Mangrove Cay Club

Bahamas Fly Fishing Travel Trips 

Mangrove Cay Club is one of the few destinations that brings together all the critical elements of a great fly fishing lodge – location, management, amenities, guides, equipment, cuisine, and spectacular flats fishing. Mangrove Cay is an island in the center of Andros Island and the Club has set the bar remarkably high for Bahamian bonefishing destinations. With uncharacteristically short runs to some of the most famous trophy bonefish flats in the world, it is easy to make the case that this is the Bahamas’ premier flats and bonefishing lodge.

From immaculate 16-foot Dolphin flats skiffs, anglers fish the hallowed waters of the North, South and Middle Bights in addition to the famous waters of the West Side of Andros Island[caps??]. The guide staff at Mangrove Cay Club is among the best in all Andros, having spent their entire lives learning the nuances of their home waters. Additionally, the lodge offers high-quality loaner gear, a fly shop stocked with the right flies and any smaller items you might have forgotten, as well as a fly tying table.

Fishing Program

Guests at Mangrove Cay Club 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 Island. There is a nearly-infinite number of places to fish and guides choose based on tides, wind, weather, and angler preference. Guests fish with professional, Bahamian guides on flats skiffs at a ratio of two-to-one. The guides are rotated during the stay and anglers can generally expect to fish with a new guide every third day. This rotation is a great way to match guides with guests and provides the opportunity for anglers to engage with the entire guide staff, each of whom has a different personality and style. Mangrove Cay uses 16’ Dolphin skiffs with Yamaha 85 hp engines to address the need for speed, comfort and safety while traveling from flat to flat. The boats are configured with elevated poling platforms and have fittings on the casting deck for a removable leaning bar. Most of the fishing is done from but there are times when wading is the preferred option. Guests should let their guide know if interested in wade-fishing and the guides will plan accordingly.

Occasionally, high winds make fishing from the boats impractical and getting to the flats uncomfortable. On these days, guests have the option of using the Big Boat – a 26-foot twin hull with twin 150 hp engines – as a ferry to transport angler and guide to lee shores and creeks for wade fishing. Having this option has saved the fishing day for Mangrove Cay Club guests when those at other lodges may have been resigned to a good book. The Big Boat can also be used for transport to the remote and seldom-fished southwest side of Andros. This area is a vast collection of hard-bottom, sandy flats that are home to huge schools of bonefish. Anglers are dropped off with their guide to wade the flats while the captain stays with the boat, and the captain can then be summoned to move from flat to flat. (Note: There is a surcharge of $650 for this option and the Big Boat can take up to 6 anglers.)

Although Andros Island 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 ensures that time spent at Mangrove Cay is filled with a variety of fishing experiences.

Accommodations

Mangrove Cay Club accommodates up to 16 guests. There are eight suites contained within four cottages spread out along the shore, screened from each other by a lush growth of trees. All are a short walk on a sand path to the main lodge. Each of the four cottages is divided into two suites, separated by a thick, soundproof wall. The suites have high ceilings and ceiling fans, an air-conditioned bedroom, sitting room, a private bathroom, and a private porch overlooking Middle Bight. On the outside wall of each suite is a rod rack that will hold four rods, a bucket for soaking reels and a convenient freshwater hose for washing rods and all other equipment each day.

Mangrove Cay offers classic cuisine, Bahamian favorites, and indulgent desserts. The planned dinner menu is posted every morning before you go fishing so that you may request a different entrée if you wish. Breakfast begins at 6:30 with coffee made from freshly ground beans, teas, fruit juices, cold cereals and fresh milk, yogurt, fresh fruit, and freshly baked pastries. A hot breakfast follows, featuring eggs, bacon, sausage, grits, pancakes, or French toast. Lunches are packed in coolers of ice and taken out on the boats. Guests build their own lunches from a selection of breads and lunch meats, cheeses, and vegetables. Freshly baked cookies, granola bars, potato chips and fresh fruit complement the selection. Bottled water is packed in your cooler by the guide and soft drinks, Gatorade and cold beer are also available.

Snacks are on the bar when anglers return from fishing and the bar is well stocked with beer, wines, and quality liquors. Hors d’oeuvres are served at 6:00 pm and dinner begins at 7:00 with a salad or a soup. The cook staff limits fried foods at dinner, serving most seafood grilled or poached. Only fresh fruits and vegetables are used. A selection of red and white house wines are poured with dinner and homemade desserts are served as well.

Rates & Details:

2024 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

7 night/6 day package: $7,400 plus tax
6 night/5 day package: $6,600 plus tax
5 night/4 day package: $5,900 plus tax
4 night/3 day package: $4,900 plus tax
3 night/2 day package: $3,700 plus tax

Included: Accommodations and meals at the lodge, beverages including house wines, bar liquors, beer, bottled water, soft drinks, round-trip transfer between the airport and lodge, guided flats fishing, room taxes

Not Included: Airfare, some wines and liquors, staff & guide gratuities, Bahamian departure tax of $25 where applicable, items of a personal nature (telephone calls, fly shop purchases, etc)

Season: October - June

Target Species: Bonefish, jacks, barracuda

Capacity: 16 anglers