Bahamas – Live Aboard

THE FISHING

An angler’s fantasy realized. Remote southwest Andros, part of the West Side National Park, is a pristine saltwater wilderness, uninhabited and wild, bursting with bird and sea life. Miles of wadeable sand flats, mangrove-lined creeks, and a zigzag of countless islets create a home for schools of bonefish that can color acres of flats with An angler’s fantasy realized. Remote southwest Andros, part of the West Side National Park, is a pristine saltwater wilderness, uninhabited and wild, bursting with bird and sea life. Miles of wadeable sand flats, mangrove-lined creeks, and a zigzag of countless islets create a home for schools of bonefish that can color acres of flats with a shimmering silver. These masses of fish swim in waves that ripple the water across a hundred square yards, while their larger kin cruise the edges of sand bars that drop off into turquoise cuts. The plentiful population of resident tarpon layup in the creeks and on the outer Grand Bahama Bank, then roam across the white-bottomed flats with the tides.

At the southernmost tip of Andros, Jackfish Channel is a bonefish haven unto itself. Surrounded by protected flats and creeks, it is one of two comfortable anchorages chosen for the 74’ Hatteras to create a unique fishing opportunity from December through May. Seasoned Bahamian guides captaining custom-built ultra-skinny water Beavertail skiffs will lead guests on daily explorations across this magical seascape. Fish from the skiffs or take off wading. Novice anglers will be spoiled with numerous shots at feeding bones, while accomplished fly fishers can hunt and stalk, enjoy the adrenalin rush of the pursuit, spot that nervous water, catch the flash of a huge silver tail. And world-class reef and offshore fishing, featuring marlin, wahoo, tuna, and dorado, is just minutes away around the Grassy Creek Cays and in the Tongue of the Ocean.

Fishing your way to the Water Cays, and on up to Red Shank Point, it’s sometimes impossible to make any headway. The action can be too good to leave any given spot. Which brings you to your second idyllic anchorage set in the tranquility of the South Bight near the entrance to Miller Bay. The boat ride in the Bight feels like an adventure into primordial times. The water blends intense shades of blue and green over lush bottom structure. Green, yellow, and gold shorelines narrow as you head past numerous blue holes that can boil with jacks and cubera snappers. And this is the land of tarpon, throughout the Bight and along the West Side coastlines to the north and south, strong resident beauties that range from forty to one hundred pounds. Additional gamefish opportunities include permit, mutton snapper, barracuda and sharks.

BOATS AND EQUIPMENT

The boats used while fishing from the Mothership are custom built, fully equipped Beavertail skiffs.

GETTING THERE

There are several options for flying into Congo Town. By far the easiest and most time efficient way to get to Congo Town, South Andros, is to charter a plane from Miami or Fort Lauderdale. There are several very good charter companies that fly from both of these South Florida gateway cities to Congo Town. Guests also have the option of flying in to Nassau and then catching a connecting flight from the Domestic Air terminal over to Congo Town.

Upon arrival at the Congo Town Airstrip, guests will be met by the Live Aboard staff and will then be transferred over to the Driggs Hill dock where guests will meet their guides and board their skiffs to start the fishing day. Guest luggage will be transferred directly to the Mothership in a separate boat, where it will be waiting for you in the gust cabins when you arrive at the Mothership at the end of the fishing day.

Please note that private plane arrival and departures are easily accommodated at the Congo Town Airport.

RATES FOR 2024

We’re waiting on the owners of the boat to decide if they are going to operate at Andros in 2024.