ABACO LODGE

Summary

• The only lodge directly on the famed Marls.
• Short runs from the lodge, usually less than half an hour and as fast as five minutes.
• Tailing fish, and lots of them.
• The marls is shallow water for as far as you can see. Incredible logistics make this the easiest fishing lodge in the Bahamas to reach – 8 commercial airlines flying to Marsh Harbour regularly.
• A surprising number of juvenile tarpon are around-- providing almost weekly excitement.
• One of the most under-pressured fisheries of this caliber in the Caribbean.
• The most knowledgeable guides in the Bahamas, they know the Marls and the ocean intimately and they possess an uncanny ability to find fish.
• The latest Hells Bay skiffs, widely recognized as the ultimate flats boat, allow us to access the shallowest flats in maximum comfort.
• Guests have individual private rooms with ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning.

The Abacos are a string of Bahamian islands located approximately 175 miles east of Palm Beach, Florida. The "mainland" is Great Abaco, third largest island in the Bahamas.

Abaco Lodge is located on the western side of Great Abaco Island which is home to the “Marls”, a unique environment that provides the perfect habitat for Bonefish. For twenty miles the average depth is four feet. Abaco lodge has unrivalled access to all of the most productive flats the Marls has to offer. Although it would take a lifetime to fish the entire Marls, Abaco also offers some incredible fishing on the eastern side of the island as well.

Marsh Harbour is the principal town on the island and is only a 10 minute drive from the lodge. It has the largest protected deep water harbour in Abaco and an international airport serviced by major US and Bahamian carriers. Naturally, it has many shops, restaurants and marinas.

Historically different from other areas in the Bahamas, the population of the Abacos hails from Loyalists during the War of Independence from the United States. These blonde-haired, blue-eyed Abaconians still work at traditional occupations, such as farming, fishing, and boat building. Guests can embrace the relaxed culture and before long will feel like locals.

The Fishing

The typical trip does not fish on arrival or departure, but we can arrange this if your flights allow and upon special request. Breakfast is served at seven and we leave the dock at eight. We will plan to return around four. This schedule can be tailored to your needs with advance notice. Picnic lunches and cold drinks are taken to the flats in a cooler, by your guide.

The Marls encompass a huge area of flats on the west side of Abaco. For twenty miles the average depth is four feet. The lodge is centrally located directly on the Marls side of the island with access to them all directly from the lodge dock. This location gives our guests easy access to the flats, while providing many sheltered locations irrespective of wind direction.

The majority of the fishing is done from the boat but wading opportunities exist. Runs to the flats vary from 10 to 45 minutes. Cherokee Sound, the Bight of Robinson and Snake Cay are minutes from the lodge and offer opportunities at incredible, challenging Bonefish.

The flats on the ocean side require only a short drive. All of the skiffs are equipped with padded seats with backrests and a lean bar in the front.

The bonefish on the Marls average 2-4 lb., with the occasional shot at bigger fish. The ocean side flats offer opportunities at some of the largest bonefish in the Bahamas, but they are incredibly wary creatures. The Bahamas is primarily composed of bone-fisheries, and Abaco is no different. There are the occasional shots at Permit, Tarpon, ‘Cudas, Jacks, and sharks. We recommend you bring the appropriate tackle just in case. There is nothing quite as frustrating as seeing a 20 lb Permit tailing, or the juvenile Tarpon cruising the flat while not having the right gear set up.