Destination : Abaco Lodge – Bahamas

The “Marls of Abaco” encompasses more than 400 square miles of flats on the west side of Abaco Island. For twenty miles the average depth is four feet and full of bonefish, and an occasional permit or tarpon. Abaco also offers some incredible fishing on the eastern, ocean side of the island, for those in pursuit of bigger, harder fish.  A new fleet of top-of-the-line Hells Bay Waterman skiffs will have you fishing from some of the most comfortable and quiet boats available.  Strategically located in the highly productive Marls area, running time to the flats is minimal. This is one of the nicest, newly remodeled high-end lodges in the region.  The main lodge and accompanying rooms are very well designed and can accommodate 12 anglers in individual rooms with queen beds.  Share your fishing stories, poolside or by the fire pit and enjoy world-class cuisine and service.

Abaco Lodge sits on the rocky shoreline of the Marls, on the west side of Abaco. Just north of Marsh Harbour, on the way to Treasure Cay. Here you can enjoy a cold Kalik drink in the pool as you watch the sunset, after a day of fishing. Sharing fishing stories by the ocean side fire pit is a great way to spend the evenings. The lodge consists of 12 air-conditioned private rooms, with private bathrooms, a fully stocked bar, pool, sitting room, an outside fire pit, and plenty of patio space.In addition, you can fish all day while staying in touch with home: a computer with high-speed internet is available, as well as a wireless connection, phone service upon request, and the lodge has a new flat screen TV for all the games. The bar is fully stocked with spirits, cold beers, soft drinks, plenty of ice, and a blender and mixers for cocktails.

Abaco Lodge imports a trained executive chef to oversee all of the meals. The nightly cuisine incorporates Bahamian specialties with an emphasis on locally caught seafood.

Breakfast is made to order, and the guides will bring a picnic lunch of your choosing in the boats daily. They pride themselves with serving delicious food of fresh local produce, specializing on fresh fish (ahi tuna, grouper, and hog snapper), conch and lobster. The chef bakes bread, pastries and cookies daily. The coffee is made from freshly ground beans and will be waiting for you in the buffet. Alternatively, they will bring a cup of coffee to your room! 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 your preference, with bacon, sausages and grits or hash brown potatoes. Hot cereals are also available.

A lunch menu card allows you to choose next day’s lunch and the content of the boat coolers. They have an open bar policy at the lodge. On your return from fishing you will find cold beers, spirits, and a blender for cocktails, as well as stacks of soft drinks.

Delicious appetizers are served so you can sample local specialties such as cracked conch, grouper fingers, conch salad, and fresh tuna sashimi. If you have a preferred brand of liquor, please be sure to let us know in advance so the lodge can have it ready for you upon arrival (payable upon arrival to the lodge). Otherwise, you can bring your own bottle. Please note that local spirits will be available free of charge at the lodge.

Dinner starts with homemade soups or conch ceviche, and all entrees are served with fresh salads. Our emphasis is on mixing local dishes with light fresh recipes such as snapper with mango salsa, and some barbequed beef, fish and chicken.

Desserts will vary from chocolate decadence to key lime parfaits and rum cake with coconut ice cream. House wines such as Chilean Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon will be served with dinner.

After dinner coffee and tea and liquors will be served in the sitting room.

They can cater to special dietary needs. Be sure to let us know any requirements or food allergies you might have, so we can inform the chef. Salads are offered in our cooler lunches for those on low-carbohydrate diets. The lodge has a good supply of drinking water from our reverse Osmosis system. You will find water in your bedroom and your boat, and you can drink the tap water

The Marls encompasses a huge area of flats on the west side of Abaco. For twenty miles the average depth is four feet. The lodge is centrally located directly on the Marls side of the island with access to them all directly from the lodge dock. This location gives our guests easy access to the flats, while providing many sheltered locations irrespective of wind direction.  The majority of the fishing is done from the boat but wading opportunities exist.  Runs to the flats vary from 10 to 45 minutes. Cherokee Sound, the Bight of Robinson and Snake Cay are minutes from the lodge and offer opportunities at incredible, challenging Bonefish.  The flats on the ocean side require only a short drive.  All of the skiffs are equipped with padded seats with backrests and a lean bar in the front.

The bonefish on the Marls average 2-4 lb., with the occasional shot at bigger fish. The ocean side flats offer opportunities at some of the largest bonefish in the Bahamas, but they are incredibly wary creatures. The Bahamas is primarily composed of bone-fisheries, and Abaco is no different. There are the occasional shots at permit, tarpon, ‘cudas, jacks, and sharks. They recommend you bring the appropriate tackle just in case.

In addition to the wonderful flats, Abaco has incredible blue water fishing. We are happy to coordinate a day, or two, with the best captains available. On these outings we are in search of Marlin, Sailfish, Dorado, Wahoo, and Tuna, depending on the season. Arrangements can be made at the lodge, but the best captains book early and we recommend you do as well. There will be an additional charge for this type of fishing.

High Season:  Oct 2012 to Mar 2013         Peak Season:  Apr to Jul 2013

7 nights / 6 days fishing         $4,995              7 nights / 6 days fishing      $5,150
6 nights / 5 days fishing         $4,395              6 nights / 5 days fishing       $4,595
5 nights / 4 days fishing         $3,825              5 nights / 4 days fishing       $3,995
4 nights / 3 days fishing         $3,095              4 nights / 3 days fishing       $3,225
3 nights / 2 days fishing         $2,250              3 nights / 2 days fishing      $2,350

Single Boat                                                                         60% surcharge
Non-Anglers                                                                     $375 per night
Transfer fro Treasure Cay                                            $50 p/person one way
Full Day fishing on Arrival or Departure date                 $750 p/boat
Half Day Fishing on Arrival or departure date                $550 p/boat

Rates are per person based on single occupancy and two anglers per boat

The five guides rotate among the guests

Remember Fishermen’s Spot Travel services are always FREE to you!  You never pay more than what you would pay if you booked directly with the lodge.

What’s Included:

• Meals
• Beverages (including alcoholic)
• Guides
• Transportation to and from the Marsh Harbour Airport

What’s Not Included:

• Transportation to Abaco Island
• Flies and other fishing equipment
• Personal Items
• Gratuities for guides and staff

Flight Arrangements – Abaco Lodge is located on the Marls side of Abaco Island.  A 10 minute drive from the Marsh Harbour Airport. Unlike most other islands in the Bahamas, anglers can fly directly from Florida to Marsh Harbour. American Airlines, Continental Airlines and Bahamas Air, among others, offer direct service from Miami, West Palm Beach, and Ft. Lauderdale. For groups of 4 or more, chartering is an economical option. Via Nassau, Bahamas Air, Sky Bahamas, Western Air, and Abaco Air have multiple flights a day.

Arrival – On arrival at Marsh Harbour, you will be met by a lodge representative who will transfer you to the lodge. It is a short 10 minute drive and the cost is included in the package.

If you are delayed or miss your flight please contact the lodge at 242-458-4659.

When you arrive at the lodge, our welcoming staff will greet you and show you to your room.

• 6:30 am Coffee ready at the buffet table
• 7:00 am Breakfast
• 8:00 am Depart dock
• 4:00 pm Return to lodge
• 4:00 pm onwards Cocktail hour
• 5:30 pm Appetizers
• 7:00 pm Dinner

Bar and fly-tying room – The lodge has a main bar fully stocked with spirits, cold beers, (in a convenient mini fridge) soft drinks, plenty of ice, a blender and mixers for cocktails.

Our shop is stocked with the following – Sage rods – Abel reels – Rio lines, backing and tippets – a good selection of flies – sunscreen and lip protectors – Mangrove sungloves – dry bags – Action optics polarized sunglasses – Bair’s Lodge Fishing shirts, caps and t-shirts.