Winter Destinations

[JohnR]

Originally Posted by ivanputski

Why don't you guys SKIP a winter fishing trip, and finally do all the crap you have not gotten done during our compulsive pursuit of striped bass for the last 6 months!!! I need a break to get my life back in order... Remeber an article called "the dark side of surfcasting" ? man, most of us are there!!!

And nothing like a 4 day trip in warmth to get rid of the jonesing and make the bride happy again , I'm miserable by then anyway and giving her a break from me is probably good

[striperman36]

Originally Posted by JohnR

And nothing like a 4 day trip in warmth to get rid of the jonesing and make the bride happy again , I'm miserable by then anyway and giving her a break from me is probably good

Road-Trip!!!

[Swimmer]

I consented to go on a cruise with wifey and her sister to the Caribean. Her sister is making the reservations because she her husand have been to the Caribean before. As it stands is St. Lucia, Grand Cayman, and ??? is where we are going. After I said yes, the wife says I can go fly fishing in the Caymans. Bonefish, here I come.

[PRBuzz]

Since the motto is "don't drink the water" I guess Winter Desalinations might be better than Summer Desalinations since there is less evaporation....just a guess.

[Striper_Haven_03]

I have been wanting to go to Nicaragua and fish the Rio San Juan and the Solentiname...my fishing partner went 2 years ago and hooked up with a 148lb tarpon and many in the 90-100 lb range and snook too 20lbs. Late Jan-Early Feb. is usually slow for me so this might be the year....now that I wrote this Ill end up in Cali. somewhere abusing my body some more.

[keeperreaper]

I have 2 weeks in December off to Aruba for Sails, Wahoo, and booze. Then when I get back I have 4 days in Miami doing the daytime sword deal. Going to try to get to Florida in April for some tarpon this year.

[Typhoon]

East Grand Lake Maine for lakers

[Finaddict]

Originally Posted by keeperreaper

I have 2 weeks in December off to Aruba for Sails, Wahoo, and booze. Then when I get back I have 4 days in Miami doing the daytime sword deal. Going to try to get to Florida in April for some tarpon this year.

May and June are the best months for tarpon in South Florida, if you go in April, you are best to head down to Key West ... but the challenge with Florida in April - even the Keys - is cold fronts can still impact the fishing ... when I lived down there, we had fantastic tarpon fishing in April, but always had better tarpon fishing in May and June. One thing, weather permitting is to head out of Key West over to the Marquesas - the tarpon out there can be amazing - and if it's a bit windy to cut across Boca Grande Pass, there's great fishing in the lakes just off Key West and in the backcountry.

Sanibel is another spot to go, I have done a lot of tarpon fishing there, any good captain worth his salt can find them laid up in the backcountry of Pine Island Sound and the surrounding areas - but for the great strings of migrating tarpon, May and June are the best.

[animal]

I just got back from Fla last night.I spent two nights vat Sebastian,where I saw a commercial bait guy blind throwing a castnet in the dark,get a 30 + lb red.(released)Then 3 other bait guys targeted(and kept )a slot legal snook.(illegal)
There is a cold front on,and fishing is really iffy.There were tarpon off the South jetty 3 nights running,although my loser ass didn't tie into any.I saw numerous snook caught,and a few red drum.The flounder(fluke)bite was supposedly off the hook,I saw a 26 inch fish caught from the south jetty,not 3 ft from the rocks,and the guy who caught it said it wasn't that big a deal.
My trip was pitiful,compared with last year,but there ARE fish around.We wade fished the flats around Merrit Island yesterday,and saw a few drum,and a seatrout,but never came tight.
I'm still in Myrtle Beach,SC,so if you do get an rv,you'll have to let me know.The Suburban can carry 8 guys.

[moogie]

Originally Posted by JohnR

OK, I'm not giving up on fishing still this year because there is still fun to be had, though my opportunities are quickly disappearing due to other commitments (kid ).

I do always want to do some great, cheap, warm weather fishing during the winter months which obviously means heading south.

What are some good options for some warm weather cheap fishing to consider this year. Especially with some shore fishing mixed in?

Lot's of options!
There is fantastic Striper fishing in North Carolina. Good surf fishing all around down there. It's just a matter of hitting the weather right. The GBT are hanging out there in shallow water if you want to spend the money on a charter.

Florida is always a good bet. I was down there last February, and it was a cold, but the weather finally broke and the slaughter was on.

Be advised, you can pretty much go anywhere in Florida with a casting stick, a handful of Sluggos, and a few poppers, and do well.
If you like fishin' on a pier, they have many to choose from.

Don't forget the LMB. Stop anywhere on the side of the road, and cast into a ditch. Chances are, there's bass and peacocks there.

The Keys could be a good destination, however it's pricy to stay there, and you would probably need a boat to do anything of substance.

For a fly away trip, it's all based on how much your budget is.
Mexico is the best deal around. It can't be beat. it's easy to get to as well.
I go down to southern Baja 3 times a year. I love to chase Roosters and Pargo. They make me crazy. I love it.
They are some of the toughest fish I ever fought for their size.
By the way, it's very safe. No drug crap down there.

There are places that you can surf cast for them, or you could charter a 22 foot panga with a Pangero (captain) for about $200 per day.
That's not bad if you split it with another guy. It's cheap to stay there for a week.
You could do it for 5 days with airfare, fishing, lodging, and food for around $2000.00 per person.
I've never had a bad trip, and I've always set a personal best, every time I've gone.

Panama is probably the best inshore fishery around, but it's very expensive, and not the easiest place to get to.
I used to be able to go there for $800 a week. Now it's $5000 without airfares and transfers!
Costa Rica runs a close second to Panama.

I've made many a trip in my day, and I know the do's and don'ts of travel trips, and the best advise I can give you is to. . . .ask a lot of questions, plan properly, and pray for good weather.
Moog