Question for serious bonefishermen

[Gringo]

I would really appreciate some input on something I really don't know much about: bonefishing vacations.

Let me phrase it like this:

IF you were presented with an opportunity to design the ideal bonefishing resort, what would you, as potential customers, like to find when you got there? Fish, yes, of course we know that part....but what kind of boats? Guided, unguided? Kitchen, bar, accomodations? What's most important to you?

Assume it's going to be a small lodge, with maybe four cabins for guests. Do you prefer individual cabins, or is a design with all the rooms under one roof okay? In that case, you would have your own outside door onto a shaded veranda.

Do you care how remote it is? Is being able to run into town for some nightlife important?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

[gottaflylee]

Originally Posted by Gringo

I would really appreciate some input on something I really don't know much about: bonefishing vacations.

Let me phrase it like this:

IF you were presented with an opportunity to design the ideal bonefishing resort, what would you, as potential customers, like to find when you got there? Fish, yes, of course we know that part....but what kind of boats? Guided, unguided? Kitchen, bar, accomodations? What's most important to you?

Assume it's going to be a small lodge, with maybe four cabins for guests. Do you prefer individual cabins, or is a design with all the rooms under one roof okay? In that case, you would have your own outside door onto a shaded veranda.

Do you care how remote it is? Is being able to run into town for some nightlife important?

Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

Wow, this is a loaded with questions...
Ok for me, boats are not as important as giudes, guides that know the water and tides.
For me, individual cabins are a must, where one can have it to themself or share it with a friend...
A outside bar is great to sit around with the other guests and discuss the days fishing.

Another thing that would be to have a meeting room so when one brings a group down, you have a place to stage...who is fishing with who, fly tieing and so on...

Remoteness is not a proublem as well as nightlife as long as there is something to do in the evenings when you get off the water. The thing to remember here is when you a very remote, guys will not be wanting to bring wifes unless you have amenities for the to have something for them to do during the day other than fish...
I'll add more as it comes to me...

[Gringo]

Thats good input, thanks Lee...

What kind of other activities would wives be interested in?

What if the lodge was on a picture perfect beach with awesome snorkelling? Is that the kind of thing, or would they not be interested in beach time?

[Dave Sikorski]

A private area for 2 is nice and A/C is a BIG PLUS! It doesn't matter if it's under one roof, or multiple cabins.

A common gathering area w/ a bar, things to do when not fishing( books, games, bar, tv?, DVD, internet?....etc). Like Lee said, a place to sit back and enjoy a cold one and BS about the days adventure and tell lies. A well stocked tackle selection is great too. Get a reputable rod and reel company to set you up and keep you set up. I don't mine traveling with my own gear, but it's great to show up and know you have quality gear in good shape.

Local guides who know how to fish are priceless. Anyone can buy the clothes and act the part, I want a guide who knows the water and will put me on fish. For me there's nothing wrong with catching other incidental species either when bones aren't cooperating or for a change of pace.

Dolphin skiffs are perfect flats platforms. Lightweight, enough for guide +2 anglers. They can get through some nasty stuff too. As long as the boat stays afloat and the guide knows how to run it, I'm happy.

A DIY set up would be nice too, and would cater to a number of folks who don't mind exploring on their own. Maybe a "drop camp" or sorts on a nearby island or area. Give the guys Kayaks or one guide for the island to usher them around and cook...etc. Stay in tents or temporary structures. Sit around the campfire and enjoy roughing it in the islands.

After wading a flat for bones all day all I would need would be a good meal, a few cocktails at the lodge, and a cool room. No need for a party. Maybe the night before a flight, but not before fishing for me.

A shuttle to town is nice when you need a day away from the water, and will be good for non fishing spouses or folks not as serious as their friends/travel companions. It's nice to take a day off in the middle of a trip to check out the local scene.

Beach time is nice too. Have a kayak, or a hobie cat too.

-D

[Gringo]

Thanks guys, this is some good input. Situation is that I have been asked for my input on the feasibility of a new place. There is a completely clean slate as far as facilities and activities go.

Sat TV and internet will be a given. So will a bar and small restaurant. Questions are bouncing around now about what the customer, the fisherman, wants. Do they want rustic, rough fishing camp type decor? Spit in the campfire, don't shave for days and shower the day before you go home, Or do they want upscale, luxury rooms and a choice of non-fishing activities. Separate cottages, or more the what-I-call "motel" type approach. All on one slab.

This kind of stuff is being discussed.

The location is near world class bonefishing. Really, almost untouched. It is also very near offshore fishing. The diving and snorkelling is about as good as it gets. But there is no town nearby. At least,not by conventional descriptions. There are no convenience stores, libraries, supermarkets, that kind of thing for quite a distance.

But the beach, oh boy it's nice. Here is a stretch of it,


It's never been raked, cleaned, or for the most part even touched, since time began. I think it has some possibilities. It's almost too pretty to waste on a fishing lodge.

Its some of the best beachcombing beach I have ever seen. Incredible stuff washing up.

[OneMoreCast]

None of those things matter to fly fishermen after bones.
Big bones... lots of shots at them.
You have those two things and nothing else is a concern.
Food... don't need food..
My friend planned this crazy out of the way bonefish trip. He asked if people wanted modern conveniences .... like running water and a bathroom.. My response.. I'll wipe with a sea urchin just show me the bonefish.

If it's a world class fishery... they will come.

[Dave Sikorski]

Originally Posted by OneMoreCast

None of those things matter to fly fishermen after bones.
Big bones... lots of shots at them.
You have those two things and nothing else is a concern.
Food... don't need food..
My friend planned this crazy out of the way bonefish trip. He asked if people wanted modern conveniences .... like running water and a bathroom.. My response.. I'll wipe with a sea urchin just show me the bonefish.

If it's a world class fishery... they will come.

I guess I'm not that serious of a bonefishermen.

-D

[Capt_John]

Depends on the clientele you expect to have. You can offer really up scale accomodations like we had on Ambergris Cay. Or you can do like DPS did on their all bonefish lodge in the Bahamas. This place is set up right. It is perfect for what you're talking about. Great bonefishing, great guides, and just enought to do when you get off of the water. Check out this site for some ideas. http://www.deepwatercay.com/

[Deep C]

I grew up on Bonefishing and the lodge at Deep Water Cay really is the quintessential idea of a bonefishing place... The main lodge had a reading room with a pretty extensive fishing library. They had a large dinner table where all the guests ate family style. The moderately well stocked bar was simple with a stereo for music and was self serve (honor system). There was a sepreate room with a pool table and ping pong table. They had a very small tackle shop. You could serve yourself or the manager was adept at various types of rigging. They also had a large supply of bonefishing rod/ reel combos for use by the guests...
The porch overlooked the pristine bay...

They had I think three little cabins with two hotel type rooms each. They also had two houses. One was a two bedroom and one with three. Simple but nice...

The boats were simple little shells. 25 Hp motors were easyon the fuel but the boats quick because they were so light. Tackle was 8 pound test with a hook and a shripm. Guides often grabbed conch or crab along the way to suppliment the bait supply. On request guests were taken to blue holes for snapper fishing or to certain flats that were loaded with black tip sharks which were a ball on the light tackle...

[rarhomes]

Send me plane ticket and set me up a guide for 3 days and I will give you my opinion.

All kidding aside.

Good stuff here. I guided for several years in Biscayne Bay and the Florida Keys. I also chartered guides in the Bahamas and Mexico.

Although I like the looks of your beaches I don't think my wife would (please don't take offense) she likes shopping.

I personally like fishing by myself, I don't need much but I like to be comfortable. A good guide, lots of fish, a simple dinner, drink and a private room where I can snore my ass off with no one punching me in the head.

I like the idea of a open bar and fire, that sounds pretty cool.

Make transportation simple, I hate traveling and going through customs (it sucks).

And last but not lease is price, a three day trip to the Bahamas, airfare, lodging, guides, tips, food, drinks and tackle would cost me and me alone $2,500.00 to $3,000.00. For me it just got to expensive.

Now that being said, I like doing stuff on my own. Maybe a DIY package would be the nuts. I would love to find a place where I could go and catch 20 fish, (I love wading) a day with good accommodation and some night time camaraderie.

Good Luck,