Overview
Fly Fishing Christmas Island – Overview
Overview
Read More about this trip
Each day veteran guides will lead you to the best fishing the island has to offer. You and the guides board the catamaran
Lodging
Fishing
Fishing
Miles of bonefish flats
Miles & miles of bonefish flats (Courtesy of Lauren Brown Photography)
Swain’s Cay Lodge is located about half way down the East coast of Mangrove Cay in the centre of Andros. The Middle and North Bights separate Mangrove Cay from North Andros. The South Bight separates Mangrove Cay from South Andros. This central location makes Mangrove Cay the ideal place to fish due to the versatility of sites easily reached.
The Bights are a complex network of channels, islands, flats, reef and deeper cuts, a rare wilderness and the ideal habitat for numerous sea-life – a superb, healthy eco-system and the perfect environment for big bonefish!
A complex tidal system exists here where tides can be opposite depending on which side of Andros you are as the water is pushed and pulled through the network of channels. This allows the fishing guides to be able to search out a rising tide at most times of the day.
Andros is fringed along its East coast by the Andros Barrier Reef, the second largest reef in the world after the Great Barrier Reef in Australia. Outside the reef is the ‘tongue of the ocean’ where the sea level drops dramatically to 6000 feet.
A truly magical place, Andros Island in the Bahamas is one of Earth’s great remaining wildernesses.
Species
fishing information
Read more about the fishing 1
read more about the fishing
Fishing Photo Gallery
Tackle & Gear
Here is a list of the basics you will need for your trip. I have organized this list on Pro Guide Direct where you can actually purchase the brands and items that I have found to be the best of the best. Any Items that you purchase from Pro Guide Direct will help us earn a living and help you by being ensuring that you have the right gear for the trip. Many of our destinations are pretty remote with no chance to buy things on site.
Caribbean Gear List
Species | Rods | Reels | Line | Leaders |
---|---|---|---|---|
Bonefish | 9 foot 8 or 9 wt. (maybe a 10 wt. on a windy day) | Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 200 yards of 20 lb. backing. | Floating tropical line | 9 ft-12 ft leaders with 10-12 lb. tippet. |
Permit | 9 foot 9 or 10 wt. | Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 200 yards of 25 lb. backing. | Floating tropical line | 9-14 ft leaders with 12-15 lb. tippet. |
JuvenileTarpon | 9 foot 10 wt. | Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 300 yards of 30-40 pound backing. | #1 Floating tropical line #2 Floating with clear sink tip | 9-12 ft leaders with 25-30 lb. class tippet and 60 lb shock tippet. |
Large Tarpon | 9 foot 12 wt. | Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 300 yards of 40-50 pound backing. | #1 Floating tropical line #2 Floating with clear sink tip #3 Full intermediate sink line | 9-12 ft leaders with 25-30 lb. class tippet and 80 lb shock tippet. |
Barracudas, Sharks | 9 foot 9-12 wt. | Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 300 yards of 40-50 pound backing. | #1 Floating tropical line #2 Floating with clear sink tip | 6-9 ft leaders with 20-30 lb. steel bite tippets. |
Barracuda/Sharks
bring the wire bite guards!!
The Fly List:
Go a little smaller than you might think, better to have too many 8’s than 4’s for the bonefish. Tie a few patterns with just the weight of the eyes as a variable 1 with lead eyes, 1 with chain, 1 with small chain, and 1 with no weight or mono eyes just to make sure you have flies for very skinny water all the way to waist deep water. Presentation seems to be much more important than fly selection. Weed guards will be a plus on the grass flats.
Fly Name | Colors | Sizes | Qty for a 1 Week Trip |
---|---|---|---|
Toad Fly | chatreuse, olive, tan, purple/black | 1, 1/0 | 12 |
Cockroach | standard | 1/0, 2/0 | 4 |
Black Death | white, tan | 1/0, 2/0 | 4 |
Purple Demon | purple/black | 1/0, 2/0 | 4 |
Layup tarpon fly | brown, chatreuse ,yellow | 1, 1/0 | 6 |
Enrico's Tarpon Streamer | Purple & Black | 2/0 | 4 |
Enrico's Tarpon Pinfish | Olive/white | 3/0 | 4 |
Del's Merkin | tan/brown | 1/0, 2, 4 | 6 |
Turneffe Crab | Cream, olive | 2, 4, 6 | 4 |
Clouser minnow | chatr/white | 1/0-2/0 | 6 |
Bonefish CLouser | assorted | 4-6 | 12 |
Crazy Charlie bead eye | pink,white,tan,brw | 4, 6, 8 | 12 |
Moe bonefish | amber, pink | 4 | 6 |
Christmas Island Specials | pink, orange | 6, 8 | 18 |
Gotcha | standard | 4, 6, 8 | 12 |
Packing List
Tropical Packing List
√ | Packing Item | √ | Packing Item |
---|---|---|---|
√ | Passport | √ | Camera & media |
√ | Photocopy of Passport (packed separately) | √ | Computer |
√ | Airline tickets | √ | Cell Phone |
√ | Itinerary with contact numbers | √ | Reading & writing materials |
√ | Emergency Medical insurance docs ( if purchased) | √ | Rod repair (tip top and glue) |
√ | Major credit card | √ | Sun gloves |
√ | Cash for tips (there are a couple ATMs in San Pedro but they may not be working)) | √ | Face Sun protection (buff) |
√ | 2 Hats with brim and neck guard (or sun hat for non anglers) | √ | Sunburn relief spray |
√ | 2-4 long sleeve shirts for fishing (SPF fabric) | √ | Sunscreens SPF 30 or above |
√ | 2 quick dry pant for fishing (SPF fabric) | √ | Sun block for lips and nose |
√ | 2 quick dry shorts for fishing (SPF fabric) | √ | Toiletries |
√ | White socks (tops of feet get burned in the boats or wear under wading shoes) | √ | Prescription meds |
√ | Underwear | √ | Non-prescription Meds |
√ | Casual pants or shorts | √ | Eyeglasses (and spare) |
√ | Casual shirts, short sleeve | √ | Fly Rods |
√ | Sandals | √ | Reels |
√ | Belt | √ | Fanny or other small fishing pack |
√ | Light sweater or fleece | √ | Water bottle ( Holster optional) |
√ | Socks | √ | Waterproof boat bag |
√ | Wading shoes | √ | Lines |
√ | Bathing suits, | √ | Leaders |
√ | T- Shirts | √ | Tippet |
√ | Sandals or walking shoes ( Barefoot is good) | √ | Flies |
√ | Rain jacket (an occasional cold squall will roll though or the boat spray may chill you to the bone!) | √ | Nippers |
√ | Bug repellent (for dead clam days or evenings) | √ | Pliers/forceps |
√ | Sunglasses (polarized with lanyard) |
Rates
Rates
Captain Cook Package Pricing
Number of nights | Number of Days fishing | 2 to a room 2 to a guide | 1 to a room 2 to a guide | 1 to a room 1 to a guide |
---|---|---|---|---|
7 | all 6 days guided using skiff to access flats and offshore fishing. | $2650 | $2795 | $3100 |
7 | All 6 days guided, 3 days wading (delivery to flats by truck), 3 days wading/offshore with skiff. | $2400 | $2600 | $3000 |
7 | all 6 days guided, wading only (delivery to flats by truck.) | $2250 | $2390 | $2700 |
7 Group of 8 or more | 6 Group of 8 or more | Save10% | Save10% | Save10% |
Prices Include: round trip ground transportation from the CXI airport and the lodge, three meals a day, guided fishing each day ( for fishing packages). Prices quoted are in US dollars per person.
Prices do not include: International Airfare to CXI, Alcoholic beverages, fishing license, Departure tax or gratuities for your guide and resort staff
Why Book Through Flyfishingheaven.com?
Why book through flyfishingheaven.com?
1. Unbiased Advice:Most people recognize the advantage of our unbiased advice, there are hundreds of destinations to choose from and our job is to know the ones that are right for your needs. We offer the real story you can't get from a lodge owner. Would the outfitter in questions tell you are booking in a less than stellar part of the year? Remember our unbiased advice is 100% free!2. We Can Book Anywhere:Our website highlights many of our favorite destinations but we have access to hundreds more. If there are fish there, we can book it. In fact, we will give you 5% back if you book a trip through us that is not on our website! We enjoy learning about new spots!3. Loyalty Discounts:2017 Special: You are automatically enrolled in our loyalty program before your first trip and will get the 5% cash back on your very first trip. This offer is good until December 31, 2017. In January you will ear your loyalty discount on the second trip and every trip thereafter. This discount applies to all your friends who are going with you as well. f you organize a group of 8 or more we will give you 10% off! All you have to do is book the first trip and you are a flyfishingheaven.com frequent fisher!4. Price Guarantee:If you find a price lower than ours we will beat that price by 5% if you book through flyfishingheaven.com! |
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Our Pledge
We promise to work for you, not a lodge, outfitter or resort. We pledge to get you you to a destination that will live up to your expectations at the best possible price. You will never be charged more than booking directly (in fact most of our clients are paying less - *see below). We will make sure you are well prepared for your trip with specific knowledge about the gear, the flies, the rods, packing lists, travel documents, connecting information everything. Since we are not tied to a particular destination we promise honest pros and cons of any destination at the time of year you are traveling. |
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Payment and Cancelation Polices
A 10% deposit is required if you are booking more than 6 months in advance, 50% deposit is required when less than 6 months until departure date with the balance due 60 days prior to departure. If you are forced to cancel with more than 60 days notice, you may keep full credit towards another trip or receive a refund less a 10% service charge. Deposits on cancellations with less than 60 days notice are not refundable unless your spot can be filled. MC, Visa, and checks are accepted. We recommend travel and or medical emergency insurance for all our trips. |
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Seasons
Seasons
El Pescador Fishing Calendar
Month | Bonefish | Permit | Tarpon | Reef Fish |
---|---|---|---|---|
January | Good | Good | Good/Fair | Excellent/Good |
February | Good | Good/Excellent | Good | Excellent/Good |
March | Good | Excellent | Good | Excellent/Good |
April | E/Good | Excellent | Excellent/Good | Excellent |
May | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent |
June | Excellent | Good | Excellent | Excellent |
July | Excellent | Good | Excellent+ | Excellent |
August | Excellent | Good | Excellent+ | Excellent/Good |
September | Excellent | Good | Excellent+ | E/Good |
October | Excellent | Good | Good | Good/Fair |
November | Excellent/Good | Good | Good | Good/Fair |
December | Good | Fair | Good/Fair | Excellent |
Gallery
Activities
Activities
Activitys available
Activity 1
Activity 1
Activity 1
Activity 2
Activity 2
Activity 2
Activity 2
Travel
Travel Tips
Travel Info Here
Packing List
Tropical Packing List
√ | Packing Item | √ | Packing Item |
---|---|---|---|
√ | Passport | √ | Camera & media |
√ | Photocopy of Passport (packed separately) | √ | Computer |
√ | Airline tickets | √ | Cell Phone |
√ | Itinerary with contact numbers | √ | Reading & writing materials |
√ | Emergency Medical insurance docs ( if purchased) | √ | Rod repair (tip top and glue) |
√ | Major credit card | √ | Sun gloves |
√ | Cash for tips (there are a couple ATMs in San Pedro but they may not be working)) | √ | Face Sun protection (buff) |
√ | 2 Hats with brim and neck guard (or sun hat for non anglers) | √ | Sunburn relief spray |
√ | 2-4 long sleeve shirts for fishing (SPF fabric) | √ | Sunscreens SPF 30 or above |
√ | 2 quick dry pant for fishing (SPF fabric) | √ | Sun block for lips and nose |
√ | 2 quick dry shorts for fishing (SPF fabric) | √ | Toiletries |
√ | White socks (tops of feet get burned in the boats or wear under wading shoes) | √ | Prescription meds |
√ | Underwear | √ | Non-prescription Meds |
√ | Casual pants or shorts | √ | Eyeglasses (and spare) |
√ | Casual shirts, short sleeve | √ | Fly Rods |
√ | Sandals | √ | Reels |
√ | Belt | √ | Fanny or other small fishing pack |
√ | Light sweater or fleece | √ | Water bottle ( Holster optional) |
√ | Socks | √ | Waterproof boat bag |
√ | Wading shoes | √ | Lines |
√ | Bathing suits, | √ | Leaders |
√ | T- Shirts | √ | Tippet |
√ | Sandals or walking shoes ( Barefoot is good) | √ | Flies |
√ | Rain jacket (an occasional cold squall will roll though or the boat spray may chill you to the bone!) | √ | Nippers |
√ | Bug repellent (for dead clam days or evenings) | √ | Pliers/forceps |
√ | Sunglasses (polarized with lanyard) |