Flats fishing with kids

[Aden Tracy]

Hi all.

Planning a joint birthday with my wife (both turning 40) and she has graciously agreed to a fishing trip as long as it is warm and has a beech.

I've never gone bone fishing. Sounds fun.

Problem is the boy is 2 and the wife doesn't fish. Any suggestions on a kid/wife friendly place with decent fishing?

Thanks

[peter odell]

There some kickass resorts on Andros Island in the Bahamas where they have many differernt things for spouses and families to do.  Key West as well, but I've never found the bonefishing as good there. 

Down around Marathon/Islamorada in the keys, you fish almost entirely out of the boat in the backcountry (other stuff than bones), which can be good as well. 

[Rusty Shackleford]

I was just in the Turks and Caicos in January.  Its very family friendly, not too crowded, and there is plenty for non-fishers to do.  I only went out one day with Darin Bain.  My dad and I had never been bonefishing before.  Despite scaring off most of the fish we came across, I landed a few, and my dad landed a monster bonefish that fought him for 5 minutes making 4 insane runs (his first and only bonefish landed).  The flats in the turks are beautiful.  There is some DIY bonefishing to had had as well, but I also have a 2 year old, so the rest of my time was spent swimming with her, building sand castles, etc.  In any event, I'd definitely recommend the Turks and Caicos, and Darin Bain will definitely put you on plenty of fish.

I was planning on posting some pictures and a write up of the trip.  I'll try to add a link to that tomorrow.

[Charlie Church]

If you do go to Turks and Caicos and go the DIY route, I can provide some input. My wife and I fished quite a bit on our honeymoon there. 

Some really good bonefishing is available with a rental car. I can think of at least one spot that is kid friendly. You could fish the flat while your family enjoys the beach. 

[Connor Donovan]

Harbor Island in Eleuthera is also a viable DIY destination. 

[Yambag Nelson]

The beaches in the keys are generally kind of mediocre, but there are several state parks that offer DIY options and camping if that is your thing.  They do have beaches as well, but I would not describe them as anything great. 

[Rusty Shackleford]

If you've never been bonefishing before, I'd recommend a guide.  I know I wouldn't have caught a bone without one.  After going out with the guide I would have liked to do a little DIY fishing, but I didn't make time.  I got around to posting my Turks and Caicos trip.  Pictures and info about my guide and experience are below:

http://bonvivantva.com/?p=23131

[Rusty Shackleford]

If you aren't deadset on bonefish, Sanibel Island is very family friendly.  I went there as a child, and once as an adult.  I haven't been since I picked up fly fishing, but I hear its great for reds, snook, jack, sea trout, tarpon, etc.  There is also pretty good DIY fishing to be had from the beach, or with a rented boat.  I'm considering it for my next family-fishing hybrid trip.  If its bones you're after, I still think TCI is a great choice.

[Jack Scott]

We had a great family trip to St. John. The bonefish action was few and far between but we managed to DIY hookups and one DIY tarpon jumped as well as a tarpon to boat with a guide. Lots of fun reef fish. The family had a lot of fun snorkeling and relaxing on the beach. There are lots of great food spots and a good local IPA.

On Saturday, February 4, 2017 at 4:03:01 PM UTC-5, Aden wrote: