2nd Annual Big Yard Bonefish Classic Trip Report

The second annual Big Yard Bonefish Classic was held on Mangrove Cay, Andros from February 20-24. Twenty-two anglers convened at Swain’s Cay Lodge to ply the storied flats of Middle Andros and raise funds for YDCCF’s continued support of the Mangrove Cay Park.

YDCCF is in its third year of providing financial support to the community on Mangrove Cay and has generated $80,000 in funding for the project through 2024, with last year’s inaugural Big Yard Bonefish Classic raising $32,000.

Guests arrived to a reception hosted by the Bahamas Ministry of Tourism and Swain’s Cay Lodge complete with local music and presentations from local officials welcoming everyone for the event. Before dinner, anglers were presented with a group discussion on best handling practices by Justin Lewis of Bonefish and Tarpon Trust.

Justin shared some of BTT’s most recent research regarding bonefish spawning aggregations as well as research showing the effects of proper handling practices on fish mortality rates. This information was complemented by YDCCF’s recent “Bonefish in our Hands” collaboration with Keep Fish Wet. Every angler received a hook release tool courtesy of BTT.

Despite cool weather, the bights of Andros produced consistent bonefish action for the 11 teams consisting of two anglers. When fishing in the bights, the guides can always position their guests in optimal tides throughout the days, due to how the tides flow through the around these natural waters ways that bisect the island. The vast inland flats of the Middle and South Bights also provide maximum protection from the winds, since the bights average around 20 miles wide.

A sliding scale of points were awarded for qualifying bones over 18", 24" and 30". On day one, the guide Micah put his guests Andy and Jason from Texas on 51 bonefish, which pretty much wrapped up the Team Grand Champ award. A total of 220 bonefish were safely released on this blue-sky day.

Day two brought 124 bones to hand between all the teams. Then heavy clouds and rain welcomed day three, but 42 bonefish were still landed despite most of the teams migrating to Shine's conch stand and bar by mid-day to "avoid the rain". Shine's is a favorite watering hole for locals and anglers alike. Besides the freshest conch salad, cold beverages, there is also a golf driving range into the flats. Then the children pick up the golf balls at low tide. All the anglers brought Shine plenty of brightly colored range balls.

On the final night of the tournament, anglers were shuttled to the Mangrove Cay Park site for a community celebration complete with music and local food. Jeff Jolly, the administrator for the Park Project, presented YDCCF with a new permanent mural that had been painted onto the grandstand and modeled after Ian Davis’ artwork for the tournament. Awards were presented to anglers and guides, and attendees had the chance to tour the ongoing work at the park and learn more from residents about the impact of the project for the community.

The Mangrove Cay Park Project is estimated to take an additional three to five years to complete, with ground being just broken for phase two: the 5-acre site that will house the outdoor running track and facility. On the initial plot, the children’s playground will be installed in 2024.

The 2024 Big Yard featured a wide range of sponsors donating items and services for the angler auction. Sponsors included: Swain’s Cay Lodge, Yellow Dog Flyfishing, Thomas & Thomas, Costa, Bajio, Solitude Flies, Hatch Outdoors, Patagonia Fly Fish, Simms, Umpqua, Skwala, Cody Richardson and Doug McKnight. This year’s auction raised over $30,000. Additionally, a group of anglers who had attended the inaugural event in 2023 stepped forward to issue a cash match challenge to the rest of the participants, collectively their efforts raised an additional $40,000 for the project.

The 2025 Big Yard Classic is scheduled for February 19-22. Details will be released soon, please make sure you are subscribed to the Yellow Dog Newsletter!

Tournament Results: 
Top guide: Micah
Runner-up Guide: Dencil
Biggest Bonefish prize (27 inches): Todd Ware
Big Bone Guide: Elvis
Runner Up Grand Champ Team: Josh and Mike
Runner Up Angler: Jason
Grand Champ Team: Jason and Andy
Grand Champ Angler: Andy