07 Sep Fishing at Andros Island Bonefish Club
If you are searching for the best bonefishing in the Bahamas, Andros usually comes up first, and the Andros Island Bonefish Club is a big reason why. Set at the mouth of Cargill Creek on the eastern end of the North Bight, the lodge puts anglers within easy reach of some of the most productive flats in the western hemisphere. For fly fishers chasing trophy bonefish, and for anyone hoping to round out a grand slam with tarpon or permit, this stretch of Andros delivers.
A Fishing Experience Built Around Sight-Fishing
The fishing here is visual and fast-paced. Anglers typically pair up in modern 16- to 18-foot flats skiffs, complete with poling platforms and roomy casting decks that make it easy to spot fish and get a cast off quickly. Depending on the tide and how you like to fish, guides will either work you off the skiff or walk you across the hard white sand flats that make Andros so well suited to wading.
Bonefish are the year-round headliner. Average fish run 3 to 5 pounds, but Andros has built its reputation on regular shots at trophy bonefish over 10 pounds, the kind of fish most anglers only dream about. Deeper creeks and the western flats also open up seasonal chances at resident tarpon and the notoriously tricky permit, so a grand slam is always in play for anglers visiting at the right time of year.
Do not put the rod down between bonefish shots, either. Aggressive barracuda, jacks, snappers, and sharks patrol these same flats and creeks, and a secondary rod rigged and ready can turn a slow stretch into one of the best parts of the day.
The Flats and Bights That Make Andros Famous
Sitting right at the mouth of Cargill Creek gives the lodge quick access to some of the most storied water on the island. Pretty Creek and Yellow Cay, both part of the Bights and Cays system, are consistently productive and easy to reach. For anglers chasing something bigger, the flat known simply as Land of the Giants has built a reputation for holding massive, solitary bonefish that reward patience and a good cast.
A short boat ride away, West Side National Park opens into vast, largely untouched habitat, offering guides an alternative option when conditions elsewhere get tough.
Fishing Andros Season by Season
The club stays open year-round, but what you can expect on the water shifts with the calendar.
Late winter, January through February, is the best window for targeting massive bonefish, whether that means a single trophy or a double hookup, with barracuda also active on the flats. Spring, March through April, is the club’s absolute peak season for sight-fishing, offering a strong balance of size and quantity that keeps anglers coming back year after year. As late spring moves into summer, from May through June, winds ease and the water warms, drawing large bonefish schools onto the flats while tarpon begin arriving as well, opening the door to multi-species days. Fall, from October through December, brings a return of high-quality fishing as temperatures cool from the summer heat, with bonefish and snappers both active.
Spring tends to draw the most attention for good reason, but late winter and early summer both have their own strong arguments depending on whether you are after size, numbers, or a shot at a grand slam.
What to Bring
A 9-foot, 8-weight fast-action fly rod is the standard setup for bonefish and holds up well against the wind that regularly moves across the flats. If tarpon or permit are on your list, pack a 9- or 10-weight as well.
Pair your rod with a large arbor reel that has a smooth, reliable drag system. This is not the place to cut corners on a reel. A weight-forward floating tropical fly line and a 9-foot fluorocarbon leader, typically 12 to 16 lb test, round out a setup built for these conditions.
On the fly side, traditional Bahamian patterns still do the work. The Gotcha and various spawning shrimp patterns tied with steel or chain-link eyes for extra weight are all proven producers on Andros flats.
Getting to Andros for Your Fishing Trip
Andros is a big island, and lodges like the Andros Island Bonefish Club often sit closer to the water than to a standard commercial airport. That is where a private seaplane charter with Tropic Ocean Airways can simplify the trip.
Rather than building your travel day around a generic arrival point, share the lodge name, exact location, guest count, preferred travel dates, and baggage details, including rod tubes, tackle bags, and coolers, with the Tropic Ocean Airways charter team. From there, they can review the most practical arrival plan for your group and gear, whether that means a direct water arrival near the lodge or routing through an appropriate airport, marina, or landing point with a final transfer coordinated by the property. Weather, tide, water conditions, customs requirements, and other operational factors all play a role in that plan, so it is worth starting the conversation early.
For a fishing trip, getting the group and the gear there together matters as much as the flats themselves. A private charter lets everyone travel on one itinerary, so you spend less time coordinating transfers and more time getting your fly in front of the next big bonefish.
Andros Island Bonefish Club is independently owned and operated. Amenities, guide availability, and seasonal operating dates are set by the property and should be confirmed directly with the lodge before booking your flight.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. When is the best time to fish Andros for bonefish?
Spring, from March through April, is generally considered the peak season for sight-fishing, offering the strongest balance of numbers and size. That said, late winter can produce standout trophy fish, and late spring into summer brings tarpon into the mix alongside bonefish.
2. Can I target tarpon and permit at the Andros Island Bonefish Club?
Yes, seasonally. Deeper creeks and the western flats offer chances at resident tarpon and permit, particularly from late spring through summer, making a grand slam a realistic goal for anglers visiting during that window.
3. What gear should I bring?
A 9-foot, 8-weight fast-action fly rod is standard for bonefish, with a 9- or 10-weight recommended if you plan to target tarpon or permit. Pair it with a large arbor reel with a smooth drag, a weight-forward floating tropical fly line, and a 9-foot fluorocarbon leader in the 12 to 16 lb range.
4. Do I fish from the skiff or wade the flats?
Both, depending on the tide and your preference. Guides work in modern 16- to 18-foot flats skiffs with poling platforms and casting decks, and also take anglers wading across the hard white sand flats when conditions call for it.
5. How do I get to the lodge from Florida?
A private seaplane charter with Tropic Ocean Airways can simplify the trip. Share the lodge name, exact location, guest count, travel dates, and baggage details, including rod tubes and coolers, and the charter team can review the most practical arrival plan, which may include a direct water arrival or routing through an appropriate airport or marina with a final transfer to the lodge.
6. Should I bring my own tackle and flies?
It is worth confirming with the lodge whether rods, reels, or flies are available on site. If gear can be arranged through the property, it may reduce what you need to bring on the flight. Traditional Bahamian patterns like the Gotcha are proven producers here.
Ready to plan your trip to the Andros Island Bonefish Club? Contact Tropic Ocean Airways to share your travel dates and start reviewing charter options to Andros.