Rods, lines & reels

Rods:

Bonefish: 9’ Single handed fast action rods for 7 - 9wt lines. Parts of Los Roques can be windy so if taking a “one rod suits all” approach a 9wt with a long head should cover all bases.

Permit and Tarpon: 9’ Single handed fast action rods for 9-11 wt lines.

Reels: 8 – 10wt reel, with good drag system and 150-200m of 30lb+ backing  

Lines: For the bonefish we suggest a long head tropical saltwater line such as Rio’s Elite Bonefish or Flat’s Pro Stealth-tip. For bigger species a shorter headed line for shots into the wind may be an advantage.

Leader / Tippet: Range of Tapered Leaders: 9’ - 15’ tapered to 10lb, 12lb and 15lb, Spools of tippet material 10lb / 12lb / 15lb A few short wire trace leaders for toothy creatures (7.5’)

Flies:

Very often you will find yourself fishing a very shallow pancake flat to tailing fish. Not only will they spook easily but they require smaller and often “blind” flies to tempt. Colours should be white, sand, tan and a few olives for the turtle grass. All flies should be tied on strong saltwater hooks. Weed guards are optional but handy in the turtle grass.

Range of Bonefish Shrimp flies such as: Bob’s Bonefish Bitters (Brown and Olive), Crazy Charlie, Gotcha, EP Shrimp, YumYum 2.0, Mantis Shrimp, Craven’s Bonefish Junk in sizes 10-4

Range of Bonefish Minnow Flies such as: Gummy Minnow, Clouser and Los Roques Minnow in sizes 6-2

Range of Bonefish/Permit Crab Flies such as: Crusader Crab, Rag Head Crab, Merkin Crab, Strong Arm Crab, Cathy’s Fleeing Crab and Avalon Fly in sizes 6-2

Range of Tarpon flies such as: Tarpon Toad, Los Roques Tarpon Minnow, Black and Purple Tarpon Bunny

Clothing & Useful Gear

Wading: Flats boots (rubber soles without studs), Light waterproof jacket (handy for longer boat rides), Fishing pack, Compression tights for sun protection, Gravel Guards

Clothing: Cap / hat (ideally with a dark colour under peak), Sun/Stripping Gloves, Polarised Sunglasses x 2 (1 pair essential), Buff, Thin quick drying tops, Saltwater wading socks, Casual clothing for mealtimes / evenings

Useful Extras: Forceps / Pliers / Fishing ‘Tool’, Waterproof Bag / Backpack / Fishing Bag, Camera (water resistant / waterproof), Plenty of SPF lotion

There are a number of good quality options in terms of accommodation on Gran Roques.

Only a short walk from the airport but most are self contained enough to look after fishers and non fishers equally well.

Electrical plugs are 110v American 2 pin style.

Most international flights to Venezuela arrive at a time that means an overnight is needed. We suggest staying in a hotel situated between the international and domestic airports. There is no need to leave either airport or the hotel. Our ground handlers will meet you and convey you between transport. Flights through major European hubs are quite plentiful so a flight that arrives relatively late afternoon would be best.

Inter-island flights require limited luggage allowance of 20kgs (some more can be purchased but not much). As such packing light is key. On arrival to Gran Roque you will be met by hotel staff and luggage will be transferred the short walk to the hotel.

Currency in Venezuela is a very complex affair with high inflation and fluctuation. It is worth having some smaller denomination dollar notes such as $1s and $5s for tips to drivers and hotel staff as well as $20, $50 and $100.

Making card payments will give a poor rate of exchange so worth having some dollars in all denominations..

Venezuela is currently not recommended other than for essential travel. Therefore you should ensure your travel insurance covers this fact. However travel is easy on the mainland using our ground handlers and the island and fishing areas of Los Roques are considered to be very safe with many travellers now returning to this beautiful national park area.

We are often asked for tipping recommendations by departing guests and suggest the following as a guideline:

$40per person per day for the hotel staff.

$60per rod per day paid directly to your guide.

Tips to drivers and ground handlers in small notes where needed.

Los Roques and it’s famous pancake flats are home to an amazing number of diverse species and it is important to keep our impact to a minimum when fishing this pristine environment.

There are no specific rules but we suggest crimping barbs and advocate keeping fish wet with minimal handling. If photographs are needed this should be done with the utmost care and shortest possible time out of the water. Your guides and hosts will help keep the fish calm for you whilst you prepare yourself and your camera. That way the fish are out of the water for the minimum time and receive the least stress from their interaction with the angler.

Especially with small shallow flats it is important fish are allowed to properly recover before release as there are many predators looking to make them prey as soon as they leave the flats.

Rubbish such as nylon and chewed up flies should be taken back to the island for disposal. The old adage of leave nothing but foot prints works very well in Los Roques.