Included / Not Included –
Included: Accommodations and guiding as noted on your invoice, daily breakfast at resort, daily lunch on boat, hotel guest tax, resort tax.
Not Included: Airfare to the Bahamas, transportation between airport and resort, lunches for non-anglers, dinner, alcoholic beverages, gratuities, equipment rentals.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Pelican Bay Resort you will need to make travel arrangements to and from Freeport, on Grand Bahama Island.
Getting to the Lodge: Upon your arrival at Freeport International Airport, all bonefishing guests must take a taxi from the airport to Pelican Bay Resort. The cost of the transfer is about $20 per direction. At your request, we can arrange for a meet-and-greet service for you at a cost of about $50 for the round-trip.
Departure Information: On your departure day you will transfer 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 $600 - $900 for staff and guide gratuities, cocktails, souvenirs, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend a gratuity of $40 per day to be given to your guide at the end of each day and a gratuity of $10 per person per day be left for the housekeeping.
Climate:
Temperatures typically range from the low 70’s to the mid 90’s. Isolated afternoon thundershowers are a possibility year-round. While fishing, wind can be factor and the sun is very strong.
Medical Facilities:
The closest medical facility is in Freeport, approximately 15 minutes by car from the resort. Guests have the responsibility to disclose any special medical, physical, or dietary needs to the resort ahead of time.
Power and Communications:
Power at the lodge is 120 volts AC and is fully compatible with U.S. appliances. High-speed wireless internet is available throughout the resort for a fee.
Water:
Water at the resort is potable and delicious.
Clothing:
Long sleeved, collard quick dry and cotton shirts, 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 hotel is casual to dressy depending upon the restaurants chosen during your stay.
Laundry:
Laundry service is not available. Please pack accordingly.
Beverages/Alcohol:
Alcohol is not included in the package. Pelican Bay Resort has an outstanding bar as well as other options in close proximity.
Tackle/Equipment List:
Rods: For bonefish we recommend 9 ft fast action rods for 7- 9 weight lines. For permit and barracuda 9-10 weights are ideal, and 10-11 weights are recommended for tarpon.
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.
Lines: Floating Mastery saltwater tapers and bonefish tapers or equivalents in the appropriate weights.
Leaders/Tippet: Bonefish leaders should be 9-10 ft long in the 10-15 pound class. Bring additional tippet material in the same diameters. Flourocarbon leaders are becoming increasingly popular. Barracuda leaders should also be 9-10 ft long in the 15 pound class with wire shock tippet. For tarpon we recommend pre-tied saltwater leaders with 15-20 class tippet and 80-100 pound shock tippets.
Flies: Bonefish: A wide range of patterns are effective in sizes 2-6. Be sure have un-weighted flies, moderate (bead chain eyes) weighted flies, and heavy flies with lead eyes to meet different conditions and water depths. Generally speaking, fish in the Bahamas respond well to rather large flies, with # 4s being the regular go-to size. The most popular colors are pink, white, cream, and tan. Some popular patterns include white and pink gotchas, bonefish puffs, Borski’s slider and swimming shrimp, Beck’s silly legs in white, the Kwan, white and tan Clouser Minnows. Permit: Popular patterns include the rag head, McCrabs, Del Brown’s crab, and #2-2/0 Clouser minnows in tan and chartreuse. Barracuda: Long green “cuda” flies tied to wire leaders. Tarpon: Standard patterns such as the cockroach and other light patterns in the orange and brown color spectrum, size 2/0.
Waders & Boots: 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. Quick dry shorts and especially quick dry pants are the everyday attire.
Miscellaneous: Polarized glasses, nippers, reel covers, reel lubricant, hemostats, pliers, tape for blisters and stripping finger, fanny pack, Aloe gel for sunburn, SPF 25 or higher waterproof sunscreen, insect repellent, sun gloves, wide brimmed hat, and a small waterproof bag.
Rental Equipment at Pelican Bay:
The lodge has five 8 weight set ups, two 9 weight set ups and one 7weight set up – All rods are Sage (different models from RplX to Rplxi / Reels are large arbor reels mostly Sage 3000 series, Hatch 7 and 9. Fly Gear Rental Rate is $20 US per day for each fly rod set up.
