Los Roques or other bonefish destination

[gregmason]

First Posting on the forum - HIGH ALL.

I'm looking for expert first time trip advice for bonies and other. My wife has given me a solo fishing pass for the spring/summer 2006 although the bank balance could do without being totally ripped apart.

Checking out some sites it looks like the big boys (Los Roques) want USD 4000 plus for one rod...

Any experience/suggestions out there from old hands who could point me in some interesting directions would be great. I've done a bit of SWFF UK, would need a guide and fancy tackling a variety of species.

Cheers.

GREG

[Gonzo]

Greg, Hi

L.R is a great Bonefishing destination and it can be done self-guided, but guided days will reap you more fish for sure. I think that stands for most places actually (Except the U.K) ;D

How much 'denero' have you at your disposal?
Christmas Island is quite a reasonable package and has an extraordinary amount of species available on fly!

[gregmason]

Hi Gonzo,

Thanks for your reply - Denero? Hmmmmm...

I worked out a couple of options on L.R. including international flight.

1. I could go for about £1600 if I just paid for accommodation and hired a guide for 5 days via an outfit called wild and exotic (www.wildandexotic.co.uk). You don't have a boat all day though - they drop you off in the morning and pick you up at the end of the day. So I guess my question is - how important is it to have a boat - do you really need it to get the most out of the fishing? Having fished a flat for a few hours is it time to move on... and follow the tides where the fish are moving.

2. Option 2 is fully guided and boated via main operators such as Frontiers and comes up to £3000.00 for 6 days fishing.

I want to keep the travel time from the UK downish - but I guess to answer your question - 1.5 - 2 K max. inc international.

G

[T.P.]

Hi Greg

I can give you some info on going to the Florida Keys, but it won't be the best destination for bonefish unless you only after big ones.

It's the best place for tarpon though.

PM me if you need information, I know all the best guides, hotels and restaurants.

Regards

T.P.

[Gonzo]

Greg

I've sent you a PM.

My total trip time was 9 days, which gave me 6½days fishing.

[aardvark]

Hi Greg,

When looking at Los Roques the key thing to remember is that if you are not using one of the prime operators you will not be licensed to fish the main part of the Archipelago. This means you will only be fishing 10% of the area, and the best fishing on the pancake flats and beach flats such as Carinero must be reached by boat. Yes, there is cheap fishing available on the public areas such as Crasqui, but as you move down the beach you will be tripping over holiday makers on their towels, and having your fish spooked by couples strolling down the beach.

The other thing to remember is to get the tide right. Although you can have great fishing from the beach flats at pelican marauding bonefish, the best are the tailing fish on the pancakes, and this really is tide dependent. Los Roques is a year round destination, but the Autumn does bring some big spring tides. For flats fishing in that price bracket one which is often overlooked is Cozumel in Mexico. The Laguna de la Plata in the North has some fantastic wade fishing, including shots at Permit and baby Tarpon. You can get a cheap package over their (especially now) and then bolt the fishing on. Good for non – fisher too. I would be happy to help further.

[Gonzo]

aardvark said:

but as you move down the beach you will be tripping over holiday makers on their towels, and having your fish spooked by couples strolling down the beach.

You make it sound like Playa de las Americas!

True there are a few people on the beach, within the recreational zone, but it's not that busy! Plus the fish that patrol those beaches are used to the odd disturbance. It makes them more of a challenge to catch, I feel.

Picture of the Madrizqui beach... On a busy Saturday!



I agree the pancake flats are definitely better and I accessed them via a local guide. He cost $250 for the day and was quite good. So long as you use a local you can access more of the zones within the archipelago, but there still remains the protected zones - Unless you are a marine biologist, you cannot access these... Period!

[jat]

have you considered Belize lots of bones (not big average 2-4lb) permit and huge tarpon. Not expensive spent 10 days out there this year and had 5 days fishing cost about £1600 including flights, probably going again next year