The fifth annual Big Yard Bonefish Classic returns to Swain’s Cay Lodge on Andros Island, Bahamas, February 16-21, 2027. Over the past several years, the Big Yard has brought anglers, guides, sponsors, and the Mangrove Cay community together for a week built around great bonefishing and an even bigger purpose: raising funds for the ongoing development of the Mangrove Cay Community Park. For 2027, the event will look a little different.
+ 2025 Big Yard Bonefish Classic Trip Report
As part of the Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation Benefit Series, the Big Yard Classic is moving away from its traditional competitive tournament format. There will be no teams, points, or overall scoreboard. Instead, the week will place a greater emphasis on fishing with friends, spending time with the Mangrove Cay community, and continuing to raise meaningful funding for the park project.
Anglers can fish with their regular partners or mix things up throughout the week, and a collection of informal awards will still recognize everything from the largest bonefish and barracuda to the best fishing photo.
Five Years of the Big Yard
The roots of the Big Yard stretch back to 2020, when members of the Mangrove Cay community approached the Yellow Dog Community and Conservation Foundation with a vision for a dedicated community park where local families and children could gather, exercise, play sports, and spend time together away from traffic.
YDCCF began formally partnering with the community on the project in 2021. A local Board of Directors now helps oversee its continued development, including Mangrove Cay community leaders Cheryl Bastian and Jeff Jolly, YDCCF Executive Director Brooks Scott, and Yellow Dog’s Ian Davis.
Since then, anglers, donors, sponsors, and lodge partners have helped the Big Yard Classic raise more than $200,000 toward the Mangrove Cay Park.
Phase I is now complete and includes a basketball court, bleachers, lighting, changing rooms and restroom facilities, and a children’s playground.
The project is now moving into Phase II after the Bahamian government donated an adjacent five-acre parcel. This next stage will include a running track and athletic field complex, and funds raised during the 2027 Big Yard Classic will directly support this continued development.
The Fishing
Guests will fish four full guided days throughout the expansive Middle and South Bights of Andros. These inland systems give Swain’s Cay guides an enormous amount of water to work with and the ability to move with favorable tides throughout the day.
The geography of the bights also provides excellent protection from the winter trade winds, an important advantage during a February fishing week.
While anglers can encounter barracuda, snapper, permit, tarpon, and other flats species, the primary focus of the Big Yard is bonefish — and specifically the chance at the large fish for which Andros is famous.
Beyond the guided fishing, anglers can walk directly from the lodge beach to Swain’s Cay’s home flat to stretch a line or look for cruising fish before and after the fishing day.
More Than a Fishing Trip
The Big Yard has always been as much about what happens after the boats return as the fishing itself.
The 2027 schedule includes live music, an angler and guide gift program, a live auction, a visit to the famous Shine Conch Shack, a community basketball game, and a final celebration at Mangrove Cay Park.
Saturday evening will bring anglers, guides, lodge staff, and local residents together at the park for live music, a Junkanoo parade, food, and the event awards.
For returning Big Yard anglers, many of these traditions will feel familiar. The difference in 2027 is that the competitive element takes a back seat, giving everyone a little more freedom to enjoy the week and the people who have made the event what it is.
2027 Big Yard Classic Itinerary
Tuesday, February 16
Arrive on Andros and transfer to Swain’s Cay Lodge. Yellow Dog will assist guests with flight recommendations and transportation logistics. That afternoon, anglers will gather on the lodge deck for a tackle party to make sure everyone is properly rigged before having a chance to walk the home flat and stretch a fly line. Dinner and the live auction will follow.
Wednesday, February 17
First full day of guided fishing throughout the Middle and South Bights, followed by opening ceremonies and live music.
Thursday, February 18
Second full day of guided fishing, followed by a visit to Shine Conch Shack and dinner back at the lodge.
Friday, February 19
Third full day of guided fishing, followed by a community basketball game at Mangrove Cay Park and dinner at the lodge.
Saturday, February 20
Final day of guided fishing. After returning from the water, guests will head to Mangrove Cay Park for the community celebration featuring live music, a Junkanoo parade, and event awards, followed by dinner at the lodge.
Sunday, February 21
Breakfast followed by departures from Mangrove Cay.
2027 Trip Details
Dates: February 16-21, 2027
Package: Five nights / four days
Fishing: Four days of shared guided fishing
Accommodations: Double and limited single accommodations available
Double Occupancy: $5,575 per person
Two guests per room and two anglers per skiff.
Single Occupancy: $6,070 per person
Single room with shared fishing. Single rooms are limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each package includes a $350 tax-deductible donation to YDCCF.
What’s Included
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Five nights of accommodations at Swain’s Cay Lodge
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Four days of shared guided fishing
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Ground transfers between the Mangrove Cay airport and lodge
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Transfers to and from fishing boat ramps
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All meals at the lodge
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Bottled water and coffee at the lodge
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Full use of lodge kayaks and bikes
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Complimentary Wi-Fi
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Bahamas VAT on the package
What’s Not Included
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Airfare to and from Andros Island
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Alcoholic beverages and sodas
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Gratuities for guides and lodge staff
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Fly fishing equipment and flies
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Bahamas fishing license
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VAT on purchases or services outside the package
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Additional taxis for visits to Shine Conch Shack
Extend the Trip to Caerula Mar Club
For anglers and spouses interested in spending a few more days in the Bahamas, Ian and Karen Davis will once again host a post-event couples getaway at Caerula Mar Club on South Andros.
Following a fantastic experience last year, the five-night extension will feature accommodations at one of the Bahamas’ premier luxury resorts, outstanding dining, numerous activities, and plenty of downtime after four days on the flats.
Guests interested in getting back on the water can also add guided fishing days with Caerula Mar Club’s guide team.
Join Us on Andros
Over its first four years, the Big Yard has grown into far more than a bonefishing event. More than $200,000 has been raised for the Mangrove Cay Park, the first phase of construction is complete, and the next five-acre phase is now moving forward.
None of that happens without the anglers who show up, the guides who share their fishery, the Mangrove Cay community, Swain’s Cay Lodge, and the many sponsors and donors who continue to support the event.
A special thank you goes to Swain’s Cay Lodge and event sponsors Yellow Dog Flyfishing, Thomas & Thomas, Hatch Reels, Patagonia, YETI, Simms, Scientific Anglers, Umpqua, Bajio, Skwala, Scott Fly Rods, Orvis, Winston Fly Rods, Bauer, High Camp Flasks, and Cling.
