The “Joulters” comprise a myriad of sand flats, which are roughly 15 miles long by 7 miles wide dotted by a hundred or so small cays from a couple hundred square feet up to over 2 miles long. On a ‘busy’ day there might be 4 or 5 guide boats spread over the entire 100+ square miles. Access to the flats in shallow-draft boats, “flats boats”, is via deep-water channels, usually 4 to 12 feet in depth, which are formed between the individual flats by the ebb and flow of the tides.
The consistency of the flats ranges from hard bottom to soft sand with essentially no coral or other bottom feature, which can snag a fly line, making them perfect for stalking Bonefish on foot. At higher tides fishing is done from the boat with the angler manning the bow and the guide poised on an elevated platform on the stern propelling the boat along stealthily with a “push pole”.
The average Joulters Bonefish is about 3-4 lbs but fish in excess of 10 lbs are seen on every trip. Seeing Bonefish of this size is fairly commonplace on the Joulters but catching one is a challenge . . . first getting these very smart fish to take the fly, then break-offs and getting spooled are the obstacles. Their power is unbelievable. Usually the biggest fish are taken from the boat for these reasons.
As you’re headed for the launch ramp in Lowe Sound each day, the sign on the side of the road says “Andros Island – Bonefishing Capital of the World” and it isn’t local hype. A complete chapter in the book “Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die” is dedicated to fishing North Andros”.
Andros Island is approximately 100 miles long and is totally uninhabited by humans along its west side. There is only one access road leading to the west coast of the island and that is at Red Bays, located only a few miles down the west side from the northern tip of the island. Once you have run south ten or so miles there are a series of creeks that flow into the ocean. That continues for the next 20 miles along the west coast heading south.
Bonefish, Tarpon and Permit concentrate on those outflows waiting for their next meal. The farther south you travel, the less chance that fish have ever even seen boats and anglers before. For this for this reason the fish are far less spooky and will immediately jump on most any fly they see.
You can target Permit or Tarpon going farther south or just fish along for Bonefish and you will still get shots at an occasional Permit or Tarpon. You should plan on always having one rod on the boat rigged for Tarpon and another rod with a crab pattern ready to go for Permit. When they appear you do not have time to tie on a new fly many times. Some anglers also have a rod ready with a wire leader for Barracuda, some as large as 5 ft long, which pop up everywhere.
Outside Joulters (The Permit Flats)
To target Permit without the 30+ minute run to the west side or Chub Cay, there is an area beyond the Joulters known as the Permit Flats, which holds a good number of fish during certain periods of the year. Fishing is done from the boat in shallow water looking for large rays, which the Permit follow as they cruise along scaring small shrimp and other prey that scoot out as the ray passes over.
Where You Stay
The “lodge” located in Nichols Town is not the traditional fishing lodge with guests staying in individual rooms and a common dining room. Instead you have your own two-bedroom, ocean front villa with a living room, bath and full kitchen with everything you need to be comfortable. The guides go home to their families at night and after the chef has served dinner, you are left with the place all to yourself.
The lodge only has two units, side by side facing the ocean, which are mirror images of one another, with a common area between them that leads to an extra ¼ bath and a laundry room shared by the two units.
There is a TV and wireless Internet if you are inclined to want to know what is going on in the rest of the world. There is an enclosed patio, which is completely screened and runs the length of the building with comfortable patio furniture to relax after a “tough day at work”.
If your group is not occupying both units there may be another group of anglers staying next door from anywhere in the world. The patio is a perfect place to have a Kalik (the local beer) as you swap stories of the day and other fishing adventures.
What About Food
The full kitchen will be stocked with everything you need to make your own breakfasts each morning. The chef will have prepared the next day’s lunches for out on the water and left them in the refrigerator when she departs each night. This will usually be all the makings for two healthy sandwiches each, in plastic containers so they can be freshly assembled at lunchtime. Chips, snacks and a piece of fruit usually make up the balance of the noontime meal along with soft drinks, Gatorade, juices, etc. to quench that big thirst and keep you hydrated.
Each day as you come in from fishing, the chef will greet you with appetizers, typically conch fritters or the like. While you jump in the ocean out front, or take a shower, or kick back on the patio, or call home, the chef will put the finishing touches on dinner. The entrees and side dishes will mostly be local favorites with lobster, conch or fresh fish as the main course.
You can apprise them ahead of your arrival of any dietary constraints and they will do their best to accommodate you during your stay. The guides are also happy to stop by one of the local markets or the liquor store on the way back from the launch ramp each day if you want to pick up additional snacks or alcoholic beverages.
Flights & Ground Transportation
Most visitors fly to Nassau and then on to Andros. There are several major airlines that have direct flights from major cities in the US and there are hourly flights from Miami if you are connecting.
Once you have booked, the outfitter will provide all the info on navigating Customs and Immigration at the Nassau Airport and options on flights to San Andros Airport, including economical (<$100 each way per person) charter flights.
There are also direct flights to San Andros (SAQ) NOT ANDROSTOWN from Ft Lauderdale Executive Airport, which is about a 20 minute cab ride from Ft Lauderdale International Airport, directly to San Andros several days a week on Makers Air (makersair.com) leaving first thing in the morning. You can also find other charter companies that will fly direct to SAQ from Florida airports on the Internet. San Andros is an international airport so you can clear customs and immigration, coming and going, right there.
Once you have landed you will take a taxi to the lodge, only about a ten mile drive. You will be provided directions to the lodge and phone numbers to call on arrival. You will be greeted at the lodge to give you the keys to your villa and show you around. One of the lead guides will come by in the evening to discuss the plan for the next day and answer any questions.
Don’t bother exchanging your money for Bahamian as US money is accepted everywhere, dollar for dollar, in Nassau and on Andros. Credit cards are essentially not accepted anywhere on Andros but there is an ATM machine on the way to Lowe Sound, where we launch daily. Another good idea is to bring your cash in 20’s and small denominations for tips at the airport, as most purchases will be small and large bills can present a problem at small stores. Keep an eye out for Bahamian dimes as they have a Bonefish on them and make for great souvenirs.
Fishing Tackle
Most anglers prefer 8 weights for Bonefish, 9 -10 weights for Permit and 11 or 12 weights for Tarpon, all of which are floating lines. Robust saltwater reels are a must with at least 200 yds of backing. A 150 yard run by a hot bonefish has been the undoing of many a cheap reel.
Long casts and casts that can penetrate into the wind dictate using dedicated saltwater lines that are made to remain stiff in hot temperatures. For leaders we recommend 9 foot, 10-12 pound test hard mono for the Bonefish, 9 foot 16 lb fluorocarbon for Permit and 20 lb class tippet with 60-80 lb shock tips for Tarpon. Lines should all be floating and designed for tropical water. A cold-water fly line will stretch like a rubber band when you do a strip set.
Flies
Some of our favorite flies are the traditional Bonefish Charlie’s, Clousers, and Gotcha’s with some lesser known flies – Squimps, Pink Mini-Puffs, Bonecrushers, and Bunny Gotchas in sizes 4 through 6 or 8. Having a huge selection of flies is not necessary but you should choose flies that give you a range of bright to subtle colors in all sink rates. For Permit you will want crab patterns both fast and slow sinking, like Del’s Merkin and Rag Head Crab’s. For Tarpon, Cockroach’s and Black Death’s or similar will do the job. The guide will go over your box and make recommendations while you are fishing.
Price shown are per person, double occupancy. Maximum anglers per boat is two.-
7 Nights/6 Days Fishing
2 Anglers per Boat ………………………………………………$4,600
1 Angler per Boat ………………………………………………. $7,200
6 Nights/5 Days Fishing
2 Anglers per Boat ………………………………………………$4,100
1 Angler per Boat ………………………………………………. $6,650
5 Nights/4 Days Fishing
2 Anglers per Boat …………………………………………… $3,250
1 Angler per Boat ………………………………………………. $5,450
4 Nights/3 Days Fishing
2 Anglers per Boat ………………………………………………$2,650
1 Angler per Boat ………………………………………………. $4,600
3 Nights/2 Days Fishing
2 Anglers per Boat …………………………………………… $2,050
1 Angler per Boat ………………………………………………. $3,250
Prices are all inclusive with the exception of air and ground transportation, a Bahamian Flats Fishing License ($20/week) and $100/boat fuel charge for West Side and Chub Cay day trips. **Rates above are subject to change without notice. ***Call for information on single occupancy (individual bedrooms on groups of four), private units for couples or guiding without accommodations.
