With nearly 20,000 acres of flats, the Bahamas is one of the world’s most extensive fishing areas, and its archipelago is vast, consisting of 700 plus islands and 2,500 cays spread over 100,000 square miles. In the extreme southeast of the archipelago, less than a hundred kilometres from the Haitian and Cuban coasts, you will find Crooked Island and Acklins. These are two of the four islands forming an atoll that hugs the beautiful shallow waters of the Bight of Acklins, a 500-square-mile lagoon and offers some of the most abundant Bonefish populations found anywhere in the world.
A remarkably unspoilt and beautiful destination, with only 350 inhabitants, it’s remote, largely isolated, time-forgotten and magnificent. Consisting of mile after square mile of pristine sand and coral flats, surrounded by crystal clear waters, it’s one of the richest natural environments on the planet. Irrigated and seeded every day by the plentiful waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico, the waters are some of the clearest in the world and absolutely packed with food.
The resident Bonefish average 3lb to 4lb, but huge specimens into double figures are possible every day and the largest fish ever landed on the island was a stunning specimen of over 17lb. As well as Bones travelling saltwater fly fishing anglers can also expect Permit, Tarpon, Barracuda, Triggerfish and more in this diverse saltwater playground.
The fishing region at Crooked & Acklins in the Bahamas is vast; to give you an idea about its size, you could fit the better part of all of Cuba’s shallow-water fishing areas into just its lagoon. A protected reserve, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the world to wet a line and the perfect shallow-water biotope, home to uncountable Bonefish and Permit, which roam the sand flats and mangroves.
Offering quick and easy access to miles and miles of firm, light bottom flats, Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge is perfect for classic wade fishing in skinny water. The flats stretch to the horizon, and travelling anglers can wade and fish as far as their legs will take them. So if you’ve dreamt about hooking a real trophy Bonefish in the double-digit class, then this is one of the best places in the world to make it happen.
Despite being a name at the top of many saltwater fly anglers wishlists, the destination receives very little in the way of pressure. Compared to other fishing destinations in the region, many fish have never seen an anglers fly. The 280 inhabitants of Crooked Island live in only two or three tranquil and peaceful villages, typical for the area and three cars following each other on the road is considered a traffic jam.
To find out more about saltwater fly fishing in the Bahamas at Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge, visit our YouTube channel.
Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge is famous for its Bonefish and Permit; however, anglers fishing its waters can also expect to encounter Tarpon, Triggerfish, Snook, Snappers, Jacks and Barracuda.
The Bonefish is considered the bread-and-butter fish in the region and gets found on almost every flat. They can be fished from a boat or simply wading the hard-bottomed flats and lagoons. The average size of the fish is around 3lb to 4lb, but bigger specimens into double-figures are landed in good numbers every week. The islands record is a whopping 17lb 6oz.
The Permit reign supreme among anglers, and the region is probably one of the best places in the Bahamas to catch them, and saltwater fly fishers can often observe good shoals of them cruising the flats. They have an impressive average size of around 20lb; however, there’s always a good smattering of fish ranging between 25lb to 40lb.
While Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge isn’t a Tarpon destination, it still has a good resident fish population between 10lb to 30lb, which is catchable all year round. However, in some area’s, notably Turtle Sound Lagoon, much larger migratory fish between 40lb to 100lb are landed frequently throughout each season.
Despite often being referred to as the ‘Poor Man’s Permit’, the Triggerfish are still an exciting species to fish for and provide anglers with some great sport. Even though they can often be incredibly wary, they will readily eat a bonefish shrimp or a small crab fly while tailing on the flats. They provide excellent practice for Permit fishing.
Barracuda, Jacks and Snapper are also popular amongst travelling anglers, and it’s often worth having a heavier fly set-up or even a spinning rod or light popping rod to hand, as you never know when a new fishing opportunity might present itself.
The day starts just before sunrise with a fresh pot of coffee and a chat about the day’s strategy, before the breakfast buffet gets served at around 7.00 am; this consists of sausages, bacon, eggs, pancakes, cereal, juice, tea and coffee. Lunches for the day, taken out on the water, are also prepared at this time and offer anglers the choice of tuna, turkey, ham and cheese sandwiches with freshly baked bread, rice or pasta salad, snacks, cookies, sodas and juices.
Anglers get picked up from the accommodation by the lodges minivans, and depart around 8.00am and travel to the nearby dock, motoring out to the fishing grounds around 8.15am to 8.30am. Depending on the wind, tide and conditions and how you’d like to fish and what species you’d like to fish for, the guides will pick the best flat for you to fulfil your aim. With such a vast area to fish it’s possible to have a line in the water anytime from five to fifty-five minutes after setting off.
Once reaching your chosen area, the guide will pole the boat for some time to determine the activity and presence of feeding fish on that particular flat. Once it gets determined that the fish are in the area and feeding, anglers will have the chance to fish from their boat or wade, depending on their preference.
The fishing typically stops around midday for lunch before continuing in the afternoon until around 4.30pm, when you’ll head back to the lodge and get showered and prepared for the evening meal and drinks.
Before the evening meal is ready, a range of tasty appetizers like pizza and conch fritters get served at the bar. Dinner then follows around 7.30pm and typically begins with a garden salad, moving on to entrees of fresh grouper, snapper, lobster, conch, beef or chicken, with vegetables, rice or pasta as aside. Finally, freshly baked cakes, fruit, and ice cream get served for dessert.
Five air-conditioned double-occupancy guest rooms can accommodate a maximum of ten anglers at one time. Each guest room has a private bathroom, sitting area, refrigerator, ceiling fans, cold purified water, and twenty-four-hour electricity. Cell phone service is reasonably available on the entire island. Wi-Fi service is available in the lodge and guest rooms.
Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge is a hands-on fishing lodge for anglers looking for clean, comfortable lodging, outstanding service and value, and some of the finest shallow water Bonefishing found anywhere on the planet.
The food at Crooked Acklins Island Lodge is simple traditional Bahamas dishes taking advantage of lots of fresh seafood such as fish, shellfish, lobster, crab, and conch, as well as tropical fruits, rice, peas, pigeon peas, potatoes, and pork. Seasonings commonly used in dishes include chillies (hot pepper), lime, tomatoes, onions, garlic, allspice, cinnamon, rum, and coconut. The lodges conch fritters are to die for, as is their signature lobster dish.
Breakfast
Each morning, a buffet breakfast is available, featuring scrambled eggs, pancakes, toast, bacon, ham, corned beef hash, yoghurt, and fresh fruit.
Lunch
The boat cooler is stocked with plenty of soda, water, and beer for lunches if desired. Lunches vary daily and include tuna and ham sandwiches, pasta salad, chips, cookies and chocolate bars.
Dinner
Before dinner, appetizers are available at the honour bar and include conch fritters, cracked conch, pizza, nuts and popcorn.
Dinner is typically served at 7:00 pm and includes such dishes as jerked chicken with black eye peas, grilled grouper, homemade lasagna, beef steaks, baked snapper and various fresh vegetables. Desserts are varied and can include ice cream, homemade cakes and fresh fruit.
The below itinerary is flexible should you require additional fishing days or additional free days to explore; we can tailor this itinerary to suit you personally. Feel free to talk to our travel consultants who can explain all options available.
Depart Any international Airport (See Details)
Arrive Nassau Depart Nassau
Arrive Crooked Island’s Colonel Hill Airport (CRI).
You will be met and transferred straight to the lodge (Approx 10 min)
Overnight Accommodation: Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge (Twin Room) F/B
Fishing starts around 8 am and normally fishing days are based on two rods to one guide. The accommodation to the dock is around 15 minutes and from the dock to the fishing grounds is anywhere between 5 and 55 minutes.
Overnight Accommodation: Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge (Twin Room) F/B
Spend your morning either fishing from the boat or wading the warm saltwater flats. You will normally stop around midday for lunch and a rest before continuing to fish through to approx 4:30. Remember to talk to your guide each day and explain what you would like to catch and they will do everything within their power to ensure you have a great days fishing.
Overnight Accommodation: Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge (Twin Room) F/B
After breakfast, you will leave Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge to start your return journey home.
Depart Crooked Island’s Colonel Hill Airport (CRI)
Arrive Nassau Depart Nassau
Arrive Home
The season runs from November to August.
Season: November to August
Peak: March to July
Weight: 1lb to 15lb
Average Weight: 3lb to 5lb
Season: November to August
Peak: March to July
Weight: 1lb to 40lb
Average Weight: 15lb to 20lb
Season: November to August
Peak: March to July
Weight: 1lb to 100lb
Average Weight: 10lb to 30lb
Single angler per boat
Single room per week
Fishing Tackle, rods and reels
Remember that Sportquest Holidays' services are completely FREE! When you book a trip with Sportquest Holidays, you never pay more than when you book directly with the lodge and flights independently.
| From | To | Duration | Price | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/04/2024 | 30/04/2024 | 8 | £5,484 | Enquire Now |
| 01/05/2024 | 31/05/2024 | 8 | £5,484 | Enquire Now |
| 01/06/2024 | 30/06/2024 | 8 | £5,484 | Enquire Now |
| 01/07/2024 | 31/07/2024 | 8 | £5,484 | Enquire Now |
| 01/08/2024 | 31/08/2024 | 8 | £5,484 | Enquire Now |
| 01/11/2024 | 30/11/2024 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/12/2024 | 20/12/2024 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/01/2025 | 31/01/2025 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/02/2025 | 28/02/2025 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/03/2025 | 31/03/2025 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/04/2025 | 30/04/2025 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/05/2025 | 31/05/2025 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/06/2025 | 30/06/2025 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/07/2025 | 31/07/2025 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/08/2025 | 31/08/2025 | 8 | £5,684 | Enquire Now |
| 01/11/2025 | 30/11/2025 | 8 | £5,892 | Enquire Now |
| 01/12/2025 | 20/12/2025 | 8 | £5,892 | Enquire Now |
Prices are based on two adults sharing transfers, fishing and accommodation (unless otherwise stated) and are correct at the time of going to press. Subject to time of year or date and currency fluctuations, these prices may fluctuate slightly due to flight price increases or fuel surcharges.
I'd heard that Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge was one of the best destinations for Permit fishing (as well as Bonefish) so I thought I'd treat myself to a week, AND what a week it was! I managed 3 Permit, including a monster of 25lb and numerous other great opportunities. The Bonefish were everywhere across the flats and provide an excellent, super fun back-up species. The lodge, food, staff and guides were also first-class too, the cherry on the top of a brilliant week away. Thank you!
If you love your saltwater fly fishing and have never caught a Permit you need to visit Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge! I've been lucky enough to catch them in a few destinations around the world, but the fishing in the Bahamas was out of this world. Every day I had good chances at fish and by the end of the week I ended up with 6 fish to over 20lb. The lodge, guides and staff were as good as the fishing and it was a truly memorable experience.
I've fished the flats a few times in a few different countries but without a doubt, the Crooked & Acklins is definitely up there with the best of them. I didn't quite manage a grand slam but I had Permit and Bonefish. The lodge was lovely and the food was out of this world - the shellfish and lobster was divine.
I enjoyed a brilliant week away, thanks so much to everyone in the office and to the guides and staff at the lodge. I'd thoroughly recommend Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge to all of my fishing pals.
This was my first ever time fishing for Bonefish (A fish I've always wanted to catch!) and what an experience it was. I'll always remember the first fish I hooked, as I couldn't believe how hard it fought - I was expecting of fish of 10lb, but instead, a fish around 2lb popped up! I think I must have had nearly 80 fish in the week of fishing, including a few Tarpon and even Triggerfish. I'd just like to say a massive thank you to everyone in the office and all the staff at Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge who made me feel so welcome.
I had a fantastic time at Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge, not only did I catch a huge amount of Bonefish I also managed some small Tarpon and even my first ever Triggerfish. I've travelled the world a little bit, but never been to the Bahamas... what a place! I'd love to get back over there in the next few years and discover a little more of what the country has to offer.
I must admit before I called the office I'd never heard of Crooked & Acklins Trophy Lodge, but after a good conversation and an hour of research later I was sold. The night before I travelled out I felt like a kid at Christmas. To cut a long story short I had the most amazing week I could have ever imagined. The Bonefish fishing was crazy good and I think they're probably the hardest fighting pound for pound fish I've ever caught. Thanks for the trip of a lifetime!
The fishing was incredible, so much so I lost count of the amount of Bonefish I landed! From the moment I left home to the moment I returned everything ran absolutely seamlessly. A huge shout out and thanks to everyone involved in creating my fishing holiday of a lifetime.
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