Bones

[Looper Flies]

My dad and I are reaching two great points in our lives this year: I'm turning 30 and he's turning 60.  For our present to us, we've decided to blow a wad on a bonefishing trip, but aren't sure of the destination.

Here's the scoop: the lady who owns the restaurant on the first floor of dad's office building is married to the manager at the new Orvis store in Charlotte.  As it turns out, this guy and his wife spent many years guiding for bones in the Bahamas and has tons of connections.  Dad, a natural salesman, has talked his way into some info and we will likely be setting something up for May 2011 when I see them at Thanksgiving.

I'm looking for any advice on past experiences?

Thanks in advance!

Sam

[owengrad]

Seascapeinn.com on South Andros is great for a DIY trip. They can set you up with several guides, but I highly recommend Mark Bastian. The man will put you on any size bones that you want. The hosts (Mickey and Joan) at Seascape are ex- New Yorkers and fabilaous hosts. Check them out at tripadvisor.com .

[Dub]

Don't go to Grand Island or Nassau! Stay with Abaco Island or Andros Island. I have been to the Black Fly Bonefish Lodge and the Nervous Waters Lodge on Abaco. The Black Fly is the BOMB! Clint is a great cook and prepares the best food I have ever had in my life. The lodge is new and the fishing is great! Guides were the best. I have also been to the H2o bonefish lodge in Freeport. It's very nice but, if you leave the property you get the feeling of being in DETROIT! Do your self a favor and call clint at the BLACK FLY! 

[bd]

It may be tough to do between now and May, but if you've never done flats fly fishing before, it might be a good idea to book a half a day with a guide around here who can take you out fly fishing for carp.  It's a good "practice" trip because you wind up using similar techniques to fish freshwater flats for carp as you do fishing saltwater for bonefish.

The first time I fished for bonefish, I wasn't prepared for the long periods of standing and waiting on the casting deck, punctuated by brief flashes where you have to get a long, accurate cast out in a hurry without spooking the fish you're casting to.  It can be enormously frustrating if you come into it not knowing what to expect.

By the way, one of the fishing trips on my Dream List is a trip to Christmas Island for bonefish and giant trevally.  Before you absolutely commit to the Bahamas, do a little reading on what Christmas Island has to offer.

bd

[icthus]

Go to "Glatos", get some rum, and wade fish.  Two people can fish at a time, you get to run after fish, and most importantly, your guide is walking beside you telling you hilarious stories of how is buddy got nailed by a barracuda and his other buddy got his push pole bitten in two.  As for the carp fishing, BD is right, if you are in a boat you stand in the same spot for a long time. .

Either way, if you go down there you will catch fish if you can cast 60' and put it in a three foot circle, while throwing side arm and keeping the line out of the wind.

This is my good friend Thumper banging a good one in, "Jackfish Cove".  (colder then hell that day).

good luck, let us know how you do, tight lines, long strips, and short recoveries,
Icthus

[Alabamafisherman]

check out my buddy Jim Johnson at Baldwin Bait and Tackle, fishbaldwin.com.  He hosts a great trip to:

Belize 2010
The Belize dates will be whatever we can line up in January or February after enough folks are interested!

The current (2009) fishing package price (Price is lower for non or part time fshers depending on itinerary) per person is $3295 (USD) per person based on double occupancy and two per boat/guide.

Package Includes: 7 nights lodging and 6 days fishing, roundtrip land, air and sea transfers between Belize City and El Pescador, hotel tax, sales tax where applicable, 3 meals per day and hors d'oeuvres at El Pescador, local Belizean beverages (including soda, beer and rum), complimentary use of all amenities (pools, internet, kayaks, bikes, etc.) and a welcome drink.

We arrive on a Friday and depart the next Friday. During the week we will be sight fishing for Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit on the fly. This trip caters to the avid angler as well as the novice and non-fishing guests.

There is plenty to see and do other then fishing also (snorkeling & scuba diving, cave tubing, going manatee-watching, schedule a tour on the mainland, or just relax and take in the view) and in the past spouses etc. that do not fish have always enjoyed the trip as much as the person they're with. Plenty of together time in the afternoon/evenings.

Please let us know if you are interested in going with us in January or February of 2010, we are making a list!