island news
Grand Bahama has made a lot of progress in returning to normal after Hurricane Dorian, but there is still a ways to go. That said, some of the best fly fishing lodges are doing just fine, including H2O, North Riding Point, East End Lodge, and Omeko Glinton's special all-inclusive fly-fishing and spa package.
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.
Meeko Experience – Fly fishing and Accommodations – Unique Package
Omeko Glinton is one of our favorite guides all-time on Grand Bahama, and his family heritage is up there with the great ones – his grandfather was David Pinder Sr., a Deepwater Cay Club legend, and his father, Stanley Glinton, was one of the founding guides at North Riding Point. Meeko and his wife, Samantha (founder of Essencial Spa Health and Beauty have put together a uniue all-inclusive fly-fishing and vacation experience that features two accommodation options, both modern and comfortable. One closer to Freeport with a private pool, and the other toward the East End with a beachfront location. You will be met at the airport, and taken care of from there, driven to your chosen accommodation to relax. And after fishing with Omeko, Samanha will be ready to give you a fabulous massage, and other health treatments.
Staying in Freeport is a good option for an overall vacation, and or for relaxing before or after a trip to your favorite Grand Bahama fishing Lodge. The Grand Lucaya Resort complex offers several fun choices in all-inclusive resorts. Lighthouse Pointe is the best, and more of a high-end option. Grand Lucaya itself and the Viva-Fortuna Wyndham are less expensive and family oriented.
Nearby, Count Basie square is still the place for good restaurants, bars, shopping and fun nightlife.
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.
Meeko Experience – Fly fishing and Accommodations – Unique Package
Omeko Glinton is one of our favorite guides all-time on Grand Bahama, and his family heritage is up there with the great ones – his grandfather was David Pinder Sr., a Deepwater Cay Club legend, and his father, Stanley Glinton, was one of the founding guides at North Riding Point. Meeko and his wife, Samantha (founder of Essencial Spa Health and Beauty have put together a uniue all-inclusive fly-fishing and vacation experience that features two accommodation options, both modern and comfortable. One closer to Freeport with a private pool, and the other toward the East End with a beachfront location. You will be met at the airport, and taken care of from there, driven to your chosen accommodation to relax. And after fishing with Omeko, Samanha will be ready to give you a fabulous massage, and other health treatments.
Staying in Freeport is a good option for an overall vacation, and or for relaxing before or after a trip to your favorite Grand Bahama fishing Lodge. The Grand Lucaya Resort complex offers several fun choices in all-inclusive resorts. Lighthouse Pointe is the best, and more of a high-end option. Grand Lucaya itself and the Viva-Fortuna Wyndham are less expensive and family oriented.
Nearby, Count Basie square is still the place for good restaurants, bars, shopping and fun nightlife.
Featured lodges/resorts - our top recommendations
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H20 Bonefishing - The fly fishing program is based at Pelican Bay Resort and offers one bedroom hotel suites with large living rooms that open onto a private balcony overlooking the harbour. Direct dial phones, satellite TV, central air-conditioning are standard in all suites, along with a well-stocked bar, refrigerator and espresso machine. For nightlife, restaurants and bars, Count Bassie square is just a few minutes walk. The resort features a private bonefishing clubhouse and bar just for anglers to gather and enjoy apre snacks and cocktails. Email Stephen directly with questions or to begin booking your trip.
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North Riding Point Club - If you want to fly fish Grand Bahama, this is our top recommendation. Set on a beautiful beach just twenty minutes from Freeport, North Riding Point is an all-inclusive upscale fly fishing for bonefish haven established by a group of avid anglers. Ideal for couples, and small groups, the club features deluxe modern amenities, personalized service, and easy access to a variety of Grand Bahama's top fishing grounds. Each day after a hearty breakfast, anglers leave with their guides, trailering their boats to launch at the best sites to take advantage of the tides and other weather conditions. And for non-anglers, their is a swimming pool, relaxing on the beach or easy excursions for shopping, golf, and other activities in Freeport. Email Stephen directly with questions or to begin booking your trip.
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Old Bahama Bay Resort and Yacht Harbour - The Old Bahama Bay Marina has 72 slips that can accommodate boats up to 120 feet. Boaters should use VHS Channel 16 to communicate with the marina. The Dockside Grille restaurant, overlooking the marina, is open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Along with the marina, the Resort offer sixty-seven luxury suites arranged in two-story villa-style buildings on the right on the beach. Amenities include a swimming pool, tennis courts, water sports center, guided diving and snorkeling excursions, and spa services. The flats fly fishing in the area is excellent for bonefish, plus there can be shots at tarpon and permit in the spring and summer. The resort offers snorkeling right out front, a full dive operation operated by Stuart Cove, and excellent blue water fishing. Fishing guides can be arranged with advance notice. |
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East End Lodge - Completely rebuilt since Hurricane Dorian in 2021, the lodge is comprised of three buildings. There are six (6) single rooms and four (4) double occupancy rooms. All cottages have large decks with views of the crushed coral courtyard and its massive fire pit, the marina, tiki huts, the ocean and the docks. A modest sitting area, air conditioning, full dining room and full bar can all be found in the main lodge. The fly fishing guides here are from the fame Mclean's town, and many worked at Deepwater Cay Club. Same incredible fishing grounds all the way to north Abaco that anglers enjoyed for years from Deepwater Cay. The lodge provides free shuttle service from Grand Bahama International Airport, a 45-minute drive, as part of the complete fly fishing package - accommodations, all meals and guided fishing. Email Stephen directly with questions or to begin booking your trip.
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Meeko Experience – Fly fishing and Accommodations – Unique Package
Omeko Glinton is one of our favorite fly fishing guides all-time on Grand Bahama, and his family heritage is up there with the great ones – his grandfather was David Pinder Sr., a Deepwater Cay Club legend, and his father, Stanley Glinton, was one of the founding guides at North Riding Point. Meeko and his wife, Samantha (founder of Essencial Spa Health and Beauty have put together a uniue all-inclusive fly-fishing and vacation experience that features two accommodation options, both modern and comfortable. One closer to Freeport with a private pool, and the other toward the East End with a beachfront location. You will be met at the airport, and taken care of from there, driven to your chosen accommodation to relax. And after fishing with Omeko, Samanha will be ready to give you a fabulous massage, and other health treatments. |
additional accommodations
Dolphin Cove Condos - Choice of 12 luxury apartments all uniquely decorated with all the comforts of home. This is an adult getaway for relaxing and de-stressing, on a beautiful waterway just minutes from the ocean, near to Count Basie Square if you want nightlife, but a world away in quiet comfort. Bicycles and Kayaks are available for use by all guest. Excellent internet speed for those who must have it. Clubhouse for breakfast and gathering, plus open for dinner Thursday through Saturday. Great place for couples and anglers to kick back, enjoy a day of fishing, and do it again tomorrow.
flats fishing patterns - fly fishing reports
Fairly normal summer weather patterns are in effect with prevailing winds out of the northeast. You should always carry a good breathable rain jacket and pants in the boat for possible rain, and use the jacket as a windbreaker on early morning runs.
Water Cays to West End - This is an outstanding fishery, and especially good for big bones. There is a wide variety of flats from dark coral, to grass, to white sandy bottoms, to miles of creeks and mangrove-lined bays. And there are lots of really big bones here. If you are an experienced angler, and looking for double-digit fish, Grand Bahama is a good choice. Now is the time to begin your trip planning for March through July. The summer season is especially good, with the opportunity to reach flats not accessed by anyone else on the Little Bahama Bank.
Flies we recommend: For bonefish #2-4 Gotcha Clouser's, #2-6 Gotcha Bunnies, #2-4 Tan/Brown Clouser's, #4-6 EP Spawning Shrimp, #4-6 Peterson's Spawning Shrimp, #4 Pink Bone Wigglers, and regular #2-6 Gotchas produce consistently, along with #4-6 Borski's Bonefish Critters and Sliders. For permit go with hard-bodied epoxy crabs, brown or tan #2-4, Flexo Crab #2-4, Stok's Strong Arm Merkin #2-4, Avalon Permit Fly #2-4, or a good old Rag Head #2-4. For tarpon keep it simple with a #4/0 - #2/0 Cockroach or a Black Death, Red/White in the same sizes. Greg Vincent has also created a series of flats flies that are knocking bonefish silly, and they have enticed some permit too. Greg's flies are available now from Greg at the resort.
Reef/Offshore: Good fishing for tuna plus some wahoo. Contact the Old Bahama Bay Marina for more detailed information.
Water Cays to West End - This is an outstanding fishery, and especially good for big bones. There is a wide variety of flats from dark coral, to grass, to white sandy bottoms, to miles of creeks and mangrove-lined bays. And there are lots of really big bones here. If you are an experienced angler, and looking for double-digit fish, Grand Bahama is a good choice. Now is the time to begin your trip planning for March through July. The summer season is especially good, with the opportunity to reach flats not accessed by anyone else on the Little Bahama Bank.
Flies we recommend: For bonefish #2-4 Gotcha Clouser's, #2-6 Gotcha Bunnies, #2-4 Tan/Brown Clouser's, #4-6 EP Spawning Shrimp, #4-6 Peterson's Spawning Shrimp, #4 Pink Bone Wigglers, and regular #2-6 Gotchas produce consistently, along with #4-6 Borski's Bonefish Critters and Sliders. For permit go with hard-bodied epoxy crabs, brown or tan #2-4, Flexo Crab #2-4, Stok's Strong Arm Merkin #2-4, Avalon Permit Fly #2-4, or a good old Rag Head #2-4. For tarpon keep it simple with a #4/0 - #2/0 Cockroach or a Black Death, Red/White in the same sizes. Greg Vincent has also created a series of flats flies that are knocking bonefish silly, and they have enticed some permit too. Greg's flies are available now from Greg at the resort.
Reef/Offshore: Good fishing for tuna plus some wahoo. Contact the Old Bahama Bay Marina for more detailed information.
independent guides - charters
There are a number of Grand Bahama independent fly fishing guides, but that said, things have not completely returned to normal since the hurricane. Here are a few we have used, or have been recommended by readers and angling friends. You should call them directly well in advance of your trip, and be aware that this contact information may have changed.
Grand Bahama Bonefishing and Jeffrey Pinder. Jeffrey can make arrangements for your accommodations also. Contact 242-373-1896, [email protected], http://grandbahamabonefishing.net/
Tommy Rolle, Bonefish Folley & Sons, Contact at 242-346-6060 or email [email protected]
Omeko Glinton works out of Freeport, and around the island. He will pick you up at your hotel. He also operates his own all-inclusive fly-fishing package with transfer, accommodations, guided fishing, spa treatments and more. Contact him at 242-353-3047, [email protected], https://www.mekobahamas.com/, or see his Facebook page.
Grand Bahama Bonefishing and Jeffrey Pinder. Jeffrey can make arrangements for your accommodations also. Contact 242-373-1896, [email protected], http://grandbahamabonefishing.net/
Tommy Rolle, Bonefish Folley & Sons, Contact at 242-346-6060 or email [email protected]
Omeko Glinton works out of Freeport, and around the island. He will pick you up at your hotel. He also operates his own all-inclusive fly-fishing package with transfer, accommodations, guided fishing, spa treatments and more. Contact him at 242-353-3047, [email protected], https://www.mekobahamas.com/, or see his Facebook page.