After a two year-long postponement, our group was able to travel to Abaco Island, Bahamas for a bonefish trip.
Remember Hurricane Dorian of September 2019? It hit Brunswick County as a category 2.
The same storm hit Abaco Island as a category 5 and stagnated there for 2 days. The devastation was incredible. Most structures were destroyed, most trees were snapped, and nearly all the mangroves were killed.
The lodge owners, Sydney and Keta had to travel one hour to find their fresh water for a year. But slowly they rebuilt their house and business. The Bahamians are resilient people and although without much access to insurance, bank loans and building supplies, the island is getting back to some normalcy.
Fortunately, the bonefish are still there in similar numbers and size as before the storm. Flats fishing for bonefish represents an important industry for the Bahamas.
We had 4 out of 6 days of excellent fishing, multiple good size bones for all each day. The first day was windy and cloudy, even the guides couldn’t spot the fish until they were within 20′ of the boat. Any movement at that range spooked the fish before a cast could be made. The final day featured lightening on all sides – we chickened out. As Sydney said, “you can’t uncook meat.”
Trip outfitter: Angling Destinations (group was organized by International Angler)
Guides: Sydney, Gregory (Sydney’s brother-in-law) and Dominic (Gregory’s son)
Flies: Squimp, Got’chas, Mantis shrimp. (Bonefish are not selective)
Food: Very good, not fancy (pasta, chicken, pork etc.) with Bahamian influence, conch, mutton snapper, some spice.
Trip cost: $3915 including V.A.T., plus airfare, alcohol and tips.
Travel: Flight from Miami to Marsh Harbor (American Airlines)
COVID complications – Bahamas Travel Health Visa is required, proof of vaccination, weekly health insurance ($40), and negative COVID test within 5 days of arrival. They will only accept PCR and Rapid Antigen tests. PCR can take 3 days for results.
The CVS on Dow Road in Carolina Beach is the only close facility currently performing the Rapid Antigen test.
Cautionary note: The “Taxman” sometimes visits the flats to collect a portion of your catch.
