Long Island APril

[dbutcher]

Has anyone fished with Presley Pinder, a bonefish guide on Long Island Bahamas? I am headed there in mid April and did not plan well in advance for a guide. Would appreciate any thoughts and experience.
Thanks.

[BMWrider]

A guide on Long Island that I can highly recommend is Docky who works with the Stella Maris Resort and owns BonefiedBonefishing which is the local tackle shop and guide service on the north end of the island. Docky is an excellent guide.

http://www.bonafidebonefishing.com/

Richard

[Wayne Walts]

Sammy Knowels at Deadmans is great.

[NMB]

there's no shortage of good guides on long island. the shortage ins in the amount and size of the fish. the place is deadsville.

[Vic T]

Excuse me, but you are so wrong I have to reply.

I have been fishing Long Island for 7 years ... 5 at Deadmans Cay. Fishing on foot in skinny water with a guide I always catch around 25 fish in 5 days. We never cast to a mud, we stalk fish in ankle to calf deep water and make careful precise presentations.

We always see schools with 1,000 - 2,000 fish on each trip; sometimes much more, like in 2008 when we saw 4 schools with over 1,000 fish each on a large flat. In 2004 I watched over 4 acres of bonefish in skinny water packed together so tight you could walk on them.

In the past two years, 85% of the fish we catch are between 4-5 pounds, another 10% are larger, and we see double-digit fish on every trip. We use a certified hand-scale for weighing the occassional fish so these numbers are real. I don't know where you get your information, but you are dead wrong. Deadmans Cay is awesome!

Vic T

[Bonecrusher]

Excuse me, but you are so wrong I have to reply.

I have been fishing Long Island for 7 years ... 5 at Deadmans Cay. Fishing on foot in skinny water with a guide I always catch around 25 fish in 5 days. We never cast to a mud, we stalk fish in ankle to calf deep water and make careful precise presentations.

We always see schools with 1,000 - 2,000 fish on each trip; sometimes much more, like in 2008 when we saw 4 schools with over 1,000 fish each on a large flat. In 2004 I watched over 4 acres of bonefish in skinny water packed together so tight you could walk on them.

In the past two years, 85% of the fish we catch are between 4-5 pounds, another 10% are larger, and we see double-digit fish on every trip. We use a certified hand-scale for weighing the occassional fish so these numbers are real. I don't know where you get your information, but you are dead wrong. Deadmans Cay is awesome!

Vic T

NMB just doesn't want others to fish Deadman's Cay. But it's been well known for a long time. It's tough to get to but well worth effort. It's my favorite bonefish spot in the world and you won't find a better operation than Greenwich Creek Lodge. Samantha Knowles is the manager and Dwayne, Greg and Elvis Knowles are three of the finest, hardworking guys in the business. They keep the boats in good shape, are there on time, keep you out as long as you want, hustle, etc. The food is fantastic and you work your own bard/keep your own bar tab (honor system). Plus the location of the lodge overlooks the backcountry/flats and there's nothing like watching the sun melt into the horizen while conch is in the fryer and a cold Kalik in the hand.

[NMB]

a group of us fished deadman's key for a number of years. in 2003 there was a huge netting operation that wiped out vast amounts of fish. the next year there was nothing of any size and slim pickins even with dinks. some of the guys went back in 2005 and 2006 and reported that the fishing had not improved. in 2007 and 2008 the guides we used down there advised us not to come down as the fishing was still dismal.

i agree with bonecrusher about the quality of the guides, and the hospitality of the locals-can't be beat.

while i am genuinely impressed with vic's catch of 85% in the 4-5 lb+ range (which has to be accurate because he carries a certified scale while wading), his average of 5 fish per day over 2 years is pretty slow. perhaps the size of vic's catch speaks more to his skill than to the availability of fish. or maybe the survivors of the netting are now grown up but there are not many younger fish.

all i can suggest is give it a try and see for yourself, and please report back. i surely hope i'm wrong. like vic and bonecrusher, i really loved that place.

[flatsmeow]

I have never fished with Presley Pinder.I think he may fish north of the Deadman's Cay area.All of the guides I have fished with on Long Island have been pretty good.You will probably be ok fishing with Presley.
I don't recall hearing of netting Bonefish on Long Island,although it probably has taken place just as it has on most islands in The Bahamas.Fished Deadman's Cay in 2001 and again in 2005 and saw good numbers of fish on both trips.Fish were much tougher to catch in 2005 as there were many anglers wading the same areas.

[Vic T]

If you fished flats that had recently been fished, or if you fished the wrong phase of the moon, or if you were in the wrong part of the flat (easy to do)...then I could understand how you wouldn't do very well or see many fish.

I certainly agree about the people and the hospitality. And I know you won't do much better than 5 bonefish per day unless you like casting into a mud. I have watched people catch 6 fish in no time casting into a mud...but you can have it. I'll hunt for them and stalk them every time.

[LeeG]

One can do better than 5 fish per day without casting into muds. I don't know about LI, but it can be done. LI soudns great though-one more place to add to the list! Let us know how you do!

[bowbonehead]

I fished Long Island last June and while I found it hard to find a guide "Regatta Time" I had know trouble finding good fish on my own. Stayed at the Cape Santa Maria highly recommended if your better half is going I can go back anytime as long as herself is included. Fished mainly early around the tides and used a rental car and a set of nautical charts to find the flats on the north end. I did not see another fisherman the entire week. Spent the rest of my time touring the island with the missus beach combing and saw Bones just about everywhere there should have been Bones. I have a pal who has been going every year for the last 7 or 8 who uses Colin Cartwright out of Deadman's Cay area I believe he calls his lodge "Cartwright's Bay Bonefish Lodge" and stays right there for a very reasonable rate. I have another Pal who fished with Docky out of the Stella Maris and had a great trip. I stopped by his shop numerous times but it was never open-off season? So go prepared as you will not find fishing supplies on the Island easily accessed. From what I understand is you will find more fish in the Deadman's area but they will be smaller and fewer but bigger fish to the north end. Hope this helps I may return myself this June but hope to hit Columbus Isle or return to Cuba before Obama opens it up. Tight Lines

[BMWrider]

If your on Long Island and need fly fishing supplies Docky's shop is the only option. It is well stocked but might not be open if he is out fishing. The key to getting what you need is call the Stella Maris resort to get in touch with Docky. His wife's family owns the resort and someone there can always hook you up with him since he is in/out of Stella Maris on a daily basis.

Docky is an excellent guide.

Richard