BAHAMAS. NEW

RAGGED ISLAND BONEFISH CLUB

The first season at Ragged Island Bonefish Club was a complete success. Everyone who has visited this remote Bahamas Island club, which handles only 6 anglers a week, told us that it is impossible to believe the numbers of bonefish there. "It is better than Christmas Island in the 80s", Brian Rhodes told us. The fishing is fantastic regardless of the weather, the tide or the time of day; not just small fish, many 9 lb. fish have been landed. During the first week of April, two 12 pounders were brought to the boat. All on the fly! There are no other fishing clubs on the island, nor are mother ships allowed under any circumstances, so guests have this great fishing all to themselves. "It is absolutely the best bonefishing there is! There is none better!" said client, Leon Pimentel, who has fished bonefish throughout the Bahamas.

Fishing the remarkable concentration of bonefish on the flats at Ragged Island is interesting. It's an excellent wade fishing situation, with the exception of the lagoon flats around Ragged Island itself. Fishing is best done by stalking on foot across shallow, white sand flats. Here one fishes schools of 4 to 6 pounders, or stalks a single 10 to 12 pound dark backed bonefish; or takes a crack at 10 to 20 pound mutton snappers or jacks as they cruise behind the rays. Permit are also abundant, cruising across the deeper white sand flats. Around Margaret Cay there are schools of ladyfish which provide about the same excitement as a 2 to 4 pound tarpon. It is a movable fishing feast!

The next thing anglers say is they cannot believe the food. Conch fritters are fresh, fried or broiled, not chopped into little pieces and hidden by bread filling. Then there is their conch salad, which is mostly conch! Steaks, ham, fresh fish, lobster and chicken are some of the entrees. Followed by fresh baked cakes or pies. You're fed until you're content. Ragged Island Bonefish Club has a desalinization plant, so there is plenty of fresh, sweet water. The lodge staff assists you with your baggage and a golf cart is always waiting to deliver you to the dock and back again after a hard day of casting.

The 16.5 ft. flats skiffs were custom built and are powered by 40 h.p. Nissan outboards. All boats and engines are brand new. The guides have lived on Ragged Island all of their lives and were well trained by the Florida Keys guides who own the lodge. They are always pleasant as well as helpful to their anglers. The Club is outfitted with new fishing equipment and there is no charge for its use.

Rooms are newly furnished, with new air conditioners, new double and queen sized beds, private bathrooms and Satellite TV. Each room accommodates two people. Looking for the pool! Sorry there is none, only the crystal clear waters of the Caribbean, bordered by white and pink sand beaches.

Anglers must plan their air travel carefully to arrive in Nassau, Bahamas in time to catch the charter flight to the island. Often an overnight is required in Nassau. From $2,050.00 per person, based on double occupancy, this rate includes 5 days of fishing, accommodations and all meals. The fishing schedule is custom designed by the angler, there are no set club schedules. You can fish when you want, for as long as you want; eat what you want and as much as you want.

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CST 1010581-10