Anglers at Soul Fly Lodge can expect a beautiful fishery with great opportunities to target bonefish, permit, triggerfish, mutton snapper, barracuda and more. Short runs combined with options to fish from the boat or focus on wading ensure that you days can be tailored exactly as you please. If you want to grab a moment of bliss fishing the Berry Islands in the Bahamas, this is a great choice.
Aardvark McLeod clients who have visited recently comment:
It was a terrific experience, not just the fishing but the flats and the boating and fish-spotting and sharks and other wildlife. And Cordelia had a super time too: she came fishing on one day and spent the others biking around and reading and relaxing at the lodge. And the staff were wonderful. Jason and Cordelia
We had a great time as group and really enjoyed the lodge, guides, staff and Kevin the manager. The fishing was tough due to wind not allowing us to get to the best areas except for one day (which just whetted the appetite). Excellent flats near the lodge though for fantastic bone fishing, especially at low tides for wading/stalking. Bruce
As the 2025 spring fishing season comes to a close, it’s a good time for a quick reminder as to what anglers can expect throughout the year at this lovely spot.
Fly Fishing Seasons at Soul Fly Lodge
The target species at Soul Fly Lodge – bonefish, permit, snappers, barracuda, triggerfish, jacks, and others – are all residents to the Berry Islands so it’s possible to have great shots for any of them, at any time of the year. That said, they are all affected by a variety of variables like water and air temperatures, moon phases, tides direction and magnitude, wind and weather. When it comes to the seasons of the year, there are trends and patterns that make for more-or-less predictable fishing, depending on the species in question. The following is a rundown of the three fishing seasons at Soul Fly Lodge, and is a rough estimation of what guests can expect to find upon arrival.
Late summer and autumn – September, October and November
This is the best time of year to target both bonefish and permit. Water temperatures are favourable for both species and anglers can expect to have multiple shots at each during their trip, if the weather provides the required stability. Unfortunately, this is also hurricane season in the Bahamas, so there is the risk of intersecting with a large storm system.
Bonefishing this time of year is exciting because fish of all sizes are present, and it’s possible for anglers to find both quantity and quality of fish. Bonefish are typically very happy this time of year and can be found cruising across and tailing on the flats. Nevertheless, stealth and accurate casts are required and there are rarely ‘easy’ fish. Again, with challenge comes reward.
Anglers most interested in fishing for permit will find their best chances during summer and fall months, and the fishing can be exceptional when all the factors align. Warmer, stable weather leads to happy fish on the flats and, in turn, numerous shots at them. Bear in mind though that Bahamas permit are always challenging, no matter the time of year, and a successful day of permit fishing is often measured by the number of quality shots that are offered to the angler.
Winter – December, January and February
Winter is undoubtedly the best time of year to hunt the large, mature bonefish that the Berry Islands are known for. As the weather cools in the autumn and winter, these larger bonefish are typically more accessible, and there is often an influx of larger fish making their way onto the flats. These larger fish often travel the flats alone or in smaller groups, which makes fishing for them extremely exciting – it’s a true hunting experience and a single fish can make a day.
Permit, however, are less interested in the cooler weather and water temperatures, so they are much less predictable to target during the winter. Resident permit do still come onto the flats this time of year, but more often they remain in nearby channels of deeper water or in reef systems, which makes them very challenging to target. Further, the lower temperatures often make for less ‘happy’ fish, which decreases the odds but also ups the reward when one is successfully stalked, fed, and hooked.
Barracuda, mutton snapper, jacks, triggers, and others can all be targeted and caught this time of year but are also susceptible to changes in weather. Generally speaking, colder weather makes for more challenging fishing.
The primary risk with fishing during the winter months is an arrival of a cold front. Such weather affects wind velocity, wind direction, barometric pressure, and so forth which certainly impacts the fishing negatively. That said, when fronts pass (and they always do), the fishing afterwards can be spectacular, as all the target species return to the flats to feed after spending some time away.
Spring and early summer – March, April, May and June
This time of year typically brings the most stable weather patterns – it’s outside hurricane seasons and cold fronts are much less intense in their severity and duration. It’s a popular time to fish the Berry Islands, and Bahamas in general, and guests can expect to have numerous shots at both bonefish and permit.
Bonefish are plentiful, and while their average size is smaller compared to the winter months, larger fish are definitely around and caught. Bonefish are more often found in schools during the spring and early summer and they’re typically happy fish – great targets on the fly.
The permit fishing during this time of year has moments of greatness, though it’s not considered ‘prime time’ because water temperatures are still cooler than optimal for permit. As such, the permit fishing specifically can be hit or miss. However, as stable weather finds its way to the Berrys, the permit fishing can be excellent, especially into May and June.
Other target species are available this time of year and can provide fun and exciting fishing when combined with the solid bonefishing and permit shots. Overall, it’s a great time to be in the Berrys!
If you are keen to visit Soul Fly Lodge, or if you would like more information about The Bahamas in general, please contact Alex Jardine or call our office on +44(0)1980 847389.