Going on a cruise in March. Looking for best bet/option for some fishing in one of our stops. We are stopping in Cozumel, Roatan, Cayman, & Belize. Being that we have significant time constraints, I think some inshore fishing/flats fishing is our best bet. I would rather just go to one of these destinations and fish multiple days but of course, the girl friend has other ideas.

Anybody have any recommendations for which location is best to try some fishing for bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, etc? Maybe some names of guides or anything?

Thanks!

I don't think you could go wrong with all of the above. I only have experience in Belize and the fishing was amazing. Depending where you are, the cayes and the reefs can be right next to each other so you can fish the reef for some big fish, then head to a caye and fish for bonefish.

I don't think you'll go wrong fishing any of the above places if you have the time for it. That Eastern shore of Mexico and the entire Belize coast are known for their bone fish.

I've fished Roatan and Ambergris Caye in Belize. Do not know exactly where you will be at port in Belize.

If I had been even a decent fly caster while in Roatan, I would have caught many more bonefish than the 2 I managed. I did break off several fish and missed who knows how many by blowing casts. The port is very close to the fishing grounds. Roatan would be your best bet of these two for the size of fish, and for shots at permit (unless you are porting in Punta Gorda, Belize). Michael Bodden at Mango Creek Lodge.

Belize has very high numbers of bonefish. If at port in Ambergris Caye, Rojo at Tres Pescados.

Both should be a pretty good bet.

Thanks for the tips fellas! We have decided to do our fishing in Belize. We will be docking at Belize City so I'm not sure if that is close to any of the ports/locations you mentioned.

We're taking a cruise March 22-29 on Princess to the same ports. When are you going?

I'm unsure about the fishing right out of Belize City so I can't help you there, but as long as you can get to the reef I don't see why it's not possible.

We're shipping out from Miami (it was cheaper than going out of Galveston even with airfare) on March 9th and get back on the following Sunday. Too bad because I'd like to find someone to split the cost with.

I found an outfit online called Action Belize - http://www.actionbelize.com/index.htm

They specialize in doing inshore charters for folks coming off the cruise ships with limited time. It's $500 for 2 - 3 people or $550 for 4. It will be snook, tarpon, and cubera snapper fishing in the coastal rivers near the cruise port. Judging by the pics and vids on their website, it looks like it could be a heck of a snook trip! They offer flats trips for bonefish too, but there isn't time (if you are on a cruise) to do both. The outfit seems to be run out of Broken Arrow, OK.

Question for you guys - I haven't done many inshore charters, is it at all typical for a charter to charge you for lost plugs and jigs? I know they are expensive (I have bought my fair share), but are they really going to charge me if a snook or tarpon runs me into the mangroves and I lose a plug?

I will most certainly post a follow up on here (with pics hopefully) and let you guys know how this charter was.

As promised - Here are some pics from a successful fishing trip in Belize! We didn't hammer em', but I caught my very first snook and caught a really nice 16 pounder as well! I would definitely recommend Action Belize. The guide delivered as promised. Claude was very friendly, accommodating, and knowledgeable. The fishing was not hot and heavy but the weather was pleasant, the scenery was beautiful, and the beer was cold. Enjoy:

More pics: