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What’s behind all the big bonefish in the Bahamas this year? In the July issue, you’ll recall, we reported that subscriber Nathaniel Reed caught some huge fish around Carter Cay, northeast of North Riding Point Lodge on Grand Bahama, where he was staying. We quoted the manager as saying the lodge’s Wall of Fame, where double-digit fish are posted, was filling up. On top of that, just recently, we received word that Mosby Vogler, who works with the Pinder Brothers on Grand Bahama Island (www.grandbahamabonefishing.com), caught an amazing 13-pound bonefish the first week of May, along with an eight pounder.
Well, you can now add to that rosy picture the following report from subscriber John Bottomley, who caught an 11 pounder, a 10 pounder, a seven pounder, plus numerous two to five pounders this past February while fishing with Charlie Neymour at his Cargill Creek Lodge (www.bigcharlieandros.net) on north Andros Island. Make no mistake, an honest 11-pound fish is a big deal in the Bahamas, or anywhere else in the Caribbean, for that matter. Is the growing nationwide realization that bonefishing is a source of big tourism dollars in the Bahamas beginning to work its conservation magic?
Bottomley says he caught his trophy fish in spite of bad weather that ruined almost half of his three-and-a-half days of fishing. “Strong north winds blowing up to 25 miles per hour made for tough casting, spotting, and fishing, even though I was with Charlie Neymour, one of the best,” he writes. He credits Charlie, by the way, with helping to save his biggest fish from an aggressive six-foot blacktip shark.
He gives the negotiated cost of his trip as $2,400. He recommends the experience but warns fellow subscribers that February can be a windy time to book a bonefish trip in the Bahamas. “Take the time to learn how to double haul,” he writes. “It can make a huge difference in your trip.