GPS Coordinates

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

General information

  • Guests at H2O Bonefishing at Pelican Bay Bonefishing may be reached by phone at (242) 373-9550. The concierge will see that the message is delivered to your room or to the desk in the hotel lobby. Jason Franklin is fishing manager at H2O Bonefishing at Pelican Bay and can answer and handle all your fishing related questions and requests
  • The H2O Bonefishing at Pelican Bay staff will answer any questions and assist with any local dinner or transportation.
  • When settling your account with the fishing outfitter, please use personal check, cash, or travelers’ checks. They do not accept credit cards.  The hotel and restaurants, however, do accept credit cards and there are ATM machines available.
  • Laundry service is available at the hotel.
  • Many fine restaurants are within a five-minute walk from your hotel. A list of restaurants will be given to you at check-in.  Dress is casual in most restaurants and you will find that gratuities are frequently added to your check.  If not, 15% is the customary tip. Dinners are not included in your package so you are free to sample the dining at any of the eating establishments in Freeport.
  • The Bahamian dollar is equal to the U. S. dollar.
  • It is recommended that guides receive a minimum of $100 per day, per boat, as their gratuity. Please tip in cash.
  • Rental-fishing equipment is available for $20 per day. Flies, lures, leaders, tippet material and other fishing supplies may be purchased at the hotel desk.
  • Print two copies of the page in your passport that includes your picture, passport number, and issue and expiration date.  Keep one copy in your wallet and one in your luggage. This can be very helpful entering and departing the country if your passport is lost.
  • Place a copy of your itinerary with your name and destination, H2O Bonefishing at Pelican Bay Hotel, Freeport, Grand Bahama, The Bahamas, on top of your clothing inside your luggage. If your carrier mishandles your luggage, it will be forwarded to you.

Other useful information

  • Within a 2 minute walk of the hotel is a great selection of restaurants within Port Lucaya including, Pizza, Gourmet Burgers, Bahamian infusion, Greek, Italian and tapas.
  • Great selection of non-fishing related activities is available nearby, including, Kayak tours, Diving & Snorkeling, Sharks Dives, Jeep tours or personalized tours with our outfitter staff.
  • Great selection of offsite restaurants to choose from within a 20 minute taxi ride, includes:
  • East Sushi Restaurant, by the harbor with hourly shark feeding
  • Stoned Crab, located on the beach, newest restaurant in Freeport
  • Banana Bay located on the beach, for lunch and Friday dinners
  • Dolphin Cove on the canal
  • Terry’s Conch Stand for freshly made conch salads

Getting to H2O Bonefishing is easy
Freeport is the second largest airport in the Bahamas, and there are numerous daily connecting flights into Freeport through Orlando, Atlanta, Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and more.

Please make your flight accommodations as soon as possible to secure seats and the best fare. We recommend giving Alicia at Holdy Tours a call at 1-800-446-1111, to help with your flight information and fares. She books the majority of the travel for The Fly Shop’s travel staff, and many anglers traveling throughout the world.

Visa and documents
A valid passport is required for all travelers, and must be valid for six months beyond the arrival date. All travelers must have return or continuing tickets to pass through customs. A visa is not required for Americans, Canadians, or most European countries. Residents of other countries should contact the Bahamian embassy in their country to check on visa requirements.

You will complete an immigration card upon arrival. It will be checked at your first point of entry, and a copy will be given to you. Be careful not to lose this copy, as it must be returned to immigration upon departure.

For charter flights only, there is a departure tax payable at the airport upon departure.

Airport transfers
Once you have cleared immigration and customs, you will enter into the public domain of the terminal.  Immediately in front of the terminal there are plenty of taxis available. Guests should take a cab to Pelican Bay Resort – cost is @ $25 one way for one or two persons.

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 Fly Shop, or the outfitter directly.

The Fly Shop®
(800) 669-3474 | (530) 222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com

Jason Franklin H2O Bonefishing
Office telephone 1-954-364-7590 | Mobile: 1 242 727 1655
Jason@h2obonefishing.com | Info@h2obonefishing.com

H2O Bonefishing and Pelican Bay Information
Guests at H2O Bonefishing at Pelican Bay may be reached by phone at (242) 373-9550.  The concierge will see that the message is delivered to your room or to the desk in the hotel lobby.

Emergency Assistance
In case of emergencies involving the death, injury, welfare, or arrest of an American citizen in the Bahamas, please call (242) 328-3496 or (242) 311-1181×9 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.

Anglers fishing on arrival and departure days
Please note that check in is at 3:00 pm, and check out is 11:00 am at Pelican Bay Resort.  H2O will do their very best to ensure that rooms are ready, but they cannot guarantee that rooms will be ready prior to the scheduled 3:00 pm check-in time. Just in case a room is not available for early check-in, we suggest being prepared to pack or dress in such a way that a quick transition to the boats is easy on arrival. If necessary, there is a room to change clothes and to store luggage safely at the resort. Guests can then check in officially after their fishing day.

Checking out is similar. All check outs cannot exceed 3:00 pm, as that would be considered another night.

If fishing on your day of departure, anglers will return to Pelican Bay Resort, where a driver will be waiting with your luggage at the front desk. For security reasons, H2O will not keep your luggage in the trucks while fishing.

Anglers not fishing on arrival
Once you arrive at Pelican Bay Resort, simply check in at the front desk by giving your name or reservation number. All reservations are guaranteed. Your host, Jason Franklin will meet guests for orientation at 6:00 pm at the ‘ Bones Bar ‘ Clubhouse, located on the waterfront at Pelican Bay Resort. If flights are delayed or arrive on island after 6.30pm, it may not be possible to meet on arrival. Guests who want to speak with Greg for any reason, once checked in can use the room phone (dial 9 for outside line) and dial Greg’s cell phone at 1-242 359 4958. Please do not call after 10:00 pm.  Make sure you have given your flight information to The Fly Shop, so that we can make sure Jason know what time to expect you.

If meeting is not possible, then guests should know the following

Anglers will meet the owners, Jason and their guides and skiffs in the Pelican Bay parking lot at 7:45am to stow rods and gear. Iced coolers will be in your skiff, loaded with water, sodas and boxed lunches. Anglers will depart Pelican Bay at 8am.

Important
Any food allergies or diet requirements must be confirmed at least 1 week prior to arrival, as well as notice of fishing equipment rentals. If your luggage is lost, H2O Bonefishing can easily provide equipment.  Phone Jason in the evening before 10 pm or between 6:45 and 7 am, and he will have gear ready for your day.

Bahamas License Requirements
To pre-purchase a Bahamas Fishing License, please use this link. www.gooutdoorsbahamas.com

Electrical
The electrical outlets are AC 110 volts (same as the U.S.) and most appliances will work fine. Make sure that you have plenty of spare batteries for cameras and other small appliances, as the cost for replacements in the Bahamas is high.

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. The Bahamian doctor fly is basically a large horsefly on steroids, whose bite will draw blood. (Why do they call them doctor flies? “Because when de bite, mon, it feels like a SHOT!”) They prefer salt-coated skin, and love to harass anglers who are wading shallow waters and mangrove-filled areas.

Wearing long pants and long sleeves while fishing, and insect repellent (with DEET) will deter these bugs. If you can find it, Avon Skin-So-Soft is the best deterrent for No-See-Ums.

Gratuities
Gratuities come in two forms: daily tips for guides at the end of each day, and a single tip for the resort staff at the end of your stay.  The economy is primarily cash-based, so the preferred method for tipping is in cash.  US Dollars and Bahamian currency are interchangeable on the island, and either works fine.

Guide Gratuities
Guide tips vary widely, but have averaged roughly $100 per boat per day ($50 per angler if two anglers share a boat).  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.  When preparing for your trip, it’s helpful to come with a sufficient amount of $5, $10, and $20 bills to cover tipping each day, and to allow for the possibility of an exceptional tip for an exceptional day.

When settling your account with the fishing outfitter, please use personal check or cash.  They do not accept credit cards. The hotel and restaurants, however, do accept credit cards and there are ATM machines available.

Laundry service is available at the resort.

Many fine restaurants are within a five-minute walk from your hotel.  A list of restaurants will be given to you at check-in.  Dress is casual in most restaurants and you will find that gratuities are frequently added to your check.  If not, 15% is the customary tip. Dinners are not included in your package, so you are free to sample the dining at any of the eating establishments in Freeport.

The Bahamian dollar is equal to the U. S. dollar.

Fishing at H20 Bonefishing
The fishing is typically done from the skiff, but many wading opportunities exist if you prefer. Runs to the flats vary from 10 to 45 minutes. They own a dream fleet of fly fishing vessels, including Mirage tunnel hull skiffs for super shallow backcountry navigation, a 21’ Master Angler for accessing outer cays, several V hull Maverick skiffs for poling the flats, and a 31’ Contender center-console for chasing offshore species. The boats are powered by Yamaha outboards, appointed with VHF radios, cell phones, USCG rated safety kits, poling platforms, and leaning posts on the casting deck. You will always be in the right boat for your fishing day.

The bonefish on Grand Bahama average 4 – 5 pounds, with shots at much larger fish. The north side flats offer opportunities at some of the largest bonefish in the Bahamas, some pushing and others exceeding the ten pound mark. The largest released to date at H2O is an impressive 14.5 pounds. There are occasional shots at permit, tarpon, barracuda, jacks, and sharks, and we recommend that you bring the appropriate tackle just in case. Rigging a few rods and being ready for permit, bonefish and other species is the way to go. The launch points for the boats are rotated during the week to provide maximum diversity of scenery and opportunity. All of the guides are highly competent, experienced professionals. Boat launch points are normally 10-20 minutes away from your hotel, although a few launches require a bit more driving time.

Weather
Cooled by the prevailing south-easterly trade winds in the summer and warmed by the surrounding waters and the Gulf Stream in the cooler months, Grand Bahama is rarely uncomfortably hot or cold. Although similar in latitude to Palm Beach, Florida, the winter temperatures average 10° (F) warmer than Florida, and the summer highs are generally somewhat lower than those found on similar Florida latitudes due to the moderating effects of the surrounding waters. The average daily highs and lows rarely differ by more than 12 degrees (F), with monthly rainfall averaging about 2 inches in the winter and 6 inches in the summer, primarily in the ‘20-minutes-and-they’re-gone’ afternoon showers.

Tackle and equipment

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.

Bonefish tackle
The big draw on Grand Bahama is the sight fishing for bonefish.  The Bahamas offers some of the best bonefishing in the world. Bonefish range in size from 2 – 15 pounds.  On the average, bonefish will be in the 4 – 5 pound range. Smaller bonefish (1 – 2 pounds) tend to swim together in large schools, a natural defense against sharks, barracudas and other predators.  Large bonefish travel alone or in pairs.  We have found that most times when fishing to big schools of moving bonefish, the largest fish tend to be in the back of the pack. Bonefish are active feeders and a variety of flies and fishing strategies are effective in taking them.  One of the nice things about bonefishing is that the proper equipment needed to catch them successfully is also one of the most common fly rod weight and size.  The following suggestions and recommendations should help in assembling your bonefish tackle.

Rods
We strongly suggest 9’, 4 piece travel rods in 7, 8 and 9 weights. We prefer fast tapered rods that generate high line speed. Rods that have been especially designed for the rigors of saltwater fly-fishing are the best choice. In that category, we like rods built by Sage, Scott, and Winston. Traveling with a spare rod is always good idea.

Reels
Fly reels specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing are important. Features to look for are smooth drags, plenty of backing capacity, and a sturdy, machined, aluminum, one-piece anodized frame. Large arbor reels are a great choice and retrieve line and backing very quickly. Models to consider include those built by Nautilus, Galvan, Hatch and Abel.

Lines
A weight forward floating line designed for the tropics is extremely important. Scientific Anglers and Rio each produce excellent lines for bonefishing. These lines are specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing and have a special core that provides the proper stiffness to allow excellent shooting while resisting tangles, even in tropical heat. They are extremely accurate lines, and the running portion is a large diameter and floats on top of the water, making it a pleasure for wade fishing. Traveling with a back-up fly line is a smart thing to do. It weighs almost nothing, takes up little space in your luggage, and won’t spoil before your next trip.

Flats boots and socks
There are often daily opportunities to get out of the boat and wade the flats. Most flats are hard white sand, so either the hard sole boot of softer neoprene boot will work fine.  We are often asked about what socks work best, and strongly recommend the Simms lightweight neoprene socks.

Leaders
We typically fish 9’ – 12′ tapered saltwater leaders made from clear monofilament or fluorocarbon, with 12 – 20 lb. test are the most popular choices. 12lb. leaders are common, but there are situations where you want to go heavier, 16lb. to 20lb, making the release quick and easy.  You should bring along some tippet material, clear monofilament and fluorocarbon in spools of 12, 16 and 20-pound test. Fluorocarbon leaders and tippet are great choice as they are nearly invisible in water, perfect for spooky fish in very clear water.

Bonefish flies
Day in and day out, year after year the standard Gotcha has proven to be a “go to” fly. If it were the only fly you brought you would do just fine. Spawning Shrimp patterns in varied weights are an important fly on Grand Bahama, as well as the Bully Special. You could ask any guide on Grand Bahama what the single best fly is and each one will tell you something different. The important factor in your fly selection is to have flies varied sizes and weights to meet the specific situation. The guides on Grand Bahama tend to favor larger flies, so be sure to have some #2’s and #4’s in your box.

Bring the usual suspects; Gotchas, Charlies, Puffs, spawning shrimp and crab patterns, etc., in white, pink, pearl, brown, and tan in sizes #2 and #4. Be sure to bring a few crab patterns tied in size #6. Also bring a few weighted flies for fishing the deeper edges and high tides. If you do get a couple refusals change the fly. You might have to change the pearl Gotcha that worked all morning to a pink one in the afternoon. One school of fish will hit a certain pattern aggressively and next school might refuse it. On another day the only fly that works is a natural buggy looking fly like a mantis shrimp or tan crab pattern.

If you search the web, you can find endless resources on tying any of these bonefish flies, and You-Tube is a good source.  There are basically two color groups; the pinks/pearls and the naturals like brown, tan, or blonde. Bonefish are fond of rubber legs, and they are common additions to many patterns. On the natural colored flies, try adding a few strands of copper or gold flash in the wing or tail.

Experienced anglers agree that sometimes having the right fly can make the difference between a good trip and a great one. Having a broad selection of bonefish flies will help to insure a successful trip. An important aspect of fly selection is sink rate. When tying or purchasing bonefish flies, vary the sink rate of your flies by including some with no eyes, bead chain eyes, and lead barbell eyes. This allows you to fish different depths of water and to fish tailing (cast close with light fly) and fast cruising fish (cast well ahead with quick sinking fly), effectively.

As a general rule, use light colored flies on a sand bottom, and dark colored flies on turtle grass or rubble bottoms. In nature, overt visibility can make any animal prey. Most prey on bonefish flats are well camouflaged. Try smaller flies for fish that are spooky or tailing on shallow flats in calm weather conditions. On deeper flats, or in windy conditions, larger flies work well, especially on fish that are cruising fast. Larger flies should typically be cast further away from bonefish.

Subtle earth tone flies, (tan, brown, olive, green, gold, yellow) work best on sunny, bright days in shallow water when bonefish are spooky. Bright flies, (pink, orange, chartreuse) typically work best on cloudy or overcast days, and especially at sunset.

With these thoughts in mind, we have prepared a list of flies with which we have found success.

Bonefish flies

  • Gotcha: Size 2, 4 & 6… an absolute must have fly!
  • Bunny Gotcha: Size 2, 4 & 6
  • Orange Butt Gotcha: Size 4, 6 & 8
  • Bonefish Clouser: Size 4 & 6, tan/white, & chartreuse/white
  • Mini Puff, Size 4 & 6, pink & tan
  • E.P. Spawning Shrimp, Size 4, Bead chain and lead eyes, tan and translucent
  • Borski’s Bonefish Slider: Size 2 & 4
  • Squimp, Size 2, 4 and 6
  • Miheves Flats fly, Size 6
  • Beck’s Silli-Legs, Size 6, tan
  • Bully Special, Size 4 & 6
  • Bonefish Junk, Size 4
  • Spawning Mantis, Size 2, tan/orange
  • Raghead Crab: Size 2, tan
  • Pop Up Crab, Size 4, tan

From Jason Franklin
In addition to the flies listed above, Jason Franklin of H2O Bonefishing at Pelican Bay lists the following flies as favorites for their waters.

  • Ragin Cravin – size 6
  • Cathy’s fleeing crab – size 6 and 4
  • EP crab (Light brown and tan colors in size 6 and 4’s for bonefish
  • Antron crab – size 4 Tan or merkin
  • McKnights Crimp (merkin and tan) size #4
  • Puglisi spawning shrimp- size 6.
  • Peterson spawning shrimp – size 6 and 4
  • Foxee clouser – size 6 and 4

Another three patterns that are favorites here are Bonefish Gaz, the Kwabbit and bone voyage.

Re: Crab patterns – I would also include some specific crab patterns for bonefish. – things like cathy’s fleeing crab for example. Having smaller crab patterns is also a good idea with size X-small (1/50 oz) or large bead head. You do want a little weight with them but not as much as for permit. The body size being about somewhere around the size of your middle fingernail – generally size 4 hooks.

Re: Clousers – we like the white and tan or tan/brown (tan on the bottom and natural brown as the wing) – The foxee clouser for example is much like that color scheme. We do not use too much of the white/chartreuse or white / pink.

Re: Crazy Charlies – I would suggest a minimum size of 4.

In general (I can only speak for my fishery and my personal choices) we use larger flies than a lot of places – For example we like the Gotchas to have more extended wings. – More like the McVays gotcha. When I personally fish, my flies have a length of about 1 ½ to 2 inches.

Wading pants
Light weight 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.

The main focus is on bonefish, but there are some opportunities for other species as well, and you may want to be prepared for encounters with these other great game fish, too.

Tarpon tackle
Although tarpon are not what most fly fishers are chasing in the Bahamas, they are available.  Tarpon in the Bahamas are most often seen in and around creeks or around freshwater springs and blue holes. Most tarpon in the Bahamas range in size between 30 – 60 pounds; however, bigger fish are not out of the norm. Big tarpon, up to and over 100 pounds, are often sighted. If you have a “Big Gun” (10 – 12 weight fly rods) bring it, as it may come in handy and there is no use leaving it at home.

Rods
Fast action 9’, 4 piece travel rods in 10, 11, & 12 weights are standard. The Sage, Scott, and Winston rods are excellent choices.

Reels
A heavy-duty saltwater reel is a must here. Look for a reel with a smooth drag, plenty of backing capacity (minimum 200 yards of 30-lb. backing), and a sturdy one-piece, machined, aluminum anodized frame.  Models to consider include those built by Nautilus, Galvin, Hatch, and Abel.

Leaders
Leaders for tarpon can be simple, or complex.  The knots used in building class tippet tarpon leaders take some practice to learn, and it can be very rewarding to acquire those skills. We often build a simple tarpon leader with 8 foot of 40# fluorocarbon followed by 2 feet of 60#, 80#, or 100# bite tippet. Pre made tarpon leaders are available as well.

Fly Lines
Ninety percent of tarpon fishing is done with a weight forward floating line and Scientific Anglers Mastery Tarpon Taper is one of the best. In some situations where tarpon are holding or feeding in deeper water, and intermediate line is an excellent option, as it will take your fly down into the strike zone.

Tarpon flies
In general, tarpon flies for the Bahamas should be tied on 1/0 through 3/0 size hooks.  Slight variations in shape and color can be all that is needed to entice tarpon into striking. Flies to consider are:

  • Tarpon Rabbit Toad, Size 1/0, purple/black, tan, chartreuse
  • Cockroach, Size 1/0 & 4/0
  • Bigeye Tarpon, Size 3/0, Orange/Grizzly, Sand Devil, Yellow
  • Black Death, Size 3/0
  • Tarpon Toad: Size 2/0, Yellow, Chartreuse, Red/Black

Permit tackle
Permit frequent the waters of the Bahamas in good numbers, and it’s not uncommon to see them on the flats while pursuing bonefish. Permit in the Bahamas range in size from 3 – 40 pounds. Most often you will sight permit in deeper water (4 to 6 feet), along the edge flats or at the top of a high tide change. They call permit the fish of 10,000 casts, and casting to one of these sickled tailed ghosts is about as exciting as it gets. We recommend taking a 9 or 10 weight rod, and having it rigged and in the boat.

Rods
We suggest 9’, 4 piece travel rods in 9 or 10 weights. We like fast tapered fly rods that generate high line speed. Rods that have been especially designed for the rigors of saltwater fly-fishing are the best choice. In that category we like the Sage, Scott, and Winston rods.

Reels
Fly reels specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing are important. Features to look for in reels are smooth drags, plenty of backing capacity, and a sturdy, machined, aluminum, one-piece anodized frame. Large arbor reels are a great choice and take up line and backing very quickly. Models to consider include those built by Nautilus, Galvan, and the Hatch and Abel.

Lines
Scientific Anglers and Rio each produce excellent tropical floating lines designed for permit fishing. They cast permit crabs and shrimp flies with ease, and are very accurate.

Leaders
Fluorocarbon leaders are your best choice for permit as they are virtually invisible in water, and abrasion resistant. Nine to twelve foot leaders and tippet in sixteen and twenty pound test are standard.

Permit flies
Permit flies typically represent a variety of crab and shrimp imitations.

Below are some of our favorites.

  • Bauer’s Flats Crab
  • Raghead Crab
  • Casa Blanca Raghead Crab
  • Cath’s Fleeing Crab
  • Spawning Mantis
  • Enrico’s Spawning Shrimp
  • Squimp

Barracuda and jacks
Barracuda in the Bahamas get big, and they are very aggressive. They attack a fly at an unbelievable rate of speed, and often skyrocket into the air when hooked. When hooked, few fish can match a ‘cudas initial run for speed and sheer violence…hold on!

Jacks are very fast, pull like a freight train, and will destroy both surface poppers and streamers. Watching them blow up on your popper while you strip it as fast as you can is a sight to remember. Endurance is their strong point, and no jack gives up without a fight that you will remember.

Rods
Flies for these fish are often large streamers and poppers, so 9’, 4 piece travel rod in a 9 or 10 weight are good choices We like fast tapered fly rods, that generate good line speed. Fly rods that have been especially designed for the rigors of saltwater fly-fishing are the best choice. In that category we like the Sage, Scott, and Winston.

Reels
Fly reels specifically designed for saltwater fly fishing are important. Features to look for in reels are smooth drags, plenty of backing capacity, and a sturdy, machined, aluminum, one-piece anodized frame. Large arbor reels are a great choice and take up line and backing very quickly. Models to consider include those built by Nautilus, Galvan, Hatch and Abel.

Leaders
Leaders for barracuda and jacks can be simple.  We often build a leader with 8 foot of 40# fluorocarbon for jacks, and add a bite tippet of 40 lb. Rio Powerflex Wire Bite Tippet for barracuda.

Flies

  • In-Shore Popper (Chartreuse) (3/0)
  • Tandem Cuda Fly (2/0)
  • Cuda Killer (4/0)

Fly Fishing for Bonefish

Bahamas clothing and equipment checklist

  • Hat with bill and neck protection
  • Polarized sunglasses and a backup pair
  • Buff® neck gaiter
  • Long sleeve fishing shirts
  • Evening wear shirts
  • Raingear (light-weight for thunder showers or wet boat rides)
  • Wading pants
  • Sun gloves
  • Shorts and swimsuit
  • Wading socks (we recommend the Simms light neoprene socks)
  • Wading shoes or booties (should have heavy sole for maximum protection)
  • Sandals or flip flops
  • Belt
  • Sunscreen SPF 30+ UVA/UVB
  • SPF Lip balm
  • Insect repellent (DEET as the active ingredient is best)
  • Line dressing & cleaner
  • Forceps, pliers, hook file, line clipper
  • Reel lube / oil
  • Zip-lock® bags and garbage bags
  • Small flashlight or headlamp
  • Roll of athletic tape or finger guards
  • Toiletries
  • Camera & Battery Charger & storage Cards
  • Smartphone | Tablet & charger
  • Small binoculars
  • Wading pack and boat bag
  • Airline tickets
  • Notebook & pen
  • Passport
  • 2 Copies of passport (packed separately in Zip-Lok baggies)
  • Book | magazines
  • Cash and credit cards
  • Emergency contact numbers
  • Prescription glasses
  • Pre-trip information
  • Aspirin, Prescription drugs

10 Best Things to Do in Or Near Freeport, Bahamas

BY MICHELE HERRMANN https://www.thetravel.com/

From waterside activities to Bahamian dining, here’s what to find around this city.

In the Bahamas, Freeport is a bustling city on the island of Grand Bahama in the northwest Bahamas. The second-largest city in the Bahamas is known for its upscale resorts, historical and cultural venues, ecological sights, shopping opportunities, and underwater cave exploring. Get ready to plan a trip to Freeport with these 10 best things to do in or near there Victims Unit: Season 24

10/10Bahamas Maritime Museum
​​​​Based right in the heart of Freeport, the Bahamas Maritime Museum teaches about the islands’ maritime legacy with intriguing stories and interesting artifacts. Exhibition areas tell of the Bahamas’ Lucayan people and the horrors of the Transatlantic Slave Trade, along with recovered objects from Maravillas, a Spanish ship that sunk in the Bahamas in 1656. Founded by Allen Exploration, the museum is a newcomer to the Bahamas, too, having opened in August 2022.

9/10Bahamas Distilling Company
Bahamas Distilling Company is a small-batch rum distillery that schedules tours and tastings on weekdays. While there, sample their signature spiced and coconut rums and perhaps purchase one of their brands, and order a cocktail from their onsite bar. Currently, the company puts out about six types of rum, from their Floating Pig spiced rum to their Hammered coconut rum, with eye-catching label art.

8/10Port Lucaya Marketplace
For visitors seeking souvenirs or a meal away from their resort of stay, the Port Lucaya Marketplace is the place to go. It is the Bahamas’ largest shopping, dining, and open-air entertainment facility. There are many specialty stores and boutique shops, restaurants and bars, and lounges, so you can spend both the day and/or night here. Retail options also extend to Duty-Free stores, craft centers, and push carts. Tip: Be sure to place an order from Daddy Brown’s Conch and

Seafood Stand.
7/10Coral Vita
This commercial enterprise in the Bahamas is working to restore the Commonwealth’s coral reefs at a global level, and the public is able to tour their facilities to learn more about their efforts. Having partnered with science institutions, Coral Vita farms resilient coral at scale and supplies them to restoration projects for transplanting them in reefs. Visitors to Coral Vita can learn more about coral farming and the ocean’s threatened reefs.

6/10Fish Fry at Smith’s Point
This popular foodie tradition is said to happen on Wednesday nights at Smith’s Point, a settlement that is adjacent to Taino Beach. The Fish Fry at Smith’s Point consists of beachfront shacks in which their vendors fry up seafood over oil-drum cookers. Along with trying some Bahamian cuisine, this nightly event becomes a dance party scene. The festivities usually begin at 6 p.m.

5/10Rand Nature Centre
Step away from the sand and surf for a bit, and head to the Rand Nature Centre in downtown Freeport. This park has a native pine forest and is a major birding spot where wintering birds flock here, usually from October to May. A number of walking trails lead across the park, and the entrance building holds restrooms and natural history exhibits on island geology and ecology. There is an admission entry fee.

4/10​​​​​​Underwater Exploration
The Bahamas is the world’s third-largest barrier reef, and these waters are full of caves and dive sights. In and near Freeport, there are locations where you can don a pair of fins and other aquatic apparatus to snorkel or dive. Confirm with tourism companies that offer these experiences on the specifics of these excursions. Tiger Beach in Freeport is one of the best spots for shark diving, while Ben’s Cave, also in Freeport, provides an underwater trek as one of two inland blue holes within the Lucayan National Park. There are also wreck dive sites near Freeport, such as Theo’s Wreck, which is the site of a 1982 ship sinking.

3/10​​​Tony Macaroni’s Conch Experience
Tony Hanna, or might be more recognized by the name Tony Macaroni, has been running his beachside shack, Tony Macaroni’s Conch Experience, since 1992. This eatery overlooking Taino Beach not only can be popular during the famous Fish Fry at Smith’s Point, but Tony attracts crowds during the day, too. His conch burgers and homemade hot sauce bring in diners faithfully. Check out this interview with Tony on The Bahamas’ YouTube channel.

2/10Peterson Cay National Park
​​​​The one-and-a-half acre Peterson Cay National Park is big on its stance as a protected marine habitat and an important bird area. In partnership with the Freeport Harbour Company, a coral reef nursery has been developed southwest of this cay. Tour excursion companies can run outings to this park.

1/10Lucayan National Park
​​Referred to as “The Welcome Mat of Grand Bahama,” Lucayan National Park is an incredible biodiversity site with underwater caves and nature trails. This 40-acre national park has Ben’s Cave, a chartered underwater cave system, and a quite diverse topography. It has pine forests, mangrove creeks, and coral reefs; it also holds Bahamian vegetative zones. Part of Lucayan National Park, Gold Rock Beach, stands out on its own because it is both beautiful and secluded. It’s also referred to as The Welcome Mat of Grand Bahama Island, as the shoreline spans greatly during low tide.