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Bordered by a pristine blue water reef just offshore, the spectacular northwest corner of Crooked Island has a sleepy "out-island" feel. There is no sense of urgency in the tiny nearby settlement of Landrail Point where 75 residents make their living from the sea.
On Crooked, the tide ebbs and flows following its ancient schedule and the moon draws full each month. Crooked Island bonefish are ruled by these lunar rhythms and lazily cruise on and off the extensive flats of Turtle Sound, Long Cay, Old Woman Cay and beautiful Fish Cays. Once you turn the corner at French Wells, you're into prime bonefish habitat and this extends all the way to the southern tip of Acklins Island some 35 miles away! Crooked and Acklins islands are split by the huge Bight of Acklins. This bight provides resident bonefish with easy access to deeper water for protection from predators and also to miles of optimal white sand flats for their spawning grounds. Life is good for a Crooked Island bonefish!
If you seek such off-the beaten-path venues, Crooked Island native, Clinton Scavella, with his new state-of-the-art Silver King flats boat, is the right man to guide you into this extensive saltwater wilderness. Working along with another local Bahamian guide Michael Carroll, Clinton manages Frank & Ruth's Guesthouse. This lovely little out-island spot provides budget-minded anglers with excellent bonefishing opportunities in Crooked Island's most remote areas... and a comfortable base to return to each evening after another great day on the flats. Delicious home-cooked meals emphasizing fresh local seafood are taken at Gibson's Cafe, a short walk from the guest house.
Frank & Ruth's Guesthouse successfully combines experienced island guides, excellent equipment and new, very comfortable A/C lodging into a proven winner, all at a very reasonable price... especially when one considers how very remote and rarely visited this untouched area of the southern Bahamas really is.
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