Caribbean and Central America
Mexico
Mexico is a big country with a variety of landscapes, climates and traditions to match. On the sporting front, the Yucatan peninsula’s flats fishing is truly exceptional, and its allure lies in the remarkable diversity of species and environments it offers to avid anglers. Whether you’re seeking the adrenaline rush of a thrilling tarpon battle, the challenge of stalking elusive permit, or the delicate precision of bonefish on the fly, this region presents a unique opportunity to achieve your saltwater fly fishing dreams. With expansive flats, crystal-clear waters, and a year-round warm climate, the Yucatan peninsula ensures that fly fishers can pursue their passions in a breathtakingly beautiful and hospitable setting. The range of accommodation options means there is something for every taste, whether a saltwater novice or a hardened veteran. Campeche offers a prolific baby tarpon fishery while Isla Holbox is the place for large migratory fish. Bonefish are widely spread along the eastern coastline and permit anglers are drawn to the expansive flats of Ascension Bay, Espirito Santo Bay, Chetumal and Xcalak. Mexico’s Pacific coastline is also a superb fishing destination. The Baja California Peninsula offers incredible inshore and offshore fishing for roosterfish, dorado, marlin, sailfish and more. If a Grand Slam is on your bucket list, Mexico is a definite contender.
Cuba We have been planning fishing holidays in Cuba since 2005 and have in-depth experience of the various options here. We have come to love travelling in this hospitable yet sometimes chaotic country. The likes of Jardines de la Reina, Cayo Largo, Zapata, Gardens of the King, Cayo Romano and Cayo Paredon have entered angling folklore as locations to target good sized bonefish, massive migratory tarpon, aggressive feeding snook, and hard fighting permit. Over the years we have seen many of the operations around the country become based from motherships, with anglers setting off each day on skiffs to explore the fishing grounds. Not only has this given a large amount of flexibility for different sized groups and less travel time, but also allows the operators greater control over the standard of food and service that fishermen experience. For those preferring to be land-based, the northern fisheries are still hotel based and the experience can be tailored to your wishes. Overall, Cuba is wonderful country to visit, steeped in history, culture and its own colourful vitality. We very much look forward to sharing its treasures with you.
Belize English-speaking Belize is an exotic cocktail of Creole, British colonial, indigenous Mayan, Mennonite and Spanish cultures. The coast is unmistakably Caribbean with silky white sand beaches, coral atolls, swaying palms, and turquoise seas. Home to the world’s second largest barrier reef, the undersea world here is a theatre of exotic fish and a plethora of other marine species. Belize has a reputation as a leading permit destination, with fish more than 20 and even 30lb regularly gracing the flats. The rich flats around Turneffe Atoll and Ambergris Cay are also fantastic Grand Slam locations for anglers wanting to target the three key Caribbean species of bonefish, permit and tarpon. Placencia and Punta Gorda are a permit fisherman’s playground. Belize is also a perfect destination for a holiday combining fishing and non-fishing activities and offers a range of accommodation from relaxed B&Bs to large timeshare properties, small boutique hotels, private villas and islands, and all inclusive properties.
The Bahamas While The Bahamas are not strictly in the Caribbean, the islands are part of the larger Caribbean community and we have included them here as the fishing they offer is broadly similar. The Bahamian islands offer a wonderful mixture of flats fishing, adventure and relaxation. As an area to target bonefish, there are few better. Some islands offer shots at huge bonefish while others have large schools of fish in a range of sizes. The enormous network of wadeable flats and mangrove creeks also provide habitat for permit, tarpon and snook. You will rarely be far from your next hook up and zipping over the pristine turquoise seas, moving from one spot to another, is a complete joy. Among prime spots are the famous Marls on Abaco, Acklins and Crooked Islands which are little visited and very productive. Andros is home to an extraordinary number of creeks and flats providing excellent habitat for bonefish, while Grand Bahama offers the chance of a lifetime bonefish. Accommodation ranges from luxurious to simple, with a number of lodges offering a range of activities alongside fly fishing.
Venezuela The flats and beaches of Los Roques, an archipelago of beautiful islands and cays, offer one of the most exceptional bonefisheries on the planet. The sight fishing on the pancake flats and outlying beaches is superb and in this exquisite spot anglers can target large tailing bonefish as they ‘minnow munch’ in ankle deep water. In recent years, the fishing has gone from strength to strength and all those who visit return with stories of huge bonefish, monster permit, large Caribbean triggerfish and parrotfish all appearing in their rod sights. Although best known for bonefish, other species encountered include barracuda, snook, a great variety of jacks, Spanish mackerel, bonito, a variety of snappers along with the rest of the species that inhabit the saltwater reef environment. Depending on weather conditions offshore, bluewater species such as blackfin tuna, albacore, wahoo and marlin can also be targeted.
Turks and Caicos Some of the best fly fishing for bonefish in the Turks and Caicos is found on the flats of Bottle Creek in North Caicos. The bonefish in this vast expanse are largely unfished and easily stalked. They are plentiful and aggressive feeders, and anglers can expect to see schools in the two-to-five-pound range moving across the flats in search of a meal. When wading or fishing from the boat there’s a good chance to spot larger fish either as singles or pairs. These fish cruise the shallow grass banks in search of crabs and small crustations, and double-digit fish are commonly caught on the pristine flats. The guides operate classic flats skiffs, stable and manoeuvrable, with a large poling platform so the anglers are put into the best casting position. There are several areas that can be waded directly from land, but the productive tidal flats are mostly reached by boat or kayak.
Antigua Hugged by 95 miles of superb coastline, a beach for every day of the year, picture perfect coves, azure waters, pastel washed cottages and an interesting history, Antigua is a fabulous winter sun destination. What’s more, there’s some excellent fishing here too with all four flats species and a host of other inshore suspects like jacks and snapper to target. Bonefish average three pounds with the big fish about eight pounds. There can be outrageously plentiful permit shots too, though they’re still supremely difficult to hook and even harder to land in the sharp coral. With every possible amenity and activity available between the array of resorts, Antigua is ideal for entertaining the whole family.
Costa Rica Nestled between Nicaragua and Panama, Costa Rica lives up to its name the “Rich Coast”. Its progressive environmental policies have allowed both land and sea to flourish making it one of the finest fishing and eco-tourism destinations in the world. The waters are filled with everything from small baitfish to the biggest of pelagic species, with the west coast providing some of the world’s finest bluewater fishing. The action is often fast and furious as these hunters attack small packs of baitfish along contours close to the beaches and surrounding structure. Sailfish and marlin appear out of the depths, slashing at teasers, and casts need to be quick and accurate. West coast hotspots include Flamingo Bay to the north, centrally located Quepos and the Osa Peninsula to the south. Head inland and there’s an extraordinary opportuning to target jungle tarpon in a vast system of freshwater rivers, creeks and flooded lagoons surrounded by verdant rainforest and swampland. The tarpon travel many miles to reach these inland lagoons and time their arrival with seasonal rains that flood the area to create an inland sea. The expansive waters are awash with many species of baitfish, washed in by the heavy annual rains, which provide perfect fodder for the aggressive tarpon. The surrounding forest brims with monkeys, wading birds, spectacled caiman and a variety of other rainforest creatures. On the east coast, during peak migration season, the river mouths and open ocean can be a great place to encounter huge tarpon.
Guatemala Guatemala is home to some of the best sailfish fishing on the planet and is a great choice for any angler looking for a thrilling fishing challenge. The waters off Puerto San José boast a rich marine ecosystem and a plentiful supply of baitfish. Their proximity to deep water, the continental shelf drops very sharply just off the Guatemalan coast, allows sailfish, which are known to inhabit deeper waters, to venture close to the coastline. The area is also on the migratory route and during peak seasons, between December and April, large numbers of sailfish pass through the region. If you’ve not been to Guatemala or had the opportunity to cast a fly to a lit-up sailfish 20ft from the stern of the boat, we’d highly recommend it as an angling thrill not to be missed.
Honduras
Honduras offers a varied Caribbean fishing experience where shallow flats comprise sand, turtle grass and coral. Within the diverse fishery, anglers will find permit, bonefish, tarpon, snook, jacks, triggerfish, barracuda, and more. It’s a great spot for both novice and experienced anglers. Recently, this destination has come on in leaps and bounds. It now offers a variety of experiences from remote, comfortable tents close to wadeable permit flats to more formal lodge settings. The variety of flats allows anglers to stalk permit and bonefish from skiffs and on foot.
Nicaragua Targeting massive jungle tarpon as they move from the ocean up river is an incredible thrill. Out on the water anglers fish lagoons, winding channels, expansive rivers and the famous Tapam Canal (originally dug by the US Army). There are plenty of fish here, but they are tricky customers, often sitting deep and ignoring anything offered. When they come to life, the action is incredible, with sparkling fish crashing through the surface chasing baitfish. Watching fish of possibly 200lb as they emerge is incredible. The vegetation and rich waters are home to countless animal species and astonishing birdlife. All told, it’s an amazing experience in a unique environment.
I N T E R N AT I O N A L F LY F I S H I N G S P E C I A L I S T S
The Cottage • Ordnance Road • Tidworth • Hampshire • SP9 7QD • UK Tel: +44 (0)1980 847389 mail@aardvarkmcleod.com
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