The Caribbean remains open for saltwater anglers throughout the Yucatan. Belize and the Bahamas are on the horizon with quickly approaching reopening dates. Rallying a large group of friends or family to travel is tricky at this time. Many single anglers are taking advantage of excellent fishing conditions and taking all the shots on the bow of skiffs with great results!
While sharing a boat is always a blast, flats fishing solo allows anglers of all abilities to quickly progress his or her skills. Here are a few tips our team put together for fishing as a single angler:
- Hydration: Long periods on the bow without breaks makes ample water consumption vital
- Strip out a second rod: Fishing single presents an excellent opportunity to have another fly rod stripped out and ready to fish for other species. For example, a wire rig set up for barracuda or permit rod stripped out while hunting for bonefish. Jumping down to retrieve a rod from the holder and stripping outline takes time to draw your eyes away from the target.
- Relax for Lunch: Make sure to take a true break for lunch as “cooler time” will otherwise be limited
- Line Management: A great fishing partner will help spot fish and manage your fly line. Unless anglers fish with a lodge using a two-guide system (like many lodges in Ascension Bay), you will need to keep your fly line organized. Investing time in cleaning your fly line or picking up a brand new fly line always makes a big difference. One of the biggest mistakes guides regularly see is anglers kicking or rolling fly line with his or her feet. This method rolls the line, causing twists and loops that will become a significant issue when you need that last few feet of line to reach a feeding fish. Allowing the line to fall naturally to the skiff's deck while stripping back in will be the best setup for your next shot.
On a per-person basis, fishing as a single angler tends to price out slightly higher than sharing a room and boat. Here are our top picks for operations that offer the best value for single anglers:
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BAHAMAS: Crooked Island Lodge, Andros South, Da Bay Area, Mount Pleasant, Swain’s Cay Lodge
BELIZE: Belize Permit Club, Garbutt’s Fishing Lodge, Sea Dreams Caye Caulker
MEXICO: Bahia De Los Suenos, Pesca Maya, Costa de Cocos, Campeche Tarpon, Kay Fly Fishing Lodge, Ascension Bay Lodge
