South Andros Island, Bahamas

SOUTH ANDROS ISLAND, BAHAMAS

Location: Andros South Lodge, South Andros Island, Bahamas
Dates: Email for info
Price: Email for rates, hosted trips available.
Extras: Airfare, tips, overnight stay in Ft. Lauderdale on the way to South Andros Island


South Andros Island is considered by many to be one of the best bonefishing destinations in the world. Miles of flats on both the east and west side of the island, plus interior saltwater ponds, ensure that you have plenty of water to fish each day.

South Andros Lodge is located on the southeastern side of the island. This side has many schooled fish averaging 2 to 3 pounds, while the southwest side has flats containing more singles and pairs in the 6 to 10 pound range. If a little adventure is in order, you can hike to the interior saltwater ponds and fish for bones from 3 to 8 pounds that haven't seen very many anglers. No matter what, you will see and cast to fish with your experienced Bahamian guide at the helm.

Clean, comfortable accomodations and good food await your arrival at the end of each day. Anglers make their own lunch (with the food that is provided) for the boat to maximize time on the water and of course, a hearty breakfast starts off each day.

Travel to South Andros Lodge requires a flight to Ft. Lauderdale, an overnight stay near the airport, followed by a flight to Congotown on South Andros Island. A short 30 minute drive from the Congotown airport takes you directly to the lodge. No overnight stay is required on the outbound travel day.

Beer, wine and a selection of liquor is available as part of your package at the lodge.

Please contact us at [email protected] or call 877-347-4874 for more details.

REPORTS:

March 15-21, 2009 This was my first trip to South Andros, but one of several for everyone else. The consensus was that the weather was better this year. There was some wind during a couple days that made casting a little tougher and the morning boat ride a little bumpy. Depending on where you went, there were also some clouds that made it hard to spot fish sometimes.

That said, it was pretty great weather, with lots of sun and lots of fish.

The fish in South Andros are bigger than lots of places. The bones averaged two to four pounds. Members or our group caught a fair number of them closer to five pounds and a few a little bigger.

The bones were all released, of course. But we also caught a number of barracuda that seemed to find their way into the cooler for a trip home with the guides.

Speaking of guides. I was impressed with their knowledge of the area and the fish and with them as people. They worked hard to make sure we had fun. For example, one morning I told our guide that I had never caught a barracuda on a fly and I wanted to make that happen this trip. Within five minutes he’d put me on to one that ignored my big bucktail fly and then found a second one that nailed it instantly.

I also had an experience one day that was a first for me. There were single bonefish and small groups all over the flat and my fishing partner and I had enjoyed numerous doubles. I asked our guide where I should cast for the next one and he laughed and said, “I doesn’t matter, mon. Cast anywhere you want.” I cast the fly blind about 50 feet at 12 o’clock, stripped my fly twice and was into a nice bonefish. Somedays it’s hard. Somedays it’s that easy. Go figure.

I mostly fish a rubber-legged Gotcha either from the boat or while wading. Occasionally, we’d use a more weighted fly in deeper water, but it was pretty much always the same fly. The fish weren’t too picky about the fly, but the presentation was important.



March 17-24, 2007 - Our first trip to South Andros was successful, but not without its difficulties. High pressure was stalled over the island which caused high winds to be present for most of our trip. A few days were overcast and sighting fish was difficult on these days. Despite these abnormal conditions, fish were landed each day and some good fishing was had. The bonefish averaged 2 to 4 pounds, but fish from 6 to 8 pounds were landed and several fish were hooked that were probably pushing 10 pounds based on guide and angler descriptions.

The Gotcha was one of the most productive flies and those tied with rubber legs seemed to produce the best. Variations of the Peterson spawning shrimp also produced fish. All the flies were sizes 2 and 4.

My friend and I took two backcountry hikes and we found tailing fish on the second hike. These interior "lakes" as they are called are worth the effort. Complete solitude, pristine habitat and willing fish. I would recommend the hikes to anyone willing to expend the effort as they are not for the faint of heart. Plowing through muck, jumping mangroves and skipping across sharp rock formations is required.

Other fish caught included barracuda which were responsive to big tandem hook flies fished fast.