ABACO LODGE
Destination Overview
A Fly Fishing Travel favorite, Abaco Lodge is the only fly-fishing operation located on the famed Marls, a vast labyrinth of flats, mangroves, and bonefish in numbers like nowhere else in the Bahamas.
Twenty to thirty fish days are not uncommon, with 200-square-miles of prime habitat awaiting anglers. With the Abaco Lodge located at the Marls means no trailering, no fuel stops, and more time fishing, with the reality of tailing bonefish, many in fact, 5 minutes from the dock.
A surprising number of juvenile tarpon are around providing almost weekly excitement. Push back from the breakfast table and walk to the dock, where the island’s most knowledgeable guides and a fleet of immaculate Hell's Bay flats skiffs greet you.
Abaco Lodge boasts private rooms with king beds for every angler, five-star exceptional fresh meals, and attentive service. Island culture and activities make Abaco a great place for the non-angling spouse or children.
One of the most conveniently located bonefishing destinations on the planet, direct flights from Florida allow for seamless travel to and from Marsh Harbour Airport, with eight commercial airlines offering flights. Everything about this lodge is just world class! See you there!
At a Glance
Location: Great Abaco Island, Bahamas
Target Fish: Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon
Time of Year: October thru July
Lodge Capacity: 10 anglers
Nearest Airport: Marsh Harbor Airport
Documents Required: Valid passport
No Visa required for US and UK guests. Other nationalities should check with their local consulates.
Fishing Program
If you’re looking for productive bonefish waters, you’ve come to the right place. Abaco has more than 400 square miles of flats—teeming with bonefish. And Abaco Lodge, on the western side of the island, just happens to abut some of the best in the Bahamas. The lodge is centrally located on the Marls side, with backdoor access to the entire Marls. For twenty miles toward the open ocean, the average depth is four feet! Heading north or south, it would take a lifetime to explore the entire region.
In addition to the Marls, Abaco Lodge offers incredible fishing on the eastern, ocean side, where chance encounters with superlative-size bonefish are a distinct possibility. Kiene's Fly Fishing Travel visited recently and sighted a dozen permit in one day of fishing on the eastern side. Untapped areas such as Cherokee Sound, the Bight of Robinson, and Snake Cay are minutes from the lodge and house incredible but challenging bonefishing. Both east and west side options allow anglers and guides to work around potentially inclement weather, making missing a day of fishing rare.
Typical trips do not offer fishing on arrival or departure, but half-days can be arranged if flight schedules allow. Breakfast is served at 7 a.m. You leave the dock at 8 a.m. and return between four and five p.m. This schedule can be tailored with advance notice. Lunches, snacks and cold beverages are provided for a full day on the water.
Fishing the ocean-side flats requires a short drive. Abaco Lodge is outfitted with a fleet of new Hells Bay Waterman skiffs, the best light tackle fishing boats in the business. Skiffs come fully equipped with padded seats, a backrest, lean bar in the front, and come to life with Yamaha 50HP engines.
In the Marls, fishing is done from the stealthy Hell’s Bay skiff boats, with your guide maneuvering you into easy casting range and talking you through all elements from cast to hook-set, to playing and releasing your catch. If you like to wade for bonefish, runs from the lodge to the flats range from 10 to 45 minutes. Marls bonefish average 2 to 4 pounds, with some shots at bigger fish. At certain times of the year, permit and tarpon also make Marls-side appearances.
On occasion you will see permit, tarpon, barracuda, jacks and sharks. Bring the appropriate tackle… just in case. You never know when a 20-pound tailing permit or a juvenile tarpon might show up on the scene.
In addition to phenomenal bonefish flats, Abaco has incredible blue water fishing. If marlin, sailfish, Dorado, wahoo, or tuna—depending on the season—sounds intriguing, we’re happy to set you up with the best captains available. These trips often book early. We recommend you do the same. All blue water trips come with an additional fee.
Accommodations
Abaco Lodge sits on Abaco’s rocky shoreline of the Marls—just north of Marsh Harbour en route to Treasure Cay. The lodge has ten large air-conditioned private rooms with private bath that open onto a spacious back verandah overlooking the Marls. The main dining hall and living room face the pool, outside fire pit, and patio seating areas. Inside you’ll find a fully stocked bar, sitting room with satellite TV, exquisite dining quarters, and an evolved menu of traditional Bahamian cuisine meets new world culinary achievements. Dinners are not to be missed
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.
The shop includes Sage rods, Abel reels, RIO lines, backing, leaders and tippets. You’ll also find a great selection of top producing flies, as well as sunscreen and lip protectors, Mangrove sungloves, dry bags, Costa del Mar polarized sunglasses, tropical-weight long-sleeve fishing shirts, hats, and t-shirts. If you left home without it, you’ll find it here.
Daily schedule typically consists of the following, but can be tailored to your personal preference:
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
Picnic lunches and cold drinks are taken to the flats in a cooler.
Food and Beverages
The Lodge kitchen serves delicious fresh local produce, and specializing in fresh fish (Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Grouper and 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 at the buffet. Breakfast is amazing and is cooked to order. You can order pancakes, bacon, eggs any style, toast, hot cereal, you name it! A lunch menu allows you to choose the content of the boat coolers. Take a salad or a sandwich or both!
The chef uses as much local seafood and possible. Expect dinners of lobster, conch and whatever fish are in season.
The lodge has a good supply of drinking water from a reverse osmosis system. You will find bottled water in your bedroom and on your boat. The tap water is safe to drink. In the arid climate of Abaco, conservation is always appreciated.
The Lodge has an open bar policy. Local spirits will be available free of charge. If you have a preferred brand of liquor, please be sure to let us know in advance and we will communicate that to the lodge and they will have it ready upon your arrival (payable upon arrival to the lodge). You may also bring your own bottle.
Getting There
Unlike the majority of other islands in the Bahamas it is possible to fly directly to Marsh Harbour from the U.S. mainland. While it is also possible to fly via Nassau, a direct flight from Florida is by far the easiest.
Major commercial carriers fly directly to Marsh Harbour, from several Florida airports:
American Airlines flies to Marsh Harbour from Miami
United flies to Marsh Harbour from Ft. Lauderdale, West Palm Beach and Orlando
Bahamas Air flies to Marsh Harbour from Ft. Lauderdale
Baer Air flies to Marsh Harbour from Melbourne, FL
Air Gate flies to Marsh Harbour from Daytona Beach and Smyrna
Sky Bahamas flies to Marsh Harbour from Ft. Lauderdale
There are several local carriers that fly between Nassau and Marsh Harbour, including:
Bahamas Air
Western Air
Sky Bahamas
For more information about flights from Nassau to Marsh Harbour, please visit this website:
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. When you arrive at the lodge, a welcoming staff will greet you and show you to your room.
There is no organized fishing scheduled for your arrival day, but this can be arranged prior to arrival. If not, you may spend the day relaxing in the pool with a refreshing drink. The staff is happy to help you assemble your gear for the days ahead.
On your departure day you will be taken back to Marsh Harbour with plenty of time to catch your flight. The lodge manager will assist you with timing your departure from the lodge the night before.
Included: Lodging, all meals, alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, guiding, transfer in/out from Marsh Harbour Airport.
Not Included: Government taxes (VAT), gratuities, fishing equipment, flies, terminal tackle.