EAST END BONEFISH LODGE - GRAND BAHAMAS
Although fairly new, East End Lodge is already one of our favorite operations in the entire Bahamas. This is a high-quality “fishing focused” destination where you can expect to fish long days with a fantastic, experienced guide staff. You will then return home to the lodge to enjoy great food, a full bar, and beautiful, spacious rooms that overlook the water. All of this at a price point that is the best on Grand Bahama. The second largest island in the Bahamas, Grand Bahama Island is home to amazing numbers of bonefish, exceptionally large bonefish, and impressive numbers of permit as well. East End Lodge is very close to some of the most beautiful and productive flats on the island, and close to the five bights that cut through the horn of the East End. This multi-bight fishery enables the guides to fish optimal tides throughout the day, typically keeping clients on fish and in the action regardless of what the tides are doing at any given time. The experienced guides of East End Lodge have been taking anglers to these flats for over a two decades, and recently came together to create this new lodge. Travel is easy to Freeport, Grand Bahama so this is a perfect destination for quick two and three-day trips, as well as week-long excursions.
Typical Length of Stay
There are no specific transfer days at the lodge, so you can stay for any number of days or weeks. Flights arrive and depart Freeport every day of the week from several cities in the Eastern U.S. Contact Yellow Dog for custom packages with any length of stay and amount of fishing days.
Accommodations and Lodging
There are two main buildings at East End Lodge. One has three double occupancy rooms and the other has two double rooms along with the bar and dining area. These structures were completed in 2011 and are very nicely designed, built and furnished.
Each bedroom at the lodge has two queen sized beds, large dressers, night tables, reading lights, air conditioning, and plenty of closet space for all your gear and luggage. Each room also has a private bathroom with granite countertops, a shower with good water pressure and plenty of hot water, and a separate "commode room." Each cottage also has a large deck area that overlooks the crushed coral courtyard area, a large fire pit, the docks and marina, and the ocean itself. Since this is a new lodge, the grounds are simple and clean, with young plants and trees that have recently been planted. The main lodge has A/C and features a small sitting area, a well-stocked bar with stools and a full dining area. The lodge has a high definition flats screen with DIRECTV so you can always tune in to the big game.
Food and Beverages
Breakfast is cooked to order each morning and served in the main lodge dining room. Your custom ordered, packed cooler lunch will be served on the water. Dinners each evening are a mix of Bahamian style dishes. You can expect a great selection of fresh seafood, chicken, pork, salads, homemade soups, and a variety of side dishes. Since McLean’s Town (the location of the lodge) bills itself as the “Conch Cracking Capitol of the World,” the conch dishes are as fresh as it gets! All meals can be prepared to your liking, and the kitchen staff will take great care of you.
Fishing Information
East End Lodge has a guide staff that prides itself on keeping you on fish no matter what time of year it is. These guides love to fish long days and generally stay out long after other guides in the area have headed in for the day. Since the flats are so close to the lodge, you will find yourself fishing more and running in the boat less. The eastern horn of the island has five large bights that travel northeast to southwest. Not only does this provide protection from the wind, but it also enables the guides to fish optimal tides throughout the day as the tides move through this complex flats system. This is a rare situation for any flats destination and means that you will never get stuck in unproductive areas affected by bad tides, searching for bones deep in the mangroves. Because Grand Bahama is surrounded by deep, cool water, the average bonefish tend to be larger than other areas of the Atlantic and Caribbean. An average bone is two to four pounds, and you can expect to see fish on a daily basis in the five to ten pound class. As a general rule, when fishing from the boat, the fish tend to be slightly more aggressive and respond well to well-placed flies. When wade fishing delicate presentations and longer leaders are required, as with any skinny water situation throughout the Bahamas.
Cecil Leathen is the head guide at the lodge and has put together a team of many of the island’s top guides. All of the guides at East End are very professional, informative and fun to fish with. Not only do these local guides know where to find quality fishing and good quantities of fish, they are also some of the best permit guides in the Bahamas. And while we never like to pump up a permit destination too much since permit can be finicky, fickle devils, we will say that the permit we have come across in the waters of the East End are on average larger than most fish found throughout the Caribbean. The permit average 15 to 20 pounds, and if all goes well with the weather, you should have a few shots at fish in 25+ pound range. Because of the relatively light fishing pressure in the area, the permit can at times react aggressively to the fly. We are not saying they eat every time, but they will inspect your fly and certainly take a look if the cast is well placed, something that we are always seeking as permit anglers! You may also target barracuda, sharks, jacks, snapper and several other species in the waters around Eastern Grand Bahama Island.
Tackle and Equipment Required for this Trip
If you have a local specialty fly shop that you are currently doing business with, we encourage you to buy your gear and outfit yourself there! Take the detailed Yellow Dog equipment lists into your local shop and they will help you select the right gear for your upcoming fishing adventure. If you are not currently working with a local retail fly shop or need advice on where to purchase the right gear, however, then we can help! For information on where to purchase exactly what you need for this trip, please feel free to call us at (888) 777-5060 or CLICK HERE for a complete list of Yellow Dog approved retailers and online providers.
Boats and Equipment
The guides at East End Lodge run 16 Dolphin Super Skiffs with 85 HP Yamahas, complete with poling platforms, poles, plenty of rod storage, coolers with plenty of ice, and cushioned seats. As with all of our Bahamian lodges, it is recommended that anglers bring all of their own gear and equipment, including rods, reels, wading boots, flies and all terminal tackle.
Non-Angling Activities and Options
East End Lodge is primarily a fishing-focused destination, which means that non-angling activities are somewhat limited. That said, the lodge staff will always do their best to accommodate non-anglers, and will pan a variety of different side trips, tours, and activities when possible. The lodge can arrange, snorkeling, kayaking, birdwatching, blue hole tours, nature tours, and island tours. Call Yellow Dog for details.
The small settlement of McLean’s Town is close-by and has very limited retail opportunities. The town of Freeport is just over one hour from the lodge and there are tons of non-angling activities available there, including shopping, golf, numerous water sport activities, beautiful beaches, and a casino. The lodge can arrange for a taxi to transfer you into town and back out to the lodge, and that taxi is around $150.00 each way. The lodge can also arrange sea kayak excursions, trips to the Lucayan Caverns, and tours to other parts of the island.
How To Get There
Direct daily flights from Ft. Lauderdale, Miami, Palm Beach, and several other U.S. cities fly to Freeport International Airport. Airlines that service Freeport (Airport Code: FPO) include United, Bahamas Air ,US Air, American, Spirit, and numerous other smaller charter companies. You can also fly direct to Nassau and use service from Western Air, LeAir or Bahamas Air to Freeport.
Arrival and Departure Details / Times
Round trip transportation between the airport and the lodge is included in the price of your package. You will be met upon arrival at the Freeport Airport and transferred the one hour to the lodge.
Fishing Package Rates
All rates are per person. A trip of any length of stay can be arranged. Please call Yellow Dog for custom package pricing.
| Length of Stay | 2 Per Room 2 Per Boat |
1 Per Room 1 Per Boat |
|---|---|---|
| 7 Nights / 6 Fishing Days | $3,495 | $5,395 |
| 6 Nights / 5 Fishing Days | $2,995 | $4,495 |
| 5 Nights / 4 Fishing Days | $2,485 | $3,725 |
| 4 Nights / 3 Fishing Days | $1,925 | $2,995 |
| 3 Nights / 2 Fishing Days | $1,395 | $2,295 |
Extra Fishing Days
Prices are per boat and includes lunch
1/2 Day Fishing -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $525
Available on day of departure, subject to availability
Full Day Fishing --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- $595
* Remember that Yellow Dog's services are completely free! When you book a trip with Yellow Dog, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge or outfitter.
What's Included
- All airport transfers (round-trip transportation from Freeport Airport to the Lodge is provided)
- All accommodations at the lodge
- All meals and purified or bottled water (complimentary wine is served with dinner)
- Daily guided fishing
- Fishing equipment is available for use at no additional charge (G. Loomis Rods and Hatch Fly Reels)
- All taxes and resort fees included
What's Not Included
- All air transportation Freeport, Bahamas
- Flies and terminal tackle
- Alcoholic beverages, sodas, and juices
- Gratuities for guides
Travel Arrangements
Yellow Dog has a full in-house travel and reservations system, and can assist with airline tickets, hotels, transfers, and all travel logistics for every destination that we offer. Contact us at 888-777-5060 or info@yellowdogflyfishing.com for more details on airfare ticketing, travel services and trip insurance.
Other Information
If you are at East End over Columbus Day, check out McClean's Town's annual "Conch Crakin' Competition." Each year, people flock to the usually sleepy settlement to find out who will be crowned "Best Conch Cracker." A whole day of events take place with lots of food and music, greased-pole climbing, Junkaroo rush-out, three-legged races, swim contests, and of course the big cracking competition!