The Abacos are a string of Bahamian islands located approximately 175 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida. The "mainland" is Great Abaco, third largest island in the Bahamas. The “Marls of Abaco” are a vast expanse of prime, wilderness bonefish habitat, situated along the western shore of Great Abaco Island in the Bahamas. The Marls have long been known by well-traveled bone fishermen as one of the most unique and productive fisheries in the Bahamas. Abaco has more than 400 square miles of flats, mangroves, mangrove creeks and small lagoons on the western side of the island. In the labyrinth of creeks that penetrate Great Abaco Island lies treasure, not the ghost of pirates, but the elusive grey ghost, the bonefish. The area is perfect for bonefish and it is common to see vast schools of the fish tailing. A Abaco lodge is centrally located on the Marl side of the island and is on the threshold of some of the most pristine bonefish flats of all of the Bahamas. For twenty miles the average depth is four feet, a bone fisherman couldn’t ask for a better backyard. Runs to the flats vary from 10 to 45 minutes. Abaco Lodge accommodates a maximum of 8 anglers, each in a single air conditioned room with private bath. The waterfront guest rooms and main lodge look out over a channel and the top of the Marls which are just minutes away by boat. The lodge has a swimming pool, sitting room, bar and fly-tying room, an outside fire pit, and verandah/patio space. The lodge also has a computer with high speed internet available as well as a wireless connection and phone service. Abaco Lodge also offers some incredible fishing on the eastern ocean side of the island. Cherokee Sound, the Bight of Robinson and Snake Cay are minutes from the lodge and offer opportunities at incredible but challenging bonefish. And there are numerous blue holes in Cherokee sound which attract a multitude of species including mutton snapper and baracuda. The lodge gains access to the Marls directly from the lodge dock, the flats on the ocean side require a short drive. All of the skiffs are equipped with padded seats with a backrest and a lean bar in the front. The majority of the fishing is done from the boat but wading opportunities exist if you prefer. The Bahamas are primarily a bone fishery and Abaco is no different. There are the occasional shots at permit and tarpon, but you should consider them as a bonus. You will also have shots at ‘cudas, jacks, and sharks depending upon where you are fishing. On a typical fishing day you leave the dock at eight and return between four and five. This schedule can be tailored to your needs with advance notice. There is no organized fishing on arrival day or departure day, but you can wade in front of the lodge, walk the beach or relax in the pool. The lodge can arrange for a half day fishing if your flights allow. There will be an additional charge for this fishing. In addition to the wonderful flats fishing Abaco has incredible blue water fishing. The lodge will be happy to coordinate a day or two with the best captains available in search of marlin, sailfish, dorado, wahoo, or tuna depending on the season. Arrangements can be made at the lodge but the best captains book early and we recommend you do as well. There will be an additional charge for this fishing. Abaco Lodge imports a trained executive chef to oversee all of the meals. The nightly cuisine incorporates Bahamian specialties with an emphasis on locally caught seafood, including fresh fish (ahi tuna, grouper, and hog snapper), conch and lobster. Their chef bakes bread, pastries and cookies daily. Their coffee is made from freshly ground beans and will be waiting for our guests in the buffet. Breakfast is made to order and is severed at seven. Picnic lunches of your choice and cold drinks are taken to the flats in a cooler by your guide. Upon your return from fishing it is considered cocktail hour. There’s an open bar policy at the lodge. You will find cold beers, spirits, and a blender for cocktails, as well as stacks of soft drinks. Local spirits are available free of charge at the lodge. You are welcome to bring your own bottle. Delicious appetizers are served so you can sample local specialties such as cracked conch, grouper fingers, conch salad, and fresh tuna sashimi Dinner starts with homemade soups or conch ceviche, and all entrees are served with fresh salads. The lodges emphasis is on mixing local dishes with light fresh recipes such as snapper with mango salsa, and some barbeque beef, fish and chicken. House wines such as Chilean Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are served with dinner. The lodge has a good supply of drinking water from their reverse Osmosis system. Anglers can fly directly from several southeast Florida airports to Marsh Harbor or Treasure Cay airport , and then a short drive to the lodge. You can also route through Nassau. Commercial airlines with daily direct flights from the US include American Airlines, Continental Airlines, Bahamas Air, Yellow Air Taxi, and Cherokee Air. Commercial airlines with direct daily flights from Nassau include Bahamas Air, Sky Bahamas, Western Air, and Abaco Air. Charter services can be arranged from Ft. Lauderdale or West Palm Beach. Charters can be tailored to your own schedule. Private aircraft can also land at Marsh Harbor direct from the US, as the airport has international port of entry custom clearance facilities. Click here for pricing information. Leisure Time Travel - Your best and most knowledgeable choice for fishing the Caribbean About Us | Travel | Home | Contact Leisure Time Travel Inc. 531 N. Citrus Ave. Crystal River, Florida 34428 352-795-FISH (3474) 1-800-771-2202 E-Mail: Abaco Lodge © 1996-2010 Leisure Time Travel, Inc. Revised Novemeber 16, 2009 - html by Edward R. Johnston