If you’re looking to experience premier fishing, Honduras is the place to go! Honduras may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of excellent fishing in Central America, but it should be! There’s amazing inshore action coupled with productive offshore fishing in the Caribbean Sea – anglers of all tastes can wet their lines in this tropical paradise.
Where To Go
Inshore
Laguna de Brus O Cartine
If you’re a fan of hooking up Tarpon and Snook you can’t go wrong with this lagoon. The lagoon itself and the town of Brus Laguna are home to some of Honduras’ best inshore action. Monster-sized Silver Kings in the 200 lb range are caught here fairly regularly. Snook grow up to 46 lbs in these waters – making this the perfect location to land that new personal best.
Laguna de Caratasca
Anglers who are fans of fly-in fishing can look forward to Laguna de Caratasca – a little slice of fishing heaven, located in the east of the country. It’s a bit tricky to get to, you’ll need to get a water taxi or fly in since there’s no road connection or airport nearby. However, once you’re there, you can expect a top-tier fishery, practically untouched by man. First-class Tarpon, Snook, and Snapper action goes down in this lagoon among the flats, estuaries, and hidden waterways.
Offshore
Islas de la Bahia
Also known as the Bay Islands, this chain of islands is one of the high points of angling in Honduras. The fishing Roatan, Guanaja, and Utila play host to is world-class. The islands lie approximately 40 miles north of the coast of Honduras. They’re a truly unique fishing destination, blessed with excellent flats fishing and deep water action just minutes away from shore, all wrapped up in a picturesque landscape.
The flats between the islands and the mainland are home to top-tier fishing for Bonefish, Tarpon, and Permit. Catching them on the fly is a favorite of the locals and they have many indigenous techniques to show you. It’s the perfect spot – all the quality of famous locations like Belize or other Caribbean islands without the fishing pressure.
Anglers who are looking to land a pelagic trophy can expect thrilling bluewater action after a very short ride – the truly deep waters start minutes away from the islands. Among the waves you’ll hit all the top targets of the Caribbean Sea like Blue Marlin, various Tuna species, Mahi Mahi, Wahoo, Kingfish, and many others. The main technique for catching these torpedo-sized predators is trolling – a great opportunity to enjoy the stunning nature of the region while fishing.
The islands are ideal for anglers looking to connect with nature and enjoy fishing without a crowd. There isn’t a developed angling infrastructure across the islands, so you can truly feel like a trailblazer while fishing here!
Need To Know
Regulations
You don’t need a fishing license to hit the waters of Honduras, just your gear and a burning desire to reel in fish. Regulations tend to change regularly so it’s advised you check about bag limits and restricted species with your charter captain.
Budget
Honduras fishing charter prices seem very appealing compared to other areas with similar action. A half day offshore trip is usually in the $400-$600 range. If you’re looking for a full day in offshore waters, plan to spend between $700-$900. The price will vary depending on the price of fuel, size of the boat, and the number of anglers in your party.
Getting There
Most airports in Honduras are spread across the north shore and the west side of the country, with a notable lack of airports in the east. The mainland is well-connected with highways, especially in the central and south regions of the country. Anglers who land at the capital of Tegucigalpa can get to the coast by heading north along the highways. You can travel the coastline on Highway 13, as it connects most of the major waterside settlements.
The eastern part of the country isn’t connected to the road system, so flying or using a water taxi are your only options for getting to the waters there. Brus Laguna, the town next to Laguna de Brus O Cartine, has a small air strip next to it – allowing you to get to this bountiful lagoon with ease.
All of the Islas de la Bahia have an airport on them – you can land there directly and be on the fish shortly after you exit the plane. The islands have numerous ports and you can use ferries or other services to travel between them and the mainland.