Grand Bahama - One Day off the Leash

[brokeoff]

Looks like I'll be getting one day to fish on a couples trip to Grand Bahama. We should be going mid November and I'm trying to figure out a strategy. I have taken one trip to Belize fore permit and was completely fine not catching one. From what I understand on the east end of Grand Bahama there are two mini permit seasons, one in June/July and one in Oct/Nov. I have never caught a bonefish so I'm not opposed to it but I'd rather pursue permit (within reason).

I was given two options. First, I can forget the bonefish and stay up on the bow with the permit rod all day. Second, I can stay on the bow with a bonefish rod and have the permit rod right next to me ready for the shot.

I would love to catch a bonefish but if I missed some good shots on permit since I wasn't ready I would be a bit disappointed. Maybe I just fish a 9 wt with a swimming crab and be ready for both?

Has anyone fished the east end of Grand Bahama? Any thoughts?

 

[sweetandsalt]

Where are you staying for your vacation on Grand Bahama? The East End is not close to the Freeport area and a good chunk of your day will be in transit and its not necessary. I love permit and they are there but you are vacationing in one of the finest bonefish habitats in the world. You've got great 9-weights, rig with a crab fly and cast at what the guide finds for you, bonefish eat as many crabs as shrimp. worms, gobies or whatever. Of course I would use whatever fly the guide suggests though I'm not a Gotcha fan.

Though I've fished on the north side of Grand Bahama from the southern resort areas of Lucaya the Pinder Brothers have a long and solid reputation and tons of expertise. They pick you up at your hotel, take you fishing and bring you back. Contact them in advance and tell them of your permit lust but be prepared to bonefish and be prepared for big bonefish...this is not Belize with its juvenile fish, this is where the daddy bonefish live.

 

[bonefish41]

I concur with S&S post. I have fished once on GBI...the west end with Tommy Rolle. Outstanding guide. Definitely use crab or shrimp pattern for both...whatever he suggests but I use use a quarter sized Merkin type or a larger Shrimp style ...light for light bottoms dark for darker bottoms...probably won't see quantity but what bonefish you see, will be 6 and up

 

[sweetandsalt]

And I like a little touch of olive-green in both my crustacean patterns on GB...the coral/sand bottoms there have more green than most places based on my limited experience. Also flies should be big there #'s 2 and 4's no smaller.

 

[brokeoff]

I am penciled in for a day with higher water that should be favorable for permit. I'll be bonefishing on flats that hold permit and I'm not too fussy about what I catch either way. During prime permit water levels I think I might throw a small swimming crab and see what will bite.

Any recommendations on a few bonefish flies? 2s and 4s, more olive than usual? Specific patterns? Don't want to go overboard with buying since it's just for the day. Well, I'll have a rod in hand the whole time we are "laying" on the beach for family time....don't tell my wife!

 

[sweetandsalt]

I tie my own bonefish flies but check out Enrico Puglisi's web site and look over his Fuzzy Crabs and various Shrimp flies, he is very creative. Put a plastic bag or something over your reel on a rod you'll take to the beach top keep that coral sand out. I recommend you take two rods rigged on the boat, one with a crab and one with a shrimp of two different weights (one lead eye, one bead chain) so you are at the ready to select based on water depth and guide's advice.

 

[bonefish41]

I would recommend S&S Flies in Denmark Maine...I don't tie and I use his flies...he is current and very salt water

 

[brokeoff]

Just order a half dozen custom lady crabs from him for my home flats. East End Lodge has a fly list and I'm pulling those patterns from the SS Flies site to make a small order. He makes everything they recommend but all the SS Flies look a tad better than others I've seen.

 

[sweetandsalt]

Is it East End Lodge you are going to fish out of for the day? And where is it you are going to be vacationing?

 

[brokeoff]

Originally, the idea was that we stay in Freeport and I fish at East End. From my understanding it's a 50 minute ride to the lodge.

Unfortunately, right now there is a rebellion brewing in our group and people are leaning towards Nassau. I am pretty bent out of shape about this. I had planned one day of guided fishing and a few hours of DIY stuff on the south side of Freeport. Right now I am considering flying over to Freeport the night before or morning of and doing a day like that.

Ever since I started fly fishing seriously I can no longer look at couples/family trips the same way. They have all become, in some way shape or form, partial fishing trips. I refuse to fly past world class bonefish flats to arrive at a bustling cruise ship port to get a sunburn.

 

[sweetandsalt]

Oh boy. Find a really cool hotel in Lucaya to tempt your social group. I've poked around a little on Nassau and there really is no quality flats fishing there. To "vacation" in the Bahamas and not have accessible flats to disappear to on a good tide is unconscionable.

 

[Jeff Morasco]

Well, there certainly are more obvious things for non fishing people in Nassau than Freeport. Recommendations for them depend on what they want to do on the trip. On Grand Bahama there are nature tours, kayak tours, etc, but there is no casino and shopping is getting limited. There is lots of Sun, Sea and Sand in each, but in Freeport you can rent a car and be the only person on the beach for miles in either direction. The good thing for you is if the primary motivation is beaching it, you can combine their ideal vacation with yours and just wander down the beach with your fly rod.

If Nassau is going to be the destination, you can also go to Andros or other family islands. So see what else is available for your time schedule. In Freeport arrange for your guide to pick you up and drop you off at the airport. I don't know who you have schedule out of East End, but it is a long ride both ways. So the Pinder bros will have you on the water much earlier. The first am flight on BahamasAir is pretty reliable. There is a domestic terminal separate from the International terminal and much less hassle.

"I was given two options. First, I can forget the bonefish and stay up on the bow with the permit rod all day. Second, I can stay on the bow with a bonefish rod and have the permit rod right next to me ready for the shot."

I would target bone fish first! If you haven't caught one, have you seen one? They are a major challenge in their own right and a lot more frequent than Permit. Cruising permit are very, very difficult, but feeding permit are at least possible; so you would have time to change rods. It seems like I only fish DIY. It is more masochistic than guided, so be prepared to be skunked, especially if aren't familiar with how these fish look or don't look. Even guided don't expect 10 fish days your first time out. The first time I was on the bow, the guide gets excited, "Hurry, Big fish at 60 feet at 10 o'clock, man." His excitement was contagious and I could get off maybe a 20 foot cast.

 

[brokeoff]

Well, many changes have occurred in our planning and after a serious battle with the wife I'm going to take two days and head to Key West solo then meet up with them in Nassau. I had previously spoken with the guide about a 2019 permit trip and he knows that's what I'm interested in. I told him that because of the season and lack of planning I was open to fish for whatever. He quickly replied with, "permit." I was hoping that would be his response. At this point, I'm looking to get down to experience the fishery, start building a rapport with the guide, and maybe see a few fish....we'll who am I kidding, I'll take a fish in hand if I can!

 

[sweetandsalt]

Well you've come up with a plan to angle then vacation, fine. The issue remains that you will be vacationing in the Bahamas (and you will have your tackle with you). My wife and I too have spent relaxation time in Nassau both before and after venturing to an out island to seriously fish. Though we've strolled the beach, rods in hand, we've found little to cast to. I know nothing though I hope someone else can jump in here with information, but I recall hearing that there are guides in Nassau that will take you out to small nearby cays with limited flats for 1/2 day ventures. It is worth exploring as there is a limit to how much conch salad/fritters and Pinacoladas a person can consume in paradise without taking a cast.

 

[brokeoff]

I agree 100%.

I'll quote my wife now, "you can go to the Keys, but when you get to Nassau on Monday I don't want to hear about fishing for the rest of the trip!!!"

 

[sweetandsalt]

Nassau Bonefishing

google Bahamas Fishing Charters/Nassau Bonefishing, but don't tell your wife I said so.

 

[brokeoff]

Well, another exciting turn of events...more fishing!!! My wife who usually detests my fishing habit has agreed to come fishing for a half day. At first I looked at Nassau and the options seemed tough. So I have convinced her to jump on a plane, head to Mangrove Cay, fish a few hours, hit a beach and have lunch (maybe snorkel), finish up with a few hours of fishing, then jump on a plane to Nassau. I found an independent guide who is up for this and I'm really looking forward to it. Keeping my expectations low and just looking to get out.

Sure beats laying around at the pool all day!

 

[sweetandsalt]

Andros's Mangrove Cay separates the southern Middle Bight from the South Bight and the local guides fish both. Obviously tide and wind direction as well as recent experiences and preferences will have guides choose one or the other. My personal preference, if you have a choice (always listen to yo' guide), is the Middle Bight, there is just more and greater diversity of habitat. And, the further west you go the nicer it gets. You will want both your #8 and 9-weight in the skiff.

 

[sweetandsalt]

brokeoff, Enjoy your trip. We look forward to your report. It is 19 degrees, I wish I was heading to a tropical flat too.

 

[s fontinalis]

HIJACK alert - kinda.

I"m going to Abacos (treasure Cay) in april. Anyone have recommendations for DIY/guided trip?
I"m gonna need kit too, so with fly fishing shows coming up, i hope to find a deal.


Brokeoff, hope your trip works out - i'm also going with family to Abacos, but my wife is now resigned to the fact that if there's fishing to be had, i'll be doing it. She learned in Ecuador when i took a day trip to the mountains with a local guy i'd never met until he picked me up!!