Fishing Techniques :: Bonefish :: Barracuda, Jacks & Sharks :: Tarpon :: Permit

The real beauty of the Mangrove Cay Club is its location, which translates into a remarkable fishing programme. Situated on the waterfront inside the Middle Bight, the Club has easy access to the eastern flats, the North, Middle and South Bights and the remote West Side of Andros island.

What does this mean to you as an angler? It means that Mangrove guides have the ability to run from one side of Andros island to the other in the least amount of time and can essentially “case” the desired tide levels and fish wherever they may be with relative ease. There is virtually no tide or moon phase that cannot be successfully fished at the Mangrove Cay Club.

The eastern sides of the Middle and North Bight are peppered with small islands and cays littered with flats, and are in close proximity to the deep water of the “Tongue of the Ocean”. Deep water is a harbour for big fish when they are not cruising the nearby flats for food and this is a perfect setting for some bruiser bones. Do not be fooled by the mystique of the West Side, these eastern fish are large, uneducated and the flats are some of the nicest to be found on Andros.

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The North and Middle Bights are a labyrinth of cays, creeks and tidal lakes that could not be fished or possibly even explored completely in a lifetime. These bights offer large schools of fish as well as pods and single cruisers. On windy days protection can often be found in the lee of the cays or up in the creeks where bonefish weaving in and out of the mangroves challenge the precision of your casting and durability of your tackle.

The South Bight of Andros does not get nearly the recognition that the West Side does however; it is as remote and uncharted as any body of water in the Western Hemisphere. Here we depend on the guides who grew up poling these flats (sometimes for days at a time) in search of sponges, crawfish and conch. Mangrove Cay Club is fortunate to have several guides who were reared doing just that and these men, now equipped with state-of-the-art skiffs and motors, are just beginning to chart the tip of the iceberg. We have seen days in the South Bight where better than average fish can be taken at will and the next day even the most accomplished angler will be challenged with spring-creek-like conditions as particular fish bring grown men to their knees.

With a soft silty bottom, sometimes milky conditions and ample numbers of predators, both below and above the water line, the West Side of Andros can be a harsh mistress. However, while challenging, it can also be one of the most rewarding and wild experiences an angler will ever encounter. In the morning as the sun comes over the horizon behind you, the skiff breaks out of the Middle Bight near Reid’s Cay and the Great Bahama Bank stretches for untold miles in front of you, somewhere merging with the horizon. Speaking from first-hand experience, this vision will become etched into your mind, and the desire or need to return will become an obsession.

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Like most of Mangrove’s fishing grounds, bonefish here are best perused from the bow of a skiff with guides well elevated over your head looking for big cruisers heading your direction a long way out. Fish are big here and big fish are smart. It is imperative that anglers wishing to maximize their fishing experience here, or at any other destination, practise casting (preferably into the wind on breezy days) for several weeks prior to their visit. Anyone who believes that the wind does not blow during any particular month is fooling themselves. Certainly, it is more prominent during some months than others but wind is as much a part of flats fishing as the fish themselves. While at times frustrating, wind can be an effective tool used to camouflage a skiff or dampen a sound from a cruising fish. Give us a breeze any day over glass calm, still conditions. You will get closer to fish and in general have more takes.

As with all of the islands in the Bahamas, Andros is primarily a bonefishery, but other species such as barracuda, sharks, jacks and even the occasional tarpon and permit will frequent the flats making each day action-packed and a new experience. Be sure to bring with you, and rig, a second outfit as these opportunities often only present themselves for a few moments. A good suggestion is to have the angler taking his turn on the platform holding his bonefish outfit while the second angler is ready with the bigger rod. If a tarpon or barracuda should present itself, you can exchange rods or the second angler can jump up and make the cast.

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FISHING TECHNIQUES
Even if you feel fairly secure about your casting ability, we strongly recommend that you take a few casting lessons to perfect the double haul, as well as your accuracy and technique. Then practice casting (in the wind if possible) for at least ten minutes a day the week before you arrive.

Remember, Tiger Woods and Ian Woosnam did not go out and shoot scratch golf in their first tournament. It was only with practice that they eventually dominated their chosen sport. Just like these sportsmen, standing on a casting deck while a 10-pound fish is tailing in front of you is not the time to work on your double-haul. Your local fly shop will most certainly offer instruction or be able to put you in contact with a qualified casting instructor. Take advantage of these opportunities.

A good pair of polarized sunglasses and a long-billed hat (with a dark underside) are essential for spotting fish. Except for barracuda or big tarpon lying stationary on the bottom fish are always moving. Scan laterally, slowly, as the boat moves. Things to look for include the flash of an exposed tail, “nervous water”, a bulge, wave or push on top of the water, or the shadow of a cruising fish.

Ideally, the fly fishing angler should take three rods: two bonefish rods (your primary rod and a back-up) and a heavier rod for barracuda, jacks, tarpon or larger species. For the spin fisherman, a long medium-action rod for bonefish and a stiff, heavy-action rod for barracuda will do nicely. Back-up rods should also be taken.

On the flats, your guide will on the poling tower scanning for fish while poling the boat.  You will be standing on the front deck with your rod in one hand and your fly in the other ready for the instruction to cast.  Or you can allow some line to trail in the water but don’t have more line in the water than you can comfortably pick up to cast.  Do not cast until your guide asks you to.  He will put the boat in position for the cast, getting every one on board out of the way of your fly.  He will give you the direction and distance.  Cast even if you don’t see the fish, taking advantage of every opportunity.

The Bights and West Side of Andros have soft bottoms and are best fished from the bow of the skiff.  Wading is done on hard, sandy bottomed flats, most of which are located on the eastern shores and the south west of Andros. If you like to wade alone, stay in water below your knees and keep your guide in sight.  Be sure to wear wading shoes or boots and carry extra flys, tippit and leaders