Boca Pila Group rates ?

[Mark Dougherty]

Just been looking at an outfitter site concerning Boca Pila. They advertise
a group rate of $18,500 fro a group of 14. Doing a little math, that comes out at 1,321.42 per angler. Am I missing something ? The dates were (for 2005) 24 July-2 October........plus airfare.........meals included.......the 2006 dates are unpublished, but, I say if we can put together 13 other crazy salts , it might be an H-E double hockey sticks of a deal.......any thoughts ?
That was for 6 days on the water and land trans from Cancun........ :-%

[Henry]

That rate is like 1/2 price!!!...wow! Boca Paila would likely fish real well that time of year with the added bonus of some bigger migratory Poon's around to boot.

I'd be interested to see if this thread keeps going with like-minded fisherfolks. Should there be a positive response from enough people...well...i'd likely jump.

Later pal,

[widdoes]

First of all, that sounds like a great idea, I could definitely be in. It's not exactly peak tourist season for MX, which is why I think they're making the offer- I think they're not often fully booked in those months. BP was brushed by 3 hurricanes this year, but they came out fine. Not sure about the road from Tulum- please God, it can't be worse!
I've been to BP 2ce, and got my first permit last time, which gives me the "lodge slam"- just not all in 1 day. Got something to shoot for.
Mark- shoot me PM. I'm interested which "outfitter" made this offer. Frontiers is supposed to be the "exclusive" rep for BP.
-Wild John

[gammarus]

Keep me posted on this. I may forget my budget trip if there's enough interest. It would be nice to meet some travel minded fishers and it would give me time to pay off my steelhead trip to the Queen Charlotte Islands.

[Mark Dougherty]

I contacted the outfitter for the 2006 prices. Total package price went up from 18,500 to 22,500 :mad: Reason: ??? Fuel prices .......Hmmmmm
But that was the good news.......the bad news was the increased rate is only available for 2 specific months.....January and July.....versus last season
which ran 24 July to 2 October.......Hmmmmmmmm. Henry and all others who were involved via e-mail and telephone calls, my sincere apologies. Just when you think "Hey ...now here's a deal !!"......the rug gets pulled out from under my/our feet. The increase pushes the price up to around 1600 bucks....based on 14 folks fishing....major bummer as we used to say back in the day.....So, for me its off to the great state of Minnesota for 2 months,,,,,
(DEC and JAN) to act as a primary caregiver for a family member undergoing cancer treatment.....then a well deserved trip to Galtos on Andros (2100, single occupancy, 6N, 5D fishing)......unless of course they too feel that flats
boats are now burning and additional couple thousand dollars of fuel. Somehow, someway, I will tie together a shot at Permit during one of our annual trips to the resorts in the Tulum area....still dont get the 4 grand increase....gas prices in Tulum to Cancun are not that out of hand based on some reports I recently received from some brave resort types who recently returned.....The end.

[Mark Dougherty]

FYI, this was the response: man, world class permit trip shot in the a$$...o well.........

Hi Mark,

During the months of January and July, we offer the lodge to intact groups for one set rate. The cost is $22,500.00 for the 2006 season and includes rooms, meals, boats, guides and licenses for up to 14 people. Each additional person is $1,800. This is a great deal for groups. Please let me know if these dates work for you and we can reserve the space. Outside of these months, we also offer groups one free fishing package with 7 full price packages. You can then pro-rate that as a discount or take the free trip for yourself. Please let me know if you have any other questions regarding the group discounts or if you have some specific dates in mind for your group.

Thank you,

[mbrown]

Coupla' ideas for a group trip-I emailed Rogelio @ Pesca Maya(just down the road from Boca Paila) He is agreeable to a discounted group rate.Plus, we can throw in the "host" deduction.We don't need no stinking host.I am sure that Jerry @ Bonefish Bay (now Coral Beach) would be receptive to a reduced rate for anytime other the spring. This sounds like fun,I'm game.

[Mark Dougherty]

mbrown,

Hey, sounds like something to investigate. The prices I quoted involved one
"guy fishes" free, and spread the saving across the group. I am no outfitter...and would never do business that was not absolutely above board...I worked a short stint in a shop that sent groups SWFF.....there are no "deals"....everbody pays to play (except the outfitter IMHO).........
so .......how bout keeping this thread alive and perhaps we can all nail a Permit......let us know what the numbers look like..... :-%

[gammarus]

How about Venezuela? I have found a sailboat that sleeps 10 http://www.sailboat-obsession.com/los-roques-en/index.htm
I have emailed them and they will charter the whole boat for $900/day, including meals. There is a guide who will meet at the boat and will take 3 people for $450. And a 13'Zodiac on board to boot. Perfect for a group of 6 taking turns with the guide and Zodiac for 6 days. Someone do the math on this one, I bet it would be pretty reasonable.

[n1gdo]

Could be a cool idea... do you know where the boat would meet us... would we sail from Caracas ?

If we could be dropped off on a flat with the Zodiac for the day that would be one great way to fish...

Keep me in the loop

[loomis]

Coupla' ideas for a group trip-I emailed Rogelio @ Pesca Maya(just down the road from Boca Paila) He is agreeable to a discounted group rate.Plus, we can throw in the "host" deduction.We don't need no stinking host.I am sure that Jerry @ Bonefish Bay (now Coral Beach) would be receptive to a reduced rate for anytime other the spring. This sounds like fun,I'm game.

March Brown is correct. I too have talked to Rogelio about this kind of arrangement. Here's how it looks when you put the #'s on paper. For every 7 paid anglers the 8th angler is free, 14 paid anglers and 2 anglers go free and can be divided between all 16 anglers if you choose. The numbers breakdown like this for the most popular package of 7 nights/ 6 days fishing IN SEASON RATES:

$2500 per angler double occupancy. $2500 X 7 anglers = $17,500. $17,500/ 8 anglers =$2187.50 per angler.

For a 5 night 4 day fishing package in season will be $2000 per angler double occupancy. $2000 X 7 anglers = $14,000. $14,000/ 8 anglers = $1750 per angler.

There is a 10% discount for OFF SEASON RATES (July 1st-Jan.31st, except Dec. 20- Jan. 6) This is the time of the year that Mark Dougherty got his group quote:

7 night/6 day fishing package =$2250 per angler. $2250 X 7 anglers = $15,750/ 8 anglers = 1968.75 per angler.

For the 5 night 4 day fishing package off season rate = $1800 per angler. $1800 X 7 anglers= $12,600. $12,600/ 8 anglers =$1575.00 per angler double occupancy.

A couple of things to think about when comparing the 2 lodges and their prices:

1. The lagoon system that BP lodge sits on and Ascension Bay are quite different fisheries. While both are outstanding fisheries somthing to consider: the bottom of the lagoon system is too soft almost everywhere to get out and wade except in a couple of places. This means that most of the fishing from BP lodge is done from the boat. If you want to wade fish for bones you should know this. Usually it's "sit and wait your turn" fishing. However, the flats of Ascension Bay are much more vast and most have hard bottoms that allow mostly wade fishing for bones. This way both anglers can be fishing at the same time maximizing the hours in the fishing day. Now if your targeting other speicies this might not be the rule of thumb. Fishing for permit/tarpon is mostly from the boat. When permit are spotted I like to get out of the boat and wade to them when possible.

2. At PM lodge every boat has a guide and an apprentice which will eliminate the second angler being on his own unless he/she wishes to fish alone. The apprentice will help you find the fish in the case you have trouble seeing them on your own, this is very helpful and productive.

3. Location, location, location. While the ride from BP lodge to the fishing grounds are right from the dock, the lodge is located too far to the north to actually cross Ascension Bay and hit the flats of Tres Marias, Chobon etc. The guides primarily stick to the lagoon system near the lodge or travel as far south as the northern tip of Ascension Bay, the guides do not cross the bay. There is great fishing in the lagoon system, don't get me wrong, I have caught a lot of fish while fishing the lagoon system north of PM and south of BP. The point here is PM lodge is located on the northern tip of Ascension Bay, 1/2 way to the lagoon system of BP lodge and 1/2 way to the flats of Ascension Bay. While there is fishing within minutes from the dock of PM, most of the fishing is about a 40 minute ride across the bay to the wadeable flats of Tres Marias. The location of PM lodge allows anglers the CHOICE of heading south across the bay or north to the lagoon system that BP lodge fishes. You get the best of what both fisheries have to offer in my opinion.

4. Bar tab is included at PM lodge during your visit. I don't believe it is covered at BP lodge. At least it wasn't my last stay there. This can add up during a weeks stay in the tropics. Comes close to making up the difference in price depending on how much you consume with your fishing buddies over the week.

5. Both lodges have comfortable accommadations and great food/guides/service by their staff. Both are ideally located right on the Caribbean Ocean for those who didn't get enough fishing during their fishing day. BP lodge has access to the Boca (inlet) from the ocean into the lagoon system which is always fun to fish.

6. Both lodges shuttle you to and from the airport, no need to rent cars and have them sit for a week.

7. At BP lodge they opperate from Sun.-Sun. only. At PM lodge they are flexible to the point you can come and go whenever you want. You can stay as long or short as you want.

8. BP lodge uses year old Dolphin skiffs with poling platforms. PM lodge uses a traditional panga boat. I fished out of both and don't have a preference between the two except if I were going to cross the bay on a windy day----I would much rather be in a panga crossing windy, rolling bay!

That's my .02 cents worth. Would love to hear other's opinions or thoughts. I agree with Mark Dougherty--this is definately the way to save a buck or two on a already expensive sport. I also agree with March Brown--you don't need a stinking host to hold your hands for a trip like this. I have never had a host and never missed not having one around. I'm heading back to the area around April/May.

Interesting thread your started Mark D let's see what happens.

Regards,

Tim :-%

[gammarus]

Could be a cool idea... do you know where the boat would meet us... would we sail from Caracas ?

If we could be dropped off on a flat with the Zodiac for the day that would be one great way to fish...

Keep me in the loop
The guide meets wherever the sailboat is. I believe it leaves from grand roques, but I'm sure they could be persuaded to leave from caracas for a decent price. Let's not highjack Mark's thread though, I'll star another one if there's more interest.