Bonefish in the Bahamas

[Paul Garner]

Hi all, I guess I had better tell you all a little bit about myself first before diving in and asking questions.

I'm a Brit moved over to North Carolina in the summer. A long time (35+years) freshwater fisherman, I've fished for pretty much all species in the UK. I've done a little bit of fly fishing for Trout but own no fly gear. I would class myself as a reasonable beginner when it comes to fly casting, I can get it out there but it doesn't look pretty :)

Thinking of heading to the Bahamas sometime in May for a much needed break and would love to try fly fishing for Bonefish while I'm there. Since I'll be going with the wife it won't be a serious fishing holliday but hopefully I'll be allowed out for a day or two ;)

I had a quick Google around the net, but quite frankly don't know where to start so I'm hoping you nice people can help me. So my questions are:
Is May a good time to go?
Am I being too ambitious considering my limited ability with the fly?
Can anybody suggest an area I should be thinking about?
Can anybody suggest a guide?
Would I need to or be better off purchasing and taking my own gear?

Many thanks
Paul

[Bonecrusher]

welcome to the world of bonefishing, but I'm warning you, be prepared for an addiction that will enter your dreams, have you counting days on the calendar and day dreaming about high sun, sandy flats and big tails.

Anyway, my best advice is to go to your area fly shop and pay for a few casting lessons, particularly learning to double haul. Being able to DH is absolutely critical in the Bahamas and without it, you're going to get frustrated/discouraged. You're going to have to deal with wind and the only way to do so is DHing.
You'll also need a pair of good amber polarized sunglasses (I like my Guidelines), some wading shoes (the cheap wet shoes you can get for $10 will suffice for a few days).
It's definitly worth getting a guide for at least a day. You'll learn a lot and most importantly, he'll find you fish. Then it's up to you to get the fly to them.
Just about every island in the Bahs hold bones but I wouldn't recommend Nassau for fishing. Grand Bah, Andros, Long, Abaco, etc are all good destinations.

[raggpt12]

you could try Eleuthera too. not as prolific as the others metioned but nice beaches for the lady and decent fishing too. Paul Petty is a guide there in Govenors Harbor - he's not uptight either. you would need your own gear though... a 4pc 8 weight fly rod and a matching reel (spend money on the reel) ... have a blast ! May is a fine time to go...

[Spiral]

The first question you need to answer for us to give you the best information is what kind of accomodations will you and your wife need. Is she a resort person or a backwoods person.

That right there will either rule out or include places as options. There are two Bahamas, the resort-city Bahamas and the real bahamas where there isn't much to do except fish or dive.

[MarkZ]

Go to Grand Bahama, stay at Pelican Bay or the Radisson and hire one of the Pinder Bros. If you can't cast well enough they will show you how within an hour. Fishing is great in May and you and the wife will have many other activities to choose from. Use their gear if you have none.

[colfrank]

Unless you are going to one of the "major" bonefish lodges, the local guides usually do not have gear for you.

May is getting close to the end of their season, so go early May.
While there last year, third week of May, some of the bonefish lodges had already closed (gets hot)

Wife?... rustic Ok or a resort type? Does she want to fish?
Big difference in your decision process.

Andros is the place to go for some serious bonefish
Only a 20 minute flight from NAS.

On the economy side, last year we did www.seascapeinn.com
Very nice people, good food and they will get you a guide.

This year we are trying twoboysinnandros.com

[widdoes]

Condolences because what Crusher said in his first sentence is the gospel! You're cooked, finished, caput... you get the rest. PS- I'm D-Day minus 30 and my living room is covered with fly tying material--127-3-
All good info above- I'll just lob one other suggestion out there for a good place to break into Bahamian bonefishing- Abaco. Specifically Treasure Cay/Marsh Harbour area. It's a good blend of "Family Island" with decent other amenities and really good bonefish opportunities. The Marls (west of MH) are teaming with fish. Good guides are readily available (O'Donnel MacIntosh or the Sands) and they should have equip available (possibly for a small price, but they used to have it).
Second choice (given what I think you are looking for) would be Grand Bahama (Freeport) and the Pinders. It's a little "glitzy" for my taste, but the casino can have some allure and the Pinders are the "Top of the Form." Non-stop flight from Charlotte (assuming that's your airport) is a big bonus!
Good luck, post a report when you get back and I'm sooo sorry! --127-3---126-3-(#$119):-%
(poor guy, next thing you know he's gonna wanna catch a permit!)(#$119)(#$119)(#$119)(#$119)
-WJ
EDIT- by the way, in all seriousness, you have found one of the truly best sites for advice on this subject on the web. The contributors here are knowledgeable and generally willing to share with those who are looking to gain entry to the sport. If you want to see the other end of the spectrum, try The Drake- just bring a Kevlar vest!

[Paul Garner]

Many thanks for the replies all, lots of good information there and a lot to digest.

This is really a vacation for the wife as much as me but since we're in the territory I would dearly love to get a day in, the wife is not going to want to fish. So I guess we're looking for somewhere with a decent standard hotel and some nice restaurants, bars and beaches although not looking for anywhere too glitzy, we're not nightclub or casino type of people. It looks like almost anywhere we pick though is going to give me some kind of opportunity.

Widdoes, yep I have spotted the Permit fishing too, quite fancy a go for Drum as well. You have so much to choose from out here that is all new to me, a bit bewildered with the choice at the moment but looking forward to the spring. Add to that the freshwater fising (I like Carp fishing and quite fancy trying for some of your bigger Cats too) and it's gonna be hard to find time to fit it all in :)

We're just starting to look at Islands now, once we pick out a spot I'll let you know where we're off to :).

Regards
Paul

[Nassau Frank]

You may want to look at Harbour Island as well and fish a day in Eleuthera. Lots of info on this in these fora. Even staying in Nassau, ferry to Fresh Creek Andros (Bonefish Bradley) early one am and fly back that evening or fish a day with Aaron Bain or Clint Kemp for a day out of Nassau.

[Loopy]

I think that you may have considerable trouble 'borrowing' gear from your guide and I think that you will need a guide for your first try at bone fish. If you are buying gear, figure on spending about $400 to $500 at a minimum.

You will need an 8 or 9 weight fly rod with an appropriate sized reel with a decent drag, backing, a warm weather saltwater fly line, a couple of leaders, polarizing sunglasses ( as mentioned) and flies. I don't think that you need to buy wading shoes. Take a look at Cabelas
http://www.cabelas.com/catalog/browse/_/N-1100421?WTz_l=SBC%3BMMcat104793480
for an idea of prices.

You will need to cast enough to figure out what you want or need, so the suggestion of lessons and a relationship with your local fly shop is also good advice. Don't let them sell you a $600 fly rod until you have pretty much established your own stroke and rhythm. Same goes for the reel. They might last a life time, but be sure that it is a sport you want to participate in for the rest of your life. No one can tell you what the best equipment is for you, so try out as much as you can and in the configuration you want.

The guide will probably charge 250 or 300 for half a day and 400+ for a full day. DIY is very difficult if you haven't done it a few times already.

That is the bad news. The good news is that everyone here has "been there, done that", and recommends that you do the same.

With fishing being secondary to the rest of the vacation, I second the Grand Bahama recommendation, and in particular Port Lucaya. Pelican Bay is not far from a beach but is not on a beach. Our Lucaya which is in the same general area is on a beach. In that location, you will not need to rent a car or even look far for a variety of activities. All of the tour operaters, fishing guides, dive shops, etc will come pick you up. There are a lot of places that are less touristy, but for your first trip you will end up in the Port Lucaya area so it will be easier to just stay there.

As you progress in your deliberations, let us know any additional info that you need.

[b.clancy]

To echo some of the recommendations above, get some flycasting instruction using saltwater weight lines, e.g. 8 or 9 weights. One or more lessons would be good, perhaps combined with an instructional video. I've found George Roberts' video useful, but there are many out there. Personally, I think it will be a frustrating experience to try to learn to flycast (at least well enough to handle ocean winds and conditions) on a guided trip. It could well be a waste of money also if you can't hit the broad side of a barn door. Learning to see the fish is hard enough. Needing to make an accurate cast after seeing the fish makes it even harder. Trying to do all of that while thinking about working on your flycasting technique would be extremely challenging, to say the least. Therefore, my recommendation would be to learn proper technique and spend some time practicing, even on the lawn if you're not near water. Once you start getting the technique and muscle memory down, you should practice casting at targets before your trip. Of course, this approach will require you to have access to an 8 or 9 weight rod. Perhaps you can borrow one from someone or rent or use a demo from a local flyshop. If all else fails, you can buy a low end salt water rod and reel.
If you're only going to fish for a day of the vacation, there's no point in selecting the location based on its fishing. The Lucaya area mentioned previously is probably a good choice for your trip. If you change your trip date plans, just make sure you don't go there during college spring break, like I did.
Bob

[ihatework]

I don't mean to me a heathen on these boards but you don't have to flyfish to catch bonefish. 6 pound tackle and some gulp shrimp and a 1/16 to 1/18 jig head will catch you a lot of bonefsih. learning to flyfish out on the flats would be a drag.

[Bonecrusher]

Like others here, I'd recommend Grand Bahama Is as well and fishing with one of the Pinder brothers. They will find you fish and put you in the best possible casting position for the conditions. I got a 12lb bone with Joseph last year but you'll probably be wanting to look for schools. Trust me, for your first few bones, 3-5 pounders are going to be plenty and they'll show you why we're all addicted.
Again, can't stress enough practicing casting before the trip and getting a pair of good polarized glasses.
Beware of 'Bonefish Fever'. We've all experienced it multiple times and still strikes even those of us who have caught hundreds of bones. Symptoms include shaking knees, trembling hands, rapid breathing and heart palpitations.