Grand Bahama Island

Just less than 60 miles from the Florida coast lies one of the northernmost islands of the Bahamas group – Grand Bahama Island (Gran Bajamar – Spanish origin meaning great shallow water) has the perfect name for a flats fisher and it was aptly named.

It is found on Google Earth at 26.31.39.57 N and 78.39.46.51 W for the city of Freeport. It is an east/west island of about 100 miles long with its widest north/south measurement at 17 miles. If you study the Google Earth image, you will see enormous areas of flats all along its northern edge from west to its south east corner. These flats are home to big bonefish, migratory tarpon along its northeastern shores and permit during the warmer spring and summer months. In the deep waters a short distance off shore, there is fishing for Dorado (dolphinfish), yellowfin, and various other deep water species. Absolutely, world class fly fishing. The island was mostly settled by slaves freed by the British in the early 1800’s and except for brief periods around the Civil War and our prohibition years (when smuggling hard to get items was a good business) was pretty much left alone until the tourist business came of age around the 1950’s and 60’s. The population at that time on the island was around 500 inhabitants. Now it is estimated at around 70,000 people and about a million bonefish (I just made up that last part, but it has to be close maybe even low).

The city of Freeport is the main population center because of the international airport located there and the harbor where giant cruise ships anchor and deposit their passengers for some of the island pleasures. There are numerous fine restaurants, water sports, casinos, shopping, and golf – all of the tourist amenities a person could wish for. There are many direct flights from the Eastern half of the US. This is perhaps the best place on earth for an angler (looking for a place to seriously fish the flats for bonefish) to visit with a non-angler who wants the finer details available only at a serious tourist destination. We have one destination right in Freeport based out of a first class resort/hotel and another a little drive west out of town to a lodge right on the beach to get away from tourists and traffic. But even at this one, trips can be arranged to go into town for shopping (it is a duty-free port), golf or whatever one might wish for. Even though the Bahamas have their own currency, the US Dollar is widely accepted and credit cards are accepted almost everywhere in the city.

The weather is mild to warm throughout the year. December through February can be a bit cool in the evening (remember to bring a sweater or jacket), but March through November will find the day-time temps in the 80’s and low 90’s.

It is an easy drive west to east and with many small roads that lead off to the sea, adventurous fishers could easily rent a car and do some exploring. For those wanting more of a sure thing you’ll want to check out Pelican Bay Bonefish Club and North Riding Point Club. Link to the appropriate pages on our site.