I’m looking for some first hand advice on somewhere either in Central America or the Caribbean that my wife will enjoy (ladies please chime in), great to fish (looking for first bill fish), and isn’t un-mercifully expensive. I’ve heard Belize is pretty good.
Thanks for the help.
I’d recommend Los Suenos in Costa Rica for a place your wife will love and an almost guaranteed first billfish. 20 in a day is not unusual. Not terribly expensive, you can rent a nice condo for a week for less than a decent hotel room costs in the US, and very, very nice:sunglasses:
Belize is nice, but more noted for bones and such rather than billfish.
I’ve been to both several times, love them both, but would pick CR over Belize for your goal.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:Thanks for the info
Originally posted by Cracker LarryI’d recommend Los Suenos in Costa Rica for a place your wife will love and an almost guaranteed first billfish. 20 in a day is not unusual. Not terribly expensive, you can rent a nice condo for a week for less than a decent hotel room costs in the US, and very, very nice:sunglasses:
Belize is nice, but more noted for bones and such rather than billfish.
I’ve been to both several times, love them both, but would pick CR over Belize for your goal.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
You gonna talk or FISH!
You didn’t say what time of year!!! Isla Mujeres is a great spot for the family too and the sail fishing is phenominal during the winter months.
I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but have heard great things about it…
I’m going to Panama in April to chase 200lb yellowfins with a speargun, but I will let you know how that goes!
I would stay away from the Dominican for a family fishing trip. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it when I was there, but fishing in 6-7 foot seas is pretty common there, so it’s probably not the most comfortable place for the wife.
Also, I have a buddy who is a top notch bill fishing angler that has been all over the world, placed in tournaments all over the world, and right now he has an infatuation with Guatemala. Says fishing has been unreal there the past couple of years.
Whatever you do, a legit charter is going to cost you some money, so you are better off getting a few families together and splitting the costs…
quote:Yeah the time of year would've been smart to add:clown_face::face_with_head_bandage:. Looking at Mid June.
Originally posted by skinneejYou didn’t say what time of year!!! Isla Mujeres is a great spot for the family too and the sail fishing is phenominal during the winter months.
I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but have heard great things about it…
I’m going to Panama in April to chase 200lb yellowfins with a speargun, but I will let you know how that goes!
I would stay away from the Dominican for a family fishing trip. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it when I was there, but fishing in 6-7 foot seas is pretty common there, so it’s probably not the most comfortable place for the wife.
Also, I have a buddy who is a top notch bill fishing angler that has been all over the world, placed in tournaments all over the world, and right now he has an infatuation with Guatemala. Says fishing has been unreal there the past couple of years.
Whatever you do, a legit charter is going to cost you some money, so you are better off getting a few families together and splitting the costs…
You gonna talk or FISH!
quote:Do you happen to know if "make up" charters are common practice in those parts of the world? I know you can find them at Oregon Inlet once in a while, and they seemed common in the Keys.
Originally posted by skinneejYou didn’t say what time of year!!! Isla Mujeres is a great spot for the family too and the sail fishing is phenominal during the winter months.
I’ve never been to Costa Rica, but have heard great things about it…
I’m going to Panama in April to chase 200lb yellowfins with a speargun, but I will let you know how that goes!
I would stay away from the Dominican for a family fishing trip. Don’t get me wrong, I loved it when I was there, but fishing in 6-7 foot seas is pretty common there, so it’s probably not the most comfortable place for the wife.
Also, I have a buddy who is a top notch bill fishing angler that has been all over the world, placed in tournaments all over the world, and right now he has an infatuation with Guatemala. Says fishing has been unreal there the past couple of years.
Whatever you do, a legit charter is going to cost you some money, so you are better off getting a few families together and splitting the costs…
You gonna talk or FISH!
Not sure about “make up” charters. I’ve typically worked off of recommendations from other people and would rather pay a bit extra to get the full experience. But, I would do it for headboats, dive trips, etc. so I am not totally against it.
Mid-June… Hmmmm… I’m out of my territory there. I’m normally fishing right here at that time. I’m sure there is something going on somewhere though.
The last time we went to Los Suenos it was mid June. Not prime season but we still caught several sails, a couple of marlin, a few medium tuna and some small wahoo. And my first roosterfish:smiley:
Also went sea kayaking, looked at some bad azz active volcanos, did a really bad azz zip line trip for miles through the jungle, hiked Manuel Antonio park, gambled at the casino at the Mariott, and visited the Beatle Bar in Jaco 
All recommended!
It was just my wife and I, and I was determined to fish, so I booked a boat just for us. We met a couple from Miami playing blackjack at the casino who were like us. They agreed to split our charter with us and that worked out great. Fine people, fine fishing, fine place.
The best thing about June is that it’s off season. No crowds anywhere and lowest rates of the year. Still plenty of fish to be caught and things to do. The only drawback in June is that it’s fairly hot and humid, but we’re used to that in the low country in June anyway.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I would love to do something like that. I hope I am physically able once I can afford it. Ha Ha
“Apathy is the Glove into Which Evil Slips It’s Hand”.
Quepos Coast Rica is my choice. have always been down in Febuary and got tired of reeling in sails! Have caught yelowfins and wahoo, bottom fishing is fantastic. Rate are Reasonable, food cant be beat. Locals are great, treat you like family, cant say enough!
X2 on Quepos…spent a week there last February…great place for fishing and lots to do for the women…We worked with Downeast Guide Service info@pamlicoguide.com…they handled everything except flights…great trip and I actually caught a sail on a fly rod…awesome…if you want more info shoot me a PM
Fishing is a prefectible art…in which nevertheless, no man is perfect – Gifford Pinchot
Key West Sportsman 1720
Ice Blue Pathfinder 2200
“Kemosabe”
<’}}}><
You guys fly into San Jose and drive to coast or take puddle jumpers? I’ve done the puddle jumper thing in AK, but I’m not sure how much my wife would care for that.
You gonna talk or FISH!
We fly into San Jose. If you stay at Los Suenos they will have someone meet you at the airport, get you through customs and immigration at great haste, and drive you to the resort. It’s about a 3 hour ride through beautiful country. Easy
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Quepos, Los Suenos, Panama or maybe even Cabo if you want to travel to the other side of Mexico.
'15 RIPTIDE 18 FLATS
HOLY CITY OUTDOORS
WWW.HOLYCITYOUTDOORS.COM
REDFISH DISTRICT
Quepis CR in Jan-March. Need to miss the red tide and rainy season.
22 ft Glassmaster CC
225 Yamaha
Cost Rica definitely. Los Seunos if you have some cash. Quepos if you are on a budget
Red Stripe would you mind expanding on that comment? You talking about the cost of fishing or lodging/food in those towns?
Limitout I sent you a pm but you can email me at robert522002@yahoo.com if you’d like.
Thanks again for all the info from everyone.
You gonna talk or FISH!
No way my wife would take the puddle jumper! Wold have to take the road, not bad trip with the new hwy. She has heard to many storys of the short jump over the mountains. On my last trip the pilot tried to get 4 of us and all our gear in a small cub, lucky the Gov. man stopped us and made us get another plane. We had 1086# on a 600# ride. On my first trip in 98 the plane had no instrements only a hand held GPS tappet to center of steering wheel. Before we landed the kids were on the ruway chaseing off the goats and eguannas. Up untill that trip I haddent had a beer in 15 years, that Imperial was the best I had ever tasted! Love that place!!!
She may think differently if you decide to drive to Quepos. It’s an adventure. They were finally working on some new bridges last time I was there but there were two small bridges that had holes in the roadway and traffic was limited to one lane. That being said, Quepos is a great place and Manuel Antonio is right next door.
Thanks for all the info guys. I found a travel company Pacific Tradewinds(awesome reviews on tripadvisor) that has hooked us up with a great itinerary at a really nice price IMO and we will be all set this evening. Going to have a couple of days of bill fish chasing too!
You gonna talk or FISH!