Recommendations for DIY saltwater fishing trip

[Fred@Exterra]

I’d go a couple hours N of Tampa… Homosassa, Crystal River, Cedar Key. The Nature Coast of Florida is not over developed & there is exceptional fishing. It’s cheap & easy but still has most amenities.

Downside is that it is scary shallow. You’ll want to tread carefully & be prepared to spend a few hours stuck on a sandbar waiting for the tide.

I’d suggest renting a boat for the week & hiring a guide to do a “consult” trip for a day (your boat & gear, his spots).


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[Bachto]

There was a guy in Tulum Mexico on fishing booker that basically he would take you to do whatever you wanted for $750 for the whole day. Snorkeling, fishing, spear fishing. I know thats more expensive but divided by 6 guys, it's not that bad. you could do that for a couple days and then do some DIY walk and wade stuff in the Sian Ka'an or rent kayaks/SUP's. Tons of airbnb options, plus night life stuff and Mayan ruins.

 

[NMNomad]

Destin, Florida would be a good option. Good fishing and you could rent a boat from one of the Marinas.

 

[Rich M]

Costa Rica seems to be the best bang for your buck.

 

[akhunter3]

Are you dead set on that time of year? Basically requires someplace exotic/expensive to get to. Keys would be much better earlier, lobster will also be better earlier. Or you could target 200lb tarpon from the beach during the mullet run on the East coast of FL— that is about the best shore fishing you can do in the US… it is absolutely wild.

that sounds incredible! Are you needing drones or crazy gear to get tackle out far enough?

 

[Sccritterkiller]

I have always wanted to make a run from Key West to the Dry Tortugas NP for couple days of fishing.

 

[Dull_Shooter]

Here is an option. While not exactly a tropical destination I would just book a multi day trip on one of the San Diego sport boats. Late summer or fall. Everything is taken care of. Incredible food on the long range boats. Catch 100+lbs tuna, maybe dorado, yellowtail. Fly home with amazing fillets.

 

[ddd-shooter]

I have always wanted to make a run from Key West to the Dry Tortugas NP for couple days of fishing.

Second this. Boat rental should go up to a bigger size, but camping on tortugas and fishing there and back would be epic.

Also, I’ve always thought about starting in key west and use the Gulf Stream to push you up to Miami.

 

[el_jefe_pescado]

Lots of good insights here, you’re on the right track OP.

More importantly—I am raising my glass to you being able to wrangle six dudes for a week long fishing trip over the holidays…

Cheers


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[DuckDawg22]

Anywhere tropical is going to be expensive until about the middle of January. We planned our honeymoon around the same time and ended up going later than we wanted to because it was A LOT cheaper. If you’re stuck on New Years timing that will be a factor for your group.

 

[DonV]

Some good stuff here. I am getting tired of long draw odds, decades of points and $2k-$4k tags. I can do an ocean fishing trip for that. I have been in the keys and La Paz Mexico.

My first thought is diy with boat is HUGE learning experience, it might be an expensive trip with very little fish. It is not ocean but I am looking into Alaska salmon runs from shore. My good friend says he comes home with enough salmon that it costs less from his trip them buying it in the store! That got me thinking....

That said in my research La Paz (and Baja California) Cabo etc are a very good bang for your buck. The potential is incredible. Mor guys per boat = less cost but less fish per guy, but might be a good option. Plus it is an AMAZING experience.

In La Paz our captain dropped us off at the beach at our hotel, took our catch to the restaurant and we show up at night and eat sashimi with a view! Cost (no airfare) is $2k per person (2 men per boat) this is 3 days fishing and 4 night beach hotel.

 

[Fowl Play]

Many places in Mexico or Central America are significantly cheaper (and significantly more interesting) than staying in US.

If you are going offshore yes. Shore based fishing in Florida with your own gear is hard to beat in price. Even going somewhere like Baja East Cape, which would be one of the cheaper routes. Can do shore fishing from there as well, but believe timing will be wrong.

that sounds incredible! Are you needing drones or crazy gear to get tackle out far enough?

No… pair of binoculars and a vehicle. Hit a beach access, glass up and down the beach looking for birds diving. If you don’t see any, drive another quarter mile and repeat. On a high tide I’ve hooked up to 200+ lb fish 10 feet from shore. Look up videos for the “mullet run” or “minnow run” on YouTube. It can be unreal. They are actually two separate runs happening at different times of year. Need a 7ft rod, spinning reel with some balls (larger soragosa, twin power, Stella etc), 100-130lb mono/Fluor leader, and big swim baits like NLBN or Hogys.

It’s a numbers game. You’re going to average 50+ casts per hookup, as you are casting into schools of millions of baitfish. Just need to focus on edges or ways for your bait to stand out.

 

[Oregon]

January in Florida Bahamas Baja can be a weather crap shoot. Wind and can be chilly. I remember a January trip in the Bahamas and it didn’t get above 62 degrees. Same in Los Barriles mx. we did hit 73 degrees but the wind blew non stop. If I’m spending any money on a trip Jan-March I’ve given up on higher latitudes. Doing a puerto Vallarta trip in a week. I prefer the fishing in Baja, but….i’ll be liking the weather more south.
East cape Baja is easily done without boat or guide. Rent some atv’s for the week and run the beaches. Sierra, roosters, jacks, etc casting from beach.

 

[WoodDuck]

Not a DIY suggestion, but 4 of us spent a week in Cambutal, Panama which is essentially the last town before the Cerro Hoya national park. We fished with a local guys for $400/day and the house rental was $1000 for the week. Fishing is out of 26’ super pangas launched out of the surf. The fishing was incredible and adventure factor was high.

The positives: great fishing (white tuna, yellowfin tuna, roosters, cuberra, rainbow runner, African pompano, and a handful of others), quiet area with no one on the beach while we were there in June, get to experience a different culture.

Potential drawbacks: 7 hour car ride from the airport, most locals don’t speak English, better experience if you bring some of your own gear, NOT an Americanized operation.

We really enjoyed it but I can see where it wouldn’t be for everyone.

I also have family that rents a place in Marathon Key on a canal and a boat for the week to do what you’re describing. Can fish the gulf side when it’s rough or the ocean side when the weather is favorable. They typically catch yellow tail/mangrove snapper and jacks and a few mahi as well.