Los Roques is an archipelago, rising out of the deep blue Caribbean sea and consisting of approximately 100 sq miles of islands, keys and underwater mushroom like profusions, which I later discovered went by the name of pancake flats. The sea off the coast has an incredible profusion of marine and aquatic life, immediately in front of me there appeared an impenetrable wall of minnows, 10 Metres deep and stretching the length of the waterfront. In amongst these minnows Tarpon crashed and Bonefish cruised. This mass of life was being attacked by phalanxes of Pelicans who would dive as one into the water and re-emerge with gullets overflowing with fish, who were in turn being attacked by squadrons of Artic Turns who would hover around the Pelicans, deftly stealing any protruding minnows from their beaks.

Aiming at the crash of a Pelican from 30ft in the air is a little less subtle than the gentle ripple of a rising Trout however this was my target and my mission was to place my ‘gummy’ at the feet of the surfacing bird. A few attempts later I achieved the cast and almost the moment the ‘gummy’ hit the water a ‘Bone’ emerged from the bottle green water, my line tightened and the next thing I knew was the rod was bent over and the reel was in overdrive. The tussle that followed saw me holding on for dear life, taking to the water, ducking self and rod under numerous anchor ropes and winding furiously. I emerged triumphantly after a tooth and nail battle with a 5lb fish.

To those who have never embraced saltwater fishing prepare your gear, your tackle and yourself with the strains and the excitement that you both will endure. Whilst my first few cast on the waterfront were an appetizer the main action takes place further afield. Most of the fishing is done by wading in ankle deep water, your eyes peeled for signs of activity above and below the water. Here, in the shallower water, the ever so subtle, protruding fin of a Bonefish replaces the crash of a diving Pelican.

To the experienced angler this is a place where you will be challenged to the utmost with your stealth and skill being paramount. To a novice fisherman you will be rewarded with a visual spectacle that guarantees to satisfy all of your faculties whilst at the same time providing enough rod-bending action and adventure to ensure you never again look at fishing in the same light again.

Entire article available on Where Wise Men Fish.

Written by  Justin Maxwell Stuart.

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Best Fishing Trip for Him

Hi, I would like to plan a super-duper fishing trip for "him". He likes saltwater bay, maybe tarpon, snook, etc. Where, when and with who do you recommend.

Thanks,

dana

 

Question posted 17th November 2009 by Dana Gardner.

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