Fishing
For fifty years, Deep Water Cay has been the finest bonefishing destination in the Bahamas. Fishing has always been an integral part of Bahamian life and it is the foundation of Deep Water Cay. It has played host to some of the most adventurous and distinguished fly fishermen. Joe Brooks, Curt Gowdy, Stu Apte, Flip Pallot, Lefty Kreh, Chico Fernandez, and Sandy Moret are just a few. More recently and for two years running, the Buccaneers & Bones, which include legendary anglers Lefty Kreh, Tom Brokaw, Liam Neeson, Michael Keaton, Bill Klyn, Dr. Aaron Adams, and Yvon Chinouard chose Deep Water Cay as the place to meet for their adventures in bonefishing.
Flats Fishing
As you wade the more than 250 square miles of hard-packed white sand flats, you’ll easily spot bonefish. Boat fishing is done around the softer bottoms that are covered in Turtle Grass and oriented around the mangroves. But the water runs far beyond the mangrove root tangles and into saltwater lakes with freshwater sources, making them a virtual baitfish factory. The real treat is that the 2.2 square mile Deep Water Cay lies on an east/west tack and is situated below an archipelago of moderate-sized cays arranged on a north/south tack. A series of channels connect the southern and northern fisheries, making an angler’s trip a quick run to any of them. |
Offshore Fishing
Deep Water Cay is located in the midst of an incredibly diverse string of currents. The Straits of Florida are to the west and have strong, fertile currents connecting to the western end of Grand Bahama Island. The Grand Bahama Bank runs north and connects at that same point. From the fall through the spring, these currents bring Wahoo, Sailfish, White and Blue Marlin, Mahi Mahi, and tuna to within casting range. What brings them close to Deep Water Cay is the Northwest Providence Channel providing anglers with short runs to prime fishing. Here the channel depths drop quickly from a foot at Mean Low Water to nearly 750 feet. So climb aboard our center console 33-foot World Cat and experience our bluewater offshore fishery. |
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The Boats |
Reef Fishing |
Bahamas Best Guides
The Deep Water Cay guide team is an assemblage of skilled and talented men who have been learning as well as teaching techniques over a very long time. Some of our guides are second and third generation guides that come from legendary families of fishing guides. Fathers, grandfathers, uncles, cousins and brothers have shared information, tips, and tricks that have become time-honored over the fifty years since Deep Water Cay was founded.
Our current guide staff includes: Meko Glinton, Mervin Thomas, William Pinder, Joseph Pinder, Pery Demeritte, Michael Taylor, Randy Reckley, Harry Rolle and Ted Cooper. All of these men are seasoned veterans who also run a Guide Training Program working with younger, up-and-coming guides.
Two of the more celebrated guides include Meko Glinton and Mervin Thomas. These fellows have been guides with us for many years and continue to serve the guests of Deep Water Cay. Mervin joined the guide staff in 1977 and enjoys introducing new and experienced anglers alike to the thousands of acres of bonefish flats in the area. His early expertise was with reef fishing for grouper but then began adding flats fishing to really hone his trade. Mervin’s hard work was rewarded when Stanley Glinton took him in under his wing. Stanley was our senior guide at the time and one of the original Deep Water Cay guides.
Omeko “Meko” Glinton has a fabled past of family guides that were the early pioneers of flats fishing in the Bahamas. Meko’s grandfather is David Glinton, Sr., his father is Stanley Glinton and his uncles are the famous talented Pinder brothers! His grandfather guided at Deep Water Cay from 1958 to 2002 and his dad was a lead guide for over 20 years. Today Meko is one of the most requested guides at Deep Water Cay and prefers to wade fish over boat fish as there is a tremendous amount of hunting and stalking involved. Meko is a past Bahamas bonefish Champion and past winner of the Redbone Tournament.
The fishing future of Deep Water Cay is very much secure with the continual support of our outstanding collection of guides and the training program. They all enjoy the challenge of the hunt and the teaching opportunities that come with every outing as well as the guests who just can’t seem to get enough.
Time of Year
January and February are good months; with an occasional northern wind cooling off the flats. January’s average temperature is 69 degrees, and you’ll find good numbers of bones in the 3-6 pound class.
March, April and May are peak Bahamian bonefishing months – terrific for both numbers and size of fish.
June, July and August are largely perceived as too hot to fish, but it’s not true. Average temperatures in July and August average 83 degrees. You’ll see big schools of bonefish that weigh up to about 8 pounds.
September through November is when the biggest fish of the year are caught.
Gear
From January through May you’ll want to have a nine-weight rod and in the summer you can scale down to a saltwater six- or seven-weight.
Flurocarbon leaders ranging from 8-16 pound test tippets get the nod. If you had to bring just three flies, bring a Mantis shrimp, a McVey Gotcha, and a Meko’s Special. Bring some more to try. Tie them with plastic eyes and bead chain eyes around a size 6. By the way – the Meko Special was developed for these waters by a Deep Water Cay guide (obviously named Meko).
The technical outerwear of casting shirts and fast-drying shorts is ideal. Long-sleeved shirts and pants are the best idea, particularly if they are made from a quick drying material with an SPF rating. Flats boots for wading are recommended and either amber or copper-colored, wrap-style sunglasses help you spot fish.
The Pro Shop is fully stocked with the best quality fly gear on the market. You’ll find ORVIS rods and reels along with Sage rods, Tibor reels, and Rio lines. If you forget anything at home, don’t worry, you’ll find it here.
