Where to stay when fishing the Joulters?

[Albula]

Fishing the Joulters at the end of May with a friend and could use some recommendations on best places to stay in proximity to Lowe Sound.

Criteria would be cost, safety, cleanliness, food, walking access to DIY

I've heard of Conch Sound Resort Inn, but was wondering whether anyone has any experience with it (how far from Lowe Sound?), or any of the following:

Westside Fishing Resort, Lowe Sound
Beneby's Bayside Motel, Mastic Point
Bahama Coconut Farm, Nicholls Town
G+J's Resort and Lodge, Nicholls Town
Dayshell's, Nicholls Town
G+H Resort, Nicholls Town
Pineville Motel, Nicholls Town

I'm open to private homes rentals as long as we can get some eats as well.

Appreciate your help.

[Bonecrusher]

Contact Diane Knoll knollslanding@yahoo.com at Knolls Landing bonefish resort (google it for the website).
We've stayed there twice and it the closest place to the Joulters that you can stay on N. Andros. She doesn't do the meals but can have food brought in for you or you bring your own in a cooler.
Rodney Miller runs the bonefishing and is a pretty good guide. There is DIY fishing about a 15 minute walk away but the real advantage is walking out the lodge, getting in the boat and being near flats in about 15 minutes.
Let me know if you have other questions.

[Albula]

Bonecrusher, thanks for that recommendation, looks like the right location for us; sent a note off to Diane to check availability. On food logistics, did you bring everything in on arrival or did she resupply you locally during week? Also, did you have a way to get into Nicholl's Town if needed?

Thanks again,

Mike

[Bonecrusher]

Mike,
No problem, glad to help. When my group goes there, we actually have a butcher friend here in Chicago freeze a weeks worth of meals for us and then we just bring everything down in a well sealed styrofoam cooler (check as luggage). Each of us then bring things like oatmeal, powerbars, etc, etc.
Diane arranges for a taxi from the airport and we make two stops on the way to the lodge, one for bread, peanut butter and stuff like that, the other for booze/drink fixins. You can arrange for Diane to make conch fritters for you as well (highly recommended).
So, every morning, we have oatmeal/coffee/etc, make PBJs for lunch with a Powerbar or granola and then make our premade dinners. The lodge is certainly not 5 star (maybe 1.5 star) but if you're more concerned with fishing and location than fancy sheets and white table cloths, this is a good option.
As for getting to Nicholls Town, Diane or a taxi can take you but everything will cost you money (even rides to town). These people have limited sources of income so it may feel like you might be getting nickled/dimed at times, but that's really not the case, it's just that they need to generate revenue when they can.
When you contact Diane, let her know Jason from Chicago sent you. Feel free to ask me additional questions, I'm happy to share my experiences, both good and bad.

[BobG]

Bonecrusher,

How did you like Knolls? My wife and I almost stayed there on two occasions, and decided to go to elsewhere in the Bahamas both times. I recieved mixed reviews of the place.
Someone told me I'd be very disapponted with the place, while another told me he loved it, and would go back in a second.
Actually, now that I think of it, the reason we didn't go there the last time was, the owner told me the place was for sale, and he didn't even know if they'd have the place by the time we'd arrive?

[Albula]

Jason, thanks again for the detail on logistics. Diane and I have exchanged e-mails and I'll let her know that you referred me to her. Since we already have a guide and she is booked, we'll have to keep her in mind for our next trip. 1 1/2 stars is just about right for us, particularly if we can get that close to the Joulters.

Tight lines,

Mike

[Bonecrusher]

Bonecrusher,

How did you like Knolls? My wife and I almost stayed there on two occasions, and decided to go to elsewhere in the Bahamas both times. I recieved mixed reviews of the place.
Someone told me I'd be very disapponted with the place, while another told me he loved it, and would go back in a second.
Actually, now that I think of it, the reason we didn't go there the last time was, the owner told me the place was for sale, and he didn't even know if they'd have the place by the time we'd arrive?

Bob,
We've stayed there twice and both times, we had some good and bad. I think you have to take everything into perspective in that if your wife is expecting luxury with lots of amenities, she'll be very disappointed. The lodge is pretty good for people that aren't expecting anything fancy and are willing to go with the flow. We like it because we're easy to please and are low mainenance.
On the other hand, something that I was extremely disappointed in (and something that's certainly within their control) was a problem one of our guides (Bones) had with is motor. One day he couldn't get it started and we wasted 1/2 day waiting on the mechanic to fix it and another time he ran out of gas out on the flats. To me, those are unacceptable and errors that tend to **** me off. I don't expect much from a lodge other than the guides be on time and have all their equipment in working order. They're always on time (even early) which is nice but sometimes they forget the details or they will avoid spending money maintaining the boat until something breaks (which unfortunately for us, is what happened).
It's definitely the closest you can get to the Joulters though and it's nice having relatively short rides to the flats. On nice days, you can get way up north into the really remote areas but alot of that is soft stuff and tough wading but it's a pretty impressive area.
I would recommend the place but just make sure you have the right expectations.

[framer]

We stayed at Knoll's last year, big group all ages, and i agree with Bonecrusher' review.

Diane and Rodney definiteley go the extra mile for their clients. Rodney is the head guide and lives onsite, and is a very relaxed, but serious and always ontime flats guide. No short cuts. Full day was a full day.

We would definitely go back. The Joulters is gorgeous and we had many quality shots.