I posted a thread the other day asking about hunting guides in TX, and am super appreciative of all the advice. I've decided to change course a bit, and want to take my Dad and Brother-In-Law on a long fishing trip instead.

2 years ago, I was finally able to fulfill a dream I've had since I was 12, and caught my first bonefish. We just did a quick 4 hour trip while on a cruise. My oldest son and I caught 3 small bones, and I know how lucky we were to do that! But- I'm itching to go tangle with some more- and maybe scratch permit, tarpon, or snook off my bucket list too.

I am looking for advice related to planning a 4-5 day fishing trip for 3 guys. My family members are novices to bonefishing and fly fishing- so I want to schedule a place and time that will be beginner friendly (and maybe even allow them to bring spinning gear as a backup).

Right now I'm looking at Andros. From my research it seems less pressured than the Keys, but greater numbers than Belize. Would you guys concur? Certain lodges also have a chance for permit, cudas, triggers, tarpon, or snook as well (which would just be a bonus).

My thought is to find a place with good numbers of fish so we can get lots of practice spotting, staking, and throwing at them, and have a better chance of hooking up- but still a possibility for a better 4-5 pound fish as well. I'm not looking to spend a week hunting a single 7+ or a permit just yet.

I think we have decided that a trip between Jan & June works best. What time of year would yall suggest? Is Jan/Feb too soon? What about April to avoid spring break crowds? Is it best to just wait for June?

Are the Bahamas likely where I should focus, and Andros seems to be the best blend? Would anyone strongly suggest another location, given these objectives?

*Most importantly- does anyone have first hand experience with a lodge you would either recommend or discourage? Im not looking for 5* amenities and $10K per person- but I'm willing to throw some budget at this to do it right. This is all about making memories with the family.

As always, I deeply appreciate any input and advice.

Ps- I am for sure planning on taking a casting lesson to tune up my big stick game. And I'll be practicing daily as if I'm going on an archery elk hunt. I'm going to really try to get the other 2 to take a lesson beforehand as well.

Mangrove Cay Club is awesome. Would go back anytime. Book it through Yellow Dog Outfitters.

Dont waste your time or money on Swains Cay Lodge. It's Orvis endorsed, and Orvis missed the mark big time on this place.

Awesome, thanks! I've for sure heard of Pescador plenty of times. I will reach out to them and see. I like the versatility, for sure!

I deeply appreciate this. I've been looking at Mangrove some, and have an email out to Yellow Dog just awaiting a reply. I'm glad to know someone has used them. Their site seems nice and informative- but you never truly know.

I've found the same thing about Orvis lodges. To me, they are somewhat like Treager grills. Might be good ot might be crap (my Dad's caught on fire in his barn)- but you are paying for a name.

This is good advice, and I'll have this as my backup. I've tried redfish on the fly a few times (yet to stick one, but someday I will). And we hadn't done fishing along the 3rd coast several times. This is a special trip, and I want to do something unique for them.

I think finding a guide who is open to pivoting to conventional- or has nearby deep water options- will be crucial. Maybe a difficult ask some places.

Cup -

Offer is still on the table, let's get you on your first redfish this fall! We fish POC and Seadrift.

What time of year is the trip? I've got a great guide in Marathon (FL Keys) that will put you on fish and would be ok with traditional tackle. Not exclusively bonefish focused but would be a good option? May through June will be a no-go though, already booked up for migrating tarpon.

Fished Andros about 10 years ago from Small Hope Bay Lodge.

Great trip

dr_boogs said:

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Cup -

Offer is still on the table, let's get you on your first redfish this fall! We fish POC and Seadrift.

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Yeah! Let's do it!

I'm leading a mission trip to Africa for a few weeks at the beginning of October, and I work most every Sunday. But, I have some time in early Nov and Dec I could flex on. Let's see if we can get the calendars to align!

Gracias!

dr_boogs said:

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What time of year is the trip? I've got a great guide in Marathon (FL Keys) that will put you on fish and would be ok with traditional tackle. Not exclusively bonefish focused but would be a good option? May through June will be a no-go though, already booked up for migrating tarpon.

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I'm looking for January to June. Really open to anything in there. I would love to chat with your guy in Marathon. A variety trip would be awesome!

Thanks! I think I've seen them on Yellow Dog's site. I'll look into Small Hope

Email sent.

I'd also recommend El Pescado and if not that, Belize generally. I think there's a lot more fish in Belize, but fewer big ones, which makes it near ideal for beginners. It's also really easy to get there with direct flights from DFW, IAH, HOU, ATL and others to BZE and then a quick puddle jumper to the island. Like 6 hrs total from driveway to Beliken-in-hand. As mentioned above, there are also other things to chase, like snook, tarpon, jacks, barracuda, and the a-hole of the flats (permit).

Ok, after looking at El Pescador, I think Belize is back on my radar.

Given that I will be bringing 2 brand new fishermen, im not focused on trophies, and the possibility of a grand slam, it seems that Belize might be a good fit. Pescador also says that they cater to spin fishermen as well (which I know my father would appreciate) and they offer a few other types of fishing trips.

Do you guys I book directly with the lodge, or go with an outfitter like Yellow Dog? Prices seem to be mostly the same or close.

What time of year would you guys go? January to early March would be easier to schedule, but April to June might be better fishing? Are there permit to be caught earlier in the year?

I'm going to still chat with Dr Boog's guy in Marathon, and I'm talking to Yellow Dog about a few of the Bahamian options.

Thanks again for all the feedback!!!

Yellowdog books for El Pescador as well. I prefer the summertime (June-October). Winds lay down some and there's big tarpon aroundespecially June-August. Permit fishing is good then as well. You may have rain to contend with so it can be a gamble there.

I think Yellow Dog adds value for international trips by managing the Tropic Air flight, providing guidance on arrival/departure times, and in building anticipation for the trip with the pre-departure communications. It's also more or less free, so to me, an easy yes.

Awesome, I appreciate that feedback!

I am chatting with the YD rep for the Bahamas, and waiting for the Belize guy to get back with me.

I have no knowledge or flyfishing for bonefish, but what is the overall opinion of the Caicos Bank as a location for bonefishing? Particularly on the South Caicos (east) side where you are in the lee of the island from the tradewinds? I have read stuff saying that it is world class and has lots of larger fish relative to some other places. Anybody been there to fish it? They are doing direct flights from Miami to South Caicos now, so the previous issue of flying through Provo to get there is not a problem anymore. I went diving in South Caicos a few years ago and didn't try the fishing...wondering what I missed.

Fly into Great Exuma (ggt) from Miami or Ft. Lauderdale. Great island and people and plenty of guides and places to fish. Stay at the Peace and Plenty for a taste of the old Bahamas (royals). Not an expensive trip. Check out the Chat 'n' Chill on Stocking Island - the Sunday pig roast is a plus.

I haven't caught many bonefish, but they have been on the fly. In my experience it's a different type of fight than other fish like bass. To me it wasn't a lot of fight in terms of me struggling to overcome the fish fish force, but rather a series of runs. Maybe the bigs one fight, but the medium size did not. It was awesome and I'd do it again, but it was not what I was expecting.

cupofjoe04 said:

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Ok, after looking at El Pescador, I think Belize is back on my radar.

Given that I will be bringing 2 brand new fishermen, im not focused on trophies, and the possibility of a grand slam, it seems that Belize might be a good fit. Pescador also says that they cater to spin fishermen as well (which I know my father would appreciate) and they offer a few other types of fishing trips.

Do you guys I book directly with the lodge, or go with an outfitter like Yellow Dog? Prices seem to be mostly the same or close.

What time of year would you guys go? January to early March would be easier to schedule, but April to June might be better fishing? Are there permit to be caught earlier in the year?

I'm going to still chat with Dr Boog's guy in Marathon, and I'm talking to Yellow Dog about a few of the Bahamian options.

Thanks again for all the feedback!!!

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Cup,

i have been to belize twice. it is an amazing place with unbelievable flats, and the lodge is incredible.

A beginner can catch bonefish but it's not really the place for beginner fly guys. A slam is pretty rare to get but it does happen. i fished hard for 3 days this past february. saw only fleeting glimpses of tarpon. i did land a baby permit on the last hour of the last day.

i wouldn't got expecting to catch a permit but with the expectation that they are there but hard to catch. it does happen but not all the time.