"I have fished Bones in Andros, Exuma, and Venezuela. Not just the location and plentiful fish numbers, but the daily schedule of this particular lodge, make this a great value for the discerning fly angler. The food is great, the accomodations are basic, yet very clean and convenient; however, the daily fishing schedule is what sets this trip apart from others you might consider. Breakfast is served at 6:30am before you meet the guides at 7:30am. You fish hard with a well presented professional guide until 4:30pm, and then have time for a quick shower before appetizers and dinner. The focal point of this trip is where it should be - on the time spent fishing!."
S. Joyce
Red's Fly Shop
Andros Island
Bonefish in the Bahamas
The Bonefish Capital of the World!
Welcome to the Southern tip of Andros Island in the Bahamas, appropriately named "the Bonefish Capital of the World". Andros presents a great Bonefish opportunity for beginners and experienced anglers alike. The large population of Bones that inhabit these waters are distributed throughout a huge variety of feeding grounds. This makes it easier for the guides to
accommodate your personal preference, whether it's wading the sand bottomed flats, poling the crab dunes in search of the elusive 10 pounder, or stalking the narrow mangrove lined lagoons. It also enables your guide to make the most of adverse conditions that are can materialize in the tropics - namely wind and cloud cover!
While Steelhead Fisherman on the swing long ago coined the phrase "the tug is the drug", it's the visual component of Bonefishing that is so exciting. The goal is to spot the fish, lay a soft cast down 3 feet ahead of it, strip the fly until the fish tips down and eats it, and then set the hook with a smooth even rod raise. Sounds easy, right? Here's how the dialogue usually goes. Your guide announces, "fish coming. Eleven o'clock, sixty feet." You strain your eyes and see nothing. "Ten o'clock, fifty feet." Still nothing that resembles a fish to you. "Nine o'clock, forty feet. Cast now." You then pile your fly on top of your line at twenty feet and see the fish as they spook past you. "No worries. More fish coming," smiles your guide.
And your guide is right. There are more fish coming, and more, and more... The Bonefish population in Andros is incredible. The more experience you gain, the better you become at spotting the fish and delivering the fly to them. We have found the guides in this location to be among the best anywhere when it comes to teaching the proper techniques of Bonefishing. They have taken many a trout fisherman and turned them into proficient saltwater anglers with a few minor modifications in technique. It makes it all the more rewarding when the cooperative fish of Andros do their part to give you some positive reinforcement.
A Unique Setting
South Andros is located on the tip of an island and is part of a large network of smaller broken islands. This unique composition and location offer many fishing options depending on tidal schedules, wind direction, and weather forecast. The large flats that surround these islands stretch for miles and miles in all directions. Bonefish do inhabit these waters in large quantities, and it is not uncommon to see several schools numbering in the hundreds on one flat! Do you see the Bones in the picture? Forty feet. Eleven o'clock. Cast now! That could be you holding that rod!
Cost
Bonefish trips: Rates are $3650/ angler. Includes 7 nights and 6 days of guided fishing from a flats boat; lodging
has AC with your own room, double bed, shower, meals, wine, and beer also
included.
Additional costs include a flight from Nassau to Congo Town (140.00 round trip) and
of course gratuities.
Expectations
The primary target at Andros is Bonefish, and you will see lots of them. Under good conditions, the potential to catch a lot of fish exists even for beginners. And you'll be sight casting to each fish you hook, not fishing the "muds". In
addition to Bones, there are lots of Barracuda, which can be very aggressive to eat a large fast moving fly. We like to keep an extra gun rigged up with wire leader for these opportunities. While moving through the lagoons and over the shallow flats, you will also see Stingrays, Sea Turtles, and small Black Tipped sharks - from the safety of your boat, of course!
Like most destinations throughout the world, Andros Bonefish are caught and released.
