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Crooked Island Lodge
Trip Summary:
Crooked Island Lodge is located at Pittstown Point - Crooked Island, Bahamas. Crooked Island is about as far from Florida as one can get in the Bahamas chain, resulting in weather that is slightly more consistent and warmer in the winter months. It is one of the least-visited yet productive fisheries in the Bahamas. It’s a year-round fishery offering great bonefishing with some tarpon, permit, barracuda, jacks and dorado. Crooked Island can accommodate 8 anglers per week. Other guides from the Island may be obtained for larger groups. Total capacity for the lodge is 24 people in 12 rooms
Fishing & General Information:
LENGTH OF STAY
Designated arrival and departure days for the island are Wednesdays and Saturdays, which means that a seven night / six fishing day itinerary is the standard package. Other schedules (Wednesday to Saturday, or Saturday to Wednesday) can be accommodated based on availability. Please call Yellow Dog for details.
THE FISHING
The fishing on the south side of Crooked Island provides numerous bonefish opportunities on vast white sand flats. The operation is limited to six boats per week, something that the owners believe will ensure the quality of fishing for many years to come. The average bonefish in these waters runs three to five pounds, and anglers will find themselves casting at trophy fish on a regular basis. Last season there were over a dozen bonefish caught that tipped the scales at over ten pounds.
With regards to crowds and area development Crooked Island can honestly boast that you will have the flats to yourself. Imagine wading pristine flats that seem endless with no other anglers in sight! Permit can be found most of the year and the guides on the island are eager to fish for them. This is one of the finest Bahamian locations to target the elusive permit and good numbers have been taken on the fly. And, while this is not a prolific or consistent tarpon fishery, tarpon can be jumped and landed in the late spring and summer. Sharks and barracudas are also abundant on the flats, giving anglers additional opportunities and excitement.
The fishing program is under new management and the guide staff is the same and includes Eton McKinney or “Bonefish Shakey.” Randy McKinney, Jeffery Moss and Derrick Ingraham round out the guide team, and all have been guiding since the mid-1990's. They focus on bonefish, but are knowledgeable and excited about the untapped and largely unmolested permit and tarpon fisheries. Overall, they know how to provide you with a quality fishing experience.
Aside from the fantastic bonefishing and flats fishing, you can also experience the thrill of offshore fishing in the deeper waters that surround Crooked Island. These waters are rarely fished due to Crooked’s remote location and the lack of sportfishing boats in the area. Daily catches - which at times can exceed thirty fish - include numerous species and near-world-record wahoo and dolphin (Mahi Mahi). During the late spring and summer months the tuna and marlin bite is usually very consistent. Trolling, chumming, live bait, and fly-fishing are all very productive bluewater techniques throughout the year.
Finally, the inshore fishing has become very popular over the past year, and takes place in one hundred feet of water or less. Species include grouper, snapper, jacks, mackerel, sharks, and cudas, all of which can make for some very fast paced action. Night fishing trips are also available for the hard-core angler!
SEASON
Crooked Island Fishing Adventures and Pittstown Point Hotel are open year-round. Peak season on the island runs January through June.
January – February
These months are great for trophy bonefish as well as for permit on the flats. Huge barracuda can be consistently targeted during these months as well.
March – May
These months usually produce the most consistent weather for fly fishing on the flats. Large numbers of bonefish in all sizes can be found, and tarpon usually begin to show up in mid-April.
June-September
Typical summer days are calm and hot, but regular afternoon showers will cool off the flats, bringing in larger bonefish and tarpon! The bonefishing is best in the mornings, and the tarpon fishing better in the afternoons. Sharks, barracuda, jacks, and snapper are also prevalent in the summer months.
October- December
Since Crooked is further south than many of the other islands, these months can offer better weather then the northern islands. Bonefish are found in good numbers in the warmer, sheltered flats protected from the ocean trade winds. This is a good time of the year to look for permit.
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BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
The guides on Crooked use a variety of flats skiffs, including 18’ Hewes Redfishers, Action Crafts, and Super Seas. All boats are equipped with poling platforms, spacious decks, rod holders, and radios.
Accommodations:
THE LODGING
Located on the northwest corner of Crooked Island, Pittstown Point is an oceanfront resort with twelve island-style rooms. Each room has two double beds and a private bath. All rooms and baths have been recently renovated, giving guests the choice of air conditioned rooms or accommodations cooled by the natural breezes and ceiling fans. The hotel looks out onto the beautiful Bird Rock Lighthouse, which was built in 1876. The dining room is where American-style breakfasts and fresh Bahamian cuisine for dinner are served (you'll eat packed lunches for your days on the water).
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
Accommodations, all meals, soft drinks, bottled water, daily guided bonefishing, hotel taxes and van transfer to and from airport, and gratuities for hotel and kitchen staff.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare to Crooked Island, alcoholic beverages, gratuities for fishing guides, Bahamian departure tax, and items of a personal nature (telephone calls, laundry, etc.).
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
Most anglers fly commercially to Nassau. There are numerous daily flights into Nassau from many of the larger U.S. cities. Bahamas Air flies from Nassau to Colonial Hill, Crooked Island on Wednesdays and Saturdays in the morning. Once you arrive on Crooked Island, a van from the hotel will pick you up for a short 15-minute drive to Pittstown Point.
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:
Historical tours of the island, beachcombing, beach picnics, scuba, snorkeling, reef and offshore fishing, and some nightlife and shopping in small villages (limited).
Other Information / Testimonials:
Crooked Island sits about 223 miles southeast of Nassau/Paradise Island. Together, the Acklins and Crooked Island form an area of approximately 200 square miles that hugs the waters of the Bight of Acklins. The flats that surround these waters, islands, cays, and creeks produce excellent number of bonefish. The area also offers numerous opportunities for the non-anglers as well. The island has been a destination for anglers, scuba divers, and beachcombers for many years. The Pittstown Point Marina and Hotel provide comfortable accommodations and complete service one would expect from a resort. The hotel is situated on the picturesque North West corner of the island and looks out onto the beautiful Bird Rock Lighthouse, which was built in 1876. There is also a two thousand foot runway, which makes Pittstown Point Landings ideal for private pilots as well as charter flights.
"Just dropping you a quick line. Our trip to Crooked Island was fantastic. The flats are superb and HUGE!! ... I was generally surprised and very pleased at the quality of the fish. There were a lot more big fish on the flats than I expected ... All fish took us into our backing - every single one. The bigger fish deep into the backing. The guides were great. Fished with Derek (incredible eyes), Jeff (our favorite), Randy, Kenney and Michael and we fished a lot of different ground. We saw large-ish schools of smaller fish; many, many moderate schools with big fish mixed in and lots of singles and doubles. On one day we saw 3 packs of incoming squadrons of bones spaced a couple hundred yards apart coming up on the flat in schools of a hundred or more fish each. Incredibly they never wavered on their line and passed between us giving us both shots. We were only about 30 yards apart. Very neat. Also saw lots of barracuda, sharks (mostly small) and loads of triggerfish on our last day. The accommodations were very comfortable and the food and bar were excellent. We really meshed well with the other guests. Can't wait to go back."
- Tom A.
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