The biggest bonefish in the Caribbean have long called South Andros home—and for good reason. South and Westside flats are remote and renowned for large, unpressured bonefish. These varied flats provide ample room to stalk and wade cruising and tailing bones or to cast from the boat—expertly maneuvered into range by one of our professional guides. This variety bolstered by some of the most consistent fishing in the Bahamas chain is why South Andros is considered the Bonefishing Capital of the world.

The biggest bonefish in the Caribbean have long called South Andros home—and for good reason. South and Westside flats are remote and renowned for large, unpressured bonefish. These varied flats provide ample room to stalk and wade cruising and tailing bones or to cast from the boat—expertly maneuvered into range by one of our professional guides. This variety bolstered by some of the most consistent fishing in the Bahamas chain is why South Andros is considered the Bonefishing Capital of the world.

In addition, Bair’s guests can cast for elusive permit and the occasional tarpon and snook—making a Grand Slam day within reach for adept fly fishers.

Fishing areas
Bair’s offers convenient, backdoor access to the pristine white sand and turtle grass flats of South Andros. Every morning, after putting your coffee down you can step out of the lodge, load a boat, and be fishing within a few minutes. Deep Creek and Little Creek lie within easy striking distance from the lodge, and offer more protection from potential wind than oceanside flats. Both creeks are also conduits to renowned West Side and other remote cays to the south and southwest—providing skilled anglers with the best shots at permit and tarpon to complete a Grand Slam. Southern flats are home to large schools of bonefish. Grassy Creek, for instance, is about a 40-minute run from Bair’s. When the wind drops and seas are calm you can run to Hawksbill Creek and onto Cistern Point. Both receive little fishing pressure and are loaded with bonefish.

Fishing techniques
The number one rule in bonefishing is to listen to your guide. Our expert Bahamian guides have an intimate knowledge of the quarry, their habitats, and how to best catch big bonefish on a fly. When your guide tells you to cast 40 feet at 11 o’clock, rest assured there is a bonefish within the vicinity. Secondly, you must be cognizant of changing water depths and underwater structure—from sand flat, to turtle grass, to coral bottom—and adjust your flies accordingly to meet their nuanced demands. In deeper water, flies should be weighted so they sink quickly to the bottom and stay within that zone after you begin stripping. Lead-eyed flies are key here. However, when fishing for spooky bones in skinny water they splash of lead will often send fish flying in the opposite direction. Bead-chain or unweighted flies work best for intercepting tailing and cruising bones in ankle-deep water. In addition to weight considerations, when choosing flies it helps to match the background color of the flat you’re fishing.

Depth Perception
Typical flats we fish in the Bahamas range in depth from about 1.5 to 4 feet—whether you’re wading or fishing from the skiff. Within this range, Gotchas, Peterson’s, or Puglisi spawning shrimp patterns with medium-sized bead chain eyes achieve an optimum sinkrate without overweighing the fly (and potentially spooking the fish). In order to intercept cruising fish, your fly should reach the bottom in no more than 3 seconds. If you find your fly is floating too high and missing the mark, switch to a pattern with more weight.

Getting Deeper
Deeper flats afford more cover from overhead predators and often house the largest bonefish. For fishing water deeper than 3 feet, heavier flies are essential in order for deeper dwelling bones to see and eat your fly. For deeper flats lead eyes are key and the Clouser Minnow in color combinations such as tan and white and chartreuse and white is a proven killer. Another great deep-water fly is a lead-eyed Simram—a fuzzy (rabbit fur) version of the Gotcha. Lead eyes are good for getting your flies deep, but keep in mind they can be more difficult to fish—especially when it comes to casting in the wind. Be wary of your casting stroke in relation to wind direction, your guide in the back of the boat, and be prepared to size down in order to avoid the inevitable “chuck and duck.”

Skinny Flats & Tailing Bones
Tailing bonefish in skinny water not only require precise presentations, but also subtle ones that won’t spook your intended targets. Long leaders combined with and lightweight flies are the preferred choice for this approach. Light often means no weight other than that of the hook. Mono (or plastic) eyes provide a small amount of sink without splash, while natural body materials provide a softer delivery upon entry into the water. The Bunny Bone, for example, is made with rabbit fur, rug yarn, and mono eyes. In color combinations such as tan and white, brown and white, and pink and white, it consistently gets the job done. Preferred sizes include 4, 6, and 8. As far as presentation is concerned, tailing bones offer the ultimate challenge. Your fly must land accurately, as close to the fish’s nose as possible, in order to entice an eat. At the same time, land your fly too close and you risk lining the fish and sending it running. Aim to deliver your fly within one to three feet of tailers. When the fish moves on your fly, twitch it with a short strip or two in order to give it life. If all goes well, planets align and the fish eats. Clear your line, crack a cold Kalik, and start the party.

Crab Imitations
When it comes to feeding bonefish, the menu is relatively simple. When bones aren’t feeding on shrimp, crab flies are your next best bet. In fact, fly fishers such as Sandy Moret of Islamorada will attest to the fact that in addition to permit, he’s caught many of his biggest bones on variations of Del Brown’s Merkin Crab. This fly sinks fast with a lot less lead. Jan Isley’s Rag Head, another deadly crab pattern for both permit and bones, uses similar materials. When tied in smaller sizes such as #2, #4, and #6, crab flies cast and perform well on medium to deep flats for Bahamian bonefish and permit. When scouting deeper flats for permit don’t be afraid to cast your crab to a cruising bone that moves into range. Strip, set, and hold on. It just might be your biggest, best fish of the trip.

Fishing tackle
- Bonefish:
For typical conditions use 9-foot, 8- and 9-wt rods. Eight-weights with long leaders and un-weighted flies are great for delicate presentations in and out of windy conditions. Bonefish, especially large ones, are demanding on gear. Hard anodized, saltwater-specific reels with adjustable cork and synthetic drags, and a capacity of at least 150 yards of 20-pound test backing, are a must. Think brands such as Abel, Tibor, Hatch, Galvin, and Lamson. Weight-forward, tropical floating lines should be paired either fluorocarbon or mono leaders in the 9- to 12-foot range. 2X to 0X spools of tippet material bridge your leader to fly connection. Use heavier tippet for larger bonefish. We prefer fluorocarbon tippet material because it sinks faster than monofilament. Reputable tippet and leader manufacturers include: RIO, Seaguar, Maxima, and Umpqua.

-Tarpon:
We recommend 10- and 11-weight, saltwater-specific rods such as those from Sage (One; Xi3). G.Loomis, Hardy, and Winston (BII-MX). Large capacity reels such as an Abel Super 10, loaded with a Rio Tarpon line, pre-tied tarpon leaders with 15-20lb class tippets, and shock tippets of 60-80lbs are the norm. (For barracuda and sharks, use wire leaders.) Some of our favorite tried and tested tarpon flies include: Shallow Water Cockroach, Toads, Deceivers, and EP tarpon flies (sizes 2/0, 3/0, and 4/0).