Bonefishing - South Andros, Bahamas

The Fishing - Bairs Bonefish Lodge

 

For more than two decades, seasoned anglers have traveled to Bairs Lodge on South Andros Island. What makes Bairs so desirable is its location. Ideally located within striking distance of the island’s south and west side fisheries, this lodge offers fishing diversity across miles of ocean, creeks and lagoons. For those seeking world-class bonefishing, Bairs Lodge in the Bahamas is the best.
 
Bairs Lodge on Andros Island is known for having the largest Bonefish in the Caribbean. The west side of Andros Island continues to produce monstrous size fish year after year. The south side of the island is endless with intricate creeks and interior lagoons, providing every angler the opportunity to catch a big one.

The key to fruitful fly-fishing at South Andros can be explained in two words: quality habitat. Andros is the largest island in the Bahamian chain. Andros Island offers more square miles of unpressured flats than anywhere else in the country. The fisheries off this island are the most varied in the world with white sand ocean side flats, fishing from the boat or wading in the water, turtle grass expanses, and mangroves.

Bair’s Lodge is not only known for world-class bonefishing. Our guests will also encounter the occasional permit or tarpon, so be ready. Offshore and reef species such as wahoo, tuna, dorado, (seasonal billfish), snapper, barracuda, and grouper also provide good sport and trips can be arranged through your lodge hosts.

Flyfishing Areas

The local experienced fly-fishing guides specialize in different areas. Everyone has favorites. No two places are alike.

• A variety of creeks and lagoons are a short run from the lodge in our comfortable, high-powered flats skiffs.

• Many of the fishing spots open into large bays riddled with small cays, appreciated wind reprieve, and bonefish in abundance.

• Both creeks access the renowned West Side of the island and other remote cays to the south and southwest providing flyfishers with shots at elusive Bahamian permit and tarpon.

• If you so choose, catch all three in one day—bonefish, permit, and tarpon— for a “Grand Slam” finish and join the ranks of the inshore saltwater elite.

Fly Fishing Techniques for Bonefish

 

Bahamas Bonefishing is an enjoyable experience that can become as in depth as you desire. To learn the tricks of the local guides, anglers must familiarize themselves with tide patterns, wind speed and direction, new tackle requirements and master knots. 

Thankfully HookFire and the Bairs' experienced team is here to make you the best fisherman you can be.  Our expert guides have the skills to find fish, patience to help walk you through the process from perfecting casts to proper fish handling and everything in between. These world class experts have tips that will improve your form and technique as well as show you new tricks that will perfect your fishing making you a world-class angler in no time. 

Fishing Tackle

 

• 9-foot, 6- to 9-weight fly rods—medium- to fast-action with enough backbone to launch flies across and often into prevailing ocean winds.

• An 8-weight is the universal choice for flats-style bonefishing. Lighter or heavier rods can be substituted depending on conditions.

•  Saltwater-specific rods from reputable manufactures such as: G. Loomis, Sage, Winston, and T&T.

• The reel is very important. Choose one with adjustable cork or composite disc-drag with a minimum capacity of at least 150 yards of 20- to 30-pound backing. We recommend using reels by Abel, Hatch, Nautilus, and Tibor.

BONEFISH SEASON IS OCTOBER 15TH - JULY 31ST

Accommodations - Bairs Bonefish Lodge

 

Bairs Lodge is a Plantation-style manor set in a foliage oasis of tropical flowers and palm trees, situated on the east side of South Andros Island. The ocean front property offers a beach with hammocks, a fire pit, and a view that will take your breath away.  

The lodge provides guests with open air style living and dining room areas, with ceiling fans and air-conditioning, comfortable sofas, TV, bar, and oceanfront views. Our shop is fully equipped with any type of tackle or equipment anglers may need for their days on the water.

All of our bedrooms have terracotta tiled floors, 100% white cotton sheets, as well as tropical-weight duvets and plenty of pillows. The rooms are fully air-conditioned, with plenty of storage space, electrical outlets and comfortable seating.  Each room has full baths, hot water available 24 hours a day, white towels, robes, and other amenities. Our housekeeping staff keeps every room spotless with laundry bags provided in all the bedrooms.

Cuisine

Bairs Lodge prides itself in serving guest exceptional food, made from local produce, the freshest seafood (ahi tuna, lobster, conch, grouper, and hog snapper), delicious pastas, and top choice meats. We are very particular on what is stocked in our cupboards, always using quality items from the U.S. and Nassau. Our world-class chef bakes breads, pastries, and cookies each day. Coffee is made from freshly ground beans with the fresh aroma being a beautiful way to wake each morning. 

The lodge provides a full  breakfast featuring cereals, coffee, teas, fresh fruits, eggs cooked any style, bacon, sausages, and/or grits. Hot cereals available upon request. Every night you will fill out a lunch menu card for the next day, with choice of fresh salads, wraps, sandwiches, beer and/or soda requests. We also have an open bar at the lodge. When you return from a day of fishing cold beers, spirits, and a blender for cocktails are available, as well as a variety of soft drinks. Delicious appetizers are served nightly, so you can sample local specialties.

Dinner begins with appetizers such as soups or conch ceviche, and all entrees are served with fresh salads. A variety of desserts are available from chocolate decadence to key lime parfaits. House wines such as Argentine Malbecs, Chilean Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon will be served with dinner. After dinner, coffee and tea and liquors will be served in the sitting room.

Location - Bairs Bonefish Lodge South Andros, Bahamas

 

The Bahamas is an archipelago located to the north of the Caribbean islands.  Most of its inhabitants are concentrated on New Providence Island, Paradise Island and Grand Bahama Island. The Outlying Islands, where you’ll be fishing, are spotted with small villages but residents can still enjoy many comforts of the mainland among this simple way of life. In the Outlying Islands you will discover some of the world’s most spectacular beaches, fishing and dive sites. Andros is the largest of the Bahamian Islands but also one of the least developed in the archipelago. This carefree setting delivers a fly-fishing paradise surrounded by inland creeks and channels.

Bairs Lodge is located in Little Creek on South Andros Island, 10 minutes from Congo Town. We recommend Watermakers Air, who operates a daily shared charter service from Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport. Also, both Western Air and Bahamas Air operate daily flights from Nassau to Congo Town. Another option would be to privately charter a flight from Florida directly to Congo Town. 
 

 

Species - Bonefish

 

Bonefish are pound-for-pound one of the strongest, fastest-running saltwater fish anywhere. Classified under their scientific name Albulidae, which means “white fox.” Bonefish tend to weigh upwards of 10 lbs. and can measure up to 35 inches. Bonefish tend to retreat back to deeper water with the tide. According to biologists, bonefish have a long lifespan reaching up to 25 years. 

Gallery - Bairs Bonefish Lodge

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Videos - Bairs Bonefish Lodge South Andros, Bahamas

 

Video coming soon for Bairs Lodge!

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Bairs Bonefish Lodge - Client Testimonials

 

On behalf of the entire group, I would like to express my gratitude for your efforts during our recent stay at Bair’s Lodge. It is obvious that you are passionate about making Bair’s a wonderful place to stay and fish. I was particularly impressed with the luxurious yet relaxed atmosphere that you and the rest of the staff have created at the lodge. My group was also impressed with the quality of the guides. They cared about finding and helping us land some bones and they showed friendliness and patience at all times.
Harold S., USA

The lodge and personnel were “top-notch” making for an enjoyable stay. We felt over-joyed. 
Dale S., UK

We can’t say enough good things about Bair’s, its staff and accommodations, and we will continue to return as long as we have our good health.
Bill and Sall P., USA

Great food, great service, majestic blue water and sore wrists from too many fish!
John S., Naples FL

Been coming to Bair’s for over 15 years. Best bonefish lodge in the Bahamas I have experienced.
Scott G., Cananda

THANKS FOR TAKING SUCH GREAT CARE OF US!!!!!!! Everyone had such a great time. You did everything right… not just some things… everything! The fishing, the guides, the lodge, the food, the people. Everything. Everybody was already talking about rebooking for next year before we even left the island.
Archie S., Minneapolis

Thank you so much for making our trip such a blast. Coming back to reality was very painful, but successful. I have fallen in love with the Island and the fishing not to mention our new friends from Argentina and Bairs. We had a perfect time! We look forward to the next visit!
Jim B., USA

Our party had a great week at the Lodge last week, and the hosts were perfect. Despite challenging fishing conditions, the guides acquitted themselves very well, and put each boat onto fish. The house staff were very accommodating, and the food was up to the usual Bairs standards.
Michael N., UK