island news
Now is the time to begin the booking process for 2021/22 Fall/Winter/Spring season ahead. If you want to secure the best dates in prime time, booking in advance is the best way. We consider October and November, and March through May as the prime months, with December through February good winter fishing, especially for big bones. Those double digit monsters love the cooler water. And if your focus is tarpon along with the bones and the occasional permit, June and July are great options. Please see COVID-19 Update below when considering a trip to Bimini or Berry Islands.
BIMINI ISLANDS
Island News: June 4, 2021 - COVID-19 has had some flare ups recently but the islands are open again and the fishing is fantastic. Anyone planning a trip to Bimini in their own boat should call ahead to the marina they plan to visit, or hotel, to find out the current situation. Also, please read all the government guidelines, and upload your required health information to the government web site. As of May 1, visitors with a CDC vaccination card, fully-vaccinated, can enter without a PRC COVID test.
Fishing Update: June 4, 2021 - Bonefishing, and permit fishing, have been fantastic 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.
COVID-19 Update and Protocols from Bimini Big Game Club:
What Our Guests Can Expect From Us
Marina
All Boating Travel Forms and Protocols can be found at: https://bahamasmarinas.com/procedures-and-protocols
Resort World Bimini has reopened. Please be in touch with the resort for updates.
BIMINI ISLANDS
Island News: June 4, 2021 - COVID-19 has had some flare ups recently but the islands are open again and the fishing is fantastic. Anyone planning a trip to Bimini in their own boat should call ahead to the marina they plan to visit, or hotel, to find out the current situation. Also, please read all the government guidelines, and upload your required health information to the government web site. As of May 1, visitors with a CDC vaccination card, fully-vaccinated, can enter without a PRC COVID test.
Fishing Update: June 4, 2021 - Bonefishing, and permit fishing, have been fantastic 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.
COVID-19 Update and Protocols from Bimini Big Game Club:
What Our Guests Can Expect From Us
- Hotel and Marina will operate with COVID-19 safety protocols in place: PPE, sanitization and social distance
- All staff has undergone new safety certification requirements.
- Contactless hotel and marina check in and check out.
- Nurse’s station and quarantine facilities on island.
- Daily temperature checks for staff at the beginning and end of each shift and strict adherence to COVID-19 health and safely protocols
- Hand sanitizing stations will be located throughout the resort.
- Hotel COVID-19 certification of operational protocols posted on our website.
- On-site dining is currently closed but when restrictions are eased, Big Game Club Bar & Grill will be open, but with limited seating. Take out will be available with more seating located throughout the resort.
Marina
- Marinas will give slip assignments and take payments online or over the phone to save interpersonal interactions.
- Masks must always be worn indoors and outdoors when within 6 ft proximity of another person.
- Masks and gloves must be discarded after use. Hands must be washed for 20 seconds with soapy water afterward.
- All Marina guests must complete the Maritime Declaration of Health. All POBs are also subject to additional health tests including, but not limited to, temperature testing.
All Boating Travel Forms and Protocols can be found at: https://bahamasmarinas.com/procedures-and-protocols
Resort World Bimini has reopened. Please be in touch with the resort for updates.
Berry Islands Island News
NEW BONEFISH LODGE OPENING ON GREAT HARBOUR - SOUL FLY LODGE.
We just fished a few days 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 on a regular basis. While there, we went by the new lodge that is under construction and will open this fall; Soul Fly Lodge. The lodge is a partnership between one of our friends and Captain Kyle Schaefer, and they're working with Percy Darville, of course.
The lodge is a converted boutique hotel, so very nice, on the waterfront, and will feature a top restaurant, and 4 comfy guest rooms. If you're looking for some sensational fishing, and want to stay in comfort while fishing with top guides on uncrowded flats, this is a lodge you should seriously consider.
Taking bookings now for the Fall 2021 and beyond season. Email Stephen for details, or give him a call at 307-690-7472.
We just fished a few days 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 on a regular basis. While there, we went by the new lodge that is under construction and will open this fall; Soul Fly Lodge. The lodge is a partnership between one of our friends and Captain Kyle Schaefer, and they're working with Percy Darville, of course.
The lodge is a converted boutique hotel, so very nice, on the waterfront, and will feature a top restaurant, and 4 comfy guest rooms. If you're looking for some sensational fishing, and want to stay in comfort while fishing with top guides on uncrowded flats, this is a lodge you should seriously consider.
Taking bookings now for the Fall 2021 and beyond 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 for now, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the marina is 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 for now, due to the COVID-19 crisis, the marina is 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.
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featured lodges/resorts - our top recommendations
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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. |
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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. |
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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 great guides for you!
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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!
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flats fishing patterns - fishing reports
For Bimini - Fairly normal summer 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 fishes out of one of his 15-foot custom-built skiffs (he's also a world-class boat-builder), and the flats are right in his backyard out of Alice Town. Runs to the fish are from 2 to 15 minutes.
Ebbie "Bonefish Ebbie" David, North Bimini, Bailey Town
Phone: (242) 347-2053, (242) 359-8273
Captain Fred Rolle - our top recommendation now, 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 summer weather 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 dorado, and some marlin, 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 fishes out of one of his 15-foot custom-built skiffs (he's also a world-class boat-builder), and the flats are right in his backyard out of Alice Town. Runs to the fish are from 2 to 15 minutes.
Ebbie "Bonefish Ebbie" David, North Bimini, Bailey Town
Phone: (242) 347-2053, (242) 359-8273
Captain Fred Rolle - our top recommendation now, 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 summer weather 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 dorado, and some marlin, is good in the "pocket" between Chub Cay and the Joulters.