Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the best fly?
See our tackle section for suggested flies and check back for seasonal
changes often. There are numerous flies that work well. The #4
Pink Puff or Gotcha with bead chain eyes are the standards.
When is the best time of the year to come?
This is easily the most often asked question. The fishing is always good
anytime of the year. Oddly enough not many fishermen come in January or
June which are two of the best months. January is a great month for
large trophy sized bones and a chance to get away from some of the most
miserably cold weather of the year in the states. June provides
excellent opportunities for sheer numbers of fish caught. Double digit
days are common and the winds are light.
How many fish will I catch?
Tough question, that depends on well you can cast and weather
conditions. Some
days are diamonds,...some days are dust. On Jack Fish flat you
might find yourself casting into a school of 500 two to three pound
bones that keeps circling back to you. Don’t mistake a big school for
cloud shadow. In other areas you’ll see sets of four to twenty larger
fish swimming to you in waves. If you find just one bone or a couple
swimming together near deep water odds are good they’re big fatties, get
ready for a rip!! Many times fishermen
have returned to the lodge after a day of fishing and say they saw a
Bonefish so big it was mistaken for a shark or cuda and they didn't make the
cast. Sharks swim in a slinking "S" motion. Cuda will sit straight and motionless. Bonefish are always moving
and swim straight without much bending of their bodies.
When in doubt...make the cast!!
How are the guides?
Great! All out guides are licensed bonefishing guides who live in Mars
Bays and grew up on the water. They’re as comfortable in a boat as they
are on land and they’ll put you on fish!
Do we pole or wade?
All boats are equipped with poles and platforms. On days when the tide
is high and the mangroves are flushed you'll be poled. If the wind
is ripping you will not be poled. You are expected to be in relatively
good health with strong legs. South Andros has
been called a wade fishery. Some of the best water you can't fish by
boat. In the past most of the bonefishing has been done by wading.
Lately we seem to do more poling at the request of the guests. Some
fisherman like to wade some like to pole. We'll do our best to
accommodate you but expect to do a little of both.
Will it be windy?
Yep, Expect it, you'll need to be able to cast in 10-15 mph winds.
Please, please, pleeeease practice double hauling and throwing a tight
loop before you come. It's the difference between catching one or two
bones for the day or twenty. Waiting till you get here will result
missed opportunities.
Are the bugs really that bad?
If the wind is up there are none. January through March there are no
mosquitoes or Doctor flies. Come April the Doctors are out first
followed by the mosquitoes. Be sure to bring some bug spray if your
coming April through December. Year round there are no-see-ums. They are
tiny black knats that like to bite your ankles. A little Off! on your
ankles will take care of it.
Is there anything for my spouse to do?
NO, don't bring him/her. They'll kill you and make the lodge manager
miserable. South Andros is undeveloped. There is no night life, no place
to shop, no quaint villages to explore. Any convenient store in the
states would qualify as a super Wal-Mart on South Andros. We cater to
fly fishing enthusiast, there are other places on the island better able
to accommodate a family that we would be happy to recommend. If your
spouse likes to fish
they'll love it. The accommodations are clean, comfortable, and air
conditioned.
What kind of money is used?
The U.S. and Bahamian dollar trade 1 to 1 and both are readily accepted
anywhere in the Bahamas. Bring small denominations because vendors
sometimes have difficulty breaking large bills.
How’s the food?
Delicious!! Our cooks, Cathy, Yvette, and Constance are getting excellent reviews.
Ask anyone who's been here. Some guest say they'll return just for the
food. Breakfast is
usually American; eggs and bacon, omelets, biscuits and gravy, corned
beef and grits, pancakes or French toast. Some of the more adventurous
guests like to try the traditional Bahamian breakfasts like boiled fish or stewed conch.
Lunch is kept simple; ham, turkey, beef, salami, tuna or chicken salad with a
piece of fruit, yogurt, chips and a candy bar. When you arrive at the
lodge after a day of fishing there will be an appetizer of either conch
fritters, smoked salmon, shrimp, stone crab, lobster salad, chicken
wings, or kabobs. The dinner menu is a
Bahamian some nights and American others and is three course. We start
with a dinner salad, conch salad or chowder. The main course is cracked
conch, lobster, snapper or grouper, chicken, rack of lamb, and rib
eye steak. Then finally dessert. Please let us know in advance if
you have special dietary requirements like diabetes or shell fish allergies. If
you don't like onions we'll leave them out. If you don't like your dinner
staring back at you we'll whack the head off...no worries. We're happy to accommodate you.
Do you have
internet access and phone service?
Yes.....usually. Outages are common. We have a wireless hot spot.
Please bring your lap top if you need to log on. Phone calls to the
states are complimentary. A cellular tower was recently installed in
Mars Bay and is GSM compatible. Blackberry and cell phones usually work.
Check with your carrier prior to departure to be sure you have
international coverage.
Do you have
any fishing gear available?
No, bring everything you need. Check the "What to bring" page for a
complete list. If you forgot something Bill will gladly lend you his
gear. His fly box is almost empty.
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