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Andros Island, located approximately 150 miles east of
the Florida Keys, is a premier bonefish destination.
This Bahamas Island, which is over a 100 miles long and
up to 40 miles wide, consists of a vast area of flats,
creeks, cays, cuts, mangroves and fertile fishing grounds,
which rival every other island in the Bahamas, and in
many opinions, the world. A variety of other game fish
can be found around the island including permit, tarpon,
barracuda, snappers, jacks, grouper, dolphin, wahoo,
sharks, etc. Andros Island is not called the "Bonefishing
Capital of the World" for nothing.
World Class bonefish can be found in excellent numbers
along Andros Island. In fact, Andros is the best island
in the Bahamas for seeking big fish, if not the best
in the world. Bonefish from 10-15 pounds (and a small
percentage larger) are fairly common even though the
average fish are from 4-5 pounds. The reason for the
variety of size fish is due to the amount of bonefish
in Andros. Being poled across a flat and seeing 30
or more fish in the 7-15 pound category is a possible
scenario. If you are a serious angler looking for big
bonefish, then Andros Island should be considered.
When fishing with a partner (which is most often the
case), be sure your guide knows the skill levels of
both anglers so he can plan the day accordingly. This
will help to insure both anglers have quality opportunities
that match their needs and levels of skill. |
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ANDROSTOWN AIRPORT
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Most people come to Andros simply for the superior bonefishing.
Anglers new to fishing for bonefish can be taken to areas
of the island where they can get their skills tuned on
small-medium size fish (usually from 1-6 pounds). The
smaller fish are easily fooled and are found in larger
numbers. This is not to say that new anglers will not
catch large bonefish. There are many first time anglers
that catch their share of big fish There have been anglers
who caught bonefish over 10 pounds on their very first
trip to Andros. Anglers who are skilled, or have been
fishing for bonefish for a longer period of time can "hunt" for
large fish. Some of the better areas of the island for
big fish are found along the west, east and north sides
of the island and in the north, middle, and south bights
adjacent to deep water or the tongue of the ocean. Realistically,
big fish can be found anywhere in Andros where quick
access to deep water is found. Large and more educated
bonefish always feel comfortable coming onto a deep flat
or a flat with quick access to deep water. Vast shallow
flats are usually home to smaller bonefish (there are
always exceptions). Some well known and famous "big
fish" areas are Moxey Creek, Land of the Giants,
Big Wood Cay, the west side, Joulter Cays, and numerous
other areas too many to count. The tongue of the ocean
is located a short distance from the east coast of Andros.
This is one of the many reasons for the excellent numbers
of large bonefish found here.
North Andros is made up of a vast area of land surrounded
by beautiful and productive flats. Joulter's Cays south
to Andros Town, approximately 45 miles, is considered
North Andros. Many cays, cuts and superb flats are
found along northern Andros. This entire section of
Andros is home to an abundance of large average size
bonefish. Flights to Northern Andros land at San Andros
Airport. |
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The Joulters, a small group of islands/cays, lie approximately
6-10 miles north of the mainland of Andros. This area
is home to a range of fish but is especially known for
its large bonefish and permit. The Joulters are one of,
if not the most fertile permit grounds in the Bahamas.
Large permit to 40 pounds can be found here in good numbers.
These explosively fast and powerful fish are very elusive
and difficult to catch on a fly.
South of the Joulters you will find an array of cuts,
cays, creeks and flats along the east side of the mainland.
Conch Sound, Stafford Creek and Fresh Creek are a few
prime areas along this stretch. The fishing in this
region can be exceptional for medium to large bonefish
ranging from 5-12 pounds and some larger. North, northeast,
east and southeast winds can make the fishing more
difficult although the array of cuts, cays and creeks
make finding sheltered areas possible. During easterly
winds the west side of the island can be accessed by
traveling around the tip of north Andros (if you are
stationed near the tip) or through the North Bight
found to the south (if you are stationed in the Fresh
Creek area), which will also help to find sheltered
waters. The majority of flats along north Andros consist
of sand, mud and/or coral. Bonefish will range the
gamete from 2-15 pounds.
Andros is a great destination for anglers of all
skill levels due to the numbers of fish and the diverse
opportunities found here. Want to spend a couple of
days fishing offshore? Ask ahead of time, the angling
is superb for a variety of offshore fish from dolphin
and wahoo to sailfish and tuna. Permit, tarpon, barracuda,
and sharks can also be found on the flats at certain
times. Specify your interest and your guide will lead
you in the right direction. |
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Central Andros is an impressive area of flats, channels,
cays, bights and cuts that is made up of the land from
Fresh Creek to the north end of Mangrove Cay, which are
approximately 30 miles apart. The Fresh Creek area (15-20
miles north of the North Bight) is blessed with an abundance
of hard flats, which provides exceptional wade fishing
in this region of the island. The bonefish here average
from 4-6 pounds with an excellent share of fish in the
10 plus pound range. Flights to central Andros arrive
at Andros Town Airport.
Big Wood Cay is located along the east side of the
North and Middle Bights, which lie between Cargill
Creek (this creek is found just north of the North
Bight) and Mangrove Cay. This area is home to prolific
number of big bonefish ranging from 8-14 plus pounds
with the average fish in the 6-8 pound category. Moxey
Creek and Fever Creek are a couple of exceptional big
fish areas as well. Permit are occasionally spotted
in this area or around the deep channels that probe
through the bights. The flats in this area range from
hard white sand with easily spotted bonefish to deep
dark colored flats with big "tiger striped" bonefish.
The variety of flats in this area is superb.
Inside the bights you will find an array of flats,
cuts, cays and creeks that are sure to impress any
angler. This vast area is littered with quality flats
which is home to an over abundance of bonefish averaging
from 3-6 pounds with a good number of fish 10 pounds
and larger. The bights, which cut Andros in half, offer
shelter during strong winds that seem to consistently
batter the Bahamas. When strong winds are from the
northeast or east and the bights don't offer enough
shelter, traveling to the west side through the bights
is possible. Spanish Wells and Pretty Creek are a couple
of popular areas inside the bights. |
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The west side of Andros is uninhabited and not pressured
as heavily as the east side. A good portion of unexplored
territory still remains. This equates to a large population
of fish, many of which reach World Class size. Some bonefish
on the west side will push 15 plus pounds. This is becoming
one of the premier big bonefish areas in the world. A
boat ride from most of the fishing clubs located on the
east side to the west side through the bights will average
at least an hour. The west coast is also one of the better
destinations in the Bahamas for tarpon. Tarpon fishing
is usually best during the warmer months. They can be
found inside or near the mouths of creeks or on flats
that lie adjacent to creeks. Tarpon are also found in
fair numbers throughout the rest of Andros. If you are
interested in tarpon fishing ask your resort/guide ahead
of time. The west side consists of mainly light colored
sand and mud flats.
South Andros stretches for approximately 40 miles
from north Mangrove Cay, south to the southern tip
of the island near the Curly Cut Cays. This stretch
of Andros has numerous cuts, creeks and bays that create
excellent bonefish habitat. Bonefish can be found here,
from enormous schools of small fish averaging 1-4 pounds
near the south end of the island, excellent quantities
of medium size fish averaging 4-7 pounds inside the
South Bight and along the eastern and westerns coasts
to singles, doubles and occasionally a small school
of big bonefish 8-10 pounds or larger on some of the
deeper ocean flats. Permit are also found on some of
the deep coral flats found adjacent to the deep creeks
and channels that cut through the island. Tarpon can
be found inside the South Bight in or near some of
the deep creeks and channels especially closer to the
west side.
Mangrove Cay is a great base for fishing the Middle
and South Bights, which are both superb areas of the
island. From this cay access can be granted to all
three bights within a short boat ride. The west side
can also be accessed, on days with strong easterly
winds, through the Middle and/or South Bights. Flights
to South Andros arrive at Mangrove Cay Airport. |
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Inside the South Bight, which is found to the south side
of Mangrove Cay, anglers will find a complicated labyrinth
of creeks and channels that dissect the island. Medium
to large size bonefish and occasionally permit can be
found here. These flats are very fertile and offer a
diversity of food for the bonefish, which in turn creates
great angling opportunities. Libson Creek is located
at the north end of the entrance to the South Bight.
This creek is a diverse area that is very fertile and
rich with fish.
South of the South Bight there are numerous cuts,
cays and bays along the east coast that offer shelter
and great flats for fishing. Numerous creeks also penetrate
the mainland offering great angling for bonefish, tarpon
and other species such as jacks and barracuda. Heading
south from the South Bight you will pass Congo Town,
Smith's Hill, Deep Creek and Mars Town as well as a
few other towns. Fishing down here near the south end
of the island is best for large schools of smaller
bonefish averaging 1-3 pounds. Larger bonefish can
be found along some of the ocean flats or if you travel
through the creeks to the west side.
Andros Island is a fabulous destination. This is
an island, however, that is not recommended for fishing
without a guide. There are only a few select areas
that are accessible by foot. Resorts and clubs can
be found which will provide lodging, food and guides.
Independent guides can also be hired. In this case
lodging can be found and the independent guides can
be hired separately. Large groups usually choose to
fish with a resort while some anglers who come down
on their own or with a single partner will choose to
fish with an independent guide.
The atmosphere on Andros is delightful. The local
people are overly friendly and welcome people with "open
arms". The food usually consists of a variety
of meals from seafood and chicken to conch and other
delightful Caribbean meals. |
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