This is an Island that holds a special place in our heart. We have hosted many trips to this island and have become friends with the guides and staff of the lodge. Pittstown Point is a point that jaunts out of the northwestern side of the island. Off the point is a very old light house that was relit only a few years ago. The lodge sets in one of the most picturesque places on earth facing this light house.
The island sets next to another well known island Acklins and with Crooked Island forms the Bight of Acklins. Inside the bight is an enormous area of flats, creeks and channels. The bight has hundreds of square miles of flats. These flats are teeming with huge schools of unpressured Bonefish. We have fished these Bonefish in both spring and summer and always find schools of true 3 to 4 pound fish. There is the occasional school of Bonefish in the 4 to 8 pound range as well. There are only two fishing operations on Crooked Island and with the sheer enormity of the flats area it allows an angler to cast to a lot of fish that have rarely if ever seen a fly.
Crooked is not just a prime Bonefish destination but may be one the best all around saltwater destination in the world. I know I know that sounds like a big statement. The case can be made for this and I will do my best to explain our position. You have already been told about the Bonefish in the bight but inside the bight is also a good number of large Permits. There are not the large schools like Belize or Mexico but there is plenty of Permit, most of the schools are 5 to 25 and some very large singles. I have caught several Permit and I know that I fished to a 40 pound Permit, enormous. We have also hooked Tarpon in Turtle Sound as big a 70 pounds. Turtle Sound is a tidal stream that empties into the bight from a lagoon on Crooked Island. The sound feeds a bight lined with mangroves that are full of Grouper, Mutton Snapper, Grey Snapper and a bunch of other stuff. The fishing around the mangroves is simply fabulous. The bight is full of fish and just a small part of what is available. Out in front of the lodge there is an enormous shelf that runs along the coast of Crooked. The shelf starts at 50 feet and drops off to 7500 feet. Off the shelf everything a bluewater angler can want to fish for is there. On top of the shelf is the best reef fishing we have ever experienced. The lodge has a terrific reef program and you should absolutely take advantage of it.
Not only is the reef fishing for jacks, snapper, mackerel and other fish fantastic but the Bluewater fishing in front of the lodge and out at Diane bank is out of this world. There is world record size Wahoo caught almost every day. Giant Dorado show up in April and May and the last trip we did we landed a 250 pound Blue Marlin. Huge schools of Yellowfin and Blackfin Tuna are always around and are usually a short distance from the light house. We have gotten into schools of Tuna 2 acres wide! If you can find a better combination of flats/reef/bluewater fishing we want to know where it is. You are going to have to look very hard to find it.
Now to the food! When we say this is the best lodge food we have ever had we mean this is the best lodge food we have ever had. A lot of the lodges we go to have executive chefs are trained well in the culinary arts. We have had marvelous food at all our lodges; remember we won’t go there unless the food is great. The girls at Pittstown are as good at preparing food as anyone at any of the other lodges we visit. Everything is homemade and everything is fresh. From appetizers like sashimi and ceviche’ to outstanding salads to the freshest fish and lobster you can eat. Then finished off with absolutely outstanding deserts, you will not be disappointed in what you eat. The trip is worth it for the food and scenery alone.
As we mentioned the lodge sets in one of the best locations we have found. The lodge itself is typical Bahamian. The rooms are well appointed and mostly facing the lighthouse. The rooms are clean and a very short distance to the outside bar. The bar is an open air building right on the water. In the evening after dinner we typically go to the bar and listen to the water and fell the breeze off the water. Everyone is typically there and the company is great; we have had some good times there.
If you are looking for your first major trip to saltwater this is a great choice. Friendly guides who won’t chew you out, big Bonefish that are fairly easy to catch, great food and outstanding location.
Species
Bonefish, Permit, Jacks, Snapper, Grouper, Tuna, Wahoo, Maui and Marlin to name a few. This could be the best multi species saltwater destination in the world.
Season at Crooked Island
We have literally fished this in every season. Winter is iffy because of cold fronts, January and February can be good but can be windy. March through June is outstanding. July through September is much underrated. We had our best Bonefish trip ever in August and caught a few Tarpon then as well. September through December is very good with little wind and fish that have not been pestered for several weeks.
Lodge Capacity
The lodge takes 12 anglers per week
Duration of Stay
As mentioned above there are two packages at Pittstown Point; a 7 day trip which is Sunday to Saturday. Or a half week that runs from Wednesday to Saturday.
The week fishing itinerary for 6 days 7 nights:
Day 1 Friday – Travel to Nassau for your overnight.
Day 2 Saturday - Travel to the island, when you arrive that day there will be no guided fishing. The guides are seventh day Adventists and do not fish on Saturday. Take this day to snorkel, relax on the beach or get ready for the weeks fishing.
Day 3 thru 8 Sunday thru Friday – Breakfast is served between 7-8:00am. After breakfast you have a short drive to the dock to meet the guides. The days fishing are 8 to 9 hours. After you get back form fishing you can get cleaned up and ordouerves are served around 6:30 pm. Dinner will be somewhere between 7 to 7:30 pm
Day 9 Saturday – This is your travel day back home. Make sure you have an afternoon flight back at 3:00 pm or later. If you like you can overnight in Nassau but we have always made it back the same day.
The half week itinerary 3 days 4 nights:
Day 1 Tuesday – Arrive in Nassau for your overnight stay
Day 2 Wednesday – Arrive on the island and relax. This is a day where you could make the day a fishing day and fish that evening. This would be an additional $475.00 on top of your package. This is traditionally a settle in day but if you arrive early enough you could fit a day in, make sure to ask about this in regards to your itinerary.
Day 3 thru 5 - Breakfast is served between 7-8:00am. After breakfast you have a short drive to the dock to meet the guides. The days fishing are 8 to 9 hours. After you get back form fishing you can get cleaned up and ordouerves are served around 6:30 pm. Dinner will be somewhere between 7 to 7:30 pm
Day 6 - This is your travel day back home. Make sure you have an afternoon flight back at 3:00 pm or later. If you like you can overnight in Nassau but we have always made it back the same day.
Travel Insurance
We are a Sportsman Travel Insurance agent and highly recommend travel insurance. Most lodge policies are written to encourage a traveler to buy insurance. If you have an issue shortly before your trip you will be very thankful you purchased it.
Deposit and Cancellation Policy
- A 50% deposit is due to confirm your reservation.
- Full payment is due 90 days before departure
- Deposits refundable (minus a 100.00 handling fee per package up to 60 days before the trip.
- Within 60 days of your trip your deposit is non refundable unless your spot is rebooked.
No funds are available for unused portion of your trip.
Currency
There is no need to exchange American dollars for Bahamas dollars. The American dollars are widely accepted in the Bahamas. This includes the outer islands.
Included in the Price
All food, lodging and guides are included in the price.
Not included in the price
All alcoholic and soft drinks other that what is served at dinner is an additional charge. A bar tab is kept for every room/customer. Make sure you keep track of it as well. Snorkeling equipment is there for rent, other wise take your own. Any purchases in the gift shop at the lodge.
Rates at Pittstown Point
Flat Package
6 Days/7 Nights - $2995.00 Double Occupancy, $5295.00 Single Occupancy
3 Days/4 Nights - $1595.00 Double Occupancy, $2795.00 Single Occupancy
Offshore supplement
Full Day - $1400.00
Half Day - $500.00
Inshore/Reef Supplement
Full Day - $900.00
Half Day - $650.00
Note: If you choose to exchange one of your flats days with an inshore or bluewater day subtract you’re the flats charge from the full or half day price. The flats price is $475.00.
Credit Cards
Pittstown Point does except Visa and MasterCard
Flights to Crooked Island
The way flights work in and out of Crooked Island it makes it mandatory to fly into Nassau and spend one night there. This is nice because it allows you one evening in Nassau. It is easy to get to Nassau from most US cities. You go to Nassau on a Friday or a Tuesday depending on whether you are staying a week or half a week. We can also arrange your night in Nassau. The next morning you will have to get back to the airport to catch your Bahamas Air flight out to the island. Bahamas Air has always got us there and got us back. If they make a mistake they will correct it. You can sometimes get a complete package with all flights together or you will have to book the flights separately. We can help book all of your flights for this trip; we have done it many times.
Getting back to the states is easy and only one day is needed typically.
Transportation to the lodge from the airport
You will be greeted at the Crooked Island airport by the staff at Pittstown. Don’t worry you can’t miss them. There isn’t much to the airport. The transportation is included in the price.
Passport Required
A valid passport is required to enter the Bahamas. You will through customs in Nassau. If you need help renewing your passport or acquiring a passport for the first time go to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html
Departure Tax
Each person upon departing customs has a $15.00 departure tax. All persons under the age of 6 are exempt.
Equipment Checklist for Crooked Island
Rods
9 foot 8 weight
9 foot 10 weight
9 foot 12 weight
Note: We take all of these rods. The 8 weight for flats fishing, the 10 weight for inshore stuff and Permit and the 12 weight for Tuna and other stuff in the bluewater.
Reels
This is not the thing to try and go cheap on. All of the fish around the island will melt a cheap reel. Now that does not mean you have to have a $500.00 reel. But I would not spend under $200.00 for a reel in saltwater.
Nautilus CCF and NV reels, there is not a more functional better sealed reel going. We own a bunch of Tibor’s and Pates between us all and you can never go wrong if you want a pure saltwater reel.
For a less expensive option we like the new Sage 4500 series reels a lot. The least expensive reel we recommend is the Redington CDL reel at around $200.00
Lines
We have become big fans of the S/A Sharkskin lines and believe this is a difference maker for a lot of anglers. The Rio Bonefish line and the saltwater Clouser is a great choice for all your rods.
For the rods we use on reefs and bluewater we typically use saltwater versi-tips that allow us to change tips quickly from floating to sinking. This is a huge advantage!
Flies
Bonefish
#2-6 Crazy Charlie’s in Tan, White and Pink
#2-6 Gotcha’s
#2-6 Pink and Orange Puffs
#6 Spawning Shrimp
#10 Tan and Yellow Horror for low tides
#4 Simram which is one of our favorite flies at Crooked
Permit
2/0 and #2 Merkins
#2 Raghead Crab
Reef Flies
3/0 Bunker Flies in Yellow/White, Pilchard/White, and Blue/White
2/0 to #2 Saltwater Poppers
#2 Half and Half in Yellow/White, Pilchrad/White and Blue/White
Bluewater Flies
Anything that looks like a Pilchard, don’t get fancy. Everything around the island on both the reefs and in bluewater eats Pilchard colored streamers.
Clothing and Stuff
- Fishing shirts with 40 upf protection. I usually take one for every day.
- Zip off fishing pant 2 each.
- Light weight quick drying shorts
- Tube shocks for wading. Throw away at the end of the day.
- Flats boots
- Fanny pack
- Dry Bag for camera and gear
- Aspirin
- Other meds
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