Fly Fishing In Bahamas

The Bahamas has been a fly-fishing mecca for decades. And for good reason. Its tropical climate, fun-loving people, and laid-back pace continue to draw traveling anglers from around the globe, who flock to its flats for some spectacular bonefishing.

That famous bonefishing is the product of prime location. The Bahamas is essentially a sprawling island archipelago, consisting of hundreds of islands and cays scattershot across 180,000 square miles of ocean space.

The northern end of the chain starts about 75 miles offshore of West Palm Beach, Florida, with Grand Bahama Island. Great Abaco Island lies just to the northeast. And below Abaco, past the bustling resorts of Nassau, and reaching as far south as the Turks and Caicos and Cuba, lies a string of less-populated “out islands,” including Andros, Eleuthera, Cat, Long Island, Crooked, Acklins, and Mayaguana. What these islands lack in people, they make up in prolific bonefish populations.

Nervous Waters has been introducing intrepid anglers to unparalleled Bahamas fly fishing ever since opening Abaco Lodge about a decade ago. Nestled on the west side of the island, the lodge boasts front-door access to the Marls—a pristine wilderness preserve with more than 200 square miles of the kind of skinny-water habitat foraging bonefish love. Abaco Lodge is the only fly-fishing operation on the Marls, and our team of professional guides takes pride in knowing every inch of it.

Fishing the Marls begins with meeting your guide early every morning at our convenient, on-premise harbor, where meticulously maintained Maverick skiffs are docked and waiting to whisk you off to a great day on the water. You’ll explore ocean-side inlets, mangrove cays, and stadium-size flats with both cruising and tailing bones in numbers unlike anywhere else in the Bahamas. Fish average three to five pounds here, and it’s not unheard of to boat 10 to 20 fish in a day.

Larger bonefish in singles and pairs are also encountered on a daily basis. Other species include occasional shots at permit and juvenile tarpon (be rigged and ready!), as well as the usual flats’ suspects such as barracuda and numerous sharks and rays.  

Abaco Lodge enhances the fly-fishing experience with an incomparable off-the-water program. Our flagship Bahamas offering is an ideal vacation getaway, specializing in fine dining, impeccable service, and immaculate accommodations. Here it’s the little things that add up to something big: spacious baths with hot showers; satiating nightly menus crafted by our in-house chef, a fully stocked bar with spirits, beer, and wine; friendly staff; an infinity pool and communal fire pit; plus all the creature comforts you’d expect of a top-rated operation.

Finally, due to its proximity to the U.S., Abaco is an easy-to-reach destination, with direct flights from Florida hubs, as well as Atlanta, to Marsh Harbour, on major carriers such as United and Delta. Book a flight. Bring a friend. And experience some of the best bonefishing in the Bahamas with Abaco Lodge.