cedahm
06-18-2007, 02:13 PM
All,
Just returned yesterday. Great week overall, though the fishing was tougher than I had in 2005. Plenty of fish everywhere, but they were really lock-jawed. I definitely need to expand my searching next trip.
It had rained 10 straight days prior to our arrival, so that might have had something to do with it. Our weather was fantastic, however. We stayed on Club Med again, in the new house (Sun Dancer) from the same owners. House was great…coming from a high desert climate, it is just amazing to me what a beating the homes take in that climate in just a year or two (already a little bit of rusting and whatnot, and I think it was just finished in late 2005/Early 2006). Great place, highly recommended. Still my favorite beach on Eleuthera. Even caught a big bone right in front of the house.
As stated, the fish were more difficult this time around. Fished all the usual spots (Savannah, Tarpum, Governors, Half Sound, Ten bay, Winding bay, etc). No new discoveries. Savannah is full of fish as usual, but they were even more difficult than the last time I was down. They would, in general, turn their noses at most presentations, and would streak away with very little provocation. As others have noted, sometimes I’d cast way in front of cruising fish, let the fly sit there, give it the slightest twitch, and they would bolt. A lot of the time, didn't even get to that point, and just saw v-wakes when I would lift my rod arm. The single tailers would eat occasionally, the larger groups would not. Lots of tailing fish. It’s such a fascinating challenge that I keep going back here, even though the frustration level is so high. Mainly was throwing 14 foot of 4X fluorocarbon, even. Small tan crabs were the best patterns everywhere.
Governors was good, I didn’t fish here last time, despite its proximity and being told by lots of people that I should go there, but this time it was where the majority of our fish came from. I’d have preferred something more remote, but it’s really close to the house, has a lot of fish, and thus tailor-made for quick 2 hour sessions.
The other “standard stop” that I didn’t fish in ‘05, but did this time was Tarpum bay…that school of 200 or so just circles around in there first thing in the morning. Caught a few, but it’s just not the experience I look for, so only went there once. If you’re a first timer, this will be an easy introduction to hooking a bonefish.
The reef-fishing was off, I think due to the recent rains and squalls. There were noticeably fewer snapper/jacks/grouper while snorkeling this trip, and it showed in the reef-casting we did. There were less shark sightings than last time, also, which may be some kind of signal. However, saw a lot more Rays and turtles. A guy on our flight(s) was into snapper and small grouper from his kayak on spinning gear all week, so it would appear they’re just off the beach a little deeper.
Still, love the place, and think it will become a yearly event from now on, instead of every-other.
Headed back next year, same timeframe. Hoping to do a lot more exploring, mainly to the south. Now that I know I can waltz over to Governors and catch fish in minutes from the house, I can mix that in with longer excursions.
Two places I looked at from the road/air but didn’t stop at are the Airport flat and the big bight-side flat on the north end of glass window bridge. Anyone give those a recent shot?
Best,
Chris
Just returned yesterday. Great week overall, though the fishing was tougher than I had in 2005. Plenty of fish everywhere, but they were really lock-jawed. I definitely need to expand my searching next trip.
It had rained 10 straight days prior to our arrival, so that might have had something to do with it. Our weather was fantastic, however. We stayed on Club Med again, in the new house (Sun Dancer) from the same owners. House was great…coming from a high desert climate, it is just amazing to me what a beating the homes take in that climate in just a year or two (already a little bit of rusting and whatnot, and I think it was just finished in late 2005/Early 2006). Great place, highly recommended. Still my favorite beach on Eleuthera. Even caught a big bone right in front of the house.
As stated, the fish were more difficult this time around. Fished all the usual spots (Savannah, Tarpum, Governors, Half Sound, Ten bay, Winding bay, etc). No new discoveries. Savannah is full of fish as usual, but they were even more difficult than the last time I was down. They would, in general, turn their noses at most presentations, and would streak away with very little provocation. As others have noted, sometimes I’d cast way in front of cruising fish, let the fly sit there, give it the slightest twitch, and they would bolt. A lot of the time, didn't even get to that point, and just saw v-wakes when I would lift my rod arm. The single tailers would eat occasionally, the larger groups would not. Lots of tailing fish. It’s such a fascinating challenge that I keep going back here, even though the frustration level is so high. Mainly was throwing 14 foot of 4X fluorocarbon, even. Small tan crabs were the best patterns everywhere.
Governors was good, I didn’t fish here last time, despite its proximity and being told by lots of people that I should go there, but this time it was where the majority of our fish came from. I’d have preferred something more remote, but it’s really close to the house, has a lot of fish, and thus tailor-made for quick 2 hour sessions.
The other “standard stop” that I didn’t fish in ‘05, but did this time was Tarpum bay…that school of 200 or so just circles around in there first thing in the morning. Caught a few, but it’s just not the experience I look for, so only went there once. If you’re a first timer, this will be an easy introduction to hooking a bonefish.
The reef-fishing was off, I think due to the recent rains and squalls. There were noticeably fewer snapper/jacks/grouper while snorkeling this trip, and it showed in the reef-casting we did. There were less shark sightings than last time, also, which may be some kind of signal. However, saw a lot more Rays and turtles. A guy on our flight(s) was into snapper and small grouper from his kayak on spinning gear all week, so it would appear they’re just off the beach a little deeper.
Still, love the place, and think it will become a yearly event from now on, instead of every-other.
Headed back next year, same timeframe. Hoping to do a lot more exploring, mainly to the south. Now that I know I can waltz over to Governors and catch fish in minutes from the house, I can mix that in with longer excursions.
Two places I looked at from the road/air but didn’t stop at are the Airport flat and the big bight-side flat on the north end of glass window bridge. Anyone give those a recent shot?
Best,
Chris