ACKLINS ISLAND LODGE - BAHAMAS

Perched on Acklins’ highest hilltop, Acklins Island Lodge provides 360 degree views of the open ocean to the west and the Bight of Acklins to the east. This small island is completely surrounded by over 1,500 square of miles of shallow flats that – compared to other destinations – see very little fishing pressure. As a result, this area is home to fantastic numbers of happy, naive bonefish. Because of the size and characteristics of the area flats, wading is the main game on Acklins. Whether you are fishing the oceanside flats for larger bones, or the flats located inside the Bight, you can expect to be wade fishing 85% of the time. The lodge itself consists of five small cottages that together resemble a small village. Since Acklins is located so close to Crooked Island, anglers may also choose to combined these two destinations to create a customized combo trip.

Typical Length of Stay

Flights to Acklins from Nassau are on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, which means that these are the change-over days that must be utilized. Based on those arrival and departure days, any length of trip can be arranged. The lodge prefers Saturday or Wednesday as standard arrival and departure days.

Accommodations and Lodging

There are five cottages on the hilltop, three of which are two bedrooms. All five feature private bathrooms, A/C, ceiling fans, mini fridges, spacious closets, and extra long single beds that can also be made into king sized beds upon requests. The rooms are spacious, clean, and well decorated. Each cottage has a shared deck with unobstructed views of the ocean. The sunrises and sunsets from the vantage point of the lodge - high on a hilltop - are spectacular. Since the lodge treats all of its own water, the showers are not brackish and the tap water is safe to drink. Fresh water in plentiful at Acklins Island Lodge! This is very rare anywhere in the Caribbean, and certainly in the Bahamas. Daily laundry service is available and makes for light packing.

Food and Beverages

Dinner is served between 7:00 and 7:30 PM each evening. The Lodge's excellent Bahamian cooks specialize in fresh seafood, including fish, lobster and conch. They also serve several chicken and beef dishes, and many of the fresh vegetables are grown in the Lodge's own garden.

Fishing Information

If you prefer to stalk bonefish while walking and wading the flats, then Acklins Island Lodge is arguably as good as it gets. The guides here prefer to wade the varied flats, using the boats mainly as a mode of transportation. This is the most productive way to fish these intricate flats systems. On Acklins you will primarily find hard-bottomed flats, with some semi-hard bottomed flats the further inland you move. It is vital to have high quality wading boots with lots of support and the ability to keep debris out (which is why we like to wear long wading socks as well. The guides can and do pole the skiffs during higher tides and upon request.

On the western side of the island, the Bight of Acklins is an impressive flats system that consistently holds strong numbers of bonefish. Mile upon mile of creeks, bays, and shorelines line the entire west coast, making it a very productive fishery. The oceanside eastern shoreline is prime bonefish habitat as well, with the occasional permit found when conditions are right. Expect to see larger bones on this side of the island as the flats are adjacent to deeper water. There are protected bays and keys along the east coast where most of the fishing is done during windy days.

Every morning the guides make a game plan for the day’s fishing. They are fortunate to have so many different options for fishing locations, meaning that they can make "game time decisions" based on weather and immediate conditions. They tend to choose the day’s locations based on tides and wind direction. The Bight of Acklins is an intricate and vast tidal system that can be difficult to predict. The flats vary dramatically in how they flood and drain due to the wind direction and moon fazes. It is not uncommon to use the lodge van instead of the boats to access the day’s fishing grounds during adverse weather conditions. This gives the guests a comfortable transfer to the flats, instead of a rough and wet boat ride. There is no sacrifice to the quality of your fishing day when using the van.

Boats and Equipment

The skiffs are very basic and solid V-hulled crafts that provide a comfortable ride from spot to spot. These well-maintained skiffs are 16-foot "Bay Skiffs" complete with poling platforms, rod holders, and 45 HP Yamaha outboards. All the boats do have poles if you choose to fish from the boat. It is recommended that anglers bring all of their own gear and equipment, including rods, reels, wading boots, flies and all terminal tackle.

Non-Angling Activities and Options

Acklins Island Lodge is primarily a fishing-focused destination and does not offer many non-angling activities besides beachcombing, swimming, and relaxing at the lodge. There is a great beach that is within walking distance of the lodge.

How To Get There

Most anglers fly commercially to Nassau. There are numerous daily flights into Nassau from many of the larger U.S. cities. The flight to Acklins Island leaves early in the morning on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, so an overnight in Nassau is required. Private charters are available but must clear customs in Nassau or Georgetown when flying from the U.S.A. Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures can assist you in making any travel arrangements.

Arrival and Departure Details / Times

Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays are the only days commercial flights access Spring Point Airport on Acklins Island. Upon arrival on Acklins Island, you will be met at the airport and transferred by van to the lodge.

Rates / Package Costs

All rates are per person. A trip of any length of stay can be arranged. Please call Yellow Dog for custom package pricing.

* Remember that Yellow Dog's services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter.

What's Included

• All accommodations at the lodge
• All meals, sodas, juices, and coffee
• All guided fishing and daily boat lunch
• Daily maid and laundry service
• Government room tax
• Roundtrip transfers to and from Spring Point Airport

What's Not Included

• Roundtrip airfare from hometown to Spring Point
• Overweight baggage charges
• Airport departure taxes
• Gratuities for guides and staff
• Alcoholic beverages and bar tab

Travel Arrangements

Yellow Dog has a full in-house travel and reservations system, and can assist with airline tickets, hotels, transfers, and all travel logistics for every destination that we offer. Contact us at 888-777-5060 or info@yellowdogflyfishing.com for more details on airfare ticketing, travel services and trip insurance.

Other Information

The deeper waters to the east of Acklins are rarely fished and have numerous offshore game species such as Wahoo, Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Grouper, Snapper, Barracuda, Sharks, and some Marlin. The lodge may be able to offer some bluewater and offshore fishing opportunities depending on time of year and conditions.