Stella Maris – Bahamas Fly Fishing

Relaxing at Stella Maris Bahamas

This Bahamas fly fishing destination is on Long Island in the Bahamas. It is one of the better locations for mixed groups of fishing and non fishing people there is. We team up the best resort on the island with our hand picked guides. Ideal white sand flats everywhere, bonefish and permit galore, scuba, snorkeling, touring, great food, beaches everywhere, beautiful lodging. In short a great caribbean vacation for everyone – no compromise. If you are looking for a remote beach vacation you may have found the right spot.

Come, relax in our elegantly casual Resort Club. Here the world is forgotten, time stands still. Enjoy the many daytime complimentary guest activities and meet your fishing friends late afternoon at the sunset pool happy hour. Three hotel pools dot our manicured grounds, as do seven hidden Atlantic beach coves, nestled into a splendid panorama of tropical foliage and dramatic shorelines. Accommodations are attractively scattered throughout a magnificent palm grove, overlooking the Atlantic. You will be very comfortable in our air-conditioned rooms, all with ocean view patio or balcony, fridge, coffee maker, ceiling fan and hair dryer. Our villas and bungalows are nothing short of superb, some indeed luxurious, and some with private pool.
just relax at the beach

Stella Maris Lodging – Bahamas Fly Fishing

The Resort Club: Just 32 rooms, apartments, cottages, villas, bungalows. All attractively decorated in island style, some luxurious, and some with private pool. All within a stone’s throw of or right on the Atlantic shore, amidst a magnificent palm grove and surrounded by the quiet vacation settlement of Stella Maris.

Stella Maris Bar

Clubhouse: With restaurant, indoor and outdoor dining, bar/lounge, game room, boutique, patios and gardens. Excellent cuisine – full dining and lounge service.

Hotel guests enjoy FREE: Daily morning and afternoon land excursions for beaches, snorkeling, or sight-seeing; 2 times weekly boat cruise, daily biking, sunfish sailing, kayaking, or swimming in our 3 fresh water swimming pools and 1 natural ocean pool.

Our Evenings: Guitar playing & singing, dancing to the real ‘Rake and Scrape’ music of the Bahamas, Beach Cook-Outs, Cave Party’s, Nature Slide Shows, History Talks, Rum Punch Parties. Relax in our Game/Meeting Room with Library, TV and Video Movies.

Accommodations

Hotel Rooms: single, double, triple
Only 6 to 8 per individual building, only one 2-story. All with ocean views, with balcony or terrace.
Tropically furnished, some with king, some with two double beds. A/C, ceiling fans, fridge, coffee maker. Full bathroom with shower in tub, hairdryer, bath amenities.

1 Bedroom Cottage: 1 bedroom/1 bath

All with ocean views, surrounding swimming pool patio.
Bedroom with one king or two double beds, A/C and ceiling fan. Living room with 2 Bahamas sofa beds, A/C, ceiling fan, fridge, coffee maker. Full bathroom with shower in tub, hairdryer, bath amenities.

Edith’s Harbor:2 bedroom bungalow/2bath

Right at Atlantic Shore. Tropically furnished.
Large living room with open kitchen, ceiling fans. Two bedrooms, each with A/C, ceiling fan, two full baths with shower in tub, hairdryer, bath amenities.
East balconies, cabana

Ocean Villas:2 bedroom/2 bath

Right at Atlantic Shore. First, small beach 200 yards. Tropically furnished.
Two stories, upper living room with open kitchen, two Bahamas sofa beds, A/C, front and rear balconies.
Lower two bedrooms, one queen and two twin beds, each with A/C, each with bath with shower, hair dryer, bath amenities; front porch
Nightly rates include rental car; distance to clubhouse 800 yards.

Gecko House:3 bedroom/3 bath

Right at Atlantic Shore and beach. Tropically furnished.
Lower main floor: large living room with open kitchen, ceiling fans; two bedrooms each with A/C, ceiling fan; one king and two double beds; two full baths with shower in tub, hairdryer, bath amenities.
Upper floor: one bedroom, A/C, ceiling fan; queen bed, bath with shower, hairdryer, bath amenities.

Rainbow House:3 bedroom/3 bath, private saltwater pool

Right at Atlantic shore. Tropically furnished.
Main floor: large living room with open kitchen, fire place, 2 A/C’s, ceiling fans, large terrace. Two bedrooms, each with A/C, ceiling fan, one king and two double beds, two baths with large shower, hair dryer, bath amenities.
Pool level: Large studio bedroom, A/C, ceiling fan, fridge, bath with large shower, hairdryer, bath amenities. Large pool terrace with pool cabana bar, gazebo, grill, large infinity pool facing ocean.

Flamingo House:4 bedroom/2bath

Right at Atlantic Shore and beach. Tropically furnished.
Large living room, kitchen; ceiling fans; three standard sized bedrooms and one studio style bedroom, each with A/C and ceiling fan; two twin, one king, two queen beds; two full baths with shower in tub, hairdryer, bath amenities, east porch.

Dolphin House:4 bedroom/2 bath, private freshwater pool

Right at Atlantic Shore. Tropically furnished.
Large living room, kitchen; ceiling fans; four bedrooms, each with A/C and ceiling fan; two twin, two double, one king bed; two baths, one with shower in tub, one with shower only, hairdryer, bath amenities.
East porch and large terrace and terraces around large swimming pool. Nature ocean fed swimming pool right below fresh water pool level.

Stella Maris Fishing – Bahamas Fly Fishing

A typical bonefish/permit flat on Long Island

The flats of Long Island are almost all wading flats – nice hard bottom white sand for the most part. Bonefish will average 3 pounds, with fish up to 13 pounds. It is certain you will get shots at 8-10 pound fish if you stay a few days. Permit are available as well in good numbers, not too many tarpon but a few!

Long Island fishing is year round due to the presence of a major current stream, the North Equatorial Current, which originates in the Canary Islands and washes the shores of Long Island, transporting huge schools of Blue Marlin, White Marlin, Sailfish, Rainbow Runners, Yellow Fin Tuna, Black Fin Tuna, Dolphin and Wahoo. This, plus being one of the more southern Bahamas Islands means we have more consistent fishing in the winter than most other Bahamas destinations.

Maverick Skiff

Our guides fish out of a brand-new 2007 Maverick Mirage (17′), powered by a 90 hp four-stroke Yamaha outboard engine. and a 2001 Hewes Bonefisher (16′), equipped with a 90 hp Yamaha outboard engine, is constantly kept in a first-class appearance and working condition – both of these boats meeting all of the requirements of the Bahamas Bonefishing Safety Regulations.

Fishing photo Gallery

Tackle & Gear

Here is a list of the basics you will need for your trip. Many of our destinations are pretty remote with no chance to buy things on site.
Bonefish

Rods: 9 foot 8-9 weight(maybe a 10 on a windy day)

Lines: Floating tropical line

Reel: Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 200 yards of backing

Leaders: 9 ft-12 ft leaders with 10-12 lb. flourocarbon tippet

 

Permit

Rods: 9 foot 10 weight

Lines: Floating tropical line

Reel: Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 200 yards of backing

Leaders: 9-12 ft leaders with 12-15 lb. flourocarbon tippet

 

Baby Tarpon

Rods: 9 foot 10 weight

Lines: #1 Floating tropical line #2 Floating with clear sink tip

Reel: Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 300 yards of 20 pound backing

Leaders: 10-12 ft leaders with 25 lb. flourocarbon and 60 lb shock tippet

 

Big Tarpon

Rods: 9 foot 12 weight

Lines: #1 Floating tropical line #2 Intermediate full sinking #3 Floating with clear sink tip

Reel: Large Arbor Disc drag reel with 300 yards of 45 pound backing

Leaders: 10-12 ft leaders with 30 lb. flourocarbon and 80 lb shock tippet

 

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)

Please use the drop down lists below to find the package that suits your needs the most. Any package can be customized to fit your needs, need a 7 night package with three days of fishing – no problem we can do it! Just drop me an email and I will work out the price for you.

Long Island Fishing Calendar

Stella Maris Phot Galleries- Bahamas Fly Fishing

Fishing Photo Gallery

Diving Photo Gallery

Resort Photo Gallery

Scenic Photos

Stella Maris Activities – Bahamas Fly Fishing

Hotel guests enjoy FREE: Daily morning and afternoon land excursions for beaches, snorkeling, or sight-seeing; 2 times weekly boat cruise, daily biking, sunfish sailing, kayaking, or swimming in our 3 fresh water swimming pools and 1 natural ocean pool.

Our Evenings: Guitar playing & singing, dancing to the real ‘Rake and Scrape’ music of the Bahamas, Beach Cook-Outs, Cave Party’s, Nature Slide Shows, History Talks, Rum Punch Parties. Relax in our Game/Meeting Room with Library, TV and Video Movies.

The Island: Unspoiled, tranquil, very friendly, consisting of some 30-plus villages and towns, supported primarily by fishing and farming. Beautiful nature, exquisite views, birding, plantation ruins, Indian caves, small islands inhabited by the real iguana, and beaches, beaches, beaches.

Diving

Stella Maris Diving – Bahamas Fly Fishing

Stella Maris offers an incredible variety of diving, from hundreds of coral head and reef sites on the northwest lee side of Long Island to some 15 miles of explored northeast Atlantic locations. The lee is mostly calm, with little or no current; most sites afford a ‘fixed’ bottom, making for easy and safe dive planning and orientation. The Atlantic shelves and reefs are dramatic, with vast areas of incredible antler and other large-growth coral fields. The water here seems bluer, the fish bigger, and underwater scenery wilder. Every dive here provides a feeling of raw adventure and yet, the shore isn’t far away.

Dive Equipment
It is recommended that divers bring their own snorkel equipment, plus BC, regulator, and dive skin or wet suit if needed. Skins or wet suits are nice for the winter months when average air temperatures are in the mid-seventies to eighties and water temperatures are typically in the mid-seventies to low eighties.

We do have rental snorkel equipment at reduced rates for hotel guests as well are rental BC/s, regulators, wet suits, dive lights and cameras.

Shark Diving

Our Bahamas resort is the originator of shark diving in the Bahamas. The adrenaline rush you get when you are sitting front row to 8-18 Caribbean Reef sharks is indescribable. The shark diving vacations at our resort allow vacationers an up-close look at these incredible creatures. With the diver to shark ratio at about three-to-one, it is impossible to miss the action with our shark diving vacations.

As divers kneel on the sandy bottom of the reef, sharks swim above making loops and waves in the otherwise calm, blue waters. Feeding is serious business for any animal, but having the opportunity to watch sharks in their natural environment during feeding time is exhilarating to say the least.

Divers come from all over the globe just to partake in shark diving vacations at the Bahamas. Stella Maris is dedicated to keeping Shark Reef free of unnatural conditioning and gimmicks. Our shark dives allow you to see sharks in a way you never thought possible.

Our Bahamas resort shark diving experiences are presented 2-3 times weekly. Starting in the mid-70s, this attraction has had a 100% safety record, so don’t let your fear keep you from a once-in-a-lifetime shark diving vacations.

Snorkeling

Divided by the Tropic of Cancer, our Long Island Bahamas all-inclusive vacation destination offers weather conditions that are most enjoyable year-round … ideal for snorkeling vacations. Surrounded by the turquoise blue of the Exuma Sound on the lee side and the deep rich blue of the Atlantic on the east, unspoiled Long Island boasts high cliffs and rolling headlands, peaceful coves and secluded beaches. Offshore on the Atlantic side and on the Caribbean side, look for a wide variety of hard corals, soft corals and abundant fish life in crystal clear water. It’s a picture-perfect destination for Bahamas snorkeling vacations!

Our Bahamas snorkeling vacations feature boat access to some 15 miles of shoreline with an array of hard and soft corals and an abundance of fish and colorful sea life in crystal clear water. Ideal for anyone with an interest in Bahamas snorkeling – whether you’re a beginner of a seasoned snorkeler – the area offers a multitude of perfect spots for Bahamas snorkeling vacations, including Columbus Harbor and The Caves, that appeal to snorkelers and divers of all levels.

Small bays and coves offer exploration in the incredibly clear Bahamian waters. Bahamas snorkeling vacations are fun and easy activity, and Stella Maris allows guests to strike off on their own or join in a guided excursion. Either way, our guests soon realize that the only difficult thing about Bahamas snorkeling vacations is getting out of the water at the end of the day.

Flight Excursions

Looking for an out of the ordinary Bahamas experience? Take one of our Bahamas beach resort flight excursions and engage in a variety of exciting activities. Visit the flamingos of Inagua, the Hermitage of Cat Island or check out the golf courses and casino located in Great Exuma. Adventure is waiting for you!

Explore Long Island

Want to explore the 90 miles of unspoiled, pristine beaches on your own? You can explore with complimentary bicycles, or rent a car at our Bahamas family resort to take your family on the adventure of a lifetime. Visit quaint towns, historic plantation ruins, real pirate caves or go bird watching on Long Island.

Fine Dining and Entertainment

Need a break from the water? You will never be bored at our Bahamas beach resort with all the dining experiences and entertainment waiting for you. Visit our resort bar or spend your evenings in our Party Cave. Whether you’re looking to kick back or experience fine wine and cuisine, Stella Maris offers the entertainment for you.

What are you waiting for? Book your dream family vacation or romantic getaway at our Bahamas beach resort today!

Stella Maris Travel Tips – Bahamas Fly Fishing

Air Service

Stella Maris Resort Air Service provides a variety of flights to Stella Maris, from Nassau or Georgetown. By booking one of our Bahamas resort packages you will be able to easily confirm your reservations and hotel arrangements. Scheduling is made to offer you a convenient flight and connecting services, so you can start relaxing right away.
These flights are included in our fishing packages, you just need to get yourself to Nassau or Georgetown!

Entry Requirements:

US visitors staying for eight months or less need a return ticket plus a passport. Green card holders require their green card and a valid passport from their place of birth. All US citizens are required to have a valid passport for entry in and out of the Bahamas. Canadian visitors not staying more than three weeks need the same identification as those do from the United States. Some visitors that are not citizens of the U.S.A. may also require a visa, check with your country’s consulate.