Fly Fishing

flyhunter

Does anyone know how the bonefish are in Ascension Bay around the first of the year? I'm traveling down there and would love to get out and catch some bonefish, baby tarpon, or some permit. I know that this is usually not the best time of year to get into some fish, but I have done some research and have heard that there may actually be some descent angling available. Also, does anyone know of any good guides or any other useful information? I would really appreciate it.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

Hi.

I personally have never fished Ascension Bay, but have some friends who have. I'll shoot them an email and see if they have any info. I can tell you that, based on my experiences, "January" does not necessarily mean "bad" fishing. Like many tropical locations, the fish don't necessarily follow our calendar. So, "January" and "February" are winter months and winter months typically mean colder air and water .. BUT, not always. And, in my experience, even though January might not be the ideal time to fish Florida, Mexico, Bahamas etc... that doesn't necessarily mean its bad fishing... it just may not be prime time. My point is this ... if someone said to me, "Hey how is the fishing for striped bass in Maine in August?" Because I am from here, I might respond "Oh not that great, because the water is warm and the fish spread out etc.." But, that is within the context of measuring August against PRIME TIME. So, it is true on average (maybe) that August isn't as good as mid september might be. But, that doesn't mean that the fishing is BAD in August and you can't catch stripers. And you could come to Maine, catch 8 beautiful fish on a morning tide and have the time of your life .. even though it's not "prime time" and not as good as it could potentially be in mid september. Of course, if you wanted to catch a striped bass in Maine in February, it would be true to say, NOT POSSIBLE. Simply becasause they are migratory fish and they are not in these waters at that time of year.

Sorry to ramble, but I have learned and still learn that "Bad" fishing is subjective and relative to what the person is measuring it against. I went down to Florida last year in January and February. Locals would probably suggest that those are TERRIBLE months to fish for bonefish, permit and tarpon; and when measured against "Prime Time" that is probably true. However, I caught some absolutley beautiful bonefish, casted at several permit and even hooked one and casted to countless baby tarpon and caught them.... So, according to my standards and measurement, THAT WAS AWESOME FISHING ..

So - I COULD BE WRONG - and someone please correct me if i am -- but, in the case of tropical climate bonefish (florida, mexico, bahamas etc..) these are not highly migratory fish .. they are there (more or less) all the time .. they might move into deeper water off the flats etc.. if it gets super cold and come up on the flats when a nice warm front presents itself. But, the fish aren't migrating like bluefin tuna from let' say the gulf of Maine to the Mediterranian sea. They are there, for the most part. And, what determines me or you having a good bonefishing trip in these tropical environments has less to do with the month and more to do with how you "luck out" in terms of the WEATHER when you are there. If you get lucky and get nice warm days with warm air and water temps .. well then the bonefish could come up on the flats in good numbers and you could have an awesome trip. If you get bad luck and a freak cold front with temps in the 60's and cold water temps too .. you might not even see a bonefish ... Then again, I caught bonefish in the rain, on STREAMERS in the "freezing cold' in florida last year .. So, ya just never know.

Anyway --- I could very well be WRONG about any information above and if i am, someone please feel free to correct me .. as i don't want to give anyone bad information .. and, keep in mind, i am talking in generalties with all points mentioned above. I just thought this was a great topic to discuss what I have found to be an often frustrating topic as a traveling fly fisherman .. and that is, LOCALS to any fishery usually have a very different perception of what "good fishing" means compared to the traveling fisherman where "good fishing" might mean catching 1 bonefish.

So - though I appreciate the different dynamics that "locations" present and they are significant .. I tend to think of things more in terms of the species of fish, especially in saltwater ... meaning Yellow Fin Tuna are Yellow Fin Tuna and the FISH is the biggest common denomonator. YES, different regions of the ocean and world present different baits, oceanic currents, tide fluctiations, water temps etc... but, at the end of the day .. they are still "Yellow Fin Tuna" ... and the same is true for most any fish ... so, in the case of Bonefish, I would imagine that the same fundamental "dynamics" that apply in other tropical locations (florida, bahamas, french west indies, etcc.. ) will apply in Ascension Bay .. and if you are there during decent weather/tide patterns where air and water temps are conducive to the bonefish wanting to come up on the flats to eat .. than, you stand to have a pretty good trip ... regardless of what month it is.... (again, this is personal opinion from my expereinces and how i view fishing and not fact) ..

i will see shoot an email to some friends who have fished ascension bay .. and see if they have any info to help you with .. good luck! let us know how you do!

waterwhippa · Location: Upstate, NY

I have fly fished in and around the Mayan Riviera during the summer months and the Jack fishing was pretty consistent. I know there are year round possibilities for bonefish, permit, jacks and cuda in Ascention Bay. I believe January is prime time for snook as well. A few of my friends have booked trips with Pesca Maya and were more than satisfied with the outcomes. Hope this helps, let us know how you do when you get back.

jeremy · Location: Portland, Maine

fly hunter,

I emailed a friend that works at Orvis Travel and fishes that region alot. Here is his response for your fishing question and guide/trip options. hope this helps

------------------------------------------

Hi Jeremy,

February and early March can actually be colder than January - January
lows may get down into the lower 60's with highs around 80. Fishing
should be pretty good, given a severe cold front doesn't come through.
That will definitely make things tougher.

You did a good job in your explanation and make a lot of great points.
Bottom line is fishing is a sport and all the variables make it
interesting. That being said, we all like to at least see fish, so a
local guide is a good asset.

Orvis Travel is Orvis's in-house travel service that specializes in
booking full international vacation packages. It sounds like he already
has his accommodations worked out and we aren't able to book day trips
with independent guides. I would suggest your poster call Sandra at
Pesca Maya, 888 894 5642. She will be able to set your guy up for a few
days with a guide.

If anyone wants to get more information on Orvis Travel you can visit
www.orvis.com/travelstaff and www.orvis.com/flyfishingtrips gives you an
idea of the different international fly fishing opportunities we offer.

Hope this helps.
Take care,
Tyler

flyhunter · Posted: Fri 11/21/08 11:24 am Post subject:

Thanks a lot Jeremy. You have really been a lot of help and I really appreciate your looking into it for me. I actually have booked a guide with the Ascension Bay Bonefish Club. I started dealing with them and they seem very knowledgeable and are super nice.

Anyway, I will definitely report how my trip goes and I thank you for the time you took helping me out.