Bahamas: Mangrove Cay Club
Andros - the Bonefish Capital of the World
Our 2024 trip was so incredible we heading back in 2025! Fabulous accommodations, discriminating food, surprisingly stocked open bar, meticulously refined itinerary, delightful staff, friendly guides, expansive flats with little to no competition and, inarguably the BEST bonefishing we've ever seen! In a word - WOW!
7 Night / 6 Day Package
Trip dates: January 25th-February 1st, 2025
Package Price: $7,400 (+10% VAT tax) *shared guide/shared room
6 Night / 5 Day Package
Trip Dates: January 25th-January 31st, 2025
Package Price: $6,600 (+10% VAT tax) *shared guide/shared room
Package price includes: Accommodations, guided flats fishing, all meals, round trip transfer from Mangrove Cay Airport to the lodge, beverages including house wines, bar liquor, beer, bottled water, soft drinks and room taxes.
Not included in package price: 10% VAT taxes, Airfare, some wines and liquors, gratuities, fishing equipment and flies, Bahamian departure tax of $29, miscellaneous personal expenses such as fly shop purchases. Mangrove Cay Club accepts cash and credit cards at the lodge.
Call us at 406-542-7411 to book today!
*price may take slight increase depending on fuel prices to be evaluated at the end of the season
*Single occupancy pricing available
Why Mangrove Cay Club
We recently returned from our first hosted trip to the highly acclaimed Mangrove Cay Club on Andros. Only superlatives satisfy our description: Fabulous accommodations, discriminating food, surprisingly stocked open bar, meticulously refined itinerary, delightful staff, friendly guides, expansive flats with little to no competition and, inarguably the BEST bonefishing we've ever seen! In a word - WOW!
We've been fortunate to visit some of the fly fishing's most coveted destinations over the years and we have to say that Mangrove Cay ranks clearly at the top of our list in multiple categories. In addition to the exceptional lodge experience we found the bonefish to be plentiful, of notable average size, and most importantly eager to eat our shrimpy imitations. Beginners to expert anglers all found success.
If you have ever wanted to try bonefishing but for one reason or another not committed to a trip this is one for you. And, for those who have been saltwater fishing in the past and are looking for another outstanding fishing and lodging experience look no further - Mangrove Cay Club is legit!
The Fishing
Clients will fish two anglers to a boat. Although Andros is renowned for the abundance and size of its bonefish, Mangrove Cay also has an exceptional blue water fishery right out its back door. This combination of inshore and offshore fishing opportunities insures that your time at Mangrove will be filled with a variety of fishing experiences.
Andros Island, the largest of The Bahama Islands, is actually several islands of which there are three main inhabited islands: North Andros, South Andros and Mangrove Cay. Mangrove Cay is in between North Andros and South Andros and is surrounded by the waters of the Bights, wide and meandering waterways that bisect Andros from east to west. The Bights, known as the North, Middle and South Bight are themselves dotted with countless uninhabited cays and islets with shallow shores.
One huge flat on the West Side of Andros Island “The Land of the Giants” has incredible numbers of very large fish can be found here on a consistent basis.
Mangrove Cay Club is located on the north shore of Mangrove Cay which is the southshore of the Middle Bight. The lodge is tucked just inside the Bight far enough from the windward east side of the island to provide us with sheltered access to the flats and estuaries of our fishery.
We chose this location to give us water access to mile after mile of prime bonefish water without ever having to trailer a boat to a launch point or take a rough boat ride in the open ocean. We have access to all of the waters of the Bights, the eastern flats and the remote and legendary West Side.
It is widely known that bonefish follow the tides, using them to feed in shallow water. Tides on Andros behave in an odd way that works to our advantage. When the tide is low and rising on the east side, it is high and falling on the west side and vice versa. This gives our guides the advantage of being able to move through the Bights all day, never leaving you sitting on a shoreline waiting for the tide to “be right”.
There is no tide or moon phase that cannot be successfully fished at Mangrove Cay Club.
Andros bonefish are plentiful and average 3 to 5 pounds with regular appearances of fish 6 to 10 pounds. Several 11, 12 and 13 pound fish are landed every season. Our daily recorded statistics prove that the waters just minutes away from the lodge are equally productive in both size and numbers. In fact, some of the largest fish have been taken within sight of the Mangrove Cay Club just across the Bight around Big Wood Cay and Moxey Creek.
Bonefish are seen in schools of anywhere from a few fish to very large numbers, often in the hundreds. Large fish tend to travel in singles and doubles although they can hang out in large schools with smaller fish.
The Bights and West Side of Andros have soft bottoms and are best fished from the bow of the skiff. Wading is done on hard, sandy bottomed flats which are all located on the eastern shores and the south west of Andros.
Guides are rotated during your stay, and you can generally expect a new guide to be assigned to you every third fishing day. The rotation is a good way to match guides with guests and provides the opportunity to enjoy old favorites, as well as learn from different guides during your week.
We have boat access to the North, Middle and South Bights, the north and south West Side, the eastern flats and the Southwest cays of Andros. We are frequently asked if guides are assigned to certain areas to fish. The answer is no – the area is so vast there is no need for this restriction.
Your assigned guide will choose the flats you will fish from an almost unlimited number of options and his choices are based on tides, wind, weather and where experience tells him he will find fish. Please note that, if you have a preference of which type of fishing you prefer (wading or boat fishing), you should let both your guide and Liz know before you go out so your guide can plan accordingly.
Most fishing is done from the bow of the boat giving you and your guide the elevation to see fish and the mobility to move from flat to flat.
For some anglers, wading is the preferred option. It may be your choice to wade alone or with your guide. Let your guide know, and he can plan to include as much or as little wading in your day as you desire.
Occasionally, wind can make fishing from the boat impractical and even getting to the flats uncomfortable. On these days, we have the option of using The Big Boat (our 26’ twin hull with twin 150 hp engines) as a ferry to transport you and guides to lee shores and creeks for wading. This program has saved the day when many of our guests were resigned to a good book or a day at the tying table. These ventures can be very satisfying – in February of this year an 11# bonefish was caught, minutes from the lodge on a day that most lodges could not even get to the flats.
Accomodations
Mangrove consists of 4 bungalows each which contain two separate suites accommodating two anglers per suite (16 anglers total). Each suite has a bedroom overlooking the ocean, a large living room, and a very spacious bathroom. Each suite has a balcony jutting towards the ocean and is appointed with two chairs and a table. It is a great place to have a drink & recharge at the end of the day. Rooms are cleaned daily and the beds are very comfortable. Complimentary laundry service is available daily.
Dining
Breakfast: Coffee and tea delivery is now available between 6:00 am and 6:15 am. Breakfast begins at 6:30 am with coffee made from freshly ground beans (roasted for us in Nassau), an assortment of teas, fruit juices, cold cereals and fresh milk, yoghurt, fresh fruit and freshly baked pastries (muffins, biscuits, bagels).
Hot breakfasts of eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes or French toast are served beginning at 7:00 am. Feel free to request anything you like – hot oatmeal or a fruit salad perhaps?
Lunch: Lunches are packed in coolers of ice and taken out on the boats. We invite guests to create their own lunches from a selection of breads and rolls, tuna salad, ham, roasted turkey breast, smoked turkey, salami,roast beef, beef bologna, with cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions and of course, peanut butter and jelly. The options are endless!
A fresh green salad is also an option. All are laid out buffet style so you can make your lunch to your preference. Freshly baked cookies, granola bars, potato chips, and fresh fruit complement the selection and make for a great lunch.
Ice cold water and your own YETI tumbler are available to bring in the boat. Soft drinks & cold beer are picked up at the bar. Let us know if you would like iced tea or hot coffee on the boat with you
Dinner: Dinner begins with hors d’oeuvres at cocktail hour, 6:00 pm.
Cracked conch, conch fritters, grouper nuggets, stone crab claws, hot lobster dip, crudités and chicken wings are some of the items you will find on the hors d’oeuvres table.
Dinner begins with a salad or a soup. Some of our favorite soups include Bahamian conch chowder, cream of lobster, ginger and carrot. Our House Salad of crisp greens with a variety of salad vegetables, Caesar, spinach and grilled shrimp salad with mango dressing are some of the salad course offerings.
Seafood entrees are Iyke’s specialties, and he prepares fresh fish and lobster to perfection. Grilled fish with fettucine, sauteed grouper in lemon broth with risotto, grilled lobster in cognac sauce, and snapper in pineapple sauce are some of the dishes you will see posted on the menu board.
All deserts are homemade. In addition to Iyke’s killer key lime pie, desserts include Grand Marnier Soufflé, mango cheesecake, coconut pies, homemade ice cream, and outrageously fudgey brownies served with ice cream and chocolate sauce.
A selection of red and white house wines are poured with dinner and the list includes chardonnays, pinot grigio, sauvignon blanc, cabernet sauvignon, merlot, shiraz, and pinot noir. You may also choose from our premium wine list.
We are constantly seeking to be fresh and innovative in our food preparation and presentation and each season we make additions and changes to our menus. Guests consistently praise Iyke and the products of his kitchen which result from his high standards and careful attention to the suggestions, requests and preferences of our guests. In short, the quality of Iyke’s cuisine matches the quality of the bonefishing.
The Gear
We recommend 7 – 8 weight rods for bonefish. A 9 – 10 weight rod for tarpon, permit and barracuda opportunities and saltwater reels with minimum 150 yards of backing. Saltwater specific weight forward floating line – a few 10 foot 16 lb fluorocarbon leaders for bonefish with 16 lb fluorocarbon tippet. Bring 40-60 lb fluorocarbon tippet for tarpon and and 40 lb wire for barracuda. A few #2-4 Gotchas with a pearl body and tan wing will get the job done on most fish. We tried numerous different patterns and had success with almost all of them. One thing is for sure, you can leave your #6's at home.
Check out our full packing list here
Itinerary in brief
Arrival Day
Depart home city for Nassau. Clear Bahamas customs and immigration, proceed to domestic terminal, and check in for the 20 minute flight to Mangrove Cay. You will be met at the airport in Mangrove Cay by a lodge representative for 5 minute transfer to the lodge. You will be escorted to your cottage where you can unpack and start getting prepared for your fishing adventure. Appetizers, drinks and dinner to follow.
Mangrove can also accommodate private aircraft (customs can be arranged) and can arrange for anglers to be picked up in south Andros after clearing customs. Please call for details.
Fishing Days
Coffee available at 6:30 a.m. Breakfast by order at 7:00 a.m. Make and pack your lunch for the day fishing. Depart the dock at 8:00 a.m. Return from fishing at 4:00-4:30 p.m. If you are a die hard fisherman we do offer an extended package. This package is $100 extra per day paid at the property. Please note this does not include gratuity. Available cold beer, drinks, and snacks anytime after fishing. Dinner is served at 7 p.m.
Departure Day
Coffee and breakfast before your departure to the airport for transfer on to Nassau and your final destination.
Call us at 406 542 7411 to book today!
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