DEADMAN'S BONEFISH CAMP 2027
LONG ISLAND, BAHAMAS | January 5-10, 2027
South of the hallowed flats of Andros Island and nearly parallel with Cuba lies Long Island, Bahamas. Long Island is known for its large wadable flats, quantities of bonefish, and the realistic chance of hooking a double-digit bonefish. If you look at it on a map and find Deadman’s Cay on Long Island you will quickly see the expansive flats that lie between the island of Exuma, Bahamas (also known for large sized bonefish) and Long Island. Deadman’s is just a few minutes from the airport on Long Island which is accessed by first flying into Nassau, Bahamas.
We chose this location for camp because it is not as popular and busy as some of the well-known islands and lodges in the Bahamas. We want this trip to be about being able to fish all day on the skiff or wading and have plenty of untouched flats for our crew to fish.
A big part of camp is getting to experience the culture. We have partnered with long time Bahamian fishing guides Sam Knowles and his crew of 4th and 5th generation Long Island fishermen. The trip will also include local food cooked by Bahamian families in the area, and we plan to find a few spots to take the crew that you won’t know to go to by searching in Trip Advisor.
This camp is for 5 nights and 4 days of fishing once you arrive on Long Island. Depending on your flight options, it may require an overnight stay in Nassau, Bahamas as well (could be worse).
Words from the crew on Long Island, “Long Island has little development. You will not find lots of tourists, hotels, tennis or golf. In other words, if you want to catch bonefish in ideal settings - we have it.”
That sounds like a House of Fly camp to us!
TRIP DETAILS
4 Days FISHING, 5 NIGHTS, 6 Anglers
$3,500 PER PERSON (BEFORE TAX)
ArrivE JANUARY 5, depart JANUARY 10 (TUESDAY-Sunday)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
4 Full Days of Guided Flats Fishing (1 guide per 2 anglers)
5 Nights at Lodge/shared condo private room
Bonefish Gift Pack
All meals & Alcoholic beverages
Ground Transportation to/from Deadman's Cay Airport
NOT INCLUDED
Flies, Rods & Reels, Leader & Tippet
Gratuities
Airfare from hometown to/from Long Island
Items of personal nature and any lodging or meals not provided by House of Fly
International flights
Overnight hotel stays in Nassau, Bahamas
THE LODGE
The main lodge is made up of three units and each has two separate bedrooms with one bed in each bedroom, a kitchenette, a bathroom, and a common area. The 4th guest house is separate from the main lodge with a kitchen, bathroom, dining room, and a bedroom with two beds. The main lodge rooms are connected by a screened porch for cocktails or hanging out after fishing.
All units have air-conditioning, TV and free Wi-Fi. Daily fresh towels and room cleaning are included.
BONEFISH FLATS
The primary target is bonefish but anytime you are in the Bahamas you should remember there are always going to be some opportunities at other species such as barracudas, sharks, permit, triggers and tarpon to name a few of them.
Bonefish rods are generally considered best in fast action 7-9 weight rod models. An 8 weight is the most common and best rod to bring. Make sure to have a backup as we have yet to have a trip where no one has broke at least one of their "go to” rods. Nearly any quality saltwater fly reel will work great but you will have your rod in the sand and your drag will get used a lot on these fish so make sure to invest in a sealed drag to keep sand and salwater out of the housing compartment on the reel. If you are unsure about what brand to choose, and there are many good ones, you can’t go wrong with investing in a Nautilus fly reel.
Make sure to bring saltwater weight forward fly lines and tapered leaders that taper from 12-16 pound test. We would also recommend bringing fluorocarbon tippet from 12-16 pound test for the bonefish. We have recommendations and new fly lines and new versions of leader material are always evolving so make sure to ask us what is best.
One really important thing. Make sure to practice casting your bonefish set up in the wind and make sure you are comfortable with the line match on the rod. It is critical to having a fun trip.
THE GEAR
For flies, there are a lot of great fly options that will work great. Some we would recommend include:
Dave McVay’s Gotcha
Drew Chicone’s Tide Slave
Drew Chicone’s Bone Appetite
Enrico Puglisi’s Bahamas Shrimp
Enrico Puglisi’s Coyote Spawning Shrimp
Sam Wike’s Bone Collector
We also have a collection of American Small Batch tied by saltwater guides and local tyers that would be great on this trip.
Make sure to choose a selection of flies that have different sink rates. Some should have bead chain eyes and then also choose some that have dumbbell eyes which will sink quicker. We are happy to help put a selection together with you to make sure you have the right stuff.
WHAT TO WEAR
You will be in the Bahamas so you don’t need to bring a ton of stuff. However, we recommend the following:
A lightweight rain shell (this can double as a wind breaker in the morning)
Wading boots for walking the flats (booties are okay in the Bahamas)
Neoprene wading socks
Lightweight wading pants that dry quickly
Sun Hoodies
Bring at least one light weight layering piece for early mornings or late evenings that may cool off significantly
Shorts and flips – you may just want to hang out on the beach.
2 pairs of polarized sunglasses
Waterproof backpack or waist pack to keep gear dry and away from saltwater and ideally something you can put on when you are wading the flats
Ball cap or sun hat
That’s really it. Keep it simple but make sure to have the essentials.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE SCHEDULE
Arrive Tuesday, January 5. Depart Sunday, January 10.
Deadman’s Bonefish Camp runs Tuesday through Sunday, with 5 nights of lodging and 4 full days of chasing bonefish on Long Island’s legendary flats.
Guests can meet in Nassau, Bahamas, the day before camp begins for an optional group overnight. Details for the Nassau stay will be coordinated with your host as you book. The following morning, we’ll fly together to Long Island.
Camp Schedule:
Monday, January 4 - Travel Day – Group Meet-Up in Nassau
Arrive in Nassau, Bahamas (NAS) by late afternoon
Check in at our host hotel in Nassau
Overnight in Nassau- We recommend Orange Hill
Tuesday, January 5 – Arrival to Long Island
Morning group transfer to Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS), Terminal A
Bahamasair Flight UP382:
- Departs Nassau, Bahamas – 10:00 AM
- Arrives Deadman’s Cay, Long Island – 10:55 AM
- Distance: 198 mi | Travel time: ~55 minutes
Wednesday - Saturday, January 6-9 – Guided Fishing
Full day of guided fishing (wading and/or skiff, depending on conditions)
Sunday, January 10 – Departure
Breakfast and coffee
Bahamasair Flight UP382:
- Depart Deadman’s Cay, Long Island – 11:20am
- Arrives Nassau, Bahamas – 12:15pm
- Distance: 198 mi | Travel time: ~55 minutes
Note: House of Fly does not book flights for participants, but we’re happy to help with suggested arrival and departure times or travel questions along the way.
GETTING TO LONG ISLAND, BAHAMAS
Long Island is a quiet and spectacular Bahamian Out Island, known for its endless white sand flats and world-class bonefishing. Our camp is based in Deadman’s Cay, in the heart of the island, and is best accessed by a short domestic flight from Nassau.
Step 1 – Fly to Nassau, Bahamas (NAS)
Several major U.S. airports offer direct flights to Nassau.
Plan to arrive in Nassau by late afternoon on Monday, January 4 for the optional group overnight.
Step 2 – Fly to Long Island (LGI)
Group flight details:
- Bahamasair Flight UP382 – Tuesday, January 5
- Departs Nassau (NAS): 10:00 AM EST
- Arrives Deadman’s Cay, Long Island (LGI): 10:55 AM EST
- Travel time ~55 minutes
- Your host can help coordinate.
Airport Transfers
We’ll be picked up at Deadman’s Cay Airport and get you to camp—no rental car needed.
DETAILS COMING SOON - INQUIRE BELOW FOR INFO.
$3,500 PER PERSON (before tax)
GRATUITIES
Gratuities are highly encouraged for the guides you have each day, the local community that cooks/cleans and provides shuttles. Suggested tip per guide is $50-$100 per person, paid at the end of each day to your guide. The suggested tip is 20% of total cost of for all other services. US dollars are encouraged.
Required Documents
Passport: Minimum 6 months validity with blank pages.
Plane Tickets: We will be happy to give you tips on finding affordable airfare but are not responsible for booking your flights.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
Regardless of type of trip, you will be investing your time and money in the destination trip. HOF strongly encourages all participants to purchase an insurance package to protect that investment of your time and your money.
TRIP DEPOSITS, FINAL PAYMENT AND CANCELLATIONS
Deposits are required to secure your registration on any HOF trip. We will do our best to hold space based on your interest in a trip but cannot guarantee you a spot until a deposit is made.
Deposits will require a 50% down payment.
Final payment is due 60 days prior to the arrival/check-in date of the trip.
In the event of cancellation, we will always do our best to refund your deposit. Cancellations prior to 30 days from date of arrival/check-in may receive partial or full refund. Cancellations within 30 days of arrival/check-in are not eligible for refund. These are general cancellation and refund terms for all trips, but each trip may have a different cancellation and refund schedule.
Rods: Anglers should bring three rods: One 6-8-weight for smaller flies and windless days, one 9-weight for windy conditions and larger flies (perfect for permit if you have one), and one 10-weight for snook and tarpon. Extra rods are always a plus.
Reels: 2-3 Large arbor quality reels with a decent drag system and at least 100 yards of 30 pound fly line backing.
Fly Line: Floating tropical fly lines are all that are necessary. We recommend bringing one floating line per reel and one spare.
Leaders: A tapered leader of 9ft or longer is recommended. The simplest solution is to buy pre-tied bonefish, permit, snook and tarpon leaaders and then use separate spools of 10-15lb (bonefish), 15-20lb (permit), 30-40lb (snook and tarpon) fluorocarbon tippet.
Wire: 30-40lb wire leader for barracuda and sharks. 7x7 strand knot-able wire or hard wire is good.
Pliers: One good pair of long nose pliers.
Clippers: One line clipper.
Knife: Bring a knife.
Towel: Quick dry microfiber pack towel for showers.
Pillow: A pillow will be supplied, but if you need additinoal neck support bring a packable pillow.
Boots/Shoes: One pair of quick-dry shoes or flipflops for camp. For fly fishing/wading bring one pair of flats wading boots with good support.
Wading Socks: Neoprene wading socks and thin sock liners are good.
Shirts: Three to four long sleeve quick-dry shirts.
Pants: Three pairs of quick-dry pants to protect from sun and biting insects. Shorts are fine if the mosquitos and no see ums are not around.
Hats: Two hats.
Rain Jacket: One lightweight rain jacket.
Water bottle: An insulated water bottle to bring in the boat and fill up from larger water bottles.
Gloves: one pair fly-fishing gloves/stripping gloves, they are always good for biting insects too.
Sun mask: Two frace sun/insect masks.
Sunglasses: Two pairs of polarized sunglasses. It's good to have a lens cleaner and a soft cleaning cloth as well. (lowlight and high sun lenses).
Sun Screen: One bottle sun screen.
Lip balm: SPF lip balm.
Repellent: One or two bottles of insect repellent for mosquitos, no-see ums, sand flies, etc.
Backpack: One waterproof backpack or hip pack.
Headlamp/Flashlight: One LED headlamp and flashlight with extra batteries.
Electronics: Back up USZB battery, Camera, extra battteries, chargers, waterproof case/bag, SD cards, Small fan usb or rechargeable.
Waterproof Bag: Six medium sized ziploc baggies for storing phone, lighter, lens cloth, etc. and waterproof bag for camera, etc.
Toiletries Kit: Toothpaste and toothbrish, hand sanitizer, deodorant, advil/tyleno, small first aid kit, gold bond powder, extra hand sanitizer, wet wipes and any personal medications.
Super Glue: Glue for finger cuts.
Miscellaneious: English-Spanish translator app on phone, credit cards, extra cash for personal expenses.
You should have flies with three sink rates in your box: un-weighted, slightly weighted, and heavily weighted. Typically, un-weighted eyeless patterns are used in the shallow water (less than one foot). Intermediate small eyed flies are used over turtle grass, like Crazy Charlie with bead-chain eyes (one to two feet of water). Heavy flies, like Clouser Minnows, are more effective in two to four feet of water (or deeper).
BONEFISH FLIES
Generally speaking, Bonefish in this area are user-friendly specimens. For this reason, basic shrimp patterns are preferred. Gotchas, Crazy Charlies, and Squimps should be all you need. a totla of two-dozen Bonefish flies will be what you need for the week.
Crazy Charlie: Sizes 4-6 in white/cream, pink, and light tan.
Flahsy Charlie: Sizes 4-6 in pink and pearl.
Squimp: sizes 4-6 (both medium yellow lead eyes and bead chain eyes) in tan.
Other Productive Patterns: Puff, Grass Shrimp, Bonfish Muddler, Snapping Shrimp, Baited Breath.
PERMIT FLIES
Permit are praticularly fond of small crabs and shrimp flies. A dozen or so will work for the week. As mentioned above, it's recommended to have three different sink rates of crab and shrimp flies. Each week there are encounters with large Permit in deeper water 4+ ft and having a heavier weighted crab pattern can make all the difference.
Rag head Crab: size 2 in tan (preferably with yellow lead eyes).
EP Mantis Shrimp: Size 1-2.
Kung-Fu Crab: Size 2 in tan and tan/olive.
McCrab; Size 2 in natural.
Squimp: Size 2 in tan (preferably with yellow lead eyes).
Strong arm crab: Size 1-2 in tan/olive.
JACKS, BARRACUDA & SHARKS
3-5" baitfish patterns 2/0-3/0
Saltwater foam popper (red/white and blue/white) 2/0-3/0
Shark Fly 2/0-3/0
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