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Big Charlie’s Guest House
Trip Summary:
Big Charlie’s Guest House is located on Andros Island, Bahamas (Behring Point Area). Good fishing is available year-round although February through mid-July is peak season. As far as saltwater guides go, Charlie and his handpicked guide staff are as good as it gets. For serious anglers visiting Andros, we can tell you these guides are as hard working and knowledgeable as any you'll find in the entire Bahamas. These guys specialize not only in trophy bones, but in fishing for tarpon as well.
Fishing & General Information:
LENGTH OF STAY
Trips and packages of any length can be arranged. All trips are completely customized. Call Yellow Dog for details.
THE FISHING
Andros Island, located approximately 150 miles east of the Florida Keys, is one of the top bonefish destinations in the world. Big Charlie’s Guest House - in a new location and a brand new facility for 2009 - is located in close proximity to a vast fishing area filled with flats, creeks, cays, cuts, and mangroves – some of the best bonefish habitat in the world. Whether you’re a first time saltwater flats fisherman or a seasoned angler looking for a trophy bonefish, Andros Island should strongly be considered. For first-time saltwater fishermen or intermediate anglers looking to improve, Andros offers huge numbers of bonefish that will readily take a fly. Anglers new to fishing for bones can be taken to areas of the island where they can tune their skills on large numbers of small to medium-sized fish. Andros may also be the best island in the Bahamas – if not the best in the world – for seeking BIG bonefish! If you are looking for big fish, then Andros is your place and Charlie's lodge is your spot.
One of the main draws for anglers visiting Andros is the uninhabited West Side of the island. A good portion of unexplored territory still remains on the West Side, and the fish are rarely pressured. This equates to a large population of fish, many of which reach world-class size. This side of the island is acknowledged as one of the premier “trophy bonefish” areas in the world, and is also one of the top destinations in the Bahamas for tarpon. Charlie and his guides are tarpon fanatics, and arguably the best guides in the Bahamas for those anglers interested in pursuing the Silver King. A boat ride from Big Charlie’s Lodge to the West Side will average an hour to an hour and twenty minutes.
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BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
Anglers fish from Maverick and Dolphin skiffs, complete with poling platforms, 90 HP Yamaha outboards, long-range VHS radios, and spacious casting decks.
Accommodations:
THE LODGING
Charlie’s all new guest house facility - newly built and open as of January 1, 2009 - is located on Andros’ Northern Bight directly on the banks of Cargill Creek. In fact, the house is located in what can best be described as a "guide neighborhood," surrounded by a few other homes which all belong to Andros guides! The new guest house facility can accommodate up to eight guests at a time, with larger groups overflowing into Frankie Neymour's Guest House, located directly across the street from Charlie's. In Charlie's new guest house, each room is equipped with comfortable double beds, air conditioning, refrigerator, television and a private bathroom. The bar area and dining room also has a TV. The lodge’s dining room sits adjacent to a large patio area overlooking the waters of Cargill Creek. The menu is a combination of classic Bahamian dishes and various international cuisine, all prepared by Charlie’s wife and co-host at the lodge, Fatiha Neymour.
Rates & Details:
RATES
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Travel arrangements and lodge bookings are handled through our travel partner, Yellow Dog FlyFishing Adventures, LLC (YDFA). We work together to combine all of the best that a Full Service Fly Shop and a Specialty Fly Fishing Travel Booking Company can provide. YDFA terms and conditions apply. Click here to learn more about YDFA terms, deposit/payment information and cancellation/refund policies.
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WHAT'S INCLUDED
All accommodations and meals at lodge, daily guided fishing, daily lunch and bottled water, and a welcome drink.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare from home town to Andros Town, overweight baggage charges, alcoholic beverages and bar tab, soft drinks, gratuities for guides and staff, airport departure taxes, taxi from Andros Town Airport to Lodge and Bahamian Tourism Tax.
DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures (YDFA) within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
Click here to view Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures terms and conditions.
Travel Specifics:
HOW TO GET THERE
Direct flights from Ft. Lauderdale to the Andros Town Airport are available through Continental Gulfstream on Saturdays and Tuesdays mornings. Make sure to leave ample time for connecting flights on your return trip, due to customs and immigration - at least 1.5 hours. For daily commercial flights, fly direct to Nassau and use service from Western Air to Andros Town Airport (twice daily). Private air charters can also be arranged by calling Ian Davis at Yellow Dog. Once you arrive on Andros, any taxi at the airport will deliver you to the lodge from the airport and cost is around $50.00 each way. Half day guide trips are also available for arrival and departure days if time allows- add $450.00 ($225.50 per person double occupancy) into the package price for the additional half day guided trip. On departure day, half days work great if flying back on an afternoon flight!
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
As of 2006, all U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of trips dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way.
TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
Yellow Dog can assist with the travel arrangements for all destinations that we offer! Contact Us for details on airfare, itineraries, and details.
ESSENTIAL GEAR
Bahamas Bonefishing gear should include 9' Fly Rods in both 8 and/or 9 weight depending on conditions. For calm, delicate presentations, a 7 weight Fly Rod can be used. Saltwater conditions and hard running Bonefish demand the best of your equipment. Quality anodized reels with smooth drag systems, larger arbors, and capacity for at least 150 yards of 20 pound test backing. Floating Saltwater Fly line with fluorocarbon leaders ranging from 9' to 12' in 10, 12, 15 and 20 lb. test. You should also have tippet ranging from 8 lb. to 15 lb. test. Smaller shrimp patterns in tan and pink are Bahamas favorites. Crab patters can also be effective for both Bonefish and Permit. This is a remote tropical destination with limited/no opportunity to purchase gear so you need to come prepared to make the most out of your fishing trip.
Click here for the customized list of everything you need for the trip.
Call or e-mail us and we'll be happy to assist you!
Non-Angling Activities:
Aside from fishing, visitors to Big Charlie’s and to Andros can enjoy hunting, camping, exploring, historical sight-seeing, diving in the area’s blue holes, snorkeling, free-diving the barrier reef, bird watching, hiking, island tours, and visiting local towns and villages.
Other Information / Testimonials:
Aside from the fishing, there are seasonal hunting opportunities at the lodge. Charlie offers one of the only legitimate cast-and-blast combo packages on Andros. If you are interested in combining a fishing package with hunting, please call Yellow Dog for details.
TESTIMONIALS
“My dad and I really enjoyed the stay at the new lodge. We enjoyed the hospitality, fine food, and the great fishing. The camping trip was spectacular and allowed for perfect staging for tarpon fishing. We are looking forward to coming back!"
- Steve and Jack Donson
"Thank you all for the expert advise and for the best flats fishing in the world!"
- Jim Orthwen
"I want to thank you for the wonderful hospitality during our recent trip to Big Charlie's Bonefish Lodge. My son and I had a great time and learned an unbelievable amount about what it takes to catch bonefish — What a blast! Just as good was the wonderful food and hospitality — we felt like we were part of the family for the five days we were there. Thanks again for everything and we look forward to a return visit next year with the entire family."
- Scott and Will H.
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