Hello

I've had a good look around the forums and have seen a number of great informative posts regarding DIY Saltwater Fly Fishing and in particular Cayo Coco in Cuba staying at the Melia Coco Hotel with flats fishing a short walk away
I have look around and found a weeks All Inclusive later in the year could be had for around £700 on a package deal.

I'm a relative beginner at Saltwater Fly Fishing and I'm looking to treat this holiday as something of an adventure/experience, I understand that It would be wise to book a guide for the first couple of days but then plan to DIY the rest of the trip combining it with some beach/snorkelling time. with all food and drink included it would be a very doable relatively inexpensive trip of about £1000.

My Question is this, Ive heard that Bonefish in the Bahamas although smaller can be less spooky which might be better for someone of my experience plus I've always had an inkling to visit the bahamas.
But is DIY from an all inclusive hotel in the bahamas a viable alternative, given that the All Inclusive price would be about the same as Cuba what would be the differences between the two i.e.

Is there flats fishing near enough to say Nasau or one of the other popular resorts to avoid hiring a car? (don't mind local buses etc)

What licenses/Guiding prices etc might add to the cost of the overall trip?

Many Thanks in Advance

You'll have no problem on Cayo Coco, and the cost of a good guide will be considerably less then anywhere in the Bahamas! (you're talking maybe £90 for the day on Coco) I've not been to the Bahamas (yet) but from what I've seen and read, the best bonefishing is inevitably well away from the main tourist areas, so finding somewhere in your cost bracket (critically) that's all-incl and allows you to wander off on foot and fish may be tricky. The guides will be at US type levels....not cheap! The advantage that Cayo Coco & Guillermo have is (aside from the obvious price difference!) that the hotels are very spread out, the pressure on fish is generally low and the fishing for the saltwater flyfisherman is both abundant and varied. Hire a guide there and walk the lagoons and flats of Cayo Romano, and (weather permitting) I think it's safe to say you'll have a few good bonefish, take it from me!

Wherever you decide to go, good luck - I'm sure you'll have an unforgettable experience!

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Fish are like sex; tons around but I never seem to get any.

Yes mate i was there in aug 2010 ,going back this year for three weeks aug/sep,fishing was superb but you would be better as polite says get a guide first so you know what to do and look for

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GAIA INSTRUCTOR

Nassau is so different from the rest of the Bahamas it should be renamed Vegas-on-sea. You'll have to go to one of the out islands to get the best DIY fishing.

Without wishing to cause panic - I thought I saw a post somewhere here about how DIY wasn't possible in either Cuba or a particular resort in Cuba, anymore.

You did, but was a different area to coco and paradon.
regards
bert

thanks - dumb question - how does one go about getting a local guide before traveling there - the usual searches throw up the more expensive options - or is it OK to find one when you are there?

Thanks guys that really helps, Cuba it is!!!
I read alot about the Melia in Cayo Coco, although haven't heard much at of any hotels in Guillermo, what hotels are there with flats fishing a short walk away??

All of hotels on coco will have guides names available at reception desk.
Get there, chill, for a day then ask around, particularly the waiting staff.
They all know someone who guides.
regards
bert.

Melia sol on coco is favourite cos is adults only. Has a large saltwater lagoon behind complex, full of bones and baby tarpon, but isnt fished much, is also only one mile away from biggest tidal flat in area, very good for diy stalking.
Sol Guillermo is based on causeway between coco and guillermo, and one of the biggest flats in area, and has small lagoons with baby tarpon running through grounds, on down side is major water sports area, wind surfing power boating etc etc, but still has opportunity to fish for bones early and late when tides are right. Is only half an hour bus ride from melia coco, so take your pick! either or will give you good opportunity for familly holiday with occcasional fishing!!
regards
bert