Welcome aboard!
Gear up for an exceptional trip to Andros Island in the Bahamas, the BONEFISH CAPITAL OF THE WORLD…
We have gathered up all the key information needed to help you plan your travels.
TRAVEL INFO
Getting to and from Andros Island
Book your flight to Nassau, where you will take a jumper flight to Fresh Creek, or fly directly into Fresh Creek from Ft. Lauderdale. With either option for travel, please book your flights to arrive at Fresh Creek Airport after 2pm
Option one:
Book your flight to Ft. Lauderdale through any carrier and then book a flight from Ft. Lauderdale into Fresh Creek (ASD) via Makers air
https://makersair.com/
Option two
Book your flight into Nassau through any carrier and book a jumper flight from Nassau to Fresh Creek, Andros via Le Air
https://www.flyleair.com/bookonline/
If you choose to fly through Nassau, it is often easier to overnight there, then take the jumper (Le Air) flight the following day.
Arrive in Fresh Creek, Andros any time after 2pm on your scheduled arrival day.
If you have any questions about flights or getting to Fresh Creek Airport on Andros, please reach out to us.
Please make sure to fill out the travel details form we sent once you have your flights booked.
Documentation
Travelers MUST have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of trip date, with 2 blank unstamped pages and it must not be damaged
- U.S. Citizens traveling from the U.S. for up to 90 days are not required to get a Tourist Visa.
Arrival
Take a tour of the brand new lodge and settle into your room. Freshen up, head to main dining room for a drink from the full bar. Appetizers will be served here followed by dinner around 6PM.
The Fishing
Andros is known for its bonefish and these silver bullets are your primary target. Typically the average size is in the 5 pound class, however on the west side of the island, you will see fish in the double digits. Other species occasionally seen on the flats are the elusive Bahamian permit, barracuda and tarpon feeding on baitfish and fleeing crustaceans.
We have an awesome crew of local Bahamian guides that will be showing you the beautiful flats surrounding the island. Guides will pick you up right in front of the lodge at the dock on Cargill Creek.
You will primarily be fishing from skiffs. If you want to spend the day wading be sure to ask your guide before you leave the dock for the day. Depending on the weather, the guides will either head up the east side of the island or into the bight. On light wind days guides may even make the run to the white, sandy flats on the west side. Morning boat runs take anywhere from 30-45 minutes, or if you are headed to the west side, up to an hour.
Bonefish can show up in large schools, small groups or even as singles. Keep your eyes peeled, listen to your guide and be ready to throw your cast as they position the boat for each shot.
When the time comes, remember…. DON’T TROUT SET!!
PLEASE PRACTICE CASTING BEFORE YOU GET TO ANDROS!!!
Being able to throw an 8wt all day is important to your success on the water. Hitting your target distance of
40-50 ft+ quickly and accurately will really help make your fishing experience much more enjoyable!
One o’clock… Two o’clock… 50 feet! 40 feet! Cast!!!
You will often hear the guides giving their instructions quickly. The guides will often see these fish well before you do… Our amazing guides have sharp eyes that are very used to spotting these stealthy swimmers. Make sure to be familiar with “the hands of a clock”. Your guide will call out times to tell you which direction you need to throw your cast.
*12 o’clock is the bow, 3 o’clock is the right of the bow, 9 o’clock to the left!*
Below is a glimpse of the new pop-up lodge location for 2025….!
It is a great alternative, the flats right in front of the lodge are excellent for an additional afternoon/evening opportunity on foot! Click through the gallery and get as excited as we are!!
- Gear -
Guides will not be providing gear for you. You will need to bring your own rods, reels, line, leader, tippet and flies.
Please see the printable planner for a more in depth list and don’t hesitate to reach out to us for help selecting the appropriate gear for your trip.
8/9/10wt rods with floating line with appropriately sized, sealed drag saltwater reels.
*Make sure you have at least 200 yards of backing, attached with a good knot to your fly-line*
Fishing License
Use the link below to go the “Go Outdoors Bahamas” website where you can purchase your fishing license.
https://license.gooutdoorsbahamas.com/Licensing/CustomerLookup.aspx#
Download the "Go Outdoors Bahamas" app, just search for it in the app store on your device.
Tap below for an instructional video about the site and app on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yhDTXNwTV08
When creating an account, use your passport # as the “Document ID Number”.
There is an option for a 7-day, non-resident, flats fishing license, the cost is $20.
For the proposed fishing area - ANDROS
You do not need the '"durable hard card" unless you would like to purchase one as a keepsake.
When you are finished, make sure that you print off your license.
Keep the printed version with you in an accessible spot when traveling, in case you are asked to show it while going through customs and immigration.
Travel Insurance
TCH Highly recommends travel insurance for all your adventures.
Please reach out to us if you need assistance choosing the right insurance for you.
We have a recommended link to share from a travel agent friend (NOT an affiliate link for us but as with most travel agencies, a portion of the cost of your policy would be paid to them as commission, full disclosure!!!). If interested, click on the link below. We are happy to discuss other options that may be better suited for your needs and preferences as well! We are in the works to offer an affiliate link of our own soon for a great adventure travel insurance provider, feel free to contact Samantha.
PLEASE MAKE SURE ANY POLICY YOU PURCHASE COVERS YOU FOR INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TO THE BAHAMAS, AS WELL AS FOR ACTIVITIES SUCH AS FISHING, AS NOT ALL DO. IF EVEN JUST CONSIDERING ANY POLICY AT ALL, WE WOULD STRONGLY RECOMMEND MEDICAL TRAVEL INSURANCE FOR EVERY CLIENT ON EVERY TRIP.
BE SURE TO PROVIDE US THE POLICY NUMBER, COMPANY NAME AND PHONE NUMBER IF YOU DO PURCHASE ANY POLICY. IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY WE WANT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE THIS INFO AND CAN DETERMINE THE POLICY REQUIREMENTS, AS THEY CAN VARY.
SEND TRAVEL INSURANCE DETAILS TO: SAMANTHA
- The Lodge/Food Program -
Your Creel Chef will be providing all of your meals!
For 2025, we have the great pleasure of hosting our trip at a brand new lodge located in Cargill Creek. This Central Andros location has been crafted with hospitality and fishing in mind. The lodge is a true family affair, designed and built by locals Danny and Juliette Newbold, backed by their sons Julio and Danny Junior (DJ). Juliette is the head of hospitality for the facility, while Danny and his sons are part of our guide team. The Travel Creel Crew brings most of our goods from Nassau, and will feature fish caught in the same waters you are fishing, so expect conch, grouper and snapper in the menu rotation.
PLEASE INFORM US OF ANY FOOD ALLERGIES OR DIETARY RESTRICTIONS USING THE “CLIENT INTAKE” FORM WE SENT YOU OR IF ALREADY ON FILE WITH US PLEASE EMAIL SAMANTHA@TRAVELCREEL.COM TO ENSURE THE BEST POSSIBLE EXPERIENCE!
Typical Day on Andros Island:
6:30 am- Meet the Creel Crew in the main dining room for your morning coffee and take your pick from our delicious breakfast spread.
7:30 am- Grab your gear, layer on the unscented sun protection and make sure to leave behind any bright clothing that might spook this elusive species.
Lunchboxes are packed daily by your Creel Crew Chef, grab yours and add your choice of snacks from the loaded baskets and add a bottle (or two) of Kalik, a local beer brewed in Nassau or your choice of beverage to bring along for your day of fishing.
8:00 am- Meet the guides in their boats right out front on Cargill Creek and head off for each exciting day of sight casting to the gray ghosts of the flats.
4:00 pm- Your guide will head in and drop you off right at the lodge. Come up and rinse the saltwater off your gear and freshen up.
*Our “Pocket Knife” Rosanna is our shuttle driver extraordinaire. She is ready to swing by and take you to grab any supplies you may need during your stay, or will happily make the run for you.*
5:30 pm- Grab a cocktail from the full bar in the lodge’s main dining room and relax on the picturesque wrap-around porch until dinner is served. Swap stories of the day’s adventures over your Creel Chef’s thoughtfully crafted menus.
After dinner, top off your cocktail glass and when ready, meander back to your room. Each of the lodge’s 5 spacious guest rooms are complete with air conditioning, a private bathroom and two Queen beds.
Are you ready for beautiful sunsets, big fish and Caribbean vibes….?
- Departure -
We will be preparing a “grab-and-go” breakfast for you on the morning of your departure.
Book your flight to depart in the morning from Fresh Creek to Nassau and we will arrange a shuttle to take you to the airport. (Most likely, this will be the 7:30 am flight).
If you have made other arrangements or have questions about booking flights, please contact us.
- What’s included? -
- 5 nights of accommodations at the brand new lodge on Cargill Creek
- 4 days of expert guided fishing
- All meals prepared by your on-site Creel Chef
- Airport shuttles by Rosanna
-What’s not included?-
- Airfare and travel expenses
- Booze (the lodge features a full bar if you prefer to buy there and not bring your own)
- Bahamian Fishing License
- Gear and terminal tackle: be sure to check out the full gear list on the printable planner linked to this page
- Gratuity
*We recognize that gratuity is a personal choice based on the service you receive and your overall experience. We would like to provide the following guidance for our clients:
Typical gratuity
- Guides: $75/person/day, pooled with your boatmate and paid to your guide at the end of each day of fishing in cash (US dollars)
- Creel Crew: $200-$250 per angler paid at the end of your stay in cash or using the Cashless Creel Crew page linked in the email you will receive the morning of your departure
- Other lodge staff: You are encouraged to leave a tip for the housekeeping staff and anyone else on site that made your stay enjoyable
- Rosanna: $20+ at the end of each shuttle ride from/to the airport or for taking you to a store or getting any supplies for you
