CROOKED ISLAND

Crooked Island is one of the southernmost islands in The Bahamas, lying alongside Acklins and separated from it by the vast, shallow Bight of Acklins. With a population of only a few hundred people, it remains a wonderfully unspoilt and largely uncommercialised destination, offering some of the finest flats fishing in the Caribbean.

Go Fishing Worldwide has a long-standing relationship with Willie Gibson and the local fishing guides, and Crooked Island has become one of our favourite Bahamian destinations. The combination of excellent fishing, experienced guides, comfortable guesthouse accommodation and warm local hospitality makes it a particularly enjoyable place to visit.

The Fishing

Crooked Island is best known for its bonefishing. The surrounding waters offer an extraordinary variety of habitat, from expansive white sand flats and turtle grass beds to sheltered mangrove creeks, tidal channels and remote cays. Fishing pressure is generally very light, and it is quite possible to spend an entire day exploring the flats without encountering another boat.

Bonefish are abundant, with good numbers of larger fish. Schools can be found moving across the open sand flats, while bigger individuals often travel alone or in small groups, particularly around the mangroves and along the edges of deeper channels. Fish of 5–7 lb are regularly encountered, with the possibility of considerably larger specimens.

One of the great attractions of Crooked Island is the excellent wade fishing. On suitable tides, anglers can walk extensive stretches of shallow water, stalking bonefish in wonderfully clear conditions. There is also superb fishing from the skiffs, particularly when exploring more distant flats or targeting fish along mangrove shorelines.

The Bight of Acklins provides an enormous area of productive bonefish habitat. Locations such as Turtle Sound, French Wells, Long Cay and Fish Cay offer a great variety of fishing, with different areas coming into their own according to the tides, wind and weather conditions.

Permit, Tarpon and Other Species

Although bonefish are the principal attraction, Crooked Island offers much more besides.

The permit fishing has developed considerably in recent years, with local guides spending increasing amounts of time understanding the movements and habits of these notoriously challenging fish. Some very large permit inhabit the surrounding waters, and anglers prepared to devote time to pursuing them can enjoy exciting opportunities.

Tarpon are also encountered, particularly in the creeks and deeper channels. While Crooked Island is not primarily a tarpon destination, there is always the possibility of an unexpected encounter.

Barracuda are plentiful and provide tremendous sport on the fly, while jacks, snapper, sharks and other species add further variety. For anglers interested in offshore fishing, the deep waters surrounding Crooked Island also offer opportunities for wahoo, tuna, mahi-mahi and billfish, subject to local arrangements and conditions.

The Guides

One of Crooked Island's greatest strengths is its team of experienced local fishing guides, many of whom were born and raised on the island and have spent their lives exploring these waters.

We work with a well-established group of guides, including Elton 'Shakey' McKinney, Coco McKinney, Jeffrey Moss, Kenny and Clinton Scavella, Michael Carroll and Randy Lewis.

Their knowledge of the tides, weather and movements of the fish is invaluable. The guides operate good-quality, shallow-draft flats skiffs, allowing anglers to explore a huge area of water, much of which would otherwise be inaccessible.

They are excellent company on the water, and whether you are an experienced saltwater fly fisherman or visiting the flats for the first time, their enthusiasm and willingness to share their knowledge are a considerable part of the experience.

Most of our fishing is arranged with two anglers sharing a guide and skiff, alternating between fishing from the bow and enjoying the opportunity to wade where conditions allow. Private guiding can also be arranged.

Accommodation – Frank & Ruth's and Gibson's Guesthouses

Our guests generally stay at Frank & Ruth's Guesthouses or Gibson's Guesthouses, both situated in the small settlement of Landrail Point.

The accommodation is straightforward, clean and comfortable, with air-conditioned bedrooms and private bathroom facilities. These are traditional Bahamian guesthouses rather than luxury fishing lodges, but they provide everything needed for an enjoyable week's fishing.

Frank & Ruth's is just a short walk from Gibson's Restaurant, while Gibson's Guesthouses are also conveniently situated nearby. The settlement is small, friendly and peaceful, with the sea never far away.

Gibson's Restaurant

Meals are taken at Gibson's Restaurant, run by Willie Gibson and her family, and this is very much the social centre of our Crooked Island trips.

Guests enjoy hearty, home-cooked Bahamian food, with fresh local seafood featuring regularly. Breakfast is served before heading out fishing, packed lunches are provided for the day, and everyone gathers again in the evening for dinner.

The atmosphere is wonderfully relaxed, and it is a pleasure to return after a day on the flats, enjoy a cold drink and exchange stories with fellow anglers and guides.

The Island and Its Community

Crooked Island is a special place, not only because of the fishing but because of its people.

Life moves at a different pace here. There are few visitors, little commercial development and a strong sense of community. Many of the guides and families involved in looking after our guests have lived on the island for generations, and visitors quickly become familiar with the people and daily life of Landrail Point.

An important aspect of our Crooked Island programme is that a substantial proportion of the money spent on each trip goes directly into the local economy. Accommodation, meals, guiding, boat fuel and transport are all provided locally, supporting the families and small businesses that make these trips possible.

For a small and remote island, tourism provides valuable employment and income. We are proud of our long-standing relationships on Crooked Island and pleased that our fishing groups make a meaningful contribution to the community.

For us, this is one of the most rewarding aspects of visiting Crooked Island. It is a destination where the quality of the fishing is matched by the warmth of the welcome, and somewhere that many of our clients return to year after year.

Suggested Package

Return international flights, 1 night in Nassau on a room-only basis, internal flights to Crooked Island, return airport transfers, 7 nights' guesthouse accommodation on a full-board basis and 6 days' guided flats fishing, normally with two anglers sharing a guide and skiff.

Go Fishing Worldwide organises regular group trips to Crooked Island and can also arrange tailor-made holidays for individuals and private parties.