GPS Coordinates: 26°38’48.05″N 77°56’34.48″W
Trip Questionnaire: Please click on the link below. This will take you an electronic questionnaire form that we ask you to complete and submit to The Fly Shop®. Please be sure to click the “Submit” button at the end of the form. The information provided will help us — and the outfitter best coordinate your trip.
THANK YOU! CLICK HERE
Getting to East End Lodge
East End Lodge’s three-acre property is a 45-minute scenic car ride from Grand Bahama International Airport (FPO) in Freeport. The lodge will provide shuttle service to and from Grand Bahama International (FPO) with your accommodation package. U.S. Customs and Immigration are located at the airport to pre-clear departing passengers for U.S. destinations.
Grand Bahama International also services private aircraft, and private charters can be arranged. Several major airlines serve Freeport on a daily basis including American Airlines, United, US Airways, Silver and Bahamasair. There are daily non-stop flights from cities such as Ft. Lauderdale (FLL), Miami (MIA), Atlanta (ATL), Charlotte (CLT) and Philadelphia (PHL) (in the winter months). In season (November through May), there are often direct flights from major U.S. cities to Grand Bahama International in Freeport (FPO).
Arrival & Departures:
Round trip transportation between the airport and the lodge is included in the price of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the Freeport Airport and transferred the one hour to the lodge.
Contact Information
Should any problems occur during your travel, including significant flight delays please be sure to have the following emergency contact information with you. Please feel free to contact the lodge or The Fly Shop® directly.
East End Lodge, Bahamas
(561) 354-8005 | info@eastendlodge.com
The Fly Shop®
(800) 669-3474 | (530) 222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com
Bahamas Emergency assistance
In case of emergencies involving the death, injury, welfare, or arrest of an American citizen in The Bahamas or the Turks and Caicos Islands, please call (242) 328-3496 or (242) 311-1181 x9 during business hours, and (242) 357-7004 at all other times. (Please note that the Duty Officer who answers this number will not be able to assist with visa or routine passport matters.)
General Travel Information
Passport Information:
All visitors to the Bahamas are required to have a valid passport. For US citizens, a passport is the only document that will gain you entry to the country. A passport must also be accompanied by a return or onward journey ticket and proof of funds to support your visit.
Currency & Credit Cards:
The Bahamian Dollar is the primary form of currency in the Bahamas and has a rate of exchange of one-to- one with the U.S. dollar. Every hotel, resort, lodge, restaurant, guide, and tour operator, however, will gladly accept U.S. currency. U.S. credit cards are accepted at most hotels, resorts, lodges, and larger business operations, although many establishments will add a 4-5% service charge. Be sure to contact your credit card company prior to your trip to tell them that you will be traveling in the Bahamas.
Bahamian Departure Taxes:
When leaving the Bahamas at the end of your stay, there is a US$15.00 Tourist Departure Tax that each person must pay. Be sure to save at least that much in cash, as payment of this tax (cash only) is required to depart the country. These days, many airline tickets include this departure fee in the original purchase price, so be sure to ask.
General Information
Guide Gratuities:
Guide tips should be a minimum of $100 per boat per day. Tipping for guides can be done at the dock each day or at the end of the week. If guides are tipped at the end of the week, you will need to indicate what amount is intended for each guide and on which day. If you intend to tip at the end of the week, be sure to let your guide know that at the end of each day. The best time to give the guide his tip is at the dock just before getting out of the boat. It’s helpful to be prepared, have cash handy and if possible, to discuss tipping with your fishing partner before reaching the dock.
Lodge Staff Gratuities:
Tips for the lodge staff are collected once at the end of your stay, and are pooled and divided among the entire lodge staff, including the cooks and housekeeper. Lodge staff tips vary widely but have averaged roughly $25 to $35 per angler per day.
Electrical:
The electrical outlets are AC 110 volts (same as the U.S.) and most appliances will work fine.
Communications:
Guests of East End Lodge have complimentary Wi-Fi access. Moreover, many U.S. cell phones remain functional on the island, depending upon the service provider. Contact your cell phone carrier for more details.
Insects:
Mosquitoes and “doctor flies” in the Bahamas are prominent during the rainy season, from April through September. Year round, tiny biting “No See’ums” can also come out at dawn and dusk and whenever the winds are exceptionally calm. Wearing long pants and long sleeved shirts while fishing will deter these insects.
General Tackle & Equipment
Wading Pants:
Lightweight pants are strongly recommended for both sun and insect protection.
Chest, Back, or Fanny Pack:
You may be wading for hours and the boat will be just a spec on the horizon. Be sure to bring a wading pack to carry your flies, leaders, tippet, clippers, a water bottle, camera, etc.
Tools:
Pliers, hemostats, knot tying tool, snips, hook sharpener.
Rain Gear:
Lightweight and breathable is the best for the climate. Bring your rain gear with you on the boat everyday no matter how clear it looks. Squalls pop up quickly and the boat ride can be wet.
Sunglasses:
Polarized glasses with amber or copper lenses are the most popular, and having an extra pair in your boat bag is always the smart thing to do.
Multiple rods
We strongly suggest that you have an arsenal of fly rods strung-up, handy and ready to fish. Most of the flats fishing you’ll encounter is what we call “opportunistic fishing.” This means that at any given time, on any given day, on any piece of water, you may see bonefish, permit, tarpon, barracuda or jacks and it may all happen in a matter of minutes or all at the same time. The idea here is to be ready for anything at any time. If you have three or four rods, bring them with you. Have the rods ready to fish, one with a bonefish fly, and another with a permit crab, or maybe a ‘cuda fly, and another with a tarpon streamer or shark fly. If you are wading the flats, have your guide take one of the other rods along. At the least, it will double as a great fish pointer.
Tackle & Equipment
Lodge Equipment:
A limited supply of rods, reels, flats boots, etc. are available at the lodge. To reserve equipment, please note that on your online questionnaire so the lodge will know what you are expecting to borrow.
Tackle & Equipment Lists by Species (click on links below):