Crooked Island
Crooked Island is an island and district, part of a group of Bahamian islands defining a large, shallow lagoon called the Bight of Acklins, of which the largest are Crooked Island in the north and Acklins in the south-east, and the smaller are Long Cay (once known as Fortune Island) in the north-west, and Castle Island in the south.
Crooked Island, Acklins Island, Long Cay, and outlying Samana and plana cays make up the Crooked Island District. A 50-mile barrier reef rings the entire island chain, offering drop-offs beginning at about 50 feet and plunging to 3600 feet in the Crooked Island Passage. Crooked Island is about 250 miles southeast of Nassau.
These 3 islands inhabit about 600 people. The main airport is in Colonel Hill and there is a private 2000' airstrip at Pittstown. This airstrip will be 3500' in September.The three principal islands form a rough triangle enclosing the shallow Bight of Acklins. Columbus sailed down the leeward side of the islands in 1492, passing through the Crooked Island Passage, which later became a major highway for Spanish treasure fleets. Columbus called the islands the ‘Fragrant Isles,’ perhaps because of the aromatic scent of the cascarilla tree’s bark, also called ‘Eluethera bark.’
In the late 18th century the islands, like their northern neighbors, were settled by Loyalist from North America who tried to establish a cotton industry.About 50 plantations were founded, using more than 1000 slaves. By the 1830s depleted soils, weevils, and emancipation doomed the plantations forever. The white land-owners left. The black labours remained and turned to be subsistence fishing and farming. Their descendants still fish, ten the land, and draw an income from stripping cascarilla bark and selling it to the manufacturers of Campari liquor.
Crooked Island Fishing
Here are the species of fish that you’ll be chasing during your time on Crooked Island: Bonefish, Permit, Triggerfish, Barracuda, Tarpon, Mutton Snapper, Jacks, Snook.
You will have the option to fish from the boat or wading depending on tides and species that you are focusing on. Also, to add more versatility, you will be able to spin fish for a lot of species in the channels leading to Turtle Sound.
Recommended equipment for Fly fishing: rod and reel package ranging from 8-10wt. Most of the fishing will be done with a floating line but I do suggest bringing an intermediate or sinking tip for fishing the channels for Tarpon, Snapper and Jacks.
Your 8wt will definitely see the most use but it will be good to have a 9wt and a 10wt with you for versatility and in case one of them gets damaged.
The terrain you’ll be fishing varies from sandy bottom flats to edge of the mangroves to little cays to permit flats with deeper water all the way to 10-20ft channels where you can catch a lot of different species to keep your rod bent throughout the whole day.
Crooked Island Fishing Video
Your Trip
To access the island you will need to fly to Nassau one day before your arrival on Crooked Island and spend the night in Nassau. There are two flights per week, one on Wednesday and another one on Saturday both of them departing from Nassau around 9:30AM and it will arrive around 11AM in Crooked Island ( CRI ). For your departure from the CRI, your flight will take off around 12PM and it will arrive in Nassau around 1:30PM.
Your hosts will be waiting for you at CRI to welcome you to the island with cold drinks and snacks. You’ll have all your luggage loaded in the van and then you’ll be taken to Landrail Point where your AC apartments will be waiting for you to settle in and then you’ll head out to Gibson’s restaurant for Lunch. After lunch you’ll be able to go and fish on the canal near the marina where your fishing boats are moored. Jeff and his crew of guides will be able to give you directions on what to fish for.
Diner will be served around 7PM every evening and you’ll be able to tell Willie about any food allergies and preferences. She will be able to accommodate any choices and the food is all cooked from scratch fresh by Willie and her family.
Fishing will start the next morning with breakfast at the restaurant around 7AM and then you’ll walk to the little Harbour where your fishing guides will be waiting for you. The fishing day starts around 8AM and it ends around 4PM, please feel free to discuss hours with Jeff, he will be more than happy to accommodate any needs you have depending on tides and weather.
The daily schedule will stay the same during your stay with small adjustments that you want to make.
On your departure day ( wednesday or saturday ) you will have breakfast at 8AM and then your hosts will help you load the luggage in the van and then you’ll head out to the airport. Your hosts will be able to assist you with any needs during the check in process.
You arrive on the Island as a fly fisherman wanting to experience a new fishing spot and you will leave as a friend and you’ll be making plans to come back.
GUIDED FISHING
Meet the Guides
Jeff Moss
Crooked Island bonefish guide Jeff Moss is known for his mild temperament and easy going attitude. Having guided for twenty-two (22) years, his skill in handling a bonefish skiff is legendary. Whether the angler is a first timer, or an experienced one, Jeff skillfully positions his boat for definite success. On any given day, whether fishing from the boat, or wading the flats, you can expect many shots of bones. Jeff was the first guide to introduce a shallow water Beavertail to the extensive Crooked Island flats, thereby opening-up considerably more bonefishing terrain. You are guaranteed to have an unforgettable experience with Jeff.
Randy Lewis
In the quiet, beautiful settlement of Landrail Point, Crooked Island. You will find a well experience, certified bonefish guide, by the name of Randy Lewis who is better known to his clients as "actionman". He has been guiding for the past twenty-two (22) years. Riding in his clean, light attractive Hellsbay boat, give you that feelings of staying out on the waters all day, because once is not enough. His positive and determined attitude, have helped him achieved his goals in the fishing industry: Landing twelve (12) snook on a fly, catching a number of permits and getting his first grand slam in March, 2018. Satisfying his clients is first priority. Randy has fished with the legendary singer/songwriter Jimmy Buffet. He is a number one permit master. Quality service and satisfaction guaranteed. When you fish with Randy, he will give you an experience of a lifetime.
The Accommodations
Our accommodations consist of 3 apartments located side by side in a townhouse style building. Here is a description of each unit:
Master bedroom with king size bed
Second bedroom with 2 single beds
Living room with couch, table with 4 chairs, Flat screen TV.
Bathroom with walk in shower
Laundry Room with washer and dryer
Kitchen with full size fridge
Other amenities include separate AC units for each room, internet, hot water, cable TV
Gibson’s Restaurant
Gibson’s Restaurant is a family owned restaurant where breakfast, lunch and dinner will be served. Diner will be served around 7PM every evening and you’ll be able to tell Willie about any food allergies and preferences. She will be able to accommodate any choices and the food is all cooked from scratch fresh by Willie and her family.
RESERVATIONS
UPCOMING TRIPS
Travel Terms and Conditions
For all Fly Rod Travel hosted trips, both deposits and final payments are non-refundable unless a client is replaced. i.e. you (or we) can find someone to take your spot. Both your deposit and final payment can be transferred to another client for the same trip.
Fly Rod Travel is not responsible for loss of fishing days due to missed flights, sickness, injury, weather delays, or any other reason. Fly Tod Travel also reserves the right to make alterations to the itinerary as deemed necessary or desirable, even if additional cost is passed onto members of the party. Additionally, any expenditures caused by delays, or occurrences beyond the control of Fly Rod Travel are the responsibility of the guest. Lost baggage, gear, rods, or other personal items are also not the responsibility of Fly Rod Travel.
Final Payment is acknowledgment the guest has read and understands these policies and those included in the accompanying waiver.