Wayne J.
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Zach,
Several years ago, we had a great experience with Capt. Tristan Daire – Higher Education Guide Service – (985) 630 3892. Well spoken, professional and shared a lot of information about the area/fishing.
The following year, he was already booked and we went with someone else. Not very positive experience. I’m pretty sure the guide came right from the bar and met us at the boat at 6 AM….
We caught fish both years but going with a good guide makes the trip a much different experience.
Wayne
I wanted to follow-up with everyone who responded. Love the Bote SUP but can’t endorse yet as a fishing vessel. We just returned home from Eleuthera in the Bahamas. No problems checking it in with the airline. I did put the entire backpack in a huge camo bag just to protect it and more importantly, add a few more items to hit my 50 lb limit. It takes about 4 minutes to unpack the SUP, blow it up and hit the water. I took 50 feet of rip cord and an old tube sock to make portable anchor.
My wife and I combined top out a 300lbs so we sat on the board and paddled long distances without any issue. Then dropped the anchor and snorkeled. It was amazingly fun and enjoyable to be able to toss this in the back of the rental vehicle and use it all over the island.
Reason I can’t endorse for fishing is I never really tried to stand on it and cast a fly rod (especially in 20mph winds). I did fish daily but it was all flat fishing or walking the beach surf fishing.
Unless it was really calm water, I don’t know if I have the balance to stand and cast unless they were short distances. I’m hoping once the weather breaks here in PA (snowed 5 inches yesterday), I can test it out on the pond. I do think sitting on a cooler (has rings for a yeti or similar type of cooler) and casting will be ticket. I am also going to check out the leaning post they make for it to see if that would add stability when casting. Either way, we are really happy with the purchase. Thanks to everyone who responded.
Wayne
Mike,
I’ve bonefished in the bahamas for a few years and have used kayaking boots made by NRS (guessing $40). Neoprene boot with thick rubber soles that protect your feet. I’ve not fished Texas but in Bahamas, not all flats are made the same. Sometimes it is just sand/crabs and other times mud/coral. I’ve been in both and no issues. Wore them last week for over 10 hours one day. Comfortable and no issues. Just make sure whatever you buy you wash and dry well afterwards and most shoes will build up orders if you don’t.
Enjoy your trip
Wayne
Zach,
Not sure how silly you want to get but the best accessory I bought for my truck (f150) was the titan rod vault. Love the thing. Drove cross country and kept my 3 fly rods in it the whole time. It will give your truck a new look as many people asked if I had a rocket launcher on my roof….
Mike,
Personally, I like wearing my boots all the time when fishing (traction/ankle support). A few years ago I purchased Simms neoprene socks and love them. Yes, they are a little pricy but I have walked 10 miles a day in them without issue. Hope this is helpful
Wayne
Quick update:
We did purchase the Bote inflatable Drift. Inflated it and it sat for 4 days. Still rock hard.
Total weight including SUP, pump, paddle, bag, etc. 42 pounds.
This is great news as we are taking it to the Bahamas in March so I can fit another 8 pounds in it for the Airlines to deal with….
I’ll report back after our vacation how well it worked.
Thank you George for reminding me about wind challenges. I packed a long rip cord which will become a homemade anchor in Eleuthera…
Thanks to everyone else for the comments.
Wayne
Mike,
I fished there last summer and stayed in the state campground right below the dam. I didn’t have a boat but it would be great to be on the water and float. There were plenty of people in drift boats, poon toons and tubes. That being said I just found places I could fish from the shore.
Be prepared as they have big fish and you will see schools of them. Reminded me of bluefishing as a kid. Just because there are a ton of fish, doesn’t mean they are jumping in the boat.
A fellow camper who was fishing there for years saw tears in my eyes as fish were everywhere and I couldn’t stick one. One his way out, he gave me a hand tied Wolly Bugger which was dark green in color. Caught 2 fish in 5 cast and broke the line on the 3rd take….more tears.
Another Out-West camping/fishing place you may want to consider is:
– Madison Campground in Yellowstone,
– (I forget the campground but it was a mile from downtown) Mammoth Lakes, CA,
– Pagosa Springs Riverside Campground in Pagosa Springs, CO
– Rio Guadalupe Resort, New Braunfels, Texas (most southern place in US to catch trout – Careful when you go as the Bikini/Tuber hatch will ruin your day).Hope this is helpful.
Wayne
