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Pelican Bay Resort and Bonefishing
Trip Summary:
Pelican Bay sits adjacent to both the picture-perfect white sands of Lucaya beach and Count Bassie Square where you'll find a wide selection of restaurants, bars, duty free shopping, dancing, water sports, and evening entertainment. Pelican Bay is a large resort, with 97 rooms on property. This is an ideal destination for large groups of anglers, large family gatherings, meetings, and other events. Pelican Bay offers year-round fishing for bonefish, with October through mid-July being peak season. Additional fishing opportunities for tarpon, permit, barracuda, jacks, snapper, dorado, tuna, etc. are available.
Fishing & General Information:
LENGTH OF STAY
Trips of any length are available, and the convenience of the Bahamas makes Pelican Bay the perfect getaway for a week-long fishing trip or a quick weekend escape. This is also a great add-on for business and family trips to Nassau.
THE FISHING
The island of Grand Bahama stretches 90 miles east to west, and the north shore’s vast area of creeks, cays, and flats create hundreds of miles of shallow, fishable shoreline. Bottom structure varies from hard sand and grass flats to harder, light coral and marl flats, all of which provide excellent feeding areas for bonefish and permit. The experienced, seasoned guides of Pelican Bay are dedicated to making your fishing adventure both productive and enjoyable, and will tailor each fishing day to your schedule and individual preferences. All of Pelican Bay’s guides have chosen guiding as their year-round profession (not just a seasonal job). Anglers can take advantage of the thousands of hours these guys have spent on the flats and feel comfortable in asking for all types of direction and instruction. For anglers new to saltwater flats fishing, Pelican Bay is not only a wonderful place to learn, but a destination that guarantees action your very first time out!
While at Pelican Bay, a large part of each fishing day is spent casting from Maverick Mirage flats boats. Anglers are also encouraged to wade during times where large concentrations of fish are found tailing in skinny water. The bonefish vary greatly in size, from small, two to three-pound fish found in large, easy schools, to “average” Grand Bahamas bonefish in the four to six-pound range. Fish of seven and eight pounds are almost a daily encounter, and trophy-sized bones over ten pounds are not uncommon. Pelican Bay's record bonefish to date is a remarkable fish of 14 ½ pounds! Although Pelican Bay is primarily a world-class bonefishing destination, there are several other types of game fish that frequent area waters. Permit and tarpon arrive during the spring and are encountered on a regular basis throughout the fall months. Large barracuda can be found almost daily, and there is always the possibility of running into roaming schools of hard-fighting horse-eye jacks that average 10 to 15 pounds.
Since there are no roads available to access this area of Grand Bahamas, the result is a bonefishing habitat that sees little angling pressure aside from the few professional guides who fish these waters with clients. The entire area is pristine!
In 2005, Pelican Bay introduced an all new offshore fly fishing program - one of the first of its kind anywhere in the Bahamas. The most productive time of day is in the evening, so you may bonefish all day then head out to the blue water. This program targets a variety of deep sea and bluewater gamefish, including Dolphin (Mahi Mahi, Dorado), Blackfin, Skipjack Tuna and Yellowfin Tuna. To date the largest Yellowfin taken on a fly is 62 pounds. The largest Dolphin on a fly is 35 pounds, the largest Blackfin is 17 pounds, and the largest Skipjack is 11 pounds! This program is available as either a dedicated offshore day or as a combination Bonefishing/Offshore day. The tuna come to the surface and feed late afternoon and evening making this an ideal combination option, as well as a great arrival day fly fishing option. All specialty fly fishing gear (10, 12 and 14 wt. outfits) are included. The offshore season at Pelican Bay Resort is May through September.
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BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
Anglers fish from 16’ Maverick flats boat with new Yamaha 90HP outboards, poling platforms, and spacious casting decks. They are roomy, fast and comfortable.
Accommodations:
THE LODGING
Each of Pelican Bay’s 97 rooms feature private balconies that overlook the resort’s courtyard area, the marina, and the Port Lucaya Marketplace. These spacious accommodations include king-sized or double beds, satellite TV, direct-dial phones, Italian tiled floors, and a refrigerator. Pelican Bay’s newly-opened single bedroom suites are also available for couples looking for an extra-luxurious “Stay at the Bay.” Newspapers and freshly baked croissants and breads are available in the suites each morning, and personal espresso machines and a variety of coffees enable guests to enjoy a private breakfast on the balcony while overlooking the beautiful Bell Channel Bay. Other guest amenities include two tropical freshwater pools, a hot tub, and a great poolside bar. The Ferry House restaurant, adjacent to the hotel, has established a new standard for excellence in fine dining on Grand Bahama. Having worked in some of the world's finest restaurants, the chefs of the Ferry House have created what they describe as "a blend of contemporary cuisine fused with unique flavors of the Caribbean." Menus change daily depending on the availability of fresh, local seafood, fruit, and foreign-quality foods, brought in by air on a regular basis.
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Rates & Details:
RATES
| Please call for current pricing |
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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
Air-conditioned waterfront room with king or two double beds, satellite TV, direct dial phone, mini-refrigerator, in-room coffee maker, full private balcony, tropical pool, hot tub, breakfast, daily deluxe picnic lunch including non-alcoholic beverages, 6% hotel guest tax, and 6% resort tax.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare from home town to Grand Bahama, alcoholic beverages and bar tab, gratuities for guides and staff, transportation to and from the airport on Grand Bahama to resort, airport departure taxes, gift shop purchases, equipment rentals, and dinner (there are over 20 restaurants within walking distance of the hotel – from pizza to gourmet).
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
Grand Bahamas is the easiest flats fishing destination to get to in the Bahamas, due to the numerous direct daily flights from Miami, West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale to Freeport, Grand Bahama. Other major east coast hubs are now offering direct flights as well.
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:
Non-angling activities at Pelican Bay include golfing at two USGA certified 18-hole championship courses, diving, snorkel trips, glass-bottomed boat tours, eco-tours, parasailing, sea kayaking, and a host of other water-related options for all age groups. For those interested in island nightlife, there is gambling at two of the island’s casinos, fine restaurants, bars, and nightly dancing.
Other Information / Testimonials:
Pelican Bay also offers a unique bonefishing school designed to combine a high level of instruction with full days of guided flats fishing. The school is based on a five night, four fishing-day stay, and is completely customized for individuals and groups. For more information on this program, please call Yellow Dog.
NOTES ON WINTER SEASON BONEFISHING
Thoughts on Winter Fishing - By Greg Vincent, Manager of Pelican Bay's Fishing Program
Very few people know of the great winter bonefishing that is available here on Grand Bahama from mid-November to mid-February. While Grand Bahama is really is a trophy fishery at any time of year, the fishing for trophy bones during these months is especially good! The fluctuation in water temps push the smaller school fish off the flats for longer periods, leaving the more acclimated, "wintered fish" on their own or in small groups. The one problem we have in the winter can be the periodic cold fronts which in December to the mid-February period are at their strongest. That said, however, their strength at this time is often a bonus for us here in the northern Bahamas because the cloud line moves to the south of us quicker and does not always stall out here in the northern parts but rather more south when it hits the more tropical southern Bahamas. The back edge of the cloud is often as defined as if you drew a line across the sky. Behind the front is the dry air and the sunny conditions we are looking for! Sunlight as we all know is generally the main ingredient for productive bonefishing. (Remember - It is not necessarily the wind but rather the combination of wind and clouds that we want to avoid!) The months of December through March offer more sunlight than any other time of year. We need to take advantage of that. We also get winter high-pressure systems which - if centered over us - can create spectacular bonefishing weather for days or weeks at a time. When we do see a cold front, the wind is generally from the North. We have access to 45 miles of southside flats that are always accessible and easily fishable. These flats are utilized when winds are too strong on the north side, meaning that we do have a 'back up' option.
Most people believe that you have to fish the Bahamas in March, April, May June, and October. That is the safest option weather-wise – No doubt.
The winter period, however, is a time of year that nobody really considers for fishing, yet this in fact is an incredible trophy bonefishing time that can easily be utilized - especially by more experienced anglers. It is not only the fact that the fish are big, but that these winter fish will literally 'crawl' into skinny, skinny water, which only adds to the experience. This fishing is usually not about throwing at large shadows in deeper water, as is typical for trophy bones. It’s often a far more intimate experience between angler and fish. Once an angler has experienced stalking and then hooking a 10+ pound bone that had its back arched completely out of the water while feeding in only a few inches of water .... that immediately screams out over 150 yards of backing ... then a 20-fish day of catching 2-pound bonefish will never seem quite as appealing! Our winter fishing season is really about quality rather than quantity. This said, however, numbers are always a possibility no matter what time of year it is. This past January we had a client that landed 18 fish in three days, including three double-digit fish.
TESTIMONIALS
"Pelican Bay is a wonderful destination for a family fishing trip. My guide was knowledgeable, never tiring, and never derogatory of my poor fly casting skills when I was dealing with the wind. We had some boat problems that were promptly addressed, and the promised free day will get me back. In addition, like a real rookie, I left my rods somewhere along the way. Greg Vincent (the fishing manager) provided me with two Sage rods and took great care of us overall. The fish are there to be caught, and they are big. We talked to a fisherman who caught a 9 lb.bonefish the day we got there. It was a great trip overall."
- John R. of Sunset, LA
"My wife and I are trying to figure out when in the future to come back to Pelican Bay. Everything was excellent and we really enjoyed our stay. Carl our guide was fantastic and when I come back, I hope to fish with him again. Thanks!"
- Larry D.
"Greg -- Thanks for looking after us, it really was a superb trip. To land 20 bonefish on the fly my first time out was well beyond my expectations. The casting tips really helped. Thanks again and see you next fall!"
- Rob G.
"Just a quick note to say many thanks for making our stay so comfortable at Pelican Bay. It's such an easy location to get to and I, along with the rest of the group, was pleasantly surprised with the vast area of flats and the overall number of fish! I have been in touch with the guys. All are seriously missing the fishing and the company already. We're all dreaming of more bonefish and permit!"
- David, Sally, Charlotte, & Jay K.
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