Bahamas bonefish adventures can be surprisingly affordable. Here are 7 things Canadian anglers should know

Two Boys Inn (left), and Fathima Neymour of Big Charlie & Fathima’s Fishing Lodge

#2  IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE PUNISHINGLY EXPENSIVE

With its luxury estates, the Bahamas is sometimes thought of as a playground for the one-percenters. Compared to favourite Canadian winter destinations such as Cuba and Mexico, the hotels and casinos of the capital, Nassau, are quite expensive. And the upscale fishing lodges in the Out Islands are priced to match. That’s why the budget lodges—as they proudly call themselves—occupy such a special niche.

Two Boys Inn, where I stayed, and Big Charlie’s Lodge, which is across the road, are owned and operated by Bahamian brothers (and storied fishing guides) Frankie and Charlie Neymour, and their families. Fishing, food and lodging costs US$500 to US$600 per day, depending on your length of stay. It’s not cheap, but it’s also not outlandish for world-class fishing. By comparison, foreign-owned lodges start at double that cost, and some triple it. I’m not sure what you get for that price, but I loved the homespun family feel at Two Boys, not to mention the Bahamian-style food.

In addition, most Bahamas guides aren’t lodge employees. They’re essentially independent contractors who own their own boats and go where the work is. And plenty of them like working for the Neymours, who themselves guide every day. So, the budget lodges draw from the same pool of guides, and have access to the same flats and fish as the white-tablecloth places. Upscale lodges also tend to bill themselves as “fly fishing” lodges, while spin anglers are totally welcome at the local spots—although subject to some friendly ribbing in the dining room.