LOCATION
Lucaya - Grand Bahama, Bahamas
SEASON
Year-round, with October through mid-July being peak season
CAPACITY
Pelican Bay is a large resort, with 97 rooms on property. This is an ideal destination for large groups of anglers, large family gatherings, meetings, and other events.
SPECIES
Bonefish, tarpon, permit, barracuda, jacks, snapper, dorado, tuna, and more
GENERAL INFORMATION
Pelican Bay sits adjacent to both the picture-perfect white sands of Lucaya beach and Count Bassie Square,where you'll find a wide selection of restaurants, bars, duty free shopping, dancing, water sports, and evening entertainment.
LENGTH OF STAY
Trips of any length are available, and the convenience of the Bahamas makes Pelican Bay the perfect getaway for a week-long fishing trip or a quick weekend escape. This is also a great add-on for business and family trips to Nassau.
THE FISHING
The island of Grand Bahama stretches 90 miles east to west, and the north shore’s vast area of creeks, cays, and flats create hundreds of miles of shallow, fishable shoreline. Bottom structure varies from hard sand and grass flats to harder, light coral and marl flats, all of which provide excellent feeding areas for bonefish and permit. The experienced, seasoned guides of Pelican Bay are dedicated to making your fishing adventure both productive and enjoyable, and will tailor each fishing day to your schedule and individual preferences. All of Pelican Bay’s guides have chosen guiding as their year-round profession (not just a seasonal job). Anglers can take advantage of the thousands of hours these guys have spent on the flats and feel comfortable in asking for all types of direction and instruction. For anglers new to saltwater flats fishing, Pelican Bay is not only a wonderful place to learn, but a destination that guarantees action your very first time out!
While at Pelican Bay, a large part of each fishing day is spent casting from Maverick Mirage flats boats. Anglers are also encouraged to wade during times where large concentrations of fish are found tailing in skinny water. The bonefish vary greatly in size, from small, two to three-pound fish found in large, easy schools, to “average” Grand Bahamas bonefish in the four to six-pound range. Fish of seven and eight pounds are almost a daily encounter, and trophy-sized bones over ten pounds are not uncommon. Pelican Bay's record bonefish to date is a remarkable fish of 14 ½ pounds! Although Pelican Bay is primarily a world-class bonefishing destination, there are several other types of game fish that frequent area waters. Permit and tarpon arrive during the spring and are encountered on a regular basis throughout the fall months. Large barracuda can be found almost daily, and there is always the possibility of running into roaming schools of hard-fighting horse-eye jacks that average 10 to 15 pounds.
Since there are no roads available to access this area of Grand Bahamas, the result is a bonefishing habitat that sees little angling pressure aside from the few professional guides who fish these waters with clients. The entire area is pristine!
In 2005, Pelican Bay introduced an all new offshore fly fishing program - one of the first of its kind anywhere in the Bahamas. The most productive time of day is in the evening, so you may bonefish all day then head out to the blue water. This program targets a variety of deep sea and bluewater gamefish, including Dolphin (Mahi Mahi, Dorado), Blackfin, Skipjack Tuna and Yellowfin Tuna. To date the largest Yellowfin taken on a fly is 62 pounds. The largest Dolphin on a fly is 35 pounds, the largest Blackfin is 17 pounds, and the largest Skipjack is 11 pounds! This program is available as either a dedicated offshore day or as a combination Bonefishing/Offshore day. The tuna come to the surface and feed late afternoon and evening making this an ideal combination option, as well as a great arrival day fly fishing option. All specialty fly fishing gear (10, 12 and 14 wt. outfits) are included. The offshore season at Pelican Bay Resort is May through September.
BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
Anglers fish from 16’ Maverick flats boat with new Yamaha 90HP outboards, poling platforms, and spacious casting decks. They are roomy, fast and comfortable.
THE LODGING
Each of Pelican Bay’s 97 rooms feature private balconies that overlook the resort’s courtyard area, the marina, and the Port Lucaya Marketplace. These spacious accommodations include king-sized or double beds, satellite TV, direct-dial phones, Italian tiled floors, and a refrigerator. Pelican Bay’s newly-opened single bedroom suites are also available for couples looking for an extra-luxurious “Stay at the Bay.” Newspapers and freshly baked croissants and breads are available in the suites each morning, and personal espresso machines and a variety of coffees enable guests to enjoy a private breakfast on the balcony while overlooking the beautiful Bell Channel Bay. Other guest amenities include two tropical freshwater pools, a hot tub, and a great poolside bar. The Ferry House restaurant, adjacent to the hotel, has established a new standard for excellence in fine dining on Grand Bahama. Having worked in some of the world's finest restaurants, the chefs of the Ferry House have created what they describe as "a blend of contemporary cuisine fused with unique flavors of the Caribbean." Menus change daily depending on the availability of fresh, local seafood, fruit, and foreign-quality foods, brought in by air on a regular basis.
RATES & DETAILS
2009
Rates at Pelican Bay Resort change throughout the season. Please see dates and tables below for pricing, and call Yellow Dog for more details, availability, and additional seasonal specials.
2009 STANDARD PACKAGE RATES
(January 1 - June 30, 2009 and October 1 - December 31, 2009)
TRIP LENGTH |
2 Per Boat/2 Per Room |
1 Per Boat/1 Per Room |
7 Nights / 6 Days |
$3,250 |
$5,695 |
6 Nights / 5 Days |
$2,830 |
$4,795 |
5 Nights / 4 Days |
$2,390 |
$3,990 |
4 Nights / 3 Days |
$1,860 |
$3,175 |
3 Nights / 2 Days |
$1,335 |
$2,450 |
Above packages DO NOT include evening meals. Prices above are for standard room with king bed or two double beds. Guests also have the option of upgrading to a luxury suite at time of check-in. Rates vary, so please call for details.
2009 BLUWATER RATES
Bluewater Add-On Packages: $1600.00 per day trip for a 33-foot boat. This boat is good for up to 4 anglers.
WHAT’S INCLUDED
Air-conditioned waterfront room with king or two double beds, satellite TV, direct dial phone, mini-refrigerator, in-room coffee maker, full private balcony, tropical pool, hot tub, breakfast, daily deluxe picnic lunch including non-alcoholic beverages, 6% hotel guest tax, and 6% resort tax.
WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED
Airfare from home town to Grand Bahama, alcoholic beverages and bar tab, gratuities for guides and staff, transportation to and from the airport on Grand Bahama to resort, airport departure taxes, gift shop purchases, equipment rentals, and dinner (there are over 20 restaurants within walking distance of the hotel – from pizza to gourmet).
DEPOSIT INFORMATION
A 50% deposit (per angler) of the total package cost for each trip is due to Yellow Dog Flyfishing Adventures (YDFA) within 10 days of booking to secure the reservation. Guides and dates cannot be held or reserved without a deposit. YDFA reserves the right to charge a handling fee of $100 per person for date changes after the initial reservation has been made. Full payment is due 90 days prior to departure.
HOW TO GET THERE
Grand Bahamas is the easiest flats fishing destination to get to in the Bahamas, due to the numerous direct daily flights from Miami, West Palm Beach and Ft. Lauderdale to Freeport, Grand Bahama. Other major east coast hubs are now offering direct flights as well.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
As of 2006, all U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of trips dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way.
NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES
Non-angling activities at Pelican Bay include golfing at two USGA certified 18-hole championship courses, diving, snorkel trips, glass-bottomed boat tours, eco-tours, parasailing, sea kayaking, and a host of other water-related options for all age groups. For those interested in island nightlife, there is gambling at two of the island’s casinos, fine restaurants, bars, and nightly dancing.
OTHER INFORMATION
Pelican Bay also offers a unique bonefishing school designed to combine a high level of instruction with full days of guided flats fishing. The school is based on a five night, four fishing-day stay, and is completely customized for individuals and groups.
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