Seeking Abaco flyfishing info

[Something Fishy]

My wife and I will be in Abaco at Treasure Cay over New Years. Help!

1. Any nearby flats I can fish on my own?
2. Recommendations for flats guides in the area?
3. Successful bonefish patterns? Permit patterns? (Permit in the area?)
4. Any further thoughts or recommendations?

[Tarpon41]

I would start with Orvis endorsed... have some in Abaco...IMHO perhaps you know already...in the islands we are full employment..whereas here all good guides that I have fished with will bag it on a bad day...so I would get the names wait until you get there and check the weather then book..'cause abaco like andros which I am most famiilar... gets winter fronts...at this time of the year I book the day before when I can see that it is not blowing 20 and front overcast..it is not high season for flats fishing but if you hit good weather...all my double digit(three) were caught afer xmas and before 1/10 on andros...and two I know for sure were 11 4 and 10 6 because they were eaten by me my guide and his family...they will keep one large fish to eat...it is boned a special way and prepared their way which as a first course is outstanding

[Something Fishy]

Thanks for the advice. What's the recipe for bones? I thought they were inedible.

I've been to Andros three times and love the place-AIBC twice and Mars Bay once. But it's a tough sell for a non-fishing spouse.

[Tarpon41]

Thanks for the advice. What's the recipe for bones? I thought they were inedible.

I've been to Andros three times and love the place-AIBC twice and Mars Bay once. But it's a tough sell for a non-fishing spouse.

The Bahamians on Andros will eat them; however, they will always ask for a large one over 7 lb to eat. I believe it has to do with the manner in which they "set"/clean the bones to maximize the amount of meat...one always has to be alert when eating fish native prepared...they do not waste anything have to be careful about bones but the best breakfast I've had anywhere was on andros. it was native fish stew with heads/spines, potatoes, tomatoes and a little goat peppers with johnny cake bread.
You are correct re: spouses....unless they are divers if so can try Small Hope Bay lodge BUT book your own guides...another place would be GBI staying a Lucaya and fishing either the west or east end but again weather at that time of the year is also the determining factor...

[BobG]

I've had quite a bit of experience on Abaco. But all my fishing was at or around Ol Robinson's, Cherokee Sound, and Snake Cay. If you're loking for a sure bet type of deal, find one of several guides who work an area known as The Marls. Just an incredible bonefish fishery, capabale of producing double digits days, day in day out.:brow

As for eating bonefish, I've had them prepared by Bahamians, and frankly, typical to any local delicacy, it must be an acquired taste.:rolleyes: I had it baked in coconut milk (that's the way they eat it on Abaco), and while the preparation was excellent, the fish wasn't impressive. Certainly not inedible, just not all that great.

[Tarpon41]

I've had quite a bit of experience on Abaco. But all my fishing was at or around Ol Robinson's, Cherokee Sound, and Snake Cay. If you're loking for a sure bet type of deal, find one of several guides who work an area known as The Marls. Just an incredible bonefish fishery, capabale of producing double digits days, day in day out.:brow

As for eating bonefish, I've had them prepared by Bahamians, and frankly, typical to any local delicacy, it must be an acquired taste.:rolleyes: I had it baked in coconut milk (that's the way they eat it on Abaco), and while the preparation was excellent, the fish wasn't impressive. Certainly not inedible, just not all that great.

BG:
I concurr but in matters of diplomacy one tries...however, in my try the coconut milk had bombay saphire in it and the bonefish baked onions limes lemons some tomatoes and I put goat pepper sauce on it after the initial taste

[BobG]

BG:
I concurr but in matters of diplomacy one tries...however, in my try the coconut milk had bombay saphire in it and the bonefish baked onions limes lemons some tomatoes and I put goat pepper sauce on it after the initial taste

That's probably the EXACT recipe I ate as well. It was well prepared local cuisine, IT WAS HOT, and I was a perfect gentleman by eating more than my share. ;) But, I would never kill a bonefish to bring home for dinner.(#$119)
However, mutton snapper.....:brow

[gcw]

Like Bob G said, check out the Marls. Track down Buddy Pinder. He's good. Ask him about guides in Cherokee too - don't know if he'll guide there, but it's a great place to fish and I know he knows the area.

gcw

[Mark Dougherty]

In Cherokee, I fish with Marty Sawyer or Randy.....know Cherokeee and the Marls.........fished them both since they were kids......PM if you need more info

[widdoes]

There are flats behind TC (off the golf course) that have some fish, but it is almost impossible to get back there w/o a boat. I recommend O'Donald ("O'D") MacIntosh for TC bonefishing. He guides the Marls as well.
For DIY, you might want to consider a day trip over to Green Turtle. Have lunch and a Smash or 2 and then rent a golf cart for the afternoon and explore. There are beaches/flats to the west and east of New Plymouth.
Check out the Vletas website (http://www.bahamasflyfishingguide.com/index.html) for phone numbers of most of the guides mentioned. The book is worth having too, if you plan to do any more "exploring".
As for the "P" question, yes, there are BIG P in Abaco, but they are a "summer" fish and probably not worth targeting in January.
Good luck.
-WJ

[flatsmeow]

I would fish the Marls with A guide.Try Jeff Survance,Justin Sands or Town Williams.The Marls have the most protection from the wind,but are not fishable without A boat.
I have not waded any flats around Treasure Cay although I have waded at Green Turtle Cay.Might be worth A try if not too windy.
Bring some Gothca's in #4 and #6 and A few flies with weedguards.
Good fishing.

[jbk]

I fished the Marls for four days with two guides - Jody Albury:

H 242 3675119
C 242 3758068
www.abacobones.com
captjea@hotmail.com

and Danny Sawyer:

Danny Sawyer - fishsmiley@yahoo.com

We also DIY fisjed Cherokee sound. The fishing in the Marls was awesome, between 8-15 fish between two of us landed on each day that we were there. Smaller fish generally with average size being about 3.5lbs, great fun though. Fished Cherokee sound for av 5lb fish, much more testing angling as the fish receive high angling pressure there but once hooked they scream again and again. One early morning i landed four 5lb fish inside of 2 hrs on the early flood.

Regards guides - i got on with Jody much better than i did with Danny however that was simply down to personality, i'm sure they're both equally skilled guides.

Have fun