Pez Raton Lodge - Los Roques, Venezuela (May 6 - 13, 2006)

Los Roques is a bonefishing paradise and, in many respects, remains one of the best kept secrets in saltwater fishing. Often thought of as the "Christmas Island of the Caribbean" because of the predominance of wading and the good average-size fish, Los Roques is a world-class destination in its own right. This is varied and interesting fishing complemented by the prolific birdlife, good lodging, and an unforgettable tranquil island atmosphere. This is wading for bonefish at it's best.

Keith Kaneko

Keith is a top local drift boat guide and has his own fly fishing travel business, Angling On the Fly, located at Kiene's Fly Shop.

Read Keith's Biography.

Pricing

Pez Raton Lodge - Los Roques, Venezuela  

$3,375.00 (USD) per person - Deposit $850.00

6 days guided fishing, 7night lodging and meals- double occupancy, from Caracus, Venezuela

Arrive in Caracas this afternoon. After passing through immigration and customs, we will have your party met in the arrival hall and transferred to a hotel close to the airport such as the Hotel Ole Caribe (a 15-minute drive, depending on traffic). Accommodations will be reserved and prepaid in your behalf for that night. (This is included in the package cost.) Dinner is independent. The hotel has a restaurant or you may opt for an outside dinner recommendation.

This morning, and at a designated time, you will be met and transferred to the domestic terminal of the airport for your flight to Los Roques. Flight duration: 35 minutes. Upon arrival on El Gran Roque, you will be met and escorted to the lodge, followed by a full day of fishing. Overnight Pez Raton/Mediterraneo Lodge.

Pez Raton/Mediterraneo Lodge is cozy and clean, but basic in its amenities. Each guest room at the lodge has a safe, a ceiling fan and individually controlled air-conditioning. The living room provides a wonderful retreat for guests in the evenings to enjoy cocktails with dinner served under the stars on the rooftop terrace.

Six full days of fishing the crystalline flats of Los Roques with continued overnights at the lodge.

Following this last day of fishing, you will be escorted to the airport for your late afternoon flight to Caracas . Upon your arrival in Caracas , you will be met and transferred to a hotel close to the airport to overnight (included in package). Dinner is independent.

This morning, you will be met and transferred to the international terminal for your return flight to the home.

There are over 350 cays and little islands that make up the archipelago known as Islas Los Roques. The Pez Raton fishing operation is owned by Alex Gonzalez who actually pioneered the fishing on Los Roques in the mid-80's. The maximum run is 50 minutes but there are many productive flats within just a few minutes from the lodge. Each boat is driven by a boatman who drops off fishing pairs with their guide on various flats and meets them at the other end, thus eliminating wasted time backtracking across the flat just fished. The vast majority of the flats are waded, stalking schools, pods, or singles, and guides position you expertly with the wind to your maximum advantage. There is great variety to the flats at Los Roques -- some are vast and expansive, others small and referred to as pancakes; some are virtually spotless, others covered in turtle grass; there are many productive beach flats where the bonefish hang offshore and raid the ever-present schools of baitfish; sometimes you are in and amongst the mangroves and elsewhere you are on a patch of sand surrounded by nothing but azure water. Bonefish at Los Roques average 3-5 pounds and there is a realistic expectation for fish 7-10+ pounds all the time.

Although Los Roques is primarily a bonefish destination, you may encounter other species as well; be prepared with a second rod, fully rigged for cruising barracuda, tarpon (both small ones and the occasional big one -- up to 100 pounds!), jack, and Spanish mackerel. The tarpon is a delicate resource at Los Roques and should be considered a bonus, not an expectation.

Equipment List

We recommend bringing 9' or 9.5' graphite rods in 4 piece models. You can bring anything you have in 2, 3, 4 or 5 pieces. Size #7, 8 or 9 weight rods work well for casting bonefish flies.

Most large diameter fully machined reels with a smooth adjustable disc drag will work. You need 150 yard or more of 20# braided Dacron backing.

For bonefish you need a tropical weight forward floating fly line. If your rod is very stiff with a fast action you might consider going one size larger fly line than your rod is rated for so it will load up well.

Most use knotless tapered leaders today for bonefish. The Rio 10' 10# 'Bonefish' leader works well. Have some matching Rio tippet. Some will tie their own leaders with a simple 3 or 4 piece formula. We can help you with this if you like.

The McVay "Gotcha" is a very popular fly. We like to have them in 3 sizes for different situations. Small size #8 with bead chain eyes for shallow water less than a foot deep. Then #6 with bead chain eyes for average depths of around 18". We use #4/6 with dumbbell eyes for water over 2 feet deep with a moving tide. The "Bunny Gotcha" is very good too. Small Olive #8 Bonefish Bitters are very popular here over the shallow turtle grass flats. We have some special streamers, 'Los Roques Specials' for casting to big bonefish that are chasing small baitfish. Small #6 Skinny Water Clousers minnows will work too. The new Gummy Minnows are hot now too. Size #6 in green is the hot one so far.

For medium size tarpon we like a 9' #10 rod. You can use a #9, 10, 11 or 12 weight rod if you like. Again, anything in 2, 3 or 4 piece is fine but now 4 piece seems to be the top choice for travel.

A large strong reel with a smooth drag is best for Tarpon especially if you get into a larger one. Have 200 yards of backing or more.

First have a 'Tarpon' clear slow sinking line, secondly a 'Tarpon' floating line and thirdly a tropical sinktip like a Rio 'Deep Sea' 300/400 grain. Going one size large on the fly lines is usually a good idea.

Have 4 to 6 each Rio 'Big Game' leaders in 20# x 60#shock tippet.

For tarpon we use #1/0-3/0 flies on good quality hooks. flies with movement work best. Rabbit, marabou and soft hackle are best for flies that 'swim' well. Good colors are grizzly died orange, mostly black with a red collar, mostly yellow with a red collar, mostly white with a red collar and the Clouser Minnow. You might try some Gummy Minnows too.

We use 9' #8 or #9 line rods for Permit because the flies are a little heavier and bulkier than bonefish flies. We like to go up a size with lines for permit too.

Have something large, strong with a smooth drag. Have 150 yards of backing or more.

We use mostly weight forward tropical floating lines for Permit. Going one line size over is best.

Have 6 each Rio 'Bonefish' 10' 13# leaders and matching Rio tippet material.

Have a selection of crab and shrimp patterns for Permit.

Barracuda -optional

Rods

We use a larger rod for Barracuda.

Matching rod size with good drag.

What ever you have on at the time.

Barracuda like long skinny flies that are light green or orange or light colored salt water poppers. Have a wire for bite tippet.

Jacks - optional

Rods

We use a larger rod for Jacks

Matching rod size with good drag. Have 150 yard of backing or more.

What ever you have on at the time.

Same as for Tarpon.

Assortment of salt water streamers and poppers.

• Have a good light colored fishing hat or two with a dark underbill and a chin strap.
• Have a scarf or bandana for sun protection.
• Have some good waterproof sunscreen and lip balm.
• Have some good quality Polarized glasses with a strap. Colors in light brown, yellow and amber are best for seeing fish and structure under water. Have a back up pair too. Bring a clothe and liquid to clean them with. Have a good pair with your prescription if you need glasses to drive.
• We like long sleeve shirts and long pants for sun protection. Most wear synthetic blends so they dry fast after getting wet. Light colors are cooler but no white because it can spooks the fish.
• Bring some powered Gatoraide or the like to put in your bottled water daily.
• Have a small camera, extra film and batteries. Many are using digital now so have a small one in a heavy zip lock bag for protection from the elements.
• Have a small light boat bag, chest pack or fanny pack.
• Have a light rain jacket , rain poncho or full rain suite.