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Vistalmar Lodge & Sight Cast Outfitters,
Los Roques, Venezuela
National Park Archipelago Los Roques is a necklace of islands in the Caribbean Sea situated 80 miles off the north coast of Venezuela, conveniently located for anglers traveling from the US. Technically referred to as an archipelago, Los Roques is an unspoiled atoll, characterized by its extremely clear waters, magnificent coral beds, diverse and varied flats, sandy beaches and hundreds of smaller mangrove cays –all with incredible natural beauty. Los Roques was declared a National Park in the mid-70’s. and then in the mid 90’s, even more environmentally conscious regulations  were enacted to protect the overall environment of the entire Archipelago. Some flats are coral, some are soft marl covered with turtle grass and sea weed, however most flats are firm, clean white, or golden in color, and easy to navigate. You will also be fishing extensive sand flats and beach flats, channels, cuts, coral shallows, mangroves, and massive muds created by hundreds of fish schooled up and feeding. In sum, Los Roques represents a bonefisherman’s wading paradise. Los Roques continues to be one of the best kept secrets in saltwater fly fishing.
Thanks to its location (only 12 degrees north of the equator), Los Roques air and water temperatures vary little. The climate at Los Roques is dry and it rarely rains. The area is relatively unaffected by cold fronts and hurricanes. These factors make Los Roques one of the most consistent bonefishing locations in the world.
 Los Roques offers outstanding numbers of Bonefish with a very solid average size of 3-4 pounds. Fish over 5 pounds are caught more frequently than fish under 2 pounds, and good numbers of fish in the 7-10 pound range are present. Over the past two seasons, our largest bonefish released weighed in at a whopping 13 pounds! Although bonefish are the main attraction in Los Roques, tarpon from 10 to 100 pounds are frequently landed. They can often be seen rolling in the channels and occasionally on the deeper flats. Permit are seen occasionally, but are rarely caught. Other available species at Los Roques include barracuda, snook, cero mackerel, bonito and a variety of snappers and hard fighting jacks.
The best season is from mid-January to October but since the Caribbean Sea is a tropical water sea with tropical weather conditions, there is also good fishing during the other months of the year. Unlike northern bonefishing locations that can experience the summer doldrums when the flats get too hot, Los Roques fishing holds up quite well and can actually improve during June, July and August due to constant trade winds and currents. These currents replace warmed surface water while oxygenating it at the same time. Since warmer water holds less oxygen than cold water, this turn over and oxygenation effect keeps the surface water quality high in areas directly exposed to the wind. The most important thing separating Los Roques from most other locations is that during a day of fishing, anglers will find many different varieties of flats and fishing areas allowing them to be on productive water during any given time of day, no matter what the tides are doing.
The fishing at Los Roques is mostly done the way it should be: on foot, with wide extensions of firm, pale, shallow flats, covered with tailing bones.
Clothing and equipment checklist -- Tropical
For info on inoculations you need check with the CDC.
Do you travel to the 4 corners of the world frequently?
We highly recommend an emergency evacuation membership for this trip. It costs well over $100,000 to be air lifted to a safe US hospital from many parts of the world. These services will not be covered by general travel insurance or medical insurance. We use GLOBAL RESCUE.
Pricing:
| $3,755.00 |
8 night/6 day fishing package
Includes: First and last over night at the selected hotel: In Caracas: Best Western or Tamanaco and and in La Guaira: Puerto Viejo Best Western, Round trip flight Caracas - Los Roques – Caracas with LTA, Accommodation at Vistalmar Lodge, All meals at the lodge and at the boat, All ground transfers, guided fishing, fishing licenses and permits. Price is per angler and based on double occupancy. |
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Not Included: Round trip airfare to Caracas, alcoholic beverages, meals while not at the lodge, departure taxes and lodge/guide staff gratuities. |
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Species |
Season |
| Bonefish |
All Year |
| Permit |
All Year |
| Tarpon |
February - June |
In our clients' words...
In the press...
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