I am often asked, “when is the best time to plan a saltwater fishing trip.”  That’s a tough one.  I live in western Pennsylvania where we have grey skies and cold winter weather from November 1 through most of March.  I am very willing to jump on a plane to get out of the snow – realizing that I will probably be dealing with wind and cold fronts in the Tropics… certainly January through March.  Having said that, it’s way better than the ice fishing in Pittsburgh!
 
Obviously, the peak season in the Atlantic and Caribbean is from late March through June.  The weather is generally warmer, it’s usually before the summer storm season and the fish are often most plentiful.  Having said that, the lodges are often at peak capacity and a lot of those fish have seen many flies at that point in the season. 
 
When pinned down, I love traveling in the Fourth Quarter for a flats fishing trip to Mexico, Belize and/or the Bahamas.
- There is generally a great window of weather from late October through the December Holidays.  It’s after the hurricane season and often before the wind and cold fronts start moving through the Tropics.  
- The lodges have generally not been busy since early July and the flats are often very well rested, which means the fish are a lot more willing to take your fly.
- Plus, the weather is getting nasty enough in the North that it’s a nice time to escape!
 
In the last handful of years, I have taken a number of flats trip in November and December… from bringing the family to El Pescador in Belize right after Thanksgiving to fishing with Capt. Miguel Encalada on his Mother Ship in Mexico last December to a couple of early November trips to the Bahamas in 2018 and 2019.  All have been exceptional experiences.

We represent over 20 great flats fishing lodges in the Caribbean and Atlantic in the Bahamas, Mexico and Belize.  There is great Fourth Quarter availability and we will help you find the best lodge based on your specific travel, timing, budget and fishing objectives.  Here are a few open stellar dates at popular lodges we represent:

Bahamas

• Bairs Lodge:  Oct. 18-23 & Dec. 4-11
• Delphi Club:  Oct. 15-20 & Dec.12-16
• Mangrove Cay Club:  Oct. 24 – Nov. 1 & Nov. 27 – Dec. 4

Mexico  

• Casa Blanca:  Oct. 16-23 & Dec. 11-18
• Grand Slam Lodge: Nov. 6-11 & Dec. 4-9

Belize

• El Pescador: Oct. 1-7 & Dec. 18-25
• Turneffe Flats Lodge: Oct. 30 – Nov. 6 & Dec. 11-18

Other dates and different package lengths are possible at most locations.  Call us today to book!