Bahamas

[Mighty Dabbler]

Hello all,

I'm off to Nassau in Feb for 2 weeks to get married! I've managed to convince the 'wife-to-be' to let me out fishing for a day, (I mean, you can't travel all that way and not fish one of the best fishing spots on the planet!)

I'm not interested in going after Marlin or any of the big game fish, but am more interested in stalking the magical bones and trying some reef fishing.

I'm thinking of taking a travel spinning rod with me but haven't got a clue when it comes to that as I spend most of my time bombing a 6oz lead into the Bristol Channel.

Any information on who to contact to arrange a great day out would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,


James


Tight lines!

[PanamaJack]

Hi James
I've never fished from Gran Bahama, just Andros. Therefore I can't make any recommendations as to guides. But a post to somewhere like http://www.reel-time.com would well be worth it. It's a very active forum and once they realise you're a Brit you'll find they're particularly helpful. Don't however make too much play of the fact that you want to bait fish, most are 'dyed in the wool' 'fluff chuckers'!

But as you'll find out, other than the Tongue of the Ocean, all the islands are surrounded by flats populated by Bonefish and, not as common, Permit and Tarpon. Whilst they're not as big as the Bones on Florida's Upper and Middle Keys - most would be 4 to 6 pounders, but with regular shots at 'double figured' fish - they're plentiful and less pressurised.

So most Americans will fly fish and although the guides won't have fly rods on the skiff most are likely to have spin tackle, although some can be of indifferent quality. So taking your own can help.

If so you won't need a long rod. Something light, around 7' is easier to control matched to a spin reel loaded with 8 or 10lb line with a good clutch. A 100 plus yard runs across those shallow flats are always a possibility with big fish. Take either size 2 or 4 baitholder hooks with you plus some swan shot for casting weights, or light Bonefish jigs - 1/4oz. (You should be able to source those from somewhere like Veals or Harris'.)

Of prime importance are adequate polarising sun glasses, preferably wrap arounds, and a peaked cap (and protect the back of the neck). I also prefer to wear a long sleeved shirt and light cotton trousers - the sun reflecting off the flats can be really severe. It's worth taking out sun block with you.

Based on the particular flat the guide will either pole it, looking for fish, or wade in the shallow water. If you're wading make sure you're wearing footwear - bits of broken coral are sharp - and 'shuffle' rather than picking your feet up. You occasionally encounter Stingrays in the shallow water. Touch them with a foot and they'll glide away. Step on them and they'll spook and are likely to use their tail and spine.

Sometimes you'll actually spot the fish 'tailing' but many will be cruising fish. There the guide will shot out where they are, using the positions on a 'clock face', how far they are away and which way they're moving. They can get very excited but wherever possible DON'T cast until you can actually see the fish. Remember they're on the poling platform behind you and distances and angles are never quite the same.

Just one last point the conventional, as well as the charter fee, is to tip for good service. The norm wold be closer to 15 rather than 10%.

Enjoy your honeymoon and the fishing.
Dave

[PanamaJack]

Jamie
As a 'first timer' it might well be worth reading these articles - http://reel-time.com/feature/venek/gvbones/default.asp - http://reel-time.com/feature/kumiski/yourownbone/default.asp. The latter's a bit 'desination specific' but there're some good tips in them.
Dave

[Mighty Dabbler]

Thanks for the information panamajack, its much appreciated.

I'll obviously post my report once I've got back!

Regards and tight lines!


James

[Cascars]

Nassau is on New Providence Island. I went there a couple of years ago but did not get to do any bone fishing. I spent a few hours at Eastern Point (see map link below) watching a guy flyfishing for them from a skiff with reasonable success. Another place that looked promising was the South Beach / Cay Point area. The southern side of the island is very sparsely populated and an old ex-pat canadian I met there who was float fishing with squid strips and live prawns said the fishing was excellent and much better than the north side.
I had a really good evening bottom fishing from a boat out of SandyPort Beach Resort, Cable Beach where we stayed. It was only $40 for about 3 hours and we did not catch anything really big but got a great variety of fish. If you are interested in this let me know and I will try and find his number for you.
If you need any other info on Nassau drop me a PM.

http://www.bahamas.com/bahamas/island/map.aspx?sectionid=6859

[Rajabatis]

Hello all,

I'm off to Nassau in Feb for 2 weeks to get married! I've managed to convince the 'wife-to-be' to let me out fishing for a day, (I mean, you can't travel all that way and not fish one of the best fishing spots on the planet!)

I'm not interested in going after Marlin or any of the big game fish, but am more interested in stalking the magical bones and trying some reef fishing.

I'm thinking of taking a travel spinning rod with me but haven't got a clue when it comes to that as I spend most of my time bombing a 6oz lead into the Bristol Channel.

Any information on who to contact to arrange a great day out would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance,


James


Tight lines!
Sorry might be a bit late to be of help, but I would recommend the Bahamas Flyfishing Guide book by Stephen and Kiim Vletas as a good guide to the Bahamas in general. Lots of venue info, accommodation, guides etc. There is a very good chaper on New Providence and Nassau in the book. You can obtain this from Amazon.
I have not been to Nassau but if experience of other Bahamas locations are any indication. You will have a great time. The people are amongst the most friendly I have ever met.