Included / Not Included –
Included: All accommodations and meals at lodge, guided fishing with boat, daily lunch and bottled water, soft drinks and coffee, government room tax, and laundry service. Guests have access to email and the internet in the lodge office.
Not Included: Airfare to Fresh Creek/Andros Town, cab ride from Fresh Creek to the lodge (approximately$40), guide gratuities, housekeeping gratuities, alcoholic beverages, departure taxes and any gift items such as shirts that you purchase on site.
Travel Logistics:
Arrival Information: To get to Stafford Creek Lodge you will need to make travel arrangements to and from Fresh Creek(Andros Town) // Andros Island , Bahamas. You can reach Fresh Creek from Ft. Lauderdale, FL or Miami, FL through Nassau, Bahamas on private charter.
Getting to the Lodge: Once you arrive at the airport in Fresh Creek, you will need to hire a cab to take you to the lodge. This cab should cost about $40.00 to $50.00
Departure Information: On your departure day you will take a cab back 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 $700 - $1, 000 for staff & guide gratuities, alcohol, etc.
Gratuities:
We recommend a gratuity of $40.00 per day to be given to your guide on the last day of your stay.
Climate:
Temperatures typically range from the low 70’s to the mid 90’s. Isolated afternoon thundershowers 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:
Stafford Creek Lodge has power running 24 hours a day and accepts U.S. appliances.
Water:
Bottled water is available throughout the lodge.
Clothing:
Quick dry pants and shorts, long sleeved quick dry shirts, casual cotton pants and t-shirts, shorts and shirts, sandals, bandana, “Buff” facial sun protector (www.planetbuff.com), hat with wide brim, sun gloves, light rain coat, and swimsuit are recommended. Wet wading with flats boots (Simms, Patagonia) is the norm. Supportive sturdy flats boots are best, as many flats have tough marl bottoms. Boat fishing footwear: Non- scuff - white soled deck shoes or sandals: Crocs work well and are comfortable.
Laundry:
Laundry service is included as a courtesy for guests.
Beverages/Alcohol:
The lodge has a well-stocked bar, be prepared to pay your bar bill on site. The lodge can arrange to have a personalized order for you upon arrival that will be added to you bill.
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.
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. 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 crazy Charlies, white and pink gotchas, bonefish puffs, Borski’s slider and swimming shrimp, Beck’s silly legs in white, the Kwan, 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 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.
