island news
Now is the time to begin the booking process for Fall 2025 and winter 2026 season! If you want to secure the best dates in prime time for your fly fishing travel, booking in advance is the only way. We consider March through May as the prime months for bonefishing and pursuing other saltwater gamefish, with December through February good winter fishing, especially for big bones. Those double digit monster bones love the cooler water. And if your focus is tarpon along with the bones and the occasional permit, June and July are good choices also. Then, the fall, October and November, just may be our two favorite overall months....the fish are fresh and back on the flats in big numbers.
BIMINI ISLANDS
Island News: Bimini is a rocking party place once again. The Bimini Big Game Club is the center of attention, and the place to hang out for anglers, though the massive and monstrous Resorts World Bimini, and its Cruise Port that takes cruise ships from many of the largest cruise companies in the world, wins by size, if not by charater. And hey, there are good things about Resorts World, including luxury accommodations and a vareity of fine dining options.
Fishing Update: Bonefishing, and permit fishing, have been excellent so far this season. That's nothing new for bonefishing in Bimini, but the permit fishing has been surprisingly great. Guide Fred Rolle, our top recommendation, has been catching lots of permit this season on a regular basis. Email Stephen for details and to book your trip.
BIMINI ISLANDS
Island News: Bimini is a rocking party place once again. The Bimini Big Game Club is the center of attention, and the place to hang out for anglers, though the massive and monstrous Resorts World Bimini, and its Cruise Port that takes cruise ships from many of the largest cruise companies in the world, wins by size, if not by charater. And hey, there are good things about Resorts World, including luxury accommodations and a vareity of fine dining options.
Fishing Update: Bonefishing, and permit fishing, have been excellent so far this season. That's nothing new for bonefishing in Bimini, but the permit fishing has been surprisingly great. Guide Fred Rolle, our top recommendation, has been catching lots of permit this season on a regular basis. Email Stephen for details and to book your trip.
|
|
Berry Islands Island News
FEATURED LODGE - OUR TOP RECOMMENDATION
|
SOUL FLY LODGE - Great Harbour
We love fishing out of Great Harbour, gorgeous spot, amazing uncrowded flats and creeks. Lots of bonefish, including some monsters, plus a great location to get good shots at permit. This lodge, operated by Captain Kyle Schaefer and his team, is fantastic, one of the best flats fishing lodges in the Bahamas. And of course they also work with Percy Darville, the Dean of Berry Island flats fishing. The lodge is a converted boutique hotel, very nice, on the waterfront, and features a top restaurant with four comfy guest rooms. If you're looking for some sensational fishing, want to stay in comfort while fishing with top guides on uncrowded flats, this is a lodge you should seriously consider. Booking availability is very tight, so get in touch soon to start planning your trip for the Winter/Spring of 2024 season. Email Stephen for details, or give him a call at 307-690-7472. |
Contacts for Berry Islands out of Great Harbour:
Percy Darville is the man to talk to at Great Harbour about flats fishing. Captain Darville can arrange for guides, including himself, and point you in the right direction to fish on your own. He can be contacted directly at 242.464.4149 or email Stephen for full details on fishing in the Berry Islands, and to assist with booking accommodations. Good accommodations available in townhouses around the marina, and in private homes on the beach, with fantastic DIY flats fishing nearby.
Great Harbour Cay Marina: Fuel and marina services. For reservations call: 242-367-8005.
The marina is usually open 7 days a week, but check ahead and sometimes they are only open M - F and closed on the weekends. Be aware that it may not be possible to get fuel on the weekends. Also, the fuel station closes for lunch hours. Please be in direct touch with the marina for updates.
Percy Darville is the man to talk to at Great Harbour about flats fishing. Captain Darville can arrange for guides, including himself, and point you in the right direction to fish on your own. He can be contacted directly at 242.464.4149 or email Stephen for full details on fishing in the Berry Islands, and to assist with booking accommodations. Good accommodations available in townhouses around the marina, and in private homes on the beach, with fantastic DIY flats fishing nearby.
Great Harbour Cay Marina: Fuel and marina services. For reservations call: 242-367-8005.
The marina is usually open 7 days a week, but check ahead and sometimes they are only open M - F and closed on the weekends. Be aware that it may not be possible to get fuel on the weekends. Also, the fuel station closes for lunch hours. Please be in direct touch with the marina for updates.
|
|
featured lodges/resorts - our top recommendations
|
Bimini Big Game Club, Resort and Marina - Our favorite place to stay on Bimini, whether your fishing, or just looking to relax and have fun. The resort is close to everything in Alice Town, with comfortable recently refurbished island style rooms, cottages and suites. The resort also is home to the Bimini Big Game Bar & Grill, fresh water swimming pool, Pool Bar, Big Game Dive Shop and a 75 slip full service Marina. The dive shop offers scuba diving, snorkeling excursions, scuba diving lessons and rental equipment. The resort’s dive boat is the Bimini Blue, a 60’ twin engine glass bottom boat with on-board restroom. The shop also has scuba diving lessons and specialty training courses available. Kayaks, paddle boards and bicycles are available for resort guest use. And of course the Club books some of the best bonefishing guides on the island. Check out the guides and rates by clicking here.
Email Stephen directly for more details and to begin booking your trip. |
|
Resorts World Bimini, Resort, Hotel, Casino, Villa Rental, Marina - RW has taken over Bimini Bay Resort development and brought in the Hilton Hotel group to run the hotel. They also have float plane service from Florida to the island and resort. This is a wonderful spot for a quick and easy getaway to fish, or just kick back and enjoy the island life in style. Ideally situated on the island of North Bimini.
The beautifully appointed accommodations are designed with beach-chic décor, feature luxury amenities and appliances and are just steps from the breathtaking, crystal-clear waters of The Bahamas. There are two full-service marinas, a shopping village, multiple pools and restaurants, water sports and children's activity center, plus much more. Email Stephen directly for more details and to begin booking your trip. Note: as of July 25, the resort is closed due to COVID-19 surge in cases. Please be in direct touch with the resort for updates. |
|
|
Chub Cay Resort & Marina - First class accommodations, dining, marina services, plus bonefishing and offshore fishing. Located at the southernmost tip of the Berry Islands, 35 miles northwest of Nassau and 125 miles from South Florida. Located next to The Pocket and the Tongue of the Ocean, Chub Cay has been coined the "Billfish Capitol of the Bahamas." The resort offers hotel and villa accommodations for anglers, couples, and families and features a swimming pool and stunning white sand beaches. This is a great option for anglers to enjoy time on the flats while non-angling companions can swim, snorkel, explore blue holes and enjoy the island lifestyle. Email Stephen directly for more details and to begin booking your trip. We can arrange some top guides for you along with your stay!
|
additional accommodations
Condos, villas, townhouses, and private homes are available for rent for couples, families and groups of friends on Great Harbour Cay and at Chub Cay. There are also private islands, like Little Whale Cay, available for your special group. Email Stephen directly for more details and to begin booking your trip. We can arrange some great guides for you!
|
|
flats fishing patterns - fishing reports
For Bimini - Fairly normal spring patterns are in effect with prevailing winds out of the northeast.
Bonefish Ansil Saunders (242-347-2178 or 242-347-3098) is the Dean and Elder Statesman of guides on Bimini, and has a couple of world record bonefish to his credit. Ansil isn't guiding any more, but some of his proteges are filling the void. You can ask at the Bimini Big Game Club for their top guide recommendations. f
Captain Fred Rolle - is our top recommendation, and he has been catching lots of permit this season, so if you want to get in on this amazing fun, email Stephen for details and to book your trip.
Favorite flies include mostly Charlie variations, with a brown wing and body combined with a pink head being his favorite in skinny water. In deeper water a Chartreuse/White or Gotcha Clouser in a #2-4, and a #4 Spawning Shrimp. We also recommend #2-4 Mantis Shrimp, #2-4 Gotchas and Sililegs. For permit; hard-epoxy crabs #2-4 in brown and tan, woolhead crabs #2-4, Avalon Permit #2-4.
REEF/OFFSHORE: Tuna and dorado fishing is good with some action for marlin as well.
For Berry Islands - Fairly normal winter patterns are in effect with prevailing winds out of the northeast.
Flats Options: Bonefishing out of Great Harbour is a good option for experienced anglers fishing on their own, or with a guide. There are vast flats and creeks around Great Harbour, some of which are ideal for wading. There is very little pressure, which makes this an excellent option for DIY anglers.
The bonefishing out of Chub Cay has improved though it gets a lot of pressure by the locals, so fish can be spooky on the better known flats. There are big bones here, and permit, but you need to get well away from Chub Cay to have a shot at them. For boating anglers, there is a vast area of flats available all along the chain of islands and cays between Great Harbour and Chub Cay. Heading up north you will find some less pressured options. Some of our favorite areas include Fanny Cay, the Soldier Cays, and Cormorant Cay.
REEF/OFFSHORE: The action for tuna and some wahoo is good in the "pocket" between Chub Cay and the Joulters.
Bonefish Ansil Saunders (242-347-2178 or 242-347-3098) is the Dean and Elder Statesman of guides on Bimini, and has a couple of world record bonefish to his credit. Ansil isn't guiding any more, but some of his proteges are filling the void. You can ask at the Bimini Big Game Club for their top guide recommendations. f
Captain Fred Rolle - is our top recommendation, and he has been catching lots of permit this season, so if you want to get in on this amazing fun, email Stephen for details and to book your trip.
Favorite flies include mostly Charlie variations, with a brown wing and body combined with a pink head being his favorite in skinny water. In deeper water a Chartreuse/White or Gotcha Clouser in a #2-4, and a #4 Spawning Shrimp. We also recommend #2-4 Mantis Shrimp, #2-4 Gotchas and Sililegs. For permit; hard-epoxy crabs #2-4 in brown and tan, woolhead crabs #2-4, Avalon Permit #2-4.
REEF/OFFSHORE: Tuna and dorado fishing is good with some action for marlin as well.
For Berry Islands - Fairly normal winter patterns are in effect with prevailing winds out of the northeast.
Flats Options: Bonefishing out of Great Harbour is a good option for experienced anglers fishing on their own, or with a guide. There are vast flats and creeks around Great Harbour, some of which are ideal for wading. There is very little pressure, which makes this an excellent option for DIY anglers.
The bonefishing out of Chub Cay has improved though it gets a lot of pressure by the locals, so fish can be spooky on the better known flats. There are big bones here, and permit, but you need to get well away from Chub Cay to have a shot at them. For boating anglers, there is a vast area of flats available all along the chain of islands and cays between Great Harbour and Chub Cay. Heading up north you will find some less pressured options. Some of our favorite areas include Fanny Cay, the Soldier Cays, and Cormorant Cay.
REEF/OFFSHORE: The action for tuna and some wahoo is good in the "pocket" between Chub Cay and the Joulters.