cottage on Bennett's Harbor. Called the Honeymoon cottage. We're not on our Honeymoon, but it looks like it could be a sweet place to remember the Honeymoon whilst sipping a rum and OJ and watching Mr Sun sink orange down.

Are you going?
:-%