Crooked Island

There is little tourism travel at Crooked Island and, due to its remote location and limited scheduled air service, the fishery there has been virtually untouched. This is a legitimate flats wilderness that has seen only a comparative handful of bonefishermen to date. Waves of uneducated, schooling bonefish averaging 3 lbs stir up the flats and willingly sample well-placed flies. Larger singles and doubles from 6 to 8 lbs work the edges of the flats providing more of a challenge, but they too are generally very accommodating.

Crooked Island Lodge can comfortably accommodate 24 guests with a maximum of 8 fishermen in 12 ocean-front or ocean-view rooms. These clean, modest rooms are equipped with air conditioning, two double beds, ceiling fan, private bath with shower, and a covered porch. The resort now has a modern RO water system. Delicious meals featuring absolutely fresh local seafood and hearty homemade bread are served in a building that was the first post office in the Western Hemisphere. Be sure to sample a big basket of savoury conch fritters as you sip a refreshing Bahamian Kalik beer and share the day's fishing tales at the lodge's bar!

There are only four bonefish guides available on Crooked Island which makes for quiet, unspoiled flats. Large schools of 3 to 6 lb bonefish roam the expansive flats and are surprisingly willing to sample the angler's artificial offerings. Cruising singles and doubles are often spotted, giving numerous opportunities to cast for larger fish. Standard bonefish patterns work well here; Crazy Charlies, Gotchas, and various crab patterns in flats-bottom matching colours should fool these cooperative fish. In addition to the vibrant bonefishery, near-shore fishing can be productive with hard-fighting jacks, grouper, snapper, mackerel, sharks and barracuda leading the list. The offshore fishery here has also proved fertile, producing three species of tuna, plus wahoo and dorado.

Crooked Island

No news at present.

Crooked Island

Crooked Island

Weekly Schedule:

We recommend a Saturday to Saturday trip.

2013 Rates

Rates based on double occupancy and shared guide.

The lodge is easily accessed via air charter service directly to Pittstown Point Landings' private 2400-ft airstrip or by a twice weekly (every Saturday and Wednesday) Bahamasair flight to Colonel Hill Airport, about a one-hour transfer from the lodge. If a charter service is not used, then an overnight in Nassau will be required the day before travelling to the lodge.

Price includes:
•    Full board and accommodation at Crooked Island Lodge.
•    Guided fishing.   
•    Room taxes and GST.
•    Round trip ground transfers from the airport to the lodge.
•    House staff gratuties

Price does not include:
•    International flights.
•    Internal flights.
•    Any overnight accommodation that you will need in Nassau.
•    Alcoholic drinks.
•    Bahamian Departure Tax.
•    Gratuities to the fishing guides.
•    Items of a personal nature.

Deposit
Deposit of 50% of the total package price is due within 21 days of booking. Final payment is due 60 days prior to departure. Deposit is refundable, less $100/person communications fee, if written cancellation is received 90 days prior to departure. Cancellations received within 89-46 days prior to departure, deposit will be applied to a future trip to be taken within one year of original date. At 45 days prior to departure, participant is responsible for total land cost and no refund will be issued unless a client replacement is found.

Special Notes:

*Prices may be subject to change

Crooked Island

Time difference
GMT -5 hrs

Flight Time from the UK
London - Nassau: 10 hrs 10 mins

Visa Requirements for UK Citizens
No visa requirement if travelling direct from UK to Bahamas.
If entering or exiting via US, an ESTA application for 90-day US visa waiver is required prior to travel.

Documents Required
A passport that is valid for six months after the last day of your trip is required.

Species
Primarily bonefish, some tarpon, permit, barracuda and pelagic species depending on the time of year that you are travelling.

Season to Travel
November - August

Tackle and Kit
We would recommend a 9ft single-handed 8 weight rod for bonefish, a 9ft single-handed 9 weight rod for permit and a heavier 9ft 10-11 weight rod for tarpon and barracuda. All rods should be rigged with good saltwater reels with reliable disc drags. Floating and intermediate clear tipped weight-forward lines, a selection of bonefish and tarpon leaders, flies, long-nosed pliers and polarised sunglasses. Light spinning tackle.

Clothing
Lightweight long sleeved shirts and trousers, wading shoes, sunscreen and peaked hat. We would also recommend a light waterproof spray jacket and a good waterproof tackle bag that can be stowed aboard your skiff.

Crooked Island