questions for trip in May

[christa2766]

We are staying at Lubbers Quarters the first part of May. I was wondering what to expect water temp wise, air temp wise and bug wise? We have already rented a house and a boat. I have read a couple of post about bugs that bite and was hoping to avoid them in May. Any possiblity I will get my wish?

[momshell]

We were on Lubbers in May before, and the days are very warm, the nights are cool. Take a sweater for evening walks, especially if you get some sun. Water was fine once the sun was out to warm the air( but I am from the south, so I get cool easily). Bugs are only an issue from time to time in my experience, not an every day problem. Just take some deet or whatever you prefer and put it on socks or t-shirts to help ward off any if they are bad. Where on Lubbers? It is our annual destination, you will love it! Try Dee Albury's choc. chip banana bread from the Sunshine Shack- she lives on Lubbers and is a great baker and pizza maker.

[DaGoose]

Christa, we'll be on Lubbers also in early May. We were there last March and the weather was beautiful so hopefully May will be even better. If there's wind you shouldn't have to worry too much about bugs but if not and you're like me slather yourself with bug spray! I was there this last November and got eaten alive by the no see ums. They just love me. I've read on the net to mix pennyroyal oil with a good bug repellant and that should take care of the little buggers. It all depends on your body chemistry. My husband and my dad never get bit but I'm another story. I wouldn't think of not going but now I'm going to be more diligent with the bug spray! You are going to have a great time! Tina

[christa2766]

I am confused. Are the bugs flying bugs or in the sand? What does wind have to do with it? We are staying at Pineapple Pointe for a week and we are taking another couple with us. I want to be able to tell them in advance what to expect and bring. Any news or advice is great.

[abacomah]

I am confused. Are the bugs flying bugs or in the sand? What does wind have to do with it? We are staying at Pineapple Pointe for a week and we are taking another couple with us. I want to be able to tell them in advance what to expect and bring. Any news or advice is great.

My last trip was the first time in 17 years that I experienced sand fleas or something like them. I just couldn't see them but I got bites.

You also might experience no seeums ... really small but you can see them and they are more just aggravating to me .... not itching bites.

Then you might has mosquitos or an occasional biting horse fly.

Please don't get the impression bugs are really bad in Abaco. They're not. In fact I have less problems with them in Abaco than in South Carolina or when I visit Florida.

Just take some bug screen. You can use a mild one like SkinSoSoft and it that works great. Just have the deet just in case. Some Members really like the Neem product native to Abaco. They have a store by the airport.

It's really no big deal ..... just be prepared just like you should bring a little first aid kit with bandaids, antibiotic ointment, alcohol pads, etc. Just part of travelin.

[elcahun]

100% deet+100% coverage+100% of the time = no bugs.

If that's too much work you may or may not get bit.

[momshell]

The breeze/wind literally blows them away. They are really not that much of an issue most of the time. If I am not mistaken, Pineapple Point is that really pretty place on the hill which gets a pretty constant breeze. Bring deet just in case, but you will probably not have a problem.I agree that the bugs are worse in FLA keys and coastal Carolina/Georgia.
I am confused. Are the bugs flying bugs or in the sand? What does wind have to do with it? We are staying at Pineapple Pointe for a week and we are taking another couple with us. I want to be able to tell them in advance what to expect and bring. Any news or advice is great.

[DaGoose]

100% deet+100% coverage+100% of the time = no bugs.

If that's too much work you may or may not get bit.
Jeff, that's the bottom line. Christa, you'll even start to like the smell of Deet! Kinda like a tropical cologne. I actually don't get bothered by the mosquitos but the no see ums are another story. That's me though and you and your friends might not have a problem at all. I usually make the mistake of forgetting to put the spray on the day I arrive just because I'm so darned excited! If they do bother you, just remember that they are really only around in the early morning and the late afternoon and evening. And if you do get a few bites, put some vodka on them-it works great! And I agree with some of the others, they are way worse in the FL Keys.

I'm sorry if I caused any alarm!

Tina

[Myra]

I have found that I always get bit in Fla, SC, Bahamas it does not matter. If a bug is around it finds me. That being said alot depends on the rain. If it rains a few days later bugs. No rain, no bugs. Just bring lots if repellant and use it at sunset. The bugs never stop me. Bug spray is like sun screen if you need it use it and you will be just fine.

[wregle]

We were on Lubbers last April and had no bug problems at all. We took our bug spray but never once had to use it. We were on the water most of the time though and only took the trail to Cracker P's once. Still didn't get bit then either though. You will have a great time. Pineapple Pointe looks lovely. We stayed right across from it at The Summit of Abaco.

[Rock Steady]

Christa,

You've made a great choice, maybe life changing...
Pineapple Pointe is a beautiful home and the owners are our neighbors.

If there are bugs...not to worry. Bring 100% deet as it will ward off nearly anything. Your Abaco destination is about 40 or so feet above sealevel and if there are breezes (and there usually are in May) they keep the critters at bay.

Typically we notice the noseeums and mosquitos after a rain as previously mentioned in this thread, or at dusk. Just go inside for a spell, keep the lights low, and then you can go back out on the balcony and watch the stars.

Our first visit was nearly seventeen years ago and now we plan on retiring on Lubbers.

Enjoy...it's truly a spot you won't soon forget.

c

[christa2766]

Thanks for all the great responses. The info is very helpful. Does anyone know of a good deepsea fishing charter? We are renting a boat but the boys will want to go out in the deep sea. Also, how does someone go about renting fishing equipment?

[DaGoose]

Yep, that must have been why I got nailed in November. There was some heavy rain right before we got there.

Christa, we walked by Pineapple Pointe in March and it looks beautiful. The views must be incredible!

Tina

[Rock Steady]

Christa,

Contact Michael Schreiner @ 242-366-3143. Michael and his wife Laurie live on Lubbers and he's a hell of a fisherman. Michael is originally from Hopetown and learned to fish and dive from both Truman Major and Robert Lowe, both legends in Abaco. If fish are out there he'll put your guys on them.

c

[menegaux]

As far as renting equipment you are going to be pretty limited. I know that the shop at the lighthouse does rent some stuff but again, very limited. For dock fishing at that kind of thing you are probably better off just buying some equipment. For $50.00-60.00 you can get something serviceable that you can keep and you probably will spend more than that anyway to rent. All the stuff I have seen for rent, at least what I have seen, is larger, way too big for dock fishing and the kind of stuff you will do inside the sound. When you go out on the charter they will have equipment for you so no worries there.

I don't know how old your kids are but we stay on Elbow and fish on the Tahiti beach dock where we stay and have caught everytihng from Grey Snapper to Sharks off that dock, some big cuda come in there, one in particular I have been trying to catch unsuccessfully for three years in a row now! We've even had a couple of huge Jacks come in. I'm sure right across is no different.

(p.s. May is our favorite time to be down there, other than during Easter time, or in March, well February has been really nice and I hear the fall and winter are beautiful in the Abacos, June and July are really nice too)