Abaco
Cherokee Sound · Marls
The Bahamas
Open live forecast →Target species: Bonefish and Permit.
About this Water
- Coastal Flats
- Best months: Nov–June; peak Mar–May
The Marls of Abaco are one of the world's most productive bonefish systems — a vast labyrinth of shallow mangrove channels on the west coast of Great Abaco holding extraordinary numbers of fish. These maze-like flats require a specialized, shallow-draft skiff and a knowledgeable guide to navigate, but the reward is a seemingly endless supply of bonefish in water often less than 12 inches deep. Cherokee Sound on the island's southeast coast provides exceptional wade fishing to large individual fish. Permit are found on the outer reef edges.
The Marls of Abaco contain over 800 square miles of mangrove flats habitat — the largest continuous shallow-water bonefish ecosystem in the Northern Bahamas, holding fish populations that have never experienced significant angling pressure.
January Outlook
January at Abaco can be challenging due to cold fronts, but the Marls provide incredible sheltered fishing in the vast mangrove creek system. The Marls of Abaco hold extraordinary numbers of bonefish in water so shallow it seems impossible to hold fish.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab (small)
- Spawning Shrimp (#6)
- Crazy Charlie (tan)
- Gotcha (small, tan)
Tips
The Marls require a specialized flats boat to navigate the shallow water — never more than 12-18 inches. When fronts push fish deep, wait for post-front clearing. Cherokee Sound's wading flats are more sheltered.
Water Notes
Water 68-72°F. Coldest Bahamas month. North fronts can shut fishing for days. Fish the Marls' interior on calm days.
February Outlook
February at Abaco sees improving conditions from January as winter weather systems become less severe. The Marls' sheltered interior channels provide reliable access to bonefish even during frontal passages. Cherokee Sound's extensive grass flats begin fishing more consistently as water temperatures climb toward the spring optimum. The combination of Marls and Cherokee Sound gives Abaco exceptional weather flexibility.
Productive Patterns
- Crazy Charlie (tan, #4)
- Spawning Shrimp (#6)
- Gotcha (small)
- Merkin Crab (small)
Tips
The Marls of Abaco are unique in the Bahamas — miles of mangrove-lined channels averaging just 6-18 inches of depth. A specialized shallow-draft boat and experienced guide are essential. February interior channels fish very well even when the exposed flats are blown out by fronts. Target incoming tides on the Marls' grass flats.
Water Notes
Water 68-74°F. Late winter improving. Fronts less severe than January. Marls channels reliable. Cherokee Sound building toward spring activity.
March Outlook
March brings consistent weather and excellent bonefish action throughout the Abaco system. The Marls begin producing at full pace. Cherokee Sound's extensive grass flats offer wade fishing to double-digit bonefish.
Productive Patterns
- Spawning Shrimp (tan)
- Merkin Crab (#4)
- Gotcha
- Turneffe Crab (small)
Tips
Cherokee Sound is one of the finest wade-fishing flats in the Bahamas — large fish in very shallow water on extensive grass flats. Book guides through the Abaco lodges for Marls navigation.
Water Notes
Water 72-76°F. Spring warming. Bonefish migrating onto the flats. Consistent weather windows in March.
April Outlook
April is prime Abaco season. The Marls are fishing at full capacity with large schools of bonefish throughout the maze of mangrove channels. Individual fish to 10+ lbs are encountered on the outer grass flats. The Abaco experience combines world-class flats fishing with beautiful Loyalist Cays scenery.
Productive Patterns
- Spawning Shrimp (#4)
- Merkin Crab
- Crazy Charlie (tan/pink)
- Gotcha (pink)
Tips
The Marls are a unique ecosystem — miles of mangrove-lined channels with crystal clear water and abundant bonefish. A knowledgeable guide is essential for navigating the Marls' labyrinthine channels.
Water Notes
Water 74-80°F. Prime spring conditions. Flat calm morning typical. The Marls at full activity.
May Outlook
May delivers the finest fishing of the year at Abaco. Permit are beginning their spawning aggregations near the reef passes. Bonefish are extremely active. The weather is typically benign and the water clarity is superb.
Productive Patterns
- Spawning Shrimp
- Merkin Crab (large)
- Permit Crab (large)
- Gotcha (tan)
Tips
May Abaco rivals the Marls in top condition. Target permit at the reef passes on east Abaco with crab patterns. Bonefish in the interior channels are in peak feeding mode.
Water Notes
Water 78-82°F. Excellent spring conditions. Some late-season fronts possible. Overall the finest month.
June Outlook
June at Abaco continues excellent fishing with summer heat building. Tarpon make their appearance in the harbor approaches and in the larger tidal cuts on the east side of Great Abaco. Bonefish remain active throughout the Marls though best fishing shifts to early morning. Cherokee Sound remains productive through most of the day.
Productive Patterns
- Spawning Shrimp (#4)
- Merkin Crab (#4)
- Crazy Charlie (tan)
- Tarpon Bunny (black/purple, tarpon)
Tips
June Abaco adds tarpon to the Marls' bonefish and the reef-pass permit. The larger tidal cuts near Hole-in-the-Wall and the harbor approaches can hold tarpon on tidal movements. A 10-weight outfit alongside the standard 8-weight for bonefish is the June combination.
Water Notes
Water 80-84°F. Early summer. Tarpon in cuts. Bonefish morning-focused. Permit still on outer flats. Excellent variety.
July Outlook
July at Abaco is the quiet summer season. The Marls fish best in the early morning as summer heat builds through the day. The resident bonefish population is year-round — they adjust activity to cooler parts of the day. Hurricane season is active. The lodges operating in summer offer personalized service with minimal pressure on the Marls.
Productive Patterns
- Gotcha (tan, small)
- Crazy Charlie (tan/pink, #6)
- Spawning Shrimp (small)
- Small Merkin Crab
Tips
A July Abaco trip rewards the early-rising angler. 5am departure, on the Marls at first light, fishing the incoming tide for 3-4 hours before the heat builds. The uncrowded Marls in July can feel like a private fishery. Monitor NHC forecasts and maintain flight flexibility.
Water Notes
Water 82-86°F. Summer heat. Marls best in early morning. Hurricane season — monitor forecasts. Less crowded and lower rates.
August Outlook
August at Abaco is the quietest month of the year. Peak hurricane season, intense heat, and minimal angling pressure define the conditions. The Marls' bonefish are still present and fishable in the early morning. Committed anglers who plan carefully — early starts, flight flexibility, storm awareness — can have extraordinary fishing experiences with virtually no crowds.
Productive Patterns
- Gotcha (very small)
- Crazy Charlie (#6-8)
- Spawning Shrimp (small)
- Wool Crab
Tips
August Abaco is not for everyone, but the solitude of the Marls in August is unmatched. Not another skiff in sight, your own guide's complete attention, and bonefish that haven't been pressured in weeks. The drill: 4:30am wake, on the Marls by 5:45am, fish until 9:30am. Bring trip insurance and tropical storm contingency plans.
Water Notes
Water 84-87°F. Peak summer heat and hurricane risk. Morning-only effective. Lowest rates of the year. Flexibility required.
September Outlook
September at Abaco sees gradual improvement as summer heat wanes through the month. The first cold fronts of fall can arrive in late September, dramatically improving fishing conditions. The Marls' bonefish respond quickly to cooler water — a post-front September day on the Marls can produce outstanding fishing. Cherokee Sound also fires up as conditions improve.
Productive Patterns
- Spawning Shrimp (#4-6)
- Gotcha (tan/pink)
- Crazy Charlie
- Merkin Crab (#4)
Tips
The last 10 days of September are the strategic Abaco entry point — hurricane risk declining, water cooling, fish becoming more active. The first fall front typically produces a multi-day fishing window of excellent conditions. Book the last week of September for the best risk-adjusted fall value.
Water Notes
Water 82-85°F. Gradually cooling. Hurricane risk declining. Fishing improving markedly by late month. Post-front conditions excellent.
October Outlook
October offers excellent Abaco fishing as the summer heat breaks and bonefish remain aggressive through the fall. Hurricane season peaks in September but October typically offers stable windows. Permit are still possible.
Productive Patterns
- Merkin Crab
- Spawning Shrimp
- Crazy Charlie (pink)
- Gotcha
Tips
October Abaco is underappreciated — the Marls are less crowded and bonefish are plentiful. The Cherokee Sound wading flats are excellent in October's clearer conditions.
Water Notes
Water 80-84°F. Fall warmth. Bonefish active. Consistent weather windows returning after summer storm season.
November Outlook
November is one of the finest months at Abaco. Water temperatures have dropped into the ideal range, bonefish are extremely active across the Marls and Cherokee Sound, and the crowds of spring have not yet returned. The combination of fall-quality fishing with off-peak rates and availability makes November a strategic choice for experienced anglers.
Productive Patterns
- Spawning Shrimp (#4-6)
- Crazy Charlie (tan)
- Merkin Crab (#4)
- Gotcha (tan/pink)
Tips
November Abaco is a genuine value. The Marls in November with cooperative weather can produce extraordinary numbers of active fish. Cherokee Sound's wade-fishing flats are at their best in November's clearer, cooler water. Book a guide who works both systems — Cherokee Sound and the Marls — for maximum flexibility.
Water Notes
Water 76-80°F. Prime fall conditions. Bonefish very active. Excellent weather between fronts. Outstanding value month.
December Outlook
December at Abaco brings winter patterns to this northernmost tier of Bahamian flats fishing. Cold fronts arrive regularly and can shut down the exposed outer flats for days at a time. The Marls' sheltered interior channels provide a reliable refuge — these deep-interior channels remain fishable in conditions that shut down everywhere else in the Bahamas. A December Abaco trip rewards anglers who understand the Marls' unique sheltered character.
Productive Patterns
- Crazy Charlie (tan/white, small)
- Spawning Shrimp (small, #6)
- Gotcha (small)
- Merkin Crab (small)
Tips
December Abaco requires a guide who specializes in the Marls interior — deep into the mangrove channels where cold fronts barely penetrate. Post-front clear windows on the outer flats and Cherokee Sound can be spectacular. Plan 4-5 days minimum for December to capture the best weather windows.
Water Notes
Water 68-74°F. Winter conditions. Cold fronts regular. Marls interior most sheltered. Post-front clear windows excellent. Plan for weather flexibility.
Access & Approach
Fly into Marsh Harbour (MHH), Great Abaco. Multiple lodge options including Abaco Lodge (dedicated fly fishing operation). Andros South and Delphi Club are also within reach. Bahamas fishing licence required. The Marls require a guide — do not attempt to navigate independently.
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