If you’re primarily interested in Bonefish, we recommend the Bahamas. There are dozens of lodges to fit everyone’s criteria. The bonefish are bigger on average and the big bones in the Bahamas dwarf the grandés in Mexico or Belize. If it’s Permit you’re after, we recommend the Yucatan of Mexico, where more permit are landed on a fly than anywhere we book. If Tarpon are your focus, we recommend Belize. El Pescador and Tarpon Caye are unique, having a year round population of tarpon. When the big, migratory tarpon appear in late spring, early summer, Belize River Lodge and Turneffe Flats become hotspots, as well. Don’t forget the fall! Water temperatures are ideal and the flats have been rested. If a Grand Slam is your objective, here are our top picks.
Yucatan, Mexico
- Luxury waterfront accommodations
- Managed by Bobby Settles
- Non-fishing activities
- 2 for 1 pricing June 1 – September 30, 2012
- Located on the south side of Ascension Bay
- Big migratory Tarpon
- Private Tarpon Lagoon
- Excellent guides
- 2 guides per boat!
- Wade fishing for Permit
- Excellent guides
- 20% discount June 15 – October 31
- Permit Heaven
- Access to Espiritu Santo Bay
- Maximum 6 boats / guides
- Excellent guides
Belize
- Year round Tarpon!
- Trips to Bacalar Chico in Northern Belize
- Overnights on Bonefish Island
- 2 for 1 special June 1 – December 15, 2012
- Remote, private Cay
- Guides fish dawn to dusk
- Maximum 4 boats / guides
- Excellent Guides
- Rivers and Flats
- New Long Cay Outpost Camp
- Add Snook to your slam
- 2 for 1 special on limited weeks July – December
- Big aggressive Tarpon
- Extensive wading flats
- Full dive program
- 2 for 1 special June 23 – December 22, 2012
Techniques & Tips
Here’s a sight fishing tip from David Pinder of Grand Bahama Bonefishing, considered by many to be the best guide in the Bahamas:The most common mistake anglers make when fishing the flats is taking too many false casts. Try to take no more than 4 false casts to reach a fish, hopefully fewer. When a guide positions the boat and sets up on a fish, the amount of time the boat stays in prime position is about 6 seconds. That’s generally enough time for 3 or 4 false casts.
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