Welcome to Bahamas

Location, Type of Fishing:

Mangrove Cay is an island at the center of Andros, the largest of all of the islands in the archipelago of the Bahamas. So big in fact, that all of the 700 islands that make-up the Bahamas would fit into an area of the same size and still have room to spare. Separated from North Andros Island by Middle Bight and from South Andros by South Bight, Mangrove Cay is mostly uninhabited except for a population of about 900 people living mainly on the northeast coast of the island around Moxey Town. Celebrated as an excellent bonefish destination, the robust populations of fish that inhabit these waters attract fly fishermen from around the globe. At the heart of the Andros fishery sits Mangrove Cay Club, a vibrant fishing lodge presenting travelers with unrivaled access to the most diverse bonefish habitat the world has to offer. Located inside Middle Bight on the north shore of Mangrove Cay, the lodge is well protected from the prevailing winds coming off the Atlantic. It’s central location also provides guests with incomparable access to the flats of the West Side National Park, both Middle Bight as well as South Bight and the giant bonefish that comprise this marvelous fishery. Mangrove Cay Club connects fishermen to these hearty fish through an incredible fishing program that combines the best local guides with a warm and friendly lodge atmosphere.

 

• Season: October to July
• Species: Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, Barracuda
• Rods: 8-12 wt. Saltwater, Fast-action
• Rates: 7 night/ 6 days fishing for $5,200.00

 

 

 

 

 

What Makes It Special:

Located on the south end of Middle Bight, Mangrove Cay Club is ideally situated to access the vast marine wilderness around the island.  With very dependable, direct access to the West Side, the lodge also has the ability to offer fishermen an extraordinary program of bonefishing. Plentiful on the flats, the average Andros bonefish weighs about 3-5 lbs, with some larger specimens common. Double-digit fish are landed several times every year! The lodge brings its guests much closer to the fishing with its location, and the days of long, gut busting runs to the fishing grounds are gone. Waters just minutes away from the lodge are equally productive in both size and numbers of fish. In fact, some of the largest fish have been taken on flats within sight of the lodge. A highlight of the fishing program at the lodge, all of the guides are local to the island, with each one having many years of experience guiding fishermen around these flats. To put it another way, no one ever needed to show anyone of them how to get a boat through the myriad of channels and islands, they just grew up knowing how to navigate these waters. Not only will they put you on fish, but will also help you hook and land the fish as well. They are great coaches for both beginners and seasoned anglers alike. Full-time and professional, Mangrove Cay Club guides will make sure your days on the water are fun, safe, and educational.

 

Fishing:

Any saltwater fly fisherman should know that Andros has some of the finest bonefish habitat found anywhere in the Bahamas with some huge examples of fish roaming the flats in an area known as The Land of the Giants. Divided by three large creeks, or “bights” as early sailors used to call them, Andros looks somewhat like it’s been chopped-up into different parts. North Bight, Middle Bight and South Bight separate the four distinct parts of the island. Centrally located, Mangrove Cay Club fishes all of the waters of the Bights, the unspoiled flats of the West Side, many of the smaller inland creeks and even the southern-most flats of South Andros around Water Cays. Bonefish follow the tides to feed in shallow water on the mudflats, eating shrimp and small crabs that they find by burying their noses in the soft bottom. The guides use the tides in a very unique way that works to your advantage at Mangrove Cay. When the tide is low and rising on one side of the island, it is high and falling on the other. The ability to move through the bights all day, means you’ll never have to wait for the tide to be right in a certain area. Putting you in the right spots is why there is no tide or moon phase that cannot be successfully fished at Mangrove Cay Club. In addition to the exceptional bonefishing, anglers can expect to have occasional opportunities for permit and tarpon. We recommend you have rods strung up and ready to be fished, in case you encounter one of these fish on the flats when you least expect it.

 

Lodge:

Breaking the mold for bonefishing in the Bahamas, it is a lodge experience that is every bit as special as its fishing program. Mangrove Cay Club offers unrivalled service, cuisine, and lodging, so you'll be free to explore the many fishing opportunities that Andros has to offer.  The lodge staff will take great care of you as you reflect on the tranquil waters of Middle Bight, soaking in the great beauty of this place. Their goal was to set the standard for comfort among Bahamian fishing lodges, and we believe that they’ve succeeded. Comfortable lodging allows you plenty of privacy and restful relaxation during the non-fishing hours of your stay. Offering eight suites set within four large bungalows spread out along the shoreline, each is screened by a lush growth of trees. All are just a short walk from the main lodge. Each air-conditioned bungalow is divided into two suites, separated by thick soundproof walls. High cypress ceilings equipped with ceiling fans, accentuate the main sitting room. Bedrooms have en-suite, oversized bathrooms in addition to private porches that overlook the ocean. Accommodating only 16 guests at one time, Mangrove Cay Club ensures that your stay will be filled with high quality service and personal attention.

 

Dining:

Iyke Moore runs a great kitchen. Arguably, one of the best in the business, his philosophy centers around the principle of providing very simple, fine dining. Attentive to detail, he works hard to stay within the preferences of his guests. Using only the freshest, high-quality food, Iyke’s menus feature a lot of fresh local seafood with regular appearances of lobster, grouper, snapper and conch. Each day, he goes down to the dock in front of the lodge to meet the local fishermen that show up here, so that he can purchase their fresh catches that were harvested from the sea, just minutes earlier. Mainly grilled or poached, seafood is served with a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables. Always seeking to be fresh and innovative, Iyke not only strives to make improvements to his menu, but is always looking for new ways to tastefully present meals to his guests, as well. Consistently praised, his kitchen works to maintain  a high standard of excellence while providing a reliably good bill-of-fare every week of the season. Rivaling that of the best restaurants in Paris and London, you’ll be amazed by the gourmet dinners you’ll find coming from this humble kitchen in a little fishing lodge at the edge of a vast wilderness.

 

How to Get There:

Your trip to Mangrove Cay Club begins with your arrival at Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau (NAS). After collecting your luggage and clearing customs, exit security and proceed to the domestic terminal where you will make your connection to the Clarence A. Bain Airport (MAY) servicing Mangrove Cay. Two airlines, Flamingo Air and LeAir, provide regular airline service to Mangrove Cay twice daily. If you would like to get to Mangrove Cay early, there is a daily 7 am flight, but you would need to get to Nassau the day before your scheduled package begins.  There is also a late afternoon flight at 4 pm every day. A direct flight, about 20 minutes once you’re in the air, it returns to Nassau immediately after landing at Mangrove Cay. You will be greeted at the airport by hotel staff, and transferred to the lodge shortly after arriving to the island. Mangrove Cay Club is just a short distance away, about a ten-minute drive along the north shore of Mangrove Cay. If you would like to do some half-day fishing, you can make arrangements to do so with a guide or wade the flats in front of the lodge by yourself.

 

Typical Day:

Wake-up to a fresh-brewed cup of coffee delivered to your room as a gentle wake-up call or in the restaurant of the main lodge, beginning at 6:30 am. Not a coffee drinker? There is also an assortment of hot teas, as well as fresh juices. Hot breakfasts can be made-to-order beginning at 7 am. Feel free to request anything you like. Eggs, sausage, bacon, pancakes and French Toast are always on the breakfast menu. Cold cereal, yogurt, fresh fruit and freshly baked pastries are also available. Guests are invited to create their own lunches from a selection of breads, deli meats and cheeses presented buffet-style. A fresh green salad is also an option. Freshly baked cookies, potato chips, and fresh fruit complement the selection and make for a great lunch. Your guide will be at the lodge to meet you by 8 am. From there you will depart for a full day of flats fishing in boats. Lunches and bottled water are packed in coolers on ice and taken with you in the boats. Soft drinks and cold beer can be picked up at the bar in the morning prior to leaving. Typically, guests arrive back at the lodge between 4 and 6 pm. Snacks are on the bar when you come in from fishing. Order a drink or crack a cold beer. The bar serves premium wines and spirits. Appetizers will be served at happy hour beginning at 6 pm. Dinner is served beginning at 7 pm.

 

What’s Included:

Accommodations, guided fishing, all meals, ground transfers, alcoholic beverages including beer, house wines, liquors, and room tax.

Not Included: International Airfare to/from Nassau, domestic airfare to/from Mangrove Cay, premium wines and liquors, gratuities for guides and staff, and the Bahamian departure tax.

 

Non-angling Activities:

Snorkeling, bird-watching, and cruisers are available at the lodge to explore the Island. If you would like to dive, the lodge can arrange a half-day excursion which includes 2 dives for additional cost of $200/person.