BAIR'S LODGE
Tackle and Gear
Tackle
Andros is a great fishing destination. Because of its remote location, it is difficult to acquire most fishing gear or personal effects on the island itself. The following suggestions will help you enjoy your time on Andros and assure that you have accounted for the proper equipment and clothing.
FLY RODS:
The rod you will want to make sure you have is a 7-8 weight, fast action rod. A back-up rod is recommended which could be another 8 weight, or maybe a 10-weight rod for barracuda or snapper. Travel rods in 3-4 piece construction are helpful for carry-on purposes.
REELS:
Bonefishing will challenge any equipment you bring. Owning the best quality reel you can buy will ensure a problem free angling experience.
We recommend a reel capable of handling 200 yards of 30 lb. backing.
A large arbor reel is an advantage because of the speed of the bonefish and permit. Bring extra spools with backing and extra fly lines.
FLY LINES:
Make sure that the lines you purchase are specifically for saltwater, otherwise you will encounter problems with your line functioning properly. We recommend a weight forward, floating line with a saltwater taper. Back-up fly lines are highly recommended. Many fly lines have been lost or destroyed by fish and coral, and you will not have access to purchasing additional lines on the island.
LEADERS:
* Bonefish leaders: 9-12 feet long, 8-15 pound clear monofilament or fluorocarbon. Tippet in 8-15 lb..
* Permit leaders: 9-12 feet long, 10-15 pound clear monofilament or fluorocarbon. Tippet in 10-15 lbs.
* Barracuda: 8 foot 30-40 lb. wire leaders.
* Jacks: 8 foot 30-40 lb. wire leaders, or 40-60 lb. shock tippet.
* Snapper: 9 foot, 20 lb. tippet.
Don't forget: extra tippet of clear monofilament for bonefish, and extra wire or shock tippet for barracuda and jacks. Make sure you bring wire crimps
Flies
Bonefish will be found primarily on the flats. Since water on the flats ranges in depth, a wide selection of weights must be incorporated into the flies. From no eye, to bead chain, to lead eyes, it is important to have each type of fly tied in many different weight categories. Make sure to have some of your flies with weed guards for grass flats. Your guide will be able to help you select appropriate flies for the different water types and species. Since there are several food sources available in the Bahamas, a well-stocked fly box is a necessity.
Bonefish Flies: We recommend at least six dozen bonefish flies for the week in varying weights and sizes.
* #2-4 Clouser Minnows in Gotcha, Gold Shiner, Silver Shiner
* #2-6 Gotcha, Gold Gotcha
* #4-6 Krystal Charlie's in Gold and White
* #4-6 Horrors
* #4-6 Tan Yarn Crabs
* #4-6 Tan or Golden Mantis Shrimp
* #4 Orange Christmas Island Special
* #4-6 Tan/Orange Bonefish Puffs
* #4-6 Crazy Charlies in Tan/Gold, Tan/Pearl and Gold
* #6 Moose Turd
* #4 Borski's Super Swimming Shrimp
* #2-4 Rabbit strip bonefish flies in brown, tan, white and pink
Permit Flies: You probably will only need about 1/2 dozen permit flies for the week. Many of the bonefish flies work for permit as well.
* #2-4 Yarn Crabs
* #2-4 Clousers in tan/white, chartreuse/white, and red/black
* #2-4 Gotcha and Gold Gotcha
* #2-4 Del's Merkins
* #2 Borski's Chernobyl Crab
* #2 Veverka's Golden Mantis
Barracuda Flies: You most likely will want to have at least 1/2 dozen flies to use for barracuda.
* #4/0 Orange Popovic Banger
* #1/0 Cuda Killers
* #1/0 Candy Eel
* #2/0 Deceivers in a variety of colors
The following is a list of additional items recommended to help make your trip more comfortable. It is certainly better to come prepared than to find yourself without something you may need. If you need help finding anything on this list, please let us know and we can assist you.
* Passport and plane tickets
* Camera with extra batteries and plenty of film* Flashlight and extra batteries
* Water bottle
* 2 pair polarized sunglasses (copper or brown), cleaner, croakies
* Sunblock (waterproof)
* Insect repellent-waterproof and perspiration resistant
* Basic first aid kit
* All recommended fishing gear and flies
Clothing
Clothing for fishing should be in a Supplex or nylon material. This will help keep you cool as well as protect you from the intense sun. They also dry very quickly, and some are now made with sun protection in them.
* Long sleeve Supplex or nylon shirts
* Long pants of Supplex or nylon
* Flats hat with long bill and flap
* Sun gloves
* Light rain jacket and pants
* Wading boots, sandals
* Swimsuit
* Shorts and t-shirts
* Underwear, socks, other personal effects.
* Toiletries, Aspirin , Pain reliever, basic cold medication
* Sweater or Sweatshirt
Equipment and Gear Buying Guide
Rods:
Always buy 4 or 5 piece rods - they are so much easier to pack and the technology in making ferrules means you cant' feel the joints anymore. Whether it is the latest and greatest evolution of graphite or technology that is 5- 10 years old, modern rods are a pleasure to cast.
REELS:
I use large arbor reels for saltwater and fresh water. The retrieval rate is awesome and it helps the drag maintain a consistent pressure while a fish is running. ( The diameter doesn't change much as you lose line as it does on a standard arbor) There are some wonderful reels out there but the Mach Large Arbor is a great value, it is light, it is pretty, it is smooth and it doesn't cost a fortune!
FLY LINES:
Fly lines should be specific to the conditions - Broad categories include: Warm Water or Cold Water?, SaltWater or Fresh water? Lines can be full floating, full sinking, or partial sinking (sink tip). The tapers can vary infinite ways to help you throw different kinds of flies in different situations, or one taper may help you mend line easier than another. Almost every manufacture of high quality lines will offer a line for the specific species and purpose you are looking for.
LEADERS:
I prefer to use flouro carbon leaders for most of my fly fishing needs (salt or freshwater) as they have more abrasion resistance than standard monofilament.
I also always use flouro carbon tippets for fresh and saltwater applications for it's invisible nature. Most of our destinations have pretty stupid fish but it still makes sense to use the most invisible tippet.
FLIES :
If you need flies for one of our trips we can provide you with a selection specific for the time of year and destination you are traveling to. This is a courtesy to our clients and we do not sell flies to anglers who have not booked a trip through us! ( We are not snobs we just are not set up to provide tons of flies!) The selections usually come in $100, $150, $200 selections.
BAHAMAS!
Bair's Lodge
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