Bahamian Lodges - Recommendations

[Jacquestrappe]

The time has come to start planning our group's annual fishing trip. Each year, one of us assumes the role as chief planner and, along with the responsibility, comes the ability to choose where we go. Over the years we have gone for bones in the bahamas, trout in Wyoming, etc, etc...I am leaning towards getting back down to the Bahamas to chase bones and wanted to reach out to you all for some suggestions.

To give you a bit more information, we are a group of about 12 experienced flyfisherman. All have fairly extensive fishing experience flyfishing for bones specifically. We are looking for a lodge that can accomodate us all, has good guides with reliable flats boats, and decent lodging and accomodations (Doesnt' need to be fancy) We would be looking to do 3 nights and 3 to 3.5 days on the water.

I appreciate any suggestions and experiences with lodge outfits in any of the Bahamian islands. We are looking to broaden our horizons. Thanks, in advance.

JS

[fmw]

For the past two years, I've been to Andros South lodge on South Andros and highly recommend it. They have a great fishing program where all the guides are good and reliable -- no one will feel like they are getting stiffed with the bum guide. They run a smooth operation. The fishing in South Andros is widely varied -- some days you can cast to big schools of small fish, other days you are stalking single large fish, some days in boat all day, other days wading in the back country. Food is good. Their accomodations are basic and everyone gets their own room. They've also built a great beach front tiki bar for drinks after fishing.

[widdoes]

Jacques- with 700+ islands and probably 3 dozen or so "reputable" lodges and countless independant guides, it seems your question has a a very large universe of responses. One thing I think you need to consider is how many flights you are willing/able to take. I don't know where you are coming from, but if you have to take 2 or more flights just to reach the Bahamas, I would think that would limit your universe. Big news for Andros lodges is that Continental has announced flights direct from Ft. Lauderdale. Anything is better than connecting in Nassau (sorry Frank, but you know what I'm talking about). There are straight shots into Freeport from lots of places in the US which is good for the Grand Bahama operations. Any of the "Out Islands" is going to require conncting in Nassau :eek: or a charter from the states (actually, maybe doable with a group your size, didn't think about that :confused: ). Andros has a full range of lodges from swank to sparse, but precious little else to do :-% , although, with 12 fishermen you're going to be close to the whole lodge in some cases. GBI has lots of entertainment and some darn good fishing, but if your only doing 3 days, you may not care about diversions- unless you are talking about an "iffy" time of year weatherwise. All things to throw into the pot.
Short story from me is I'd look at Andros and GBI for convenience and opportunity.
Let us know what/how you do --127-3-
-Wild John

[Jacquestrappe]

Thanks for your responses.

FMW, funny.....that suggestion is actually on my list. It came highly recommended from another angling buddy. I will lob in some calls there today. Thanks!

Widdoes, yeah... I hear you on the number of options out there.....With that in mind, I guess what I am looking for are your experiences. Where have you stayed that you loved and would accommodate the group. I can do my own searches but I was hoping to get some suggestions based on experience. Forget the travel and expenses for now, I can narrow it down from there. I just want to start off with some real intel on great outfits. Thanks again....let me know if you have any thoughts.

I like the idea of Grand Bahama too. I spent some time there and fished out of the West End a few years back. Big bones. Does anyone have any experience with North Riding Point?

Thanks, again!

RC

[widdoes]

Jacques- I haven't fished N. Riding Pt. (yet!) but I did fish GBI for 1.5 days (out of 3 schdeuled) last Oct. w/ Sam Taylor and Tommy Rolle (Bonefish Foley's son). Tommy is (was) the head guide at Pelican Bay resort. We had crummy weather but we managed a few fish and saw some absolute whales. We didn't stay at P. Bay, but rather at the Port Lucaya Resort. Lucaya was a fun spot in the off season for 3 guys on a bender.
I've also fished Abaco in the Cooperstown area (stayed at TC) which was great for piles of fish, but not a "lodge" per se.
I haven't fished Andros (yet!) but I was there a few times in the 70's. I'm sure a lot has changed.
Other than that...
I've been to Reno, Barstow, Saginaw, Witchita, Toledo, Kokimo...
hmmmm. --125-3
Very interested in where you "land"-
WJ

[Bonz]

I face the decision every year - where to take twelve anglers and secure 6 top notch guides in the Bahamas. To be honest the only option that I am comfortable with is the North Bight in Andros. The guide pool in that area is incredibly deep (and indendent so they can float from lodge to lodge if required) which ensures that all twelve anglers will be happy - well, most of the time.

GBI while my Favorite Island - Is set up so that the best guides are scattered across the Island (and its a very long Island). This makes it extremely difficult to fish a large group. I have fished NRPC 8 or nine times and the guide pool at the lodge (IMO) would not be able to supply 6 quality guides. Deepwater Cay has a good pool but I have not tried.

We tried Fresh Creek, Sandy Point, and Bimini and both were less than satisfactory. Hyde used to run a solid program in Exuma but its now my understanding that the core of the best guides now run seperate from the lodge.

Virtually every lodge will tell you that they can host 12 - but you usually end up ringers using borrowed boats and inferior equipment for the last two Boats.

There may be a place that can host 12 outside of the North Bight - if you find it please let me know!




Mike

[eastcoast617]

or the northern riding pt. club would be might top two picks.

[wauwinet]

I'm with Bonz on this one. Your biggest problem will be finding a qualified guide pool.

GBI I don't know much about
Bimini currently has three good guides
Berry Islands has 2-3 guides
Crooked island has 5-6 guides-If they can accommodate you this might be the place
Andros is probably your best choice though. I'd say AIBC in Behring Point. Lots of room, and loads of experience.
The best guides in Long Island and Exuma are all independent. A group of 12 with independent guides would be a nightmare I'll bet.

Good luck and please post a report

[Maybeck]

Check out bahamasflyfishingguide.com for reviews of Bahamian lodges. Tranquility Hill on Andros is my favorite.

[Loopy]

I tend to agree with Bonz, also. I would look to AIBC first. Peace and Plenty Bonefish Lodge on Exuma would have fit the bill, but I guess that they are not open. Two choices on Grand Bahama would be South Riding Point and Deep Harbor Cay. There are a couple of lodges in Sandy Point on Abaco, but I don't know how many they can take.

[WatsonMD]

I have fished most of the lodges in the Bahamas and and consistently found that Andros Island Bonefish Club in hands down the best. I have taken groups from 6-20 there without any problems and had great fishing with them every time. Rupert Leadon has a first class operation all the way.

Access to Andros Town is simple - Fly to Ft. Lauderdale. Then charter with Airflite Charter is a 35-40min flight away.

I have never been disappointed with any of my dozen trips to AIBC and continue to return 1-2x per year.

Drop me a line if you have any questions - watsonmd92@hotmail.com.

ATW

[Swalt]

I have never fished at the larger lodges so can't be much help there. What I would look into first, if I was arranging a trip for 12, would be Crooked Island. They have good guides there, good fishing, good food and good people. The problem may be accomodations. Pitttstown Point Landing is the largest lodge there and is run a by a noted flyfisherman. They also offer reef and bluewater fishing. I think they can accomodate 12 but I am not sure if they have 6 good guides fishing out of there. A smaller operation has 2 of the guides and they do fish out of Pittstown at times. The best thing to do may be to call Angling Destinations and see what they can work out for you. They book for both operations there and could see that you got good guides for your stay. They could also tell you what your other options may be.

[rkess]

I agree with Maybeck about Tranquility Hill. Although anywhere in the Middle Bight of Andros is a good place to be (this includes the Andos Island Bonefish Club, and many others to the south and Middle bights). Andros has unlimited flats and the ability to get out of the wind to a greater degree than many other location. When there is little to no wind any place is fine. Open ocean flats are a ball. I've stayed at Tranquility twice and am going again this spring. The food is good. The accomodations are nice enough (You will pay for a lot of ammenities). Their resident and floating guides are all good. I've fished with Donny, Ivan, Ray, and Glister. Ivan's son Dwain is supposed to be out of this world good.

Regardless, I think for a big group Andros on the Bight is your place. The bight offers some shelter. You can go to the "fabled" west side. You can also hit the East side. The massive size and number of flats offers shots at big fish and small fish in big group (much easier to catch) this means that all levels in the group will have a shot at fish with great regularity.