What's Your Trip Of A Lifetime? 2024

flechero reply :

Ok, I have the best problem I've ever had. My wonderful wife has given me the fishing trip of a lifetime for my 40th B-day! The problem is that I'm having a heck of a time deciding where to go. I've fished many of the best Bass waters in the country so I really want to do something else. I'm 99% sure I'm fly fishing on this trip. Perhaps it's redfish on the gulf coast, stripers off the NE coast, or bones/permit in the Caribbean, ???. Even thinking about a musky trip.

I'm looking for pretty specific suggestions or recommendations of places/lodges/guides. I'll have 3-4 days worth of guide fees and 4/5 star accommodations, and gratuities provided!

Where would you go???

00 mod reply :

Peacock bass fishing in the Amazon

tholmes reply :

Wow! You already know this, but I'll say it anyhow.

You've got a GREAT wife!

I'm not sure I could pick just one!

The short list, in order of preference:

Lake Erie for Smallmouth.

Lake Fork for Largemouth.

Somewhere up north for big pike and walleye.

Tom

Clancy Wiseman reply :

Top 5 bass lake in order in the US.

1. Falcon

2. Falcon

3. Falcon

4. Falcon

5. Falcon

Lund Explorer reply :

I could suggest a quick pm to Dwight to discuss a few of the places he has been.

As for me, it would be a fly in trip to the northern part of Hudson Bay.

OHIO reply :

On 5/14/2011 at 5:26 AM, 00 mod said:

Peacock bass fishing in the Amazon

X2! This looks like a blast.

Jaheff reply :

Mine would be a 7+ day tuna trip out of San Diego.

The captain and the deckhands are your guides,The food the Chefs cook are awesome.Plus all the fish you catch is yours to take home(within your limits for the day).

Sam reply :

1. South Louisiana for redfish.

2. Disney Worold ponds.

3. Mexico lakes.

Fish Chris reply :

Amazon River..... but not for no wimpy little Peracock bass I wanna' catch a 150 lb+ Amazon catfish ! Or a 40 lb Pacu ! Or just anything crazy ! I bet I would get some of the coolest fish photos of my life !

Second choice would be Alaska for Halibut, giant Lingcod, and Rockfish.

I've already experienced some of the best bass fishing on the planet, so that would be the last thing I'd consider.

On 5/14/2011 at 7:29 AM, Sam said:

1. South Louisiana for redfish.

2. Disney Worold ponds.

3. Mexico lakes.

senile1 reply :

On 5/14/2011 at 7:29 AM, Sam said:

1. South Louisiana for redfish.

2. Disney Worold ponds.

3. Mexico lakes.

I have to go with Sam on his number one choice. Pound for pound nothing fights like a redfish. You hang into a 30 to 35 inch redfish on regular tackle and you're looking at 30 plus minutes, more or less, to bring it in.

Alpster reply :

This one is easy! Fly fishing for tarpon and bonefish in Belize.

Check this out......I will go one day...

http://ambergriscaye.com/pages/town/fishing.html

BassThumb reply :

Lake El Salto, Mexico - LMB

Amazon - Peacocks

Kenai River, Alaska - King salmon

A fly-in resort in Canada - Pike, walleye, SMB, grayling, lakers (Probably the surest bet that you'll pound some fish.)

VABassin'14 reply :

I would have to take a fly fishing trip for bonefish in the Bahamas. I know a few guys who have done it and they each have gone back or are planning to do so in the near future. This is one of the things that is on my bucket list.

Check out this video. This isn't any of the guys I know but is a great video and shows what you would be in for if this is what you choose.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIp9Tdla5-g

South FLA reply :

NO QUESTIONS FLY FISHING FOR TARPON IS GOING TO BE THE MOST FUN

!!Its the pinnacle of the fishing sports in my opinion!!

Casa Batida (Cuba)

The Florida Keys during June or July

Rio Colorado (Costa Rica)

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

I've knocked a bunch of "dream" trips off my list. I've yet to do giant salmon fishing up north, though I hear that can be an absolute blast. Both El Salto and Falcon are still pretty high on my bucket list. Cairns Australia for billfish is still on top for me. If I had to give you a few places that are "must go to" spots:

Somewhere in the Amazon for Peacocks (just pure enjoyment if you get there at the right time of the year)

Fly Fishing in the Keys (Islamorada flats fishing for tarpon, bonefish, etc etc)

Tropic Star Lodge for billfish (giant baits, giant fish, giant fights, can't ask for more)

There are tons of phenomenal fishing opportunities out there. It's all a matter or how much you want to pay. If you're set on fly fishing, just come on down to the Keys. It's just as good, if not better than a very large portion of the Caribbean/Bahamas. I can tell you that from experience. I basically grew up fishing all over the Bahamas taking the boat over. It was almost a weekly trip to Bimini, several times a year to Great Harbour, and more to Andros, etc etc. If you've got the money and want a HELL of a trip for multi species, there is no better spot in the Ocean than Great Harbour. Very few people go there. It has a tiny airstrip, it's also a very long/hard ride across the Bahama Bank on a boat. It's been a while since I've been there, but I have never found a place with a better fishery. I doubt that would be a cheap trip right now though.

zenyoungkoh reply :

There is only one option: Peacock bass / payaras / pacu / big catfish / Arapaima @ the amazon river!

I mean you could brag about fishing in the amazon to all your large mouth friends!! I'd recommend amazon tours, something is wrong with their website now though http://amazontours.com/

Huntnfish reply :

Andy Meyers Lodge in Ontario Canada. Muskie, Northern, Walleye, Lake Trout, Smallies..you name it. Plus the guys that run it are awesome

Bluebasser86 reply :

The Mexico bass thing is a blast, I've been twice and would jump at the chance to go again. Probably the most exciting and at the same time relaxing fishing trip I've ever been on. Nothing but fishing for monster bass for 4 days. No tv, no cellphone, no bills, no work, no concerns at all except how big the next bass you catch will be . It really is an amazing trip. That being said I would have to go on a multi-species trip to the Amazon if I had my choice of fishing for anything. You could fish for the more flashy fish like the Peacock bass and Payara that smash topwater lures, to the giant redtail and paribia catfish that grow to monsterous proportions. If you do decide to go musky fishing Huntnfish is right about Andy Meyer's Lodge, that place is top notch. I went there with my dad several years ago and the lodging,fishing, and food are all great. Eagle Lake has some monster muskie in it. He has one replica on the wall that if I remember right is 57" and he caught it on a Poe's giant jackpot. I couldn't imagine a topwater strike from a fish like that! Good luck choosing your trip and I've got to say I'm very jealous of your "situation"

SirSnookalot reply :

Lots of options depending on what kind of fish turns you on.

Hawk Cay resort in the keys if my wife wanted to come along. Without her I would go to Xcalak, Mexico

http://www.costadecocos.com/

For me nothing compares to light tackle spinning or fly on the flats with a pole guide.

JamesH reply :

Bull Sharks in south Florida or if you can afford it Great White Shark in South Africa.

piscicidal reply :

Tuna/marlin @ Cabo San Lucas or walleye/smallmouth/pike/musky @ Lake of the Woods

piscicidal reply :

Bluebasser,

I used to go to Eagle Lake every summer with my father/brothers/uncles/cousins. Awesome trip. We stayed at Sportsmans Lodge on the east side. I would catch several trophy Walleye (+9lb) and Smallmouth (+5lb) every trip. That place has MONSTER muskies also, although I only hooked up with one. We'd lose a walleye or two each day to a four foot plus muskie. Awesome place.

Catt reply :

#1 Billfishing the Kona Coast off the Big Island of Hawaii

If you want to fish south Louisiana there is only two guides Jeff & Mary Poe Big Lake Guide Service

http://biglakeguideservice.com/

You can stay in Lake Charles @ L'Auberge du Lac Casino and Resort

Fish Chris reply :

When I replied, I had forgotten about Tarpon ! I always wanted to catch a 100 lb Minnow {of course I'd REALLY like to catch the bass that could eat a 100 lb Minnow }

But I always hear about "fly fishing" for Tarpon..... and honestly, I don't have any desire to fly fish for anything. Isn't their another way to catch them ?

Oh..... and who here wouldn't want to catch a Goliath Grouper ! Now those are just like a 500 lb Largemouth, if I have ever seen one !

Of course any billfish would be awesome, and obviously, the bigger, the better, but I'd really like to catch a Swordfish !

Peace,

Fish

SoFlaBassAddict reply :

On 5/15/2011 at 11:54 PM, Fish Chris said:

When I replied, I had forgotten about Tarpon ! I always wanted to catch a 100 lb Minnow {of course I'd REALLY like to catch the bass that could eat a 100 lb Minnow }

But I always hear about "fly fishing" for Tarpon..... and honestly, I don't have any desire to fly fish for anything. Isn't their another way to catch them ?

Oh..... and who here wouldn't want to catch a Goliath Grouper ! Now those are just like a 500 lb Largemouth, if I have ever seen one !

Of course any billfish would be awesome, and obviously, the bigger, the better, but I'd really like to catch a Swordfish !

Peace,

Fish

Sounds like you need a trip to south Florida, Chris. You can do all of those from the same boat, on the same day. As far as the Tarpon go, catching them on fly is a blast. Personally, if I'm chasing BIG tarpon, I'll go away from the fly rods.

Hyrule Bass reply :

id have to agree with goliath grouper. another thing i would like to do is something i saw on Quest For The One. they were fishing for giant 1000lb bluefin tuna flying the bait out to them with kites, they didnt land one all show, line kept snapping on them, which is what makes me want to see if i can land one.

Red reply :

A nice Muskie trip would be cool. But for me I think I would take a trip to the Boundary Waters in Minnesota. Pike, Walleye, Smallies...get the best of everything!

SirSnookalot reply :

On 5/15/2011 at 11:54 PM, Fish Chris said:

When I replied, I had forgotten about Tarpon ! I always wanted to catch a 100 lb Minnow {of course I'd REALLY like to catch the bass that could eat a 100 lb Minnow }

But I always hear about "fly fishing" for Tarpon..... and honestly, I don't have any desire to fly fish for anything. Isn't their another way to catch them ?

Oh..... and who here wouldn't want to catch a Goliath Grouper ! Now those are just like a 500 lb Largemouth, if I have ever seen one !

Of course any billfish would be awesome, and obviously, the bigger, the better, but I'd really like to catch a Swordfish !

Peace,

Fish

Tarpon are actually the largest member of the herring family. It takes a real expert to land large tarpon of fly, too much for me. Juvies, up to about 80# can be caught on spinning gear, better have a strong drag and about over 200 yds of line, leave that micro lite at home.

Just about anything offshore requires some hefty equipment, although spinning is good for sailfish, they average 50-60lb, but still need a good 200yds of line.

I never caught a swordfish but I see these guys going out with big Penn internationals 500 to 1000 yds of braid for them.

Most of the kite fisherman are going for sailfish, a rubberband is place around the live bait and the hook goes under the rubberband.

RoLo reply :

Large billfish are the ultimate quarry.

I’ve boated large sharks, mackerel, bluefin & yellowfin, but by the time I tried my hand

at swordfishing in Jersey, it was the tail-end of the viable fishery. I’d run 30 miles offshore

and soak whole squid, but come up empty every time (never did get into night fishing with lightsticks).

Zane, Ernest and the longliners didn't leave us much of a sword fishery

Among my dream targets is a 1000-lb Blue Marlin, which is still possible today

Spinning gear need not apply, as this is one case where a revolving drum reel is required.

Unfortunately, some of the best fishing for Atlantic blue marlin cannot be reached

with less than a trans-Atlantic sportfisherman. In any case, I'd love a trip

to “Madeira” during the last week in June. Madeira is a tiny Portuguese island

off Morocco where trophy blue marlin aggregate every spring (Dream on, Mcduff)

Hey Fletch, if you can turn back time so that I can celebrate another 40th birthday,

I'd be more than happy to defray the cost of your dream vacation

Roger

Hooligan reply :

On 5/14/2011 at 10:50 AM, South FLA said:

NO QUESTIONS FLY FISHING FOR TARPON IS GOING TO BE THE MOST FUN

!!Its the pinnacle of the fishing sports in my opinion!!

Casa Batida (Cuba)

The Florida Keys during June or July

Rio Colorado (Costa Rica)

For me, sailfish is king. I've caught tarpon to the 130 class, and I'll give that fish up time and time again to chase sails on the fly. There are several very good outfitters in Guatemala, I've stayed with Sailfish Bay Lodge for the simple reason that they're the very best. It's the trip you'll never forget.

Mike L reply :

Trip of a lifetime??

Over the years I've traveled too...

Canada and Northern Wisc. for Musky and Pike.

Alaska for Halibut and Salmon

Atlantic for Shark and Sail's

Gulf of Mexico for Goliath Grouper and Dolphin

Now I....

Drive 2 hrs and I'm on the Big "O"!

Drive 1 1/2 hrs I'm on Toho!!

Drive 5 min. I'm in Charlotte Harbor looking for trout, reds and snook!!!

Drive 15 min. I'm in Boca Grande Pass, "The Tarpon Capitol of the World"

I'm a lucky man

Mike

flechero reply :

Great suggestions. I'm kind of basing this on where wouldn't otherwise get to go... although expensive, I can go chase bonefish, permit, tarpon, striper or any freshwater fish with some saving and planning. But I don't think I'll ever get another opportunity to go to the Amazon and fish for peacocks and the other fish down there. I'm leaning heavily towards that at the moment!

WRB reply :

Baja on the fly with Gary Graham to Magdalena bay in November is a trip of a life time. Inside the bay are mangroves with world class snook, outside wide open dorado, both are great jumpers on a fly rod. Stripe, blue and black marlin, tuna and wahoo are hot in November.

This isn't too far from Texas and no bugs to get shots for.

Tom

PS; mag bay in Nov should be on your bucket list.

SDoolittle reply :

I'd head north to Talkeetna, AK. It's been described as the Haight-Ashbury of northern fishing, and it is where my avatar picture was taken. I made a few trips to Talkeetna when I was stationed in AK, but I only sampled a small portion of what the area has to offer.

B A S S E R reply :

On 5/18/2011 at 6:41 AM, Bird dog said:

I'd head north to Talkeetna, AK. It's been described as the Haight-Ashbury of northern fishing, and it is where my avatar picture was taken. I made a few trips to Talkeetna when I was stationed in AK, but I only sampled a small portion of what the area has to offer.

I went to talkeetna last year and am making a return trip to alaska in a month.

Redlinerobert reply :

You can not go wring with Brazil and chasing peacocks. It's a surreal trip, especially the first time. You almost can't believe you're there.

Next up fo rme I think is Argentina and golden dorado. I'd also like to go to Suriname for wolf fish.

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