Included / Not Included: –
Included: All ground transportation, guided fishing, accommodations at the lodge, meals including beer and wine, and a selection of flies and/or terminal tackle.
Not Included: All air transportation to and from Congo Town, rods, reels, clothing, gratuities, and hard alcohol. A limited amount of loaner equipment is available and may be reserved in advance.
Arrival Information: To get to Andros South Lodge you need to make travel arrangements to Congo Town, South Andros Island. From Ft. Lauderdale you may fly with Lynx Air. From Nassau you may fly with Western Air. Both of these options are with scheduled carries. Your third option is to arrange a personal charter from Florida and we recommend using TransCaribbean Air. We encourage you to book these flights as soon as possible. Sometimes it is best to arrange an overnight in Florida depending on your arrival time into Florida and being able to connect with the South Andros flights
Getting to the Lodge: Once you arrive in Congo Town, a representative of the lodge will meet you at the airport for the short drive to the lodge.
Departure Information: On your departure day a lodge representative will drive you to the airport according to your flight schedule.
Documentation Requirements:
You will need a valid passport. No visa is required for US or UK passengers, but other nationalities should check with their local consulate. A Bahamian departure tax of $15 is due on all departing passengers.
Currency:
US dollars may be used freely in the purchase of goods and services, therefore, no money conversion is needed. It is very important that all anglers arriving on Andros come prepared with enough cash for their entire stay, as banking and cash acquisition is a major ordeal on the island.
Travel Cash:
As a guideline we recommend that each guest travels with approximately $800 - $1,200 for staff and guide gratuities, alcohol, etc.
Gratuities:
Gratuities at Andros South are collected once, at the end of your stay. This single gratuity will cover the entire team that works with you during your time at the lodge including guides, lodge staff and drivers. ‘Day tipping’ is not customary and is not encouraged. We recommend tips for a full week stay average about $300 per angler or about $50 per day of fishing. For anglers booked and fishing as a single, tips average about $500 for a full week stay or about $80 per day of fishing. Follow your heart and tip in accordance with the level of service you feel you received.
Climate:
Temperatures typically range from the low 70’s to the mid 90’s. Isolated afternoon thunder showers are a possibility year round. Wind can be factor while fishing and the sun is very strong.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Nassau, approximately 30 minutes by air from the lodge. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the lodge ahead of time.
In emergency situations, a charter flight may be required to reach a medical facility. Guests may want to consider medical evacuation coverage. We recommend Global Rescue.
Power and Communications:
Andros South has full electricity 24 hours a day and accommodates U.S. appliances.
Water:
Bottled water is readily available.
Clothing:
Long sleeved, collared quick dry and cotton shirts as well as quick dry shorts and pants, sun-gloves, wide brimmed hat with ear protection, lightweight rain gear and one thin warm layer for January-March. Dress at the lodge is casual.
Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. Please pack accordingly.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Beer and wine are included in the standard package at Andros South. The lodge typically stocks Kalik, the ‘Beer of the Bahamas’, as well as several other imported beers. Red and white wine are available. In addition, liquor may be purchased by the bottle. A variety of mixers are provided along with soft drinks. Guests are welcome to bring along any alcohol that they prefer.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: Nine foot, 6 to 9 weight fly rod with 200 yards of 20 lb backing and saltwater type floating lines. 8 to 12 ft bonefish leaders with 8 to16lb test tippets. For barracuda 9-10 weights are ideal.
Lines: Floating Mastery saltwater tapers and bonefish tapers or equivalents in the appropriate weights.
Reels: Any quality anodized, corrosion resistant, saltwater reel will work. Get the best reel you can afford such as Abels, Bauers, Tibors and the likes. Bonefish reels should have at least 150 yards of 20 or 30 pound backing and your larger reels should have at least 200 yards of 30 pound backing.
Leaders: Bonefish leaders should be 9-10 ft long in the 10-15 pound class. Bring additional tippet material in the same diameters. Fluorocarbon leaders are becoming increasingly popular. Barracuda leaders should also be 9-10 ft long in the 15 pound class with wire shock tippet.
Flies: The lodge does have flies available for your use. One of the joys of fishing South Andros is that the bonefish are not particularly shy or picky with regards to what they eat. In many cases, a simple roll cast will be sufficient to reach the fish you will see. Standard Gotchas, Crazy Charlies, and Clousers in pink, tan, white, and olive in 2's and 4's with bead-chain or lead-eyes are enough to do the job. Size #2's are used as well as we believe larger fish are attracted to them more readily and they find the bottom faster, especially in deeper water. We suggest bringing a few clouser-style streamers for snappers along the mangroves. Although not abundant, there are tarpon and permit on the flats and creeks of South Andros and you may encounter a few during your stay with us. We suggest bringing a tarpon fly or two as well as a crab pattern just in case! Additionally, there are large numbers of barracuda in the creeks and flats of South Andros....some 15-30 pounds. We suggest bringing a few very large and very gaudy flies to present to these monsters. If casting from the boat, we suggest using large poppers or crease flies. If it's a cloudy day and the bonefishing is slow, cut your leader back a few feet, attach a 6" wire leader, clip on an eight inch, tandem-hooked needlefish imitation, throw it over the side of your slow-trolling flats boat, tighten your drag, and be prepared for a major event in a short period of time.
Flats Boots/Rain Jacket: Wet wading with flats boots (Simms, Patagonia) is the norm. While fishing from the boat many choose to go barefoot or wear only socks, which offer protection from the sun. You will do a bit of wading so please be sure and have flats booties (not sandals) for wading. Since the flats on Andros wade vary greatly in their bottom surface (hard sand, soft sand, grass, coral), we do not recommend wading sandals - boots are greatly preferred. It is critical that you bring a raincoat for boat spray or the occasional cloudburst.
Miscellaneous: Polarized glasses, nippers, reel covers, reel lubricant, hemostats, pliers, tape measure, tape for blisters and stripping finger, fanny pack, Aloe gel for sunburn, SPF 25 or higher waterproof sunscreen, insect repellent, plastic fly swatter, sun gloves, wide brimmed hat, and a small waterproof bag.
Loaner Rods/Reels: Are available at the lodge (limited amount is available and may be reserved in advance).
