bonefish trip

bbell · 01-31-02, 02:28 PM

I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a quick (4 days or so) bonefish trip. I am hoping to go somewhere in the Bahamas but am open to other suggestions. I figured it is about time I got a fly in front of one of these guys. Permit and tarpon would be a nice plus...

If anyone has experience with Belize, I am also interested in the fishery there. That would take a week and be more expensive, but it is a possibility...

tomlaub · 01-31-02, 06:12 PM

Fortuitous that you should ask...I just landed a week and a half job on behalf of the NAVY on Andros Island next month. I was going to post and ask about the same things but in regards to Andros. From my searches so far it's the bonefish capitol of the Bahamas, perhpas the world. Miles of wade-able flats and reportedly loaded with bonefish etc...

Has anyone been to Andros island?

check this: http://www.geographia.com/bahamas/bsanin01.htm

THE EG · 01-31-02, 06:43 PM

Tom,

Are you going to AUTEC? I have stories.

Andros. Another place I've been and didn't fish. Well, except for borrowing an old spinning rod, tying on a hook, catching a little crab, then watching a bonefish disappear over the horizen as it spooled me.
I was there supposedly to observe land snails
(I'll save that exciting part of my life for some other time

). Mostly we just dove on the reef (third largest in the world, I believe).

That was in 1980. There are several resorts dedicated to bonefish on Andros today. Although the largest island in the Bahamas, Andros may be one of the most isolated. I would love to get back there.

Depending on when you are planning to go, bbell, there is usually a representative from the Bahamas at the Shallow Water Expo.

THE EG · 01-31-02, 06:52 PM

I just read Tom's link. I got most of it right from memory.

Funny. They don't mention the Poisonwood trees. They cover most of the island forests. They are like poison ivy but in the form of a tree. Don't ask me how I know this.

CaptainLefty · 01-31-02, 07:34 PM

A friend of my wife's went there on her honeymoon a little over a year ago. She and her husband stayed at his uncle's house on Andros.

The uncle has the most incredible job: He takes his sportfishing boat out, picks up dud torpedos and brings them back to the base for the U.S. Navy after they're used in training. What does he get to do while he's out there waiting on torpedos? Fish, of course!

I saw Flip on Walkers Cay Chronicles fish Andros once. The island is definitely on my life list.

Let us know it goes, you lucky dog.

------------------
Taste for the good life, I can live it no other way . . .

tomlaub · 01-31-02, 09:24 PM

Bill......

AUTEC it is...Another week and a half teaching guys about stuff they don't wanna know...oh joy. But then there's the bonefish!!

For the others, AUTEC is the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center. It is the worlds leading facility for measuring and calibrating radiated signatures (sonar etc). Meaning, where the NAVY learns their submarine craft. On the east edge of Andros is a deep sea trench where they play sub games. The western edge is MILES of wadeable flats...but nary (few?) roads going there.

I emailed the woman that is our contact there and asked if there were any fishing types in the classes or in her work group. I've heard that travel is limited there. And I'm not funded for a rental vehicle. Much to my joy she responded:

"We have plenty of fisher-people over here. I am certain we can accommodate you."

Release the pigeons!! I can smell the salt air already...

But "fisher-people"...we need ye olde Black Knight on that bit of military facility P.C. speak.

I'm planning to take a 9wt and an assortment of crab & shrimp (w/flashabou) patterns. I'm guessing that I'll use the Stu Apte IGFA bonefish leaders (heck, ya gotta hope!!) and flourocarbon tippet material. But that's my extent of knowledge for this kind of fishing. I welcome all advice.

bbell.....sorry if I've altered your thread!!

Tom L.

ALG · 01-31-02, 10:58 PM

I did some bonefishing for the first time this x-mas. I was a couple of islands over from andros, and this place makes andros look like New York. The fish were not particular about flies. I used a "Gotcha" with pretty good success. To me, half the fun was walking on the flats looking at the sharks, baracuda, Huge rays, and other assorted wildlife. It was like walking around in a wonderful aquarium.
Then, just as I forgot about the fishing came along a single bonefish about 40 yrds out. I couldn't tell if it was a small shark or a big bone. I cast about 30 yrds out and knew it was too short. Stripped in quick. Cast again, and the bone took off. I thought I spooked him but after my second strip, there was a serious tug on the other end of my line. He stripped off 150 yrds in a matter of seconds. He took me in to a mangrove quickly, as I approached the mangrove, I worked my rod around the snag, nearly snapping the tip off the rod. Luckily, the snag came off, and I continued to follow the fish. Finally, after about 10 minutes, and 3 mangroves later, the fish was at my feet. A nice bone around 9-10 lbs. the biggest of the trip as well. It is a fish I will never forget.
I thought i would never enjoy flyfishing any more than I do out in Yellowstone, but the flats are right up there in scenery and fish.
Good luck.
ALG

[This message has been edited by ALG (edited 02-01-2002).]

Carpcatcher · 02-01-02, 09:49 AM

This past June I went fishing on South Bimini with Bone Fish Ebbie. We got several fish but could have got more if Ebbie wanted to work. Bimini is not a heavily populated placed and therefore not alot of development.

tomlaub · 02-01-02, 04:29 PM

bbell,

Just dropped some cash today with Bobbie Merriman at the Fishhawk in prep for Andros. He's spent an innordinate amount of time on Andros (and other locales in the B's I believe). You may want to catch him at the shop and pick his brain. One thing he warned me about (and I've picked up elswhere on searches) is you'd best take whatever you think you may need equipment wise if you're going to be remote.....TL

fishmeister · 02-04-02, 12:04 PM

bbell,
I've been to Andros twice in the last 15 years. Neither time did I stay at one of the big name (and big $) lodges.

In 1987 I stayed at the Chichcharnie Hotel in Fresh Creek for a week. Got stood up by two different guides (one, Bill Braynen, claimed a broken outboard, but rumour had it one of his "famous" clients suddenly flew in to fish, the other, "Bonefish Jimmy", got mad because I fished one day with one of his local enemies.)

In the end, I fished with a local fellow a couple of days, (not a "professional" guide, but he knew his way around the Fresh Creek backcountry), and I rented the hotel owner's skiff for $90/ day for a couple of days to fish on my own (Charlie Gay I seem to recall was his name).

Since then, I've heard that several new hotels and a marina have sprung up on the creek. If this is so, the large but not unlimited flats drained by Fresh Creek may be overfished now. Maybe the marina has boats for rent, though...

Several years later (1991, I think), I returned and again rented the Chickcharnie skiff for a day. Then my fishing buddy and I took a cab to Behring Point to the south. We stayed at a small motel/hotel I don't recall the name of. A guide named Bertram "Speedy" Thompson took us fishing for a day. The owner of the motel put us in touch with him. I recall he charged about $250, which was very high for the Bahamas back then. For comparison, Wellington Taylor over on Long Island had recently gone up from $110 a day to $130 a day. We fished the North Bight on a cold and windy day. We found, as they say, "an ABUNDANCE of bonefish", in the 4 to 8 pound range, including some that we nearly tripped over as they sunned themselves in 6 inches of water along the shore of an island.

The areas I've fished on Andros demand that you have access to a boat. I have not found any "drive up" flats in the two trips I've made there.

If you're new to an area, you're best off hiring a guide for a day or two anyway, in my opinion.

Good luck! I'll be looking forward to a report when you return.

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01-31-02, 02:28 PM	#1
bbell Native Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,287	I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations for a quick (4 days or so) bonefish trip. I am hoping to go somewhere in the Bahamas but am open to other suggestions. I figured it is about time I got a fly in front of one of these guys. Permit and tarpon would be a nice plus... If anyone has experience with Belize, I am also interested in the fishery there. That would take a week and be more expensive, but it is a possibility...

01-31-02, 06:12 PM	#2
tomlaub Native Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 153	Fortuitous that you should ask...I just landed a week and a half job on behalf of the NAVY on Andros Island next month. I was going to post and ask about the same things but in regards to Andros. From my searches so far it's the bonefish capitol of the Bahamas, perhpas the world. Miles of wade-able flats and reportedly loaded with bonefish etc... Has anyone been to Andros island? check this: http://www.geographia.com/bahamas/bsanin01.htm

01-31-02, 06:43 PM	#3
THE EG Past Director, Hall of Fame Member, Designated Message Board Prude Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: East Cherokee County, GA Posts: 4,776	Tom, Are you going to AUTEC? I have stories. Andros. Another place I've been and didn't fish. Well, except for borrowing an old spinning rod, tying on a hook, catching a little crab, then watching a bonefish disappear over the horizen as it spooled me. I was there supposedly to observe land snails (I'll save that exciting part of my life for some other time ). Mostly we just dove on the reef (third largest in the world, I believe). That was in 1980. There are several resorts dedicated to bonefish on Andros today. Although the largest island in the Bahamas, Andros may be one of the most isolated. I would love to get back there. Depending on when you are planning to go, bbell, there is usually a representative from the Bahamas at the Shallow Water Expo.

01-31-02, 06:52 PM	#4
THE EG Past Director, Hall of Fame Member, Designated Message Board Prude Join Date: Feb 1999 Location: East Cherokee County, GA Posts: 4,776	I just read Tom's link. I got most of it right from memory. Funny. They don't mention the Poisonwood trees. They cover most of the island forests. They are like poison ivy but in the form of a tree. Don't ask me how I know this.

01-31-02, 07:34 PM	#5
CaptainLefty Native Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 125	A friend of my wife's went there on her honeymoon a little over a year ago. She and her husband stayed at his uncle's house on Andros. The uncle has the most incredible job: He takes his sportfishing boat out, picks up dud torpedos and brings them back to the base for the U.S. Navy after they're used in training. What does he get to do while he's out there waiting on torpedos? Fish, of course! I saw Flip on Walkers Cay Chronicles fish Andros once. The island is definitely on my life list. Let us know it goes, you lucky dog. ------------------ Taste for the good life, I can live it no other way . . .

01-31-02, 09:24 PM	#6
tomlaub Native Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 153	Bill...... AUTEC it is...Another week and a half teaching guys about stuff they don't wanna know...oh joy. But then there's the bonefish!! For the others, AUTEC is the Atlantic Undersea Test and Evaluation Center. It is the worlds leading facility for measuring and calibrating radiated signatures (sonar etc). Meaning, where the NAVY learns their submarine craft. On the east edge of Andros is a deep sea trench where they play sub games. The western edge is MILES of wadeable flats...but nary (few?) roads going there. I emailed the woman that is our contact there and asked if there were any fishing types in the classes or in her work group. I've heard that travel is limited there. And I'm not funded for a rental vehicle. Much to my joy she responded: "We have plenty of fisher-people over here. I am certain we can accommodate you." Release the pigeons!! I can smell the salt air already... But "fisher-people"...we need ye olde Black Knight on that bit of military facility P.C. speak. I'm planning to take a 9wt and an assortment of crab & shrimp (w/flashabou) patterns. I'm guessing that I'll use the Stu Apte IGFA bonefish leaders (heck, ya gotta hope!!) and flourocarbon tippet material. But that's my extent of knowledge for this kind of fishing. I welcome all advice. bbell.....sorry if I've altered your thread!! Tom L.

01-31-02, 10:58 PM	#7
ALG Native Join Date: Oct 1998 Location: Athens Posts: 299	I did some bonefishing for the first time this x-mas. I was a couple of islands over from andros, and this place makes andros look like New York. The fish were not particular about flies. I used a "Gotcha" with pretty good success. To me, half the fun was walking on the flats looking at the sharks, baracuda, Huge rays, and other assorted wildlife. It was like walking around in a wonderful aquarium. Then, just as I forgot about the fishing came along a single bonefish about 40 yrds out. I couldn't tell if it was a small shark or a big bone. I cast about 30 yrds out and knew it was too short. Stripped in quick. Cast again, and the bone took off. I thought I spooked him but after my second strip, there was a serious tug on the other end of my line. He stripped off 150 yrds in a matter of seconds. He took me in to a mangrove quickly, as I approached the mangrove, I worked my rod around the snag, nearly snapping the tip off the rod. Luckily, the snag came off, and I continued to follow the fish. Finally, after about 10 minutes, and 3 mangroves later, the fish was at my feet. A nice bone around 9-10 lbs. the biggest of the trip as well. It is a fish I will never forget. I thought i would never enjoy flyfishing any more than I do out in Yellowstone, but the flats are right up there in scenery and fish. Good luck. ALG [This message has been edited by ALG (edited 02-01-2002).]

02-01-02, 09:49 AM	#8
Carpcatcher Native Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Atlanta Posts: 229	This past June I went fishing on South Bimini with Bone Fish Ebbie. We got several fish but could have got more if Ebbie wanted to work. Bimini is not a heavily populated placed and therefore not alot of development.

02-01-02, 04:29 PM	#9
tomlaub Native Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Marietta, GA Posts: 153	bbell, Just dropped some cash today with Bobbie Merriman at the Fishhawk in prep for Andros. He's spent an innordinate amount of time on Andros (and other locales in the B's I believe). You may want to catch him at the shop and pick his brain. One thing he warned me about (and I've picked up elswhere on searches) is you'd best take whatever you think you may need equipment wise if you're going to be remote.....TL

02-04-02, 12:04 PM	#10
fishmeister Native Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 218	bbell, I've been to Andros twice in the last 15 years. Neither time did I stay at one of the big name (and big $) lodges. In 1987 I stayed at the Chichcharnie Hotel in Fresh Creek for a week. Got stood up by two different guides (one, Bill Braynen, claimed a broken outboard, but rumour had it one of his "famous" clients suddenly flew in to fish, the other, "Bonefish Jimmy", got mad because I fished one day with one of his local enemies.) In the end, I fished with a local fellow a couple of days, (not a "professional" guide, but he knew his way around the Fresh Creek backcountry), and I rented the hotel owner's skiff for $90/ day for a couple of days to fish on my own (Charlie Gay I seem to recall was his name). Since then, I've heard that several new hotels and a marina have sprung up on the creek. If this is so, the large but not unlimited flats drained by Fresh Creek may be overfished now. Maybe the marina has boats for rent, though... Several years later (1991, I think), I returned and again rented the Chickcharnie skiff for a day. Then my fishing buddy and I took a cab to Behring Point to the south. We stayed at a small motel/hotel I don't recall the name of. A guide named Bertram "Speedy" Thompson took us fishing for a day. The owner of the motel put us in touch with him. I recall he charged about $250, which was very high for the Bahamas back then. For comparison, Wellington Taylor over on Long Island had recently gone up from $110 a day to $130 a day. We fished the North Bight on a cold and windy day. We found, as they say, "an ABUNDANCE of bonefish", in the 4 to 8 pound range, including some that we nearly tripped over as they sunned themselves in 6 inches of water along the shore of an island. The areas I've fished on Andros demand that you have access to a boat. I have not found any "drive up" flats in the two trips I've made there. If you're new to an area, you're best off hiring a guide for a day or two anyway, in my opinion. Good luck! I'll be looking forward to a report when you return.