Late MAY Bonefish Belize or Mexico?

[billhession]

Looking for a little advice. Have a group of four with a wide range of experience looking to do a little bonefishing and maybe a few other species to keep it spicey. Would prefer a larger number of small bones to the big well educated PhD variety. Have four days to fish only. Currently down to Mexico (Punta Allen) or Belize (Turneffe or El Pescador in Ambergris).

Looking to get some pros and cons on each area. I know the larger tarpon are beginning to run at that time in Belize. I suspect that we can't go wrong on either location but wonder if things like bugs, realistic number of fish one can expect to catch at each location, length of run each morning, boat & guide quality, types of flats, etc would tip the scales for anyone out there at that time of year.

A big open ended question, so thanks in advance to those who chime in. It's great to have such a great resource! Bill

[mctrout]

Casa Blanca in Mexico is really super and that is a great time. not sure if they only do 4 days though.Have a friend that knows the place very well. I went with him there a few years ago and he has been about 6 times. let me know if you want his email

[Benfishin]

Hey, I went down to Belize last year in early June-so it was bascically the same weather as May. The fishing was incredible! I stayed on Ambergris Caye (where El Pescador is located). The hotel/resorts I stayed at were Banana Beach and Captain Morgans (both were great). The bonefishing in Belize in the summer is what your looking for-huge schools of bonefish (1-3 ponuds), not well-educated. There are larger fish which are smarter and travel alone, thus harder to catch. But the smaller fish are not picky at all. As for the time to run out to the flats it depends where you are goin. If the guide is taking you to the back country lagoon flats- i would give 40 minutes or less. But, if he is running to ocean side flats toward the south-i would give 20 minutes. Like u said the tarpon will be running during this time-I never fished for the big boys (9 wieght rod) , but they were there. I had an great time with the baby tarpon behind Journey's End resort, though, fish stack up in the morning- i had close to 50 strikes in a few hours. Even without staying at a fishing lodge i managed to have great guides. I would highly recommend Pedro- or Pete as the islanders call him- he has guided longer than i have been alive. The one important thing is that the guide DOES fly fishing trips, not that he CAN (had a little trouble with a tarpon guide). But if you are staying at El Pescador or Turneffe, i'm sure that won't be a problem.