So I am interested in putting together a DIY bonefishing trip to either the Bahamas (Andros, Acklins,???) or Belize. It would be a low key, economical trip with very little emphasis on comfort and a lot of emphasis on getting on some fish. Id be willing to camp, kayak, hike, or rent a car if it leads me to some quality bonefish opportunities.
If you have any recommendations or information you dont mind sharing, I would greatly appreciate it. Thanks for the help.
Well first off let me ask you a few questions… Have you ever bonefished before? Been to either of these countries? Have any access to a boat or vehicles? Or the means to acquire them at said destination?
These are all important questions for alot of reasons. 1.) Bonefishing ain’t easy on foot, by yourself in a place where you don’t know the flats or how the fish use them.
2.) These countries have laws and such that may not allow you to just hike around and camp where you want… And in the case of Belize, thats really not a safe or smart idea.
3.) As far as the bahamas the Islands you listed. Particularly Andros, is a huge body of land that is going to require more that just your feet to get around, and it is sparsely inhabited (like many of the islands down there) and you won’t have alot of options as far as rental cars and such.
Ive done alot of DIY fishing in the bahamas… but ive been down there since I was 7 and have contacts, cars, bikes, houses etc. that I can use… and It has still taken me quite a few years to find, study, and learn how to fish the flats down there.
The other thing to consider is the tides… you’ll need to find a window with low tides during your prime fishing times or else your gonna have problems… bonefish are not easy to see when your waist deep… trust me…
I would recommend going to one of the more inhabited islands… The Abaco’s would be good, rent a house, or hotel… and at least there you would be able to get your hands on some transportation, maybe even a kayak or something… that would be your best bet, at least for your first try (assuming this is your first try)…
I know this probably isn’t what you wanted to hear… but its how it is… email me if you want more detailed info…
Mad Mike
"to hell with insane… I’m OUTsane!!! "
Id be in for it, I went to the abacos last spring and was planning on going back in the near future. In my opinion it essential to get a guide, you can guarantee yourself fish this way and really isnt that much more expensive when you take account of all the other expenses. I mean, every time I went to the grocery store it was a 100 dollar bill for just a couple things. Justin Sands and Jodi Albury were my guides there. Very good people and excellent at getting you on bonefish.
172 Sea Hunt Triton
1500 key west sportsman
Hey Mike, I sent you a PM. Thanks for the help.
I went to Belize in October. We stayed in a lodge (http://www.elpescador.com/) on Ambergris Caye. We did have a guide for 3 days of fishing. It was a spectacular trip! The small town on the island is called San Pedro. It had canals for roads and there were more boats than cars. We saw lots of people in boats leaving to go fishing, but we never saw anyone on a boat that was not with a guide. When we were in the open water, we went for hours without seeing another boat. It would be very difficult to go without a guide.
Knowing what I know now, to DIY, this is what I would try;
-stay in a cheap lodge. I am sure you can find one on Ambergris. You may could even camp out somewhere.
-See if you can find a guide direct and not through an agency (I am saying this without knowing if they require an agency)
- take some new tackle and get it out of the "new " package. (wire leaders, swivels, hooks, weights, the works)
-Take older but in good condition spin cast reels and maybe a bazooka with a few good rods.
-When you find a guide, try to negotiate a fishing trip and swap your tackle.
-it is difficult and very expensive for these guys to get this stuff. Most of them prefer spin cast for personal use because they like to catch barracuda to take home to eat. Your older used stuff would be premium equipment for them that they may want to swap for a guided trip.
Good luck!