DIY SWFF Trip - Where?

[T.P.]

I'm new to this forum so be gentle with me!

I live in the UK and am looking to take a very low budget SWFF trip this year - probably in March or May. I'm lucky in that I can fly to a lot of destinations very cheaply, well at least if British Airways or American Airlines fly there.

I'm fully prepared to rough it, including taking a tent.

I'm looking for a great place for flats wading that's relatively safe (I'm a girl and I'll be travelling on my own).

I spent 3 years living in the Keys, so Florida isn't an option. I know though that going on my own will probably make my catch rate not as good as if I have a guide but I'm looking for some adventure.

Looking at this forum, I'm sure someone on here can help.

Many thanks

T.P.

[Soundking]

Grand Bahama....you'll probably have 30+ shots in a DIY per day on the local flats. I'm on my way to a local river right now to fish for sea-run trout, but I will post more when I return in the early afternoon.





Best of luck, JJ

[Henry]

You've likely already happened across this webpage (based in the "UK")...

http://www.bonefishadventure.com

It seems to be a well run operation and certainly appears to focus on DIY fishing "on the cheap". Their site is chalk full of usefull information regarding bonefishing on the Bahamian Island of Eleuthera.

I can vouch for the beauty of the locale as well as the quality of the fishing. I might add that from what I've seen in 4 trips there, It would be very safe for a young lady on her own to go exploring.

Good luck in your quest and welcome to this fine board.

Best regards,

Henry

[BobG]

I'd vote for Anegada, BVI. Anegada is part of the BVI's, and is a remote atoll, surrounded by a large coral reef system. It has world class snorkeling, ocean kayaking, and swimming. Not to mention some very good DIY bone fishing. Best of all in your instance, it has a very rudimentry campground right on the water.
A friend of mine spent several weeks at this campground two years back, all thouroughly enjoyed all of the above mentioned activities with his entire family, including his 82 year old Mom he flew in from Soule, S. Korea just for the trip. The island is very remote, and you'd likely need to bring all of your provisions in with you. But, it sounds like you're already used to that.

I'd also vote for St John, USVI. There a wonderful campgrounds located on Maho and Cinnamon Bays. These are almost luxury sites when compared to Anegada. But they are very comfortable. St John is one of my fav places. Has a wealth of activities, is safe, and has some bonefish as well.

[T.P.]

I'd vote for Anegada, BVI. Anegada is part of the BVI's, and is a remote atoll, surrounded by a large coral reef system. It has world class snorkeling, ocean kayaking, and swimming. Not to mention some very good DIY bone fishing. Best of all in your instance, it has a very rudimentry campground right on the water.
A friend of mine spent several weeks at this campground two years back, all thouroughly enjoyed all of the above mentioned activities with his entire family, including his 82 year old Mom he flew in from Soule, S. Korea just for the trip. The island is very remote, and you'd likely need to bring all of your provisions in with you. But, it sounds like you're already used to that.

I'd also vote for St John, USVI. There a wonderful campgrounds located on Maho and Cinnamon Bays. These are almost luxury sites when compared to Anegada. But they are very comfortable. St John is one of my fav places. Has a wealth of activities, is safe, and has some bonefish as well.

Some good suggestions but this sounds amazing. I can fly to Tortola pretty easily, do you know how far Anegada is from there? I can't think of anything better than being stranded on a desert island, camping and fishing. How wonderful would snapper taste cooked on a beach fire in that type of setting?

Yep this sounds ideal. I'm going to start googleing!

Thanks

T.P.

[uncle4]

Hey, TP: If you're going in May, why not try some cold water
fly fishing?

Martha's Vineyard is a beautiful place. There'll be TONS of striped
bass from the beach in May. There's a camp ground where you
can pitch a tent (or a Hostel if you want something more permanent).
B.A. flies into Boston, there's the 30$ bus and the $7 ferry ride and
you're there. There's public bus service around the island, and
_very_ friendly tackle shops that, for the price of a fly or two, will
steer you to the right beach places to fish (or mebbe fish _with_
you).

If it's March, I'd say either the Bahamas, or Belize. I like Placencia
(go google _that_, or try "http://www.placencia.com"). You can
find a room for $20-$50 per night. There's a lot more DIY fishing down
south than Ambergris, or Cay Caulker, or ($$$$) Turneffe.

Alternatively, come visit my home (Andros). There's cheap places
to stay (Hank's Place, DayShell, etc) and TONS of flats almost
anyplace you hang your hat. I think B.A. flies into Nassau. From
Nassau you can fly Bahamas Air, or take the fast ferry). If
B.A. flies into San Salvador (Bahamas, NOT "El Salvador") that's
a fun place, and cheap too. I know there's a Club Med, and
flights from Europe twice (or thrice) weekly.... there're cheap
weekly rentals, and a lot of bonefish opportunities within biking
distance.

No matter which venue you choose, please Post Pix!

Cheers,

Uncle 4

[T.P.]

Uncle 4

Thanks for some great information, I was thinking about Belize as I'd love to get some shots at permit. I think though I'm going to try Anegada though, it sounds idyllic, tiny, with camping and the journey is horrific for me, which will make the destination all the better.

Martha's Vineyard maybe next year, I did Montana/Wyoming in 2005 and so this year I need some of the tropics.

Thank you of the offer of Andros, I caught my first bonefish there while staying close to Moxey Town (?). Had a fantastic time, I may take you up on the offer later in the year after hurricane season.

Thanks again

T.P.

[wittich]

I don't know about the DIY opportunities in Placencia. I went there a few years back for a flyfishing trip. We caught many fish, but most of flats were a decent boat ride from the mainland. We did some DIY behing our Hotel ( Millers landing) and we caught a few small fish ( nothing exotic). You might run into some bonefish or tarpon on DIY but I think it would be longshot. Maybe other members have more inside information.

I have done a DIY trip to the East Cape. It is probably one of the best beach flyfishing trips around. There are a ton of different species you will catch in a day.

The South Coast of Texas also has some great DIY flyfishing areas like South Padre Island, and Port Aransas. There are plenty of redfish and trout and ladyfish willing to take a fly. I have also seen tarpon within casting reach from the jetties. You would need to rent a kayak, but there are many good clear flats around Port A and south padre. Not as exotic as the Bahamas or Mexico but it is fun & cheap.

[OceanRunner]

T.P.

Anegada is excellent! Unlike the rest of the BVI/USVI, it is flat with lots of prime bonefish waters. The bones are decent size and plentiful and they are not overfished. I’ve only visited the island on day trips, but have always caught a few bones. I’ve never hooked-up, but have seen a few small permit there as well.

Bring a few 3 to 4” all white clousers for when they are finicky… You’ll thank me for it ;)

Take a few pics for us.

Good luck!

[T.P.]

Oceanrunner

When was the last time you were there? Did you hire a guide?

Thanks

T.P.

[Fin Addiction]

I still think Cape Cod offers world class site fishing but June is the month...

[OceanRunner]

I was there last February. Good sized bones were right up against the shore at high tide… Caught a couple while on dry land walking to the next spot.

No guide. I don’t think you need it there. Figuring it all out is half the fun.

[titleguy]

T.P.- check out this site. http://www.cattarauguscreekoutfitters.com. Vince is pulling together prices for me right now for a 5 night 4 day fishing trip to Eleuthera at the end of February. I plan on 2 days guided and 2 days DIY, and plenty of :-%

I would give a second to St. John though, really fun place and I caught my one and only bone there in '01 ( Leinster Bay- on a white clouser :brow ) I also had terrific snook fishing, had some tarpon shots, caught cero macks, snapper, small cudas, jacks. It was a lot of fun for a trip that was not supposed to be a fishing trip.

[ikan besar]

East Cape, Baja, good fishing from shore for a very wide variety of fish species and the living can be as cheap as you want. Fly into Cabo, take a bus over to Los Barriles (about an hour at most), find a cheap hotel, walk the beach and cast at pompano, jacks, roosterfish, bonefish (yes, bonefish), lookdowns, sierra mackerel, ladyfish, corvina, etc. Dry climate, no bugs, etc.

I'd steer clear of Belize for DIY fishing as the best fishing areas require a guides boat to get to and that can add up quickly.

[Brad G.]

My keyboard is sticky from all the drool after I looked at Anegada...I'm ready to pack up and move and all I've ever seen is a couple website photos of the place.

TP- PLEASE let us know if you go and would love to hear how it works out. Sounds ideal though, I agree. Small island, warm weather, camping, fishing, friendly people, remote....what more do you need except some ice and beer.

Hell, I even looked up flights to Tortola...$307 from Boston! I may just have to throw down and go! Ahhhhhh this crappy weather is killing me. What I would do for some sun and fish.....

Keep us posted...