We operate three fly fishing lodges in different parts of the world. When we’re talking with a potential guest who’s interested in a trip with us, we’re frequently asked the question, “When’s the best time to go?”
At most of our operations, that question will be answered with another question – “What do you want to do?” If you want kings on the Kanektok that are nothing but chrome, you should go in June. If you want the salmon grand slam, you should go in the last two weeks of July. If you want the fattest rainbows of the season, late August is your ticket.
At Andros South, most of our guests are fishing for bonefish most of the time. When someone looking at Andros South asks “When’s the best time to go?“, our answer is simple – when you can.
Really? Really, and we’re not just saying that. We’re far enough south that the weather in the winter months is really not that different from the weather in the summer months – our average high in December is all of 3 degrees cooler than our average high in May.Yes, some weeks have better weather than other weeks, but the luck of the draw on the weather any particular week is much more significant that the month that you’re fishing. Really. You should go when you can.
So that being said, is there any difference at all between the times of year? Yes, there is, a little bit.
On average,
- Our ‘winter months’ from October to February have very slightly cooler water temperatures, which tends to mean that the very biggest bonefish are on the flats (and get caught) slightly more frequently.
- Our ‘spring months’ from March to May have very slightly more sunny days, which means that overall the total catch rate is a little higher, even if fewer of the biggest few get caught.
But overall, on South Andros at least, the best time to go bonefishing is when you can.
Ain't this the truth. The flats know no season.
This philosophy applies to us in many species. I for one go steelheading at one specific time only – when I have time. But that's just me.
The luck of the draw on weather is the biggest factor affecting your trip. I've been a half dozen times in various months.
Go when you can.
Their are two good times to go bonefishing, when you can and when you can’t.
I have worked for 41 years doing what I love, however I refused to die at work. I tell everyone that I would rather die with a fly rod and fish in one hand than to die doing what I have loved for all these years. You can add a beer or two to that!
Talk to us about average winds. It is an important coefficient that you have left out. The lowest winds and best visibility are during months you have not mentioned. As they say on TV, you have to tell the truth and the whole truth.
In the last two years the Blueboner Drinking and Fishing Club’s annual time, second week in April, has produced more large (8lbs+) than the previous average. That is no proof of a change or even a trend but it is interesting. The annual optimums of light, clouds, wind, rain, etc can vary (at least) 30 days either way from reasonable predictions.
Several of our group have fished a dozen other places around the Bahamas, Mexico, Belize. In our collective experience there are more fish and more “significant'” fish to be caught at South Andros. See you there! Ol’ Boner