Bair’s Lodge

When it comes to stalking big bonefish, few locations offer as many opportunities as those surrounding Bair’s Lodge on South Andros. The flats are simply teaming with bones, giving guests ample opportunity and time to perfect their skills.

Bair’s is located on the east side of South Andros Island, Bahamas, and the lodge is a five-minute skiff run north or south to Deep Creek or Little Creek. These easily accessed “cuts” open up to more than 120 square miles of flats, swimming with impressive populations of bonefish in the 4 to 6lbs class. The sheltered creek systems are both habitat and fish rich, and they offer anglers appreciated weather reprieve if the wind kicks up. Little Creek connects to the island’s West Side, which can be reached by flats skiff in about 45 minutes. There, guests will find some of South Andros’ largest bonefish – with adult specimens known to reach the trophy 10lbs mark. This is where anglers with sharp skills go to stalk larger singles and doubles, pushing into skinny water on favourable tides. The pristine, undeveloped zone is protected by Andros’ West Side National Park.

The southern flats, on the other hand, are home to some of the least-pressured fishing in the region. Grassy Creek is a 40-minute boat run from Bair’s. Weather permitting, guests can ride on to Hawksbill Creek and as far as Cistern Point. This area is renowned for bonefish in high numbers, with endless wadeable flats, abundant schools, and very few competing skiffs and anglers.

A typical days’ fishing will see guests have breakfast at 7am, before grabbing their gear and departing on skiffs at 8am, returning sometime after 4pm for cocktails, appetisers and dinner.

Each day, one of the experienced lodge guides will decide where to go based on weather conditions and guest preferences – for example wading versus boat fishing, or targeting large individual bonefish versus fishing larger schools of fish. The guides will try their best to tailor each guest’s day accordingly!

Bair’s Lodge offers deluxe ocean-side lodgings in an attractive plantation-style building surrounded by palm trees. The bright, airy lodge is nestled on a sparkling white sandy beach, complete with sun loungers, hammocks and a large fire pit for relaxing with a cocktail after a long day’s fishing.

Ocean facing living and dining rooms offer unpretentious and air-conditioned spaces to hang out, while two of the six rooms in the house open to a long veranda facing the ocean – complete with comfortable benches and tables for morning coffee or evening drinks. There are also rod racks, outdoor showers, and a hose with fresh water to wash down tackle. From the veranda guests can walk to the beach, where the skiffs are moored.

All of the beautiful bedrooms have terracotta tile flooring, white cotton sheets, as well as tropical-weight duvets and plenty of down pillows. Spacious rooms have A/C, as well as universal outlets for recharging devices. En-suite bathrooms and full baths are standard, hot water is plentiful, and towels and laundry bags are provided in all bedrooms.

The lodge has a main bar fully stocked with spirits, cold beers, soft drinks, plenty of ice, a blender and mixers for cocktails. Satellite television has been installed for those who wish to catch up on news and sports, while Wi-Fi is available.

Finally, there is a shop stocked with bonefishing essentials, such as lines, leaders, tippets and an excellent fly selection. Guests will also find sun protection and official Bair’s Lodge merchandise.

Delicious indigenous and international dishes are a specialty of Bair’s lodge. Menus are crafted from fresh ingredients of local produce and fish (mahi, tuna, grouper, and snapper), conch and lobster. The larder is carefully stocked with high-quality foods from the U.S. and Nassau, while chefs bake bread, pastries and cookies daily. Coffee is made from freshly ground beans at the crack of dawn.

A full breakfast will always feature a variety of cereals, coffee and a selection of teas, as well as fresh fruits. Eggs will be cooked to preference, with bacon, sausages and grits. Hot cereals are also available to order, and a lunch menu card allows guests to choose next day’s packed lunch and the contents of the boat coolers.

On return from fishing guests will find cold beers, spirits, and a blender for cocktails, as well as stacks of soft drinks. Appetisers are served on the veranda, and include local specialties such as cracked conch and grouper fingers. A good range of local spirits will be available free of charge at the lodge, and special spirits can also be ordered on request.

Dinner starts with appetisers such as homemade soups or conch ceviche. The emphasis is on mixing local dishes with light fresh recipes, such as snapper with mango salsa, and of course barbecued fish. Desserts will vary from chocolate decadence to key lime parfaits, and house wines include Malbec’s from Argentina, Chilean Chardonnay, and French Cabernet Sauvignon. After dinner, liquors will be served in the sitting room.

All dietary requirements are strictly observed by the catering team, and the lodge also has a good supply of drinking water thanks to a reverse osmosis system. Guests will find water in bedrooms, on the boats, and can also drink the tap water.

Day 1 to 2 – HOME CITY TO BAIR’S LODGE

• Depart home city on a flight to Nassau
• Arrive in Nassau International Airport and continue to transfer to the local domestic airport (3 min walk) 
• Check-in for domestic flight to South Andros
• Meet and greet from the airport and be transferred directly to Bair’s Lodge
• Relax and enjoy lunch
• Fish for the afternoon and overnight at Bair’s Lodge

Day 3 to 9 – Continued fishing

• Enjoy 6 full days of fishing and overnight stays in Bair’s lodge 
• On the final evening you will be transferred to South Andros Airport and fly to Nassau
• Overnight in Nassau – Recommended hotel 

Day 10 – Depart for home city 

• Transfer from hotel to Nassau International Airport
• Flight to home city
• Continue with your own arrangements

Included:

• Full board accommodation throughout your stay at Bair’s Lodge 
• 1 guide per 2 anglers and flats skiff
• All drinks included
• Fishing licence 
• Transfers on Andros Island

Not included:

• Transfers outside Andros Island
• Gratuities
• Flights
• Hotels in Nassau 
• Rental fishing equipment 
• Items of a personal nature