Mayaguana

[setthehook]

Just returned from 9 days on Mayaguana. This is a destination that will change greatly in the next 2 years if the growth happens as planned.
The number of flats here is very limited. There are no flats guides on the island. We did manage to catch quite a few fish on our own. The deal here is you paddle a canoe to the flats or wade from shore. My wife and I are in our mid fifties and had a great time doing this trip. The average size here is quite large, we never caught a fish under 7 pounds. That is not a typo! Be careful of the tides if you go. You need low tides during the morning or early afternoon to be successful. Baycaner was a very nice place to stay. The rooms were spotless, the meals great but we do not set the bar very high when staying at a remote location.
Rod

[BobG]

Interesting report.:brow

My wife and I have been interested in going there for some time. But due to the lack of first hand DIY reports, we've alwasy backed off our plans.
Besides fishing, how were other things like car rentals, gas availability, food stores, etc?

[setthehook]

hi:
The owner of Baycaner does have some vehicles for rent. He also is in charge of the gas for the area. If you do not fish there is a limited number of things to do. We found the bird life limited, the snorkeling limited. There are 3 villages on the island and we love to poke around just to see how people live. Every person we met was genuine in their welcoming us to the island. We never once felt in any danger, and would go back if only the fish would hit my wife's fly. The owner of Baycaner is Shorty. Look him up on the web.
We would be happy to answer any more questions or send you pics.
Rod and Mary Regel

[echo]

How interesting, I was just looking into Mayaguana...if you didn't want to rent a car the whole time you were there, could you get around fairly close to Baycaneer, on a bike or scooter (are they available)? My wife's not a flyfisher...would you say there are any opportunities for light tackle spinfishing that are worthwhile? Were you able to get direct from Ft.Lauderdale to Mayaguana, or did you have to go through Nassau?
Thanks,
Bill

[setthehook]

Hi:
There are no direct flights into Mayaguana at this time. There is a company paving the runway to accompany a 737 by summer. I have no seen any scooters on the island, but Shorty could find a pair of bikes if you give him enough time. The owner of Baycaner also owns 2 planes with his brother so a direct flight could also be arranged through him. You can see a flock of flamingos from the beach in front of the resort with binoculars. There is not a lot of activities here if you don't fish.
Rod

[Al D'Addario]

Did you go with the John Pinto group?

Thanks,

Al D'Addario

[setthehook]

Hi AL:
We did not go with a group. I truly don't think this fishery can support more than 4 people at a time, but we did not hit the best tide times. If you are good on DIY fishing Shorty the owner of Baycaner and the locals will direct you to the flats. Gary Borger was very helpful in our search for information. Shorty again will connect you with people that have fished recently.
Rod

[Swalt]

Hi:
There are no direct flights into Mayaguana at this time. There is a company paving the runway to accompany a 737 by summer. I have no seen any scooters on the island, but Shorty could find a pair of bikes if you give him enough time. The owner of Baycaner also owns 2 planes with his brother so a direct flight could also be arranged through him. You can see a flock of flamingos from the beach in front of the resort with binoculars. There is not a lot of activities here if you don't fish.
Rod

If they are lengthening the runway for a 737 then it must mean there are plans for some development on the island. In the past it was a stop over on the Bahamasair flights to Inagua. I don't like the sound of that. Soon there will be guides popping up and sports on every little flat.