Big Bones Bahamas - Part 2

by Jim Klug

Grand Bahama is one of the more interesting, and certainly most diverse islands in the Bahamas. On one hand, you have Freeport and the West End: home to championship golf courses, a casino, high-end boutiques, dozens of restaurants and bars, and the island’s version of “urban-condo sprawl”. On the opposite side of the island, less than one hour by car, you have all the characteristics of a more traditional Bahamas culture. The laid-back, out-island scene with conch stands, community churches, small towns where “bonefish guide” is the number one occupation. Wherever you go on Grand Bahama, the one thing that you always seem to find is big bonefish.

Like every Bahamian island and fishery, Grand Bahama has impressive numbers of bonefish. What sets this island apart from other fisheries, however, is the impressively consistent size of truly large fish. Month in and month out, year after year, the flats of Grand Bahama give up some of the largest, double-digit bones caught anywhere in the Bahamas. Throw into the mix a legitimate spring and fall permit fishery, the large number of experienced and professional guides, and one of the best networks of fishing lodges in the entire region, and its easy to see why Grand Bahama is one of the most popular destinations in the entire world of saltwater fly fishing.

The author releases a huge bonefish that tapes out at 11.2 pounds. This was one of the rare occasions when the largest fish in the school was the one that actually charged and ate the fly!

Selecting the right fly before stepping out on to the flats. A good rule of thumb when hunting for trophy bones on Grand Bahama? Big fish, big fly. Size #1, #2 and #1/0 Gotcha’s and Super-Gotcha’s are hard to beat.

Deep red bohar snapper contrasts with the deep indigo ocean. These feisty and aggressive fish inhabit the offshore reefs and love deep dredged “mega Clousers”

The sun sets on the docks of Deep Water Cay Club are hard to beat.. Founded in the 1950s and a frequent hangout of A.J. McClane, Gil Drake, Joe Brooks and other notable anglers. Deep Water Cay is one of the most famous lodges and fishing operations in the entire Bahamas.

Fireside at East End Lodge are hard to beat.. Located in tiny McLean’s Town on the eastern side of Grand Bahamas. This small lodge has recently emerged as one of the best values on the island. As the stepping-off point to the huge bights of the Eastern End, it is also an operation that features some of the most experienced and seasoned guides on the island.

An afternoon’s catch comes ashore. Caribbean spiny lobsters are a staple of Bahamian cuisine and an important commercial catch throughout the islands. Fishing through a passing storm system. When you loose your light and visibility, its time to start hunting for tailing fish, waking fish and looking for nervous water.

Left: Conch shells are everywhere in the Bahamas. Second in popularity only to escargot when it comes to “edible snails”, conch meat is usually eaten raw in conch salad or ceviche, or cooked in conch fritters, chowders, gumbos, and even conch burgers. Right: Colorful signage at Deep Water Cay Club, further proof that Grand Bahama may be the center of the fly fishing universe.

The flats of the Eastern Bights of Grand Bahama. Hard sand and crystal-clear water conditions make for some of the best wading and sight-fishing in the world.

The bonefish’s natural camouflage and huge network of reflective scales is what allows them to safely inhabit shallow water. From white sand to dark turtle grass to soft mud bottoms, the bonefish has the amazing ability to blend in with the bottom and disappear in the blink of an eye.

Poling the flats of the southern side of Grand Bahama with the guides of North Riding Point Club. . Formerly a private, members-only club, NRPC has now opened their door to accommodate non-members and guided packages.

A released bonefish is slipped quietly back into the water while fishing the southern side of the island.

Unique and spectacular rock formations in the Mitsio Islands. These massive granitic outcrops are in the middle of the ocean.

Contributed By

Jim Klug

Jim is the Director of Operations at Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures, in Bozeman, Montana, as well as an accomplished photographer. You can view more of his work at www.klugphotos.com.

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Big Bones Bahamas – Part 2

Contributed By

Jim Klug

Issue #33

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