Andros recommendations?

[David Churbuck]

<P><FONT color=black face=Verdana,Geneva size=2>Planning a week on Andros next February and wondered if anyone had any recommendations? I've been reading about the lodges, but my buddy and I are definitely not into the lodge full of sportsmen scene, and tend towards renting a car and exploring on our own (only have done so on Eleuthera, is Andros safe? Have heard rumbles that its a pretty wild and uncivilized island, but we're big boys. Just don't want to wander down the wrong dirt road if you know what I mean.) We'd like to get our own guide, live someplace near civilization, and of course, nail a lot of huge bonefish.</FONT></P><P><FONT face=Verdana size=2>Thanks in advance</FONT></P><P><FONT face=Verdana size=2>DCC</FONT></P>

[Bonz]

I am not saying that it cannot be done, however Andros seems to be the most difficult of the Islands for the freelance Bonefisherman. Although it is geographically the largest of the Bahamian Islands - it is also one of the most sparsley populated.

Unlike the Eluethera Chain there is no main higway that runs from one end of the Island to the other. Instead it is disected by a number of bights and rugged terrain. It seems to me that most Bonefish operations in the areas are accessed by an Airport and then short local roads take you to your destination - which is usually a lodge. In other words you can fish out of one specific area but moving around the Island will be difficult.

A good place to start is to pick up the "Bahamas Flyfishing Guide" by Stephen and Kim Vletas - Andros appears to be the couples favorite destination and they go into extensive detail on the Islands fishing and lodging operations.

I also was in contact with a Guide in the New Jersey area who does have extensive knowledge of renting local apartments as well as securing independent guides. I just checked my archives but I cannot find his name. I ran across him while doing a general Bonefish search. He will be contacting me early next month about a possible November trip. The advantage here is cost - I want to say on average 175 dollars a day is the total cost. Let me know if you would like me to foward the info when he contacts me.

Mike

[David Churbuck]

<P><FONT color=black face=Verdana,Geneva size=2>Thanks. Now leaning towards Abaco, specifically Cherokee Sound. I have the Vletas guide. Excellent book with an encyclopedia's worth of info about Andros. Almost too much. North Bight? South Bight?</FONT></P>
<P>Please pass along any info you can from your contact. Much appreciated</P>
<P>DCC</P>

[Bonz]

DCC,

Fished Abaco in March - Stayed at Walkers and fished the Cay's to the South (Stranger, Carters, Great Sail) and it was incredible. It was by far the best "Big" Bonefish trip that I have taken. Only drawback to fishing out of Walkers is that the closest flat is an hour away.

On another note - have you ever fished Bimini? I am going to over for a long weekend next Month - Bimini appears to have some major advantages cost wise. First, the guides are relatively inexpensive by Bahamian standads (300 for full day). Second, airfare to Bimini runs under 170 bucks from South Florida, and Three they have a kayak rental place that will allow you to do it yourself for 50 bucks a day.

Of course none of the above mean squat if there are no Bones'

Middle Bight

Mike

[EddieD]

Just came across your post that you're conisdering Cherokee.

Have you planned the trip yet? I went to Cherokee last spring - it was amazing. It's affordable, it's a great little town (nothing to do - at all, except fish). Caught one bonefish on my own the first day I was there - 300yds from my doorstep. I was very fortunate - the fish are incredibly spooky - we saw fish every single time we went out on our own, and caught only three on our own all week. The people are really nice. There are locals who will guide you to good bonefishing - and if you go with a guide one day, you can rent a little boat the next and return to all the same spots.

There's also a guide named Buddy Pinder who lives in Cherokee - he guides in the Marls and is excellent - I've fished (he might not call what I did fishing, but . . .) with him twice. You can also have a local take you fishing for mahi, kingfish, etc. just outside the sound - it's not fancy, but it's reasonably priced and they put you on fish. If you go to Abaco, you have to fish the Marls at least once.

I've got contact info if you're interested - Cherokee is not to be missed.

E-mail me if you want more info, e-mail is gcwilk@mindspring.com (the hotmail one no longer works).

EddieD