A late winter saltwater fly fishing trip is a great way to escape the cold and damp season. The salt flats offer a welcome break with hot weather, bright sun and warm waters. We have collated a series of great last minute opening throughout the Tropics from stalking bonefish in the Caribbean to hunting GTs in the Indian Ocean. See our roundup of exciting availability below and do contact us for more information or availability at our other destinations.
Jardines de la Reina, Cuba
Named the Queen’s Gardens by Christopher Columbus, the Jardines de la Reina is a pristine chain of islands that run more than one hundred miles along Cuba’s south-eastern coast. This vast marine park, bigger in size than the Florida Keys, is ideal for fly anglers who wish to live and experience fishing from dawn till dusk aboard a series of purpose built liveaboard vessels.
The average sized bonefish is perhaps a solid 3 to 5 lbs, but there are opportunities for fish in the 7 to 10 lbs class every day. The huge variety of species available here is an added bonus with everything from mutton snapper on the flats to wahoo and giant Cubera snapper on the drop offs. The flats environment here is a fantastic combination of shallow turtle grass and deeper coral flats that are accessed by skiff, wade fishing is limited but possible at certain tide stages. Tarpon are prolific with many “baby” tarpon – fish in the 10 – 40 lbs class in the channels. During the spring season the average size of tarpon on the flats grows to 45-80 lbs with some specimens growing to 120-130 lbs in the deep ocean channel. Permit are also found in good numbers, and many of these fish will be in the 20 to 30 lbs class, with a few well over thirty. For anglers that land a permit, there is an excellent chance of completing a Grand Slam the same day. Tarpon can be found at just about any time and tide level as can bonefish. Over the years, there have been numerous Grand Slams caught by fly fishermen. Fishing hours are totally at the discretion of the clients, unlike many other lodges. The fishing day normally begins with breakfast at 0700 and departing for fishing from 0730 onward. Lunch can be taken on the skiff and is at the angler’s discretion. One of the main joys of fishing here is the sunset hour. Often it is calm, and schools of tailing and laid up bones can be seen hundreds of yards away, their golden tails glistening in the light of the falling sun. This is the time that most operations are heading back to the lodge so this magical witching hour is missed.
While you are in Jardines de la Reina, accommodation is provided aboard a series of purpose-built liveaboard vessels. There are four boats in all; Jardines Avalon 2, 3 & 4, Jardines Avalon F2. Each boat offers a unique and comfortable experience.
The food aboard all of the Avalon vessels is a wonderful selection of Cuban cuisine, grilled fresh seafood and vegetables along with many international delights. The chefs are well versed in many different styles and will be sure to amaze you during your stay aboard. In addition, there is a full bar with a selection of Cuban beers and rum, along with a small selection of international wines. The attentive crew will be there to take care of your every need and make sure you have a wonderful trip.
Available dates:
8 to 15 March 2025
Cost: US$8,790 per person based on single room and singe guide/skiff
Price includes: Fishing permits, guided fishing, drinks, full board accommodation, airport transfers (Cayo Coco/Camaguey or additional US$400 per person if arriving/departing Havana).
Price excludes: International flights, additional Cuba arrangements, conservation fee (US$300 per person), Cuban Visa, and gratuities.
Cayo Romano, Cuba:
The flats at Cayo Romano/Cruz can be great and they are a hot spot for permit, bones with some tarpon. The guides there love fishing for permit for which it has quite a reputation. The open ocean is close to the flats so permit can comfortably move to deep water for rest and safety, but creep back to shallow water on the tide change. Often permit on the flats nearer the open ocean are in the company of rays making them more willing to eat the fly. There are also a lot of back country areas that hold permit. The permit around Cayo Cruz are larger than average, most being in the 15-25 pound range. The flats are an inviting combination of hard packed white sand and a semi-firm mottled bottom that still provides good wading. It’s very similar to Los Roques, Venezuela in terms of the amount of area that’s wadable. The operation underwent a massive upgrade in 2019 when accommodation moved from a rather dingey Cuban hotel with long drives to the fishing to a brand new “Lodge” within a new hotel system. Whilst it is located on a large hotel complex it is like a separate apartment system that they use so it has its own pool, bar and lounge area which is only 100 metres from the dock. Rooms are all newly renovated, ensuite bathrooms, air conditioning and WIFI.
Available dates:
8 to 15 March 2025
15 to 22 March 2025
Cost: US$7,990 per person based on single room and single guide/skiff
Price includes: Fishing permits, guided fishing, drinks, full board accommodation, airport transfers (Camaguey or Cayo Coco).
Price excludes: International flights, additional Cuba arrangements, conservation fee (US$300 per person), Cuban Visa, and gratuities.
Grand Slam Lodge, Mexico
Situated in Ascension Bay, a three hours transfer from Cancun. The lodge has access to endless flats hosting some of the biggest permit in the world and enormous schools of bonefish. With tarpon and snook on hand too it forms one of the world’s best places to go for a Grand Slam or Super Slam. With all these fish around, it is evident why GSL’s wall of fame is filled with so many delighted Grand Slam anglers. The lodge is the only one in the region to have permits to fish the northern end of Boca Paila Lagoon, a wonderful place to target tailing permit. It fishes all year round with prime time being February to early July and then again October to early December. The lodge has been designed primarily for anglers but it offers a very comfortable and relaxing experience for non-fishers too. Various day trips can be arranged for those who would like to explore the local area, try snorkelling or visit Mayan ruins or simply relax by the lodge pool. There are no fixed entry and exit days so trips can be tailored to suit. The lodge comfortably houses up to 24 anglers at a time. Accommodation can be done on a shared or single occupancy basis.
Available dates:
Flexible start and end dates throughout March 2025.
Cost: US$9,505 per person based on a single room and single boat.
The cost includes; full board accommodation, guided fishing and boat.
The cost excludes; international flights, transportation between lodge and Cancun airport, additional accommodation in Cancun, Quintana Roo tax (Approx $15), drinks, and gratuities.
Blue Horizon Lodge, Belize
In 1997, Lincoln Westby and his wife Perline decided to build a fishing lodge in Southern Belize, located in one of the world’s most productive permit fisheries. Coined, “permit alley” the fishing grounds are known for their expansive pancake flats that teem with marine life. There is no better place to fish for tailing permit in shallow water, than Permit Alley with Blue Horizon’s expert guides. This unique lodge merges Lincoln’s original “fish camp” feel with all the modern amenities a travelling angler wants.
There are no long boat rides to get to the flats. Blue Horizon’s professional team of guides will have you casting to permit (or bonefish or tarpon) within minutes of leaving the lodge. The proximity to the flats allows you to maximize your time on the water during the most productive moments of each tide cycle. They will have you fishing the tides, not the clock. The entire fishing program is determined by the tide cycle, not the time of the day or when a meal is served. While most anglers who stay at Blue Horizon Lodge are focused on fishing for permit, there is an abundant population of tarpon nearby. And don’t forget about bonefish! Bonefish can be targeted and caught any day of the year, making this fishery one of best places to target a Grand Slam in Belize.
Available dates:
1 to 8 March 2025
Cost: US$7,025 per person based on a single room and single boat.
The cost includes; internal flights, full board accommodation, local alcohol & non-alcoholic drinks, guided fishing and boat, transportation between lodge and local airport.
The cost excludes; international flights, Belize fishing licence, additional accommodation, imported drinks, and gratuities.
Andros South, Andros Island, The Bahamas
The lodge very proudly claims that they it is not a luxury lodge but far more a lodge for people who love fishing. The accommodation is comfortable but casual, the service is excellent, the food is good and the focus is on fishing. The fishery on South Andros is huge, varied and productive. they fish in four parts of the island; tidal creeks on the East Side, hundreds of small keys off the southern tip of the island, the West Side which is known for large fish, inland ponds and creeks in the middle of the island. Some areas tend to hold large groups of fish while others are home to larger fish in smaller groups. It is our experience that first-time and experienced anglers alike have a great time on the flats of South Andros. There are lots of opportunities for both wading and skiff fishing, depending on your preferences and the conditions.
Available dates:
2 to 9 March 2025
9 to 16 March 2026
16 to 23 March 2026
Cost: US$6,985 per person based on a single room and shared boat.
The cost includes; full board accommodation, local alcohol & non-alcoholic drinks, guided fishing and boat, transportation between lodge and local airport, hire equipment.
The cost excludes; international flights, internal flights, Bahamian fishing licence, additional accommodation, terminal tackle, and gratuities.
Tapam Lodge, Nicaragua
Since 2020 we have been waiting for Tapam Lodge to become operational again, during the years of Covid the infrastructure for the operation broke down and it was not possible to get the logistical parts back in place until May 2024. Following agreements with the local villages and new infrastructure being put in place we are excited that Tapam Lodge will return for a full season in 2025.
Located a two-hour boat ride north of Bluefields, anglers are based in a small jungle village on the banks of a river home to giant tarpon. The village lies 14km from the mouth of the river as it drains into the Atlantic Ocean. With much of the fishing done in the rivers, canals and jungle lagoons, there are miles upon miles of fishable water. It is these water courses where tarpon from 10 to 200lb search out schools of baitfish, with frenzied bait-busting or gracious rolling through flat waters that show you are in the right location.
The fishing day is long and optimised to target tarpon, the day starts at 0400 with an early breakfast and heading out on the water. It is these dawn hours that produce some of the best action. As the day approaches noon, often the winds pick up and spotting fish can become more challenging, so anglers return to the lodge for lunch and a siesta. At around 1430, anglers will return to the water to fish the late afternoon as the waters flatten out again and fish roll in the fading light, returning to the lodge at 1830. Fishing is done with two anglers with a guide from traditional panga style fishing boats.
As well as tarpon, anglers can also encounter big snook and jacks. These are not always present, but when they are they offer fantastic action. Be sure to still use your 11 or 12 weight as often big tarpon are never far away!
The lodge for 2025 is currently being renovated but is a simple house on the edge of the village. It will offer six single occupancy bedrooms, with two shared bathrooms. There is no air conditioning, but the structure is design to maximise a through breeze to keep the worst of the heat away and a series of fans offer additional comfort for guests. Anglers will enjoy good food and cold beer throughout their stay, and an outside connection is maintained through Starlink WiFi.
Available dates in 2025:
27 April to 6 May – hosted group with Alex Jardine (4 anglers + 1 host sharing two boats)
Cost: US$5,500 per person single room / shared boat & guide
Included: All transfers from Bluefields airport and return, full accommodation (single room), six and a half days fishing (shared boat), one hotel night in Bluefields after the trip, limited supply of drinks.
Not included: International airfare to Managua, hotel in Managua ($100-150 per room), internal flight to Bluefields ($200/person in May 2024), gratuities, flies & leader purchases in camp, and additional drinks.
Cosmoledo Atoll, Seychelles
Cosmoledo offers a pristine and untouched ecosystem and has a reputation for explosive fishing. The atoll itself comprises of a large, white sand lagoon surrounded by 18 islands, numerous pancake flats and 2 main channels. The hard, white sand and turtle grass flats, the lagoon edges and the channels are all ruled by the incomparable giant trevally. It well deserves its reputation as the GT capital of the world but don’t dismiss the other species. Big Bluefin trevally, big bonefish, bohar snapper, barracuda, milkfish, triggerfish and the ever finicky indo-Pacific permit all call these waters home. Previously fished from a live-aboard, from November 2018 Cosmoledo will be land based, operating from a small eco-lodge with eight rooms so single rooms are an option.
2025 Fishing Package: US$17,476 per person
Cost: US$24,576 per person single room / shared boat & guide
Included: charter flight (Mahé/Cosmoledo/Mahé), full accommodation (single room), six days fishing (shared boat), hire equipment, non-aloholic drinks.
Not included: International airfare, additional accommodation, gratuities, flies & leader purchases at the lodge, and alcoholic drinks.
If you would like to get away for a saltwater break and would like more information please contact Peter McLeod or Alex Jardine or call us on +44 1980 847389. Alternatively, click HERE if you would like us to contact you.