World Class Bonefishing at Grand Bahama Bonefishing
Our condolences for the people of Freeport Bahamas who have suffered greatly from the effects of Hurricane Dorian.
For the foreseeable future, Grand Bahama Bonefishing is closed until November- call us for more information (352) 795-3474.
Grand Bahama Bonefishing with the Pinder Brothers will be a Grand experience of your lifetime. World class bonefishing is always thrilling. The excitement of the hunt and of watching the fish recognize, gobble up your fly and tear across a slick surface is about as good as it gets. If you are interested in world class bonefishing with the Pinder Brothers on Grand Bahama Island– read on!
About Grand Bahama Bonefishing
The Bahamas have a well-earned reputation for the finest world class bonefishing, and Grand Bahama is one of the best in the Bahamas. Grand Bahama Island is more than 90 miles long and greater than 12 miles at the widest point. If you have fished the upper Bahamas before, this area is reminiscent of the middle bights of Andros, the east end of Grand Bahama Island, and the marls of Great Abaco Island.
When you arrive in Grand Bahama Island, you will be greeted by the wonderful and spirited people of the area. The charms of Grand Bahama Island attract visitors from around the world. The deep blue waters, sprinkled with reefs and tropical fish, on the south side of the islands and the vast Bonefish flats on the north side of the island are an irresistible magnet that keeps anglers coming back year after year.
Getting There
For anglers living in the eastern US, there is no reason to go half way around the world when there is incredible fishing in the Bahamas, many islands within a single day’s flight.
It’s so uncomplicated to get to. You take a direct flight from many cities in the United States to Ft. Lauderdale, then a 40 minute jump over to Freeport. From the airport, it is a short taxi ride to the Hotel. That’s it right there. There is no need for a charter flight, no need to spend the night anywhere. Also, there are not any specific transfer days at the lodge, so you can arrive on any day of the week and visit for as many days you wish.
Lodging
Grand Bahama Bonefishing combines a world class bonefishing experience with upscale beachfront lodging at a picturesque resort. You’re ocean-side accommodation centers on Port Lucaya in Freeport, Grand Bahama Island. Here you’ll enjoy attractive and comfortable air-conditioned rooms at the Radisson Resort Grand Lucayan. You will be situated on a mile stretch of beautiful white-sand beach.
The hotel staff will welcome you and treat you with courtesy. As fishing guests, your package may include oceanfront poolside rooms with a choice of two doubles or a king-sized bed. If you desire, we can arrange alternate lodging.
This full service resort features tropically decorated rooms. Each air-conditioned room has a spacious private balcony which is adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean and the nearby marina at Port Lucaya. You will be within easy walking distance to the Port Lucaya Marketplace, Lucayan Beach, and the Lucayan Beach Casino.
Dining
Grand Bahama Bonefishing has a slightly different meal plan than most lodges. You will start your day with a full breakfast buffet and omelet bar at the Willy Broadleaf Restaurant, conveniently located onsite at the Radisson Resort. For lunch, you will be provided with a delicious homemade picnic lunch with cold drinks and/or purified water for your day of world class bonefishing.
Owing to the unique nature of your fishing vacation, dinners are not included in the package price. This enables party members to enjoy the town and numerous restaurant dining options each evening. You can dine at the several restaurants located on the hotel property, or take a short walk across the street to the Port Lucaya Marketplace. Here, you’ll find many fine restaurants and shops to choose from. This is perfect for the evening meal and convenient for the non-fishing spouse. The friendly hotel staff will be pleased to assist you with reservations.
Fishing
From your hotel, you will be provided with transportation to the Grand Bahama Bonefishing dock, which is located at Hawksbill Creek on the islands north side. The resort is a 15 minute ride to the launch site.
The boats are 16″ fiberglass Dolphin super skiffs. These state of the art flats boats have no option overlooked. They are equipped to comply with U.S. Coast Guard standards and are powered by 70-90 horsepower outboards, which mean you can cover a lot of territory fast and in comfort. The Dolphins offer the angler an opportunity to fish in extremely shallow water and provide the stability required for excellent and accurate casting. The boats have, stationary lean bars, built in rod holders, comfortable seats, carpeted walls and polling platforms. Cell phones are on board for event of an unlikely emergency.
The Pinder Brothers- Meet Your Fishing Guides
The Pinder brothers, have been fishing for two generations, with over 60 years of combined experience. These guides literally grew up in the guiding business at the famed Deep Water Cay Club on the island’s East End. Their unsurpassed knowledge and understanding of bonefishing, jovial nature, and excellent communication skills make for a very exciting day on the water for anglers of all casting abilities. Many consider the Pinder brothers to be the best in the Bahamas for your world class bonefishing adventure.
The Pinder brothers own this business, unlike some lodges in the Bahamas that use independent guides for which they do not control whole experience and process, including the boat, equipment, food and drink and more.
If desired, fly-casting lessons are free. These guys seem like they were born with a fly rod in the hand. Your writer is a certified fly casting instructor, but I can tell you with absolute certainty, these guys can make you a better caster.
Grand Bahama Island is primarily a bone fishery. However, this area offers occasional opportunities for tarpon, permit, plus a host of other species, including barracuda, jacks, snapper and sharks. Your guides, the Pinder Brothers, boast the average size bonefish is 4-6 pounds and anglers often have shots at 10 pound plus fish that cruise the flats. Grand Bahama Island is one of the few destinations where you have a realistic chance to hook a double digit fish.
In addition to the bone fishery, the Pinder Brothers have targeted the permit and tarpon here and are increasing fishing opportunities for their anglers. Depending upon the time of year, you may have a chance to cast at one of these fish; however you should consider this a bonus. Our advice: be alert, have your permit or tarpon rod rigged and be ready to cast.
The fishery is unaffected by its proximity to Freeport. The primary area you will be fishing is the undeveloped north shoreline of Grand Bahama Island, for which there is very little human presence to compromise the quality of the natural environment. Your launching point at Hawksbill creek is roughly 30 miles from the west end and 60 miles from the east end of the island. So in a 30 m.p.h. skiff, you can cover a lot of territory.
There are literally a hundred square miles of expansive flats, creeks and mangroves cays which encompass a huge area teeming with bonefish. This area does not see much angling pressure and as result, the bonefish are not as skittish as those found where the fishing pressure is much higher. The Pinder Brothers fish both east and west of their dock, but their biggest fish have come from the north western region of the island where there really isn’t anyone else fishing.
The bottom of the flats varies in composition from firm white sand, where you will have opportunity to wade fish, to soft marl and turtle grass bottoms which you will fish from the boats. The bonefish like these areas as there is an ample food supply of minnows, shrimp, crabs, and other crustaceans. This pristine and healthy environment contributes to the large numbers and size of fish being caught.
The guides will always try to quietly approach the flats with the wind and sun to your back. On a good day, it is not uncommon to catch a dozen or more decent fish. The best spot will be chosen depending upon the weather. The number of fish you can expect to catch at any time is directly related to your skill as an angler.
Other Activities
Port Lucaya is one of the few places that offers great fishing for the angler and comfort and charm for the non-angler. There are numerous leisure activities the spouse and non-anglers can enjoy in area’s lively retail and restaurant district, casinos and of course the beautiful beaches.
Guests at Radisson Resort Grand Lucayan can enjoy a daily resort activities schedule, 18-hole championship golf course, Las Vegas-style casino, 25,000 square feet Senses Spa and Fitness Center and three swimming pools for some fun in the sun. The soft sandy Lucayan Beach is the place for the folks who want to take a swim or walk. There is a full service concierge desk that can help you select and arrange many vacation ideas.
The Port Lucaya Marketplace offers upscale shopping in duty free shops, dining at many fine restaurants and bars, and entertainment. This six-acre waterfront entertainment complex centers on the bandstand at Count Basie Square where local events are frequently held. The legendary jazz pianist built a home in Freeport.
There is also deep sea fishing, reef fishing, water sports, scuba diving and reef exploring, swimming with Dolphins, glass bottom boat tours, ocean kayaking, tennis, horseback riding, and eco-tour adventures, where you can walk through and explore the wilderness and a host of other activities.
An Ultimate World Class Bonefishing Vacation
Catching a bonefish is always thrilling. The excitement of the hunt and of watching the fish recognize, gobble up your fly and tear across a slick surface is about as good as it gets.
On Grand Bahama Island the fishing is as good as or better than ever and with the slow economy, the Bahamas fishing industry has cooled off a bit. As a result, many lodges that were always booked now have some availability, including Grand Bahama Bonefishing. Let us help you arrange your next trip!
Your stay at the Radisson Resort Grand Lucayan beachfront hotel is included in your fishing package. There are no set arrival or departure days at Grand Bahama Bonefishing. Customized packages that include extra nights can be easily arranged.
For our latest report on Grand Bahama Bonefishing click here.
For additional photographs click here.
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Leisure Time Travel – Your best and most knowledgeable choice for fishing the Caribbean.
Leisure Time Travel Inc.
531 N. Citrus Ave.
Crystal River, Florida 34428
352-795-FISH (3474)
1-800-771-2202
