I'm considering going to Long Island , 2 couples with my friend and I bonefishing. I'd really appreciate any info on the best place to stay and how to get there from Scotland. Then the best gear to take with us if we can't hire over there. Looks like Docky is the guide to use.
Anything on Long Island would be a great help, also will we need a guide every day or is it fishable on our own for a few days? Considering May or would June be a better month for the Bones?

I was there a few years ago, I stayed at Chez Pierre Chez Pierre Long Island Bahamas
Excellent food.

We used Locksley Cartwright as a guide.

This was my one and only time bone fishing so really having nothing to judge Locksley against but he put us over bonefish and tarpon and on the last day we saw a permit.

__________________
Malcolm
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Quot homines tot sententiae

Docky Smith is head guide at Stella Maris resort.

You could stay there - a large German run resort with things to do as well as fish.

More info:

How to get there:

Either fly to Nassau and then get a Bahamas Air flight or a private charter if there are 4 or more of you OR fly to the States and get American Eagle from Miami or a charter -probably from Ft Lauderdale (1 hr x Miami).

Beware that American Eagle and Bahamas Air are terribly inconsistent and usually overbooked - so a private charter is a safer option.

Nassau flights are more expensive than Miami - but you might be able to get an onward charter for the afternoon that you arrive - so that saves overnighting.

Fishing: 2 US mates of mine go to Long Island to fish with Docky every year. They catch plenty of bonefish. Most are fairly small - but they had a 7 lb fish 2 years ago. They havent caught any permit there.

hope this helps.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the responses chaps, looks like I'll need to look for decent saltwater gear inc 8 weight rod and a decent reel.

Hi

I was there a few years ago and stayed at Salt Pond area about 10 miles from Deadmans Cay airport in a self catering apartment called CShells owned by a lovely couple called Cheryl and Jorge.
Being central it was a great base to explore the whole island from, there are great looking flats spread throughout the island. Car rentals and guides can be arranged by Cheryl and DIY with a car was great.
Unfortunately when we were there in March there was a cold front and the bonefish were staying in the deep channels. We still caught plenty but it was a case of casting as far as you can and letting the fly sink into where the bonefish were shoaling up. This was the same for guys fishing with the guides.
There is a great book on fishing the Bahamas by Stephen and Kim Vletas which tell you all the likely flats to try.

Regards

Steve

Speak with alexl993 on here.


He has been to the Bahamas a bit and knows one of the Guides fairly well it seems.


Top chap too, for a Canadian



Benjamin

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It all depends on what your holiday consists of, from u saying 2 couples, a lot depends on the girls, Deadmans cay is kinda self catering,it is good for fishing but as for things to do,you need a car..........
Up at Stella Maris, theres more for the girls and indeed yourselves, and some 'luxury' at the resort, there are self catering options there too.
In both areas there are good guides. but if you want one for the whole time, maybe book well in advance ?
8weight rod/reel etc should be fine for most options,Gotchas 4-6. Bitters 6-8 Veverka's Mantis Shrimp, Clousers should catch....
And you may fancy some blue water as your talking May/ June, some good fish around then....dorado, tuna and marlin off the deep drops just outside from Fly Fish Marina.
As my gran says, you pays your money and you take your chances...

Really appreciate the feedback, still to decide but I'm taking on board the advice. This shows the worth of this forum with all the experience and knowledge out there.
Keep it coming!

visit gofishinginternational.com it has some info on long island ask for philippa