Fishing Guides of Small Hope Bay Lodge, Andros, Bahamas
We, at Small Hope, take a lot of pride in our fishing guides. All of our guides have been fishing for many years and are not only knowledgeable in techniques and equipment, but they have extensive experience in all the fishing sites and areas around Andros. Whether you are an experienced fisherman looking for a guide who knows his way around the waterways, or just starting to take an interest in fishing and looking for someone to help develop your skills and experience the guides of Small Hope Bay Lodge can help. They are all mobile and can access all areas of North Andros, Joulters, West Side through Red Bays, the Bights, West Side through Bights, Stafford Creek, Fresh Creek, and Ocean Flats.
The Importance of a Good Guide
As any Bonefisherman will tell you, Bonefishing is a skill, an art, and an obsession, all rolled into one. You need to know the technicalities of equipment to determine what would be the best to use. You need to know how the weather conditions will affect the equipment and your strategy. You need to know the behavior of the fish and its prey to effectively stalk and hunt it. You also need to know where the fish is, and what to do once you have snared it.
This is where a good guide comes in handy. Like a caddy in golf, the importance of a good guide in Bonefishing cannot be ignored. A guide can make or break your trip. A guide will take you to the right spot, where the Bonefish are ‘hangin’ out’, so to speak. He will point out where the fish is, and will probably also give you instructions on how to hook it and reel it in.
At Small Hope, we understand Bonefish, and we understand the need for excellent guides. It is not for nothing that our guides are called some of the best in the world. Most of our guides have either been born on Andros Island, or have lived here most of their lives. They know the water, and they know the fish. They know where you have the highest probability of finding fish, how to spot them, what to do to get them to bite, and how to reel them in!
Our guides have years of experience behind them and they are now equipped to deal with novices as well as seasoned Bonefishers. Take a look at their profiles below and decide which one of them you would like to go fishing with!
Equipment for Bonefishing on Andros
What Equipment Should I bring?
At Small Hope we have all the fishing gear you will ever need. But if you would like to bring anything of your own – rods, flies, lures, etc.- feel free!
While the fishing tackle is important, our guides also stresses that the appropriate clothing can make the difference between a good trip and a bad trip. If you aren’t wearing pants and long sleeves, then bring something to cover yourself up. Two items which most people forget, and which are very important, are bug spray and sunscreen! Also recommended are a hat with black lining, and sunglasses with UV protection. Carry a light waterproof jacket too, in case it starts raining and you don’t want to get wet, although when fishing, getting wet is something you should expect. Wading boots are also a good idea in case you have to wade in the water.
Recommended Flies and Tackle
Guide Glaister recommends bringing a variety of flies because what works on one day might not work on another. “One day one type of fly may work beautifully. The next day, with the same fish in the same spot you may catch nothing”, he says.
- Spawning Shrimp (with small lead eyes)
- Any kind of Gotcha
- Clousers; all 4's and/or 6's
- 8 weight fly rod with 9 foot tapered leaders
- The recommended range in Tippet size is 8-16 lbs.
Glaister Wallace
Small Hope Bay Fishing guide.
Specializing in Bonefishing, Reef, and Deep-sea fishing (trolling and fly-casting).
Born in Tarpon Bay, Eleuthera on April 23, 1968
Has three children, all boys.
Glaister started fishing at a very young age. He came to Andros and started bonefishing at the Andros Island Bonefishing Club and quickly became passionate about fishing. At Small Hope, he is known for being a wonderful guide and teacher, and is the guy for helping anyone who really wants to hone their technique. He has been a Small Hope guide since 1994.
When Glaister is done fishing for the day he heads back to his home in Cargill Creek, to the south, where he also runs a tiki-bar in the evenings. He specializes in amazing seafood dishes and salads, all served with cold drinks and good music and great company.
"Anyone that can cast can catch a fish. It is the skill of the fisherman that determines the size of the fish you catch." - Glaister Wallace
Jeff Cartwright
Small Hope Bay Fishing guide.
Specializing in Bonefishing, Reef, and Deep-sea (trolling and fly-casting).
Born in Tarpon Bay, Eleuthera Sep 13th, 1967
He is married to Barbara and they have 4 children.
Jeff started his fishing career as a young boy in Eleuthera going out with his dad and uncles. When he came to Andros he came to follow his love of fishing and Barbara. He started is fishing career working out of Andros Island Bonefish Club for three years.
Jeff has been a Small Hope Bay Lodge fishing guide since 1996. He is known as Small Hope's "family guide". He is thoroughly professional and knowledgeable but has a carefree outlook on fishing and always makes the guests feel at home, comfortable and definitely makes sure they have fun!
When he is not on the boat Jeff is a citrus farmer. He lives in at the Bahamas Agricultural Research Center (BARC) in North Andros and grows many varieties of citrus and vegetables. Sometimes our guests are lucky to have some of Jeff's citrus fruits served here at Small Hope Bay Lodge.
"Fishing is a passion that you are born with. I am so proud to be a part of the Small Hope family sharing new fishing experiences with our guests". - Jeff Cartwright
Brent Mackey . . . aka "Bonefish Bradley"
Small Hope Bay Fishing guide.
Specializing in Bonefishing and Reef fishing.
Born in Bowen Sound, Andros Bahamas, July 18th, 1973
He is the father of 4 children (a boy, and three girls which includes a set of twins)
Bradley started fishing with his dad, reef fishing and bonefishing with hand line when he was about four years old. He became serious about bonefishing when he was 17 years old where he started by going on practice training with other guides. He worked with various fishing clubs in the area for a few years and now has been a Small Hope Bay Lodge guide specializing in bonefishing since 1994.
Currently he lives in Bowen Sound, to the south. Bradley also spends time at his tiki-bar at the Andros Town Airport which serves snacks, finger-foods, cold drinks and more. You can even stop by and say hi while you wait for your flight.
Bonefish used to be eaten for meals way back when, but not now ... As Bradley says, "it is catch and release because if you are going to take it serious and share the art of bonefishing you need to protect the resource".
Ricardo Mackey
Small Hope Bay Fishing guide.
Specializing in Bonefishing and Reef fishing.
Born in Cargill Creek, Andros Nov 23rd, 1971
He is married to Anastasia Capron Mackey and they have three children.
Ricardo started fishing as an apprentice with Sidney Bain and Carl Moxey when he was 21 years old working out of Cargill Creek Lodge as a house guide.
As a fishing for more than a decade, he has worked primarily with Small Hope Bay Lodge. As a guide he is considered the "nature guide" and enjoys taking guests through various water ways and the remote flats and regions in his pursuit of bonefish.
Ricardo says that "Andros is the best bonefishing area in the world" and he is committed to keeping it that way.
Timer
Fishing for over 50 years and working at Small Hope Bay Lodge for over 30 years, Timer first started his training when he was 12 at the famous Bang Bang Club on Andros. In that time he has taught many famous people including Jack Nicklaus, golfer, Admiral Brady, US Navy and Commander Adams of the British Royal Navy.
Timer has two passions in life; Fishing and Construction, but when you get out in to the tranquil deep blue you can see why fishing is his real deep passion.
