http://www.anglingescapes.com

http://www.coralstar.com

Angling Publications - Index

Angling Publications - Magazine - Index

HONDURAS
24
Honduras’ Warunta Lagoon, a subset of the even more sprawling
Caratasca Lagoon, is a superb snook and tarpon fishery. Snook love structure, and the lagoon’s many miles of mangrove
shoreline provide ideal habitat. Within this vast lagoon are dozens of coves to explore every day, along with several rivers
flowing into and out of the lagoon. Snook in the 4- to 8-pound class are typical, though larger trophies—sometimes over
20 pounds—are not uncommon. Tarpon run the gamut from babies to bruisers in excess of 85, sometimes 100 pounds.
Fly rodders will do well here with both sinking and floating lines and a variety of Deceivers, Seaducers and other minnow
imitations. At times, even a noisy saltwater popper can draw spectacular surface strikes.
The Warunta lagoon Lodge complex is built over the water to take advantage of cooling breezes and includes doubleoccupancy
cottages, hot showers, outdoor gazebo, indoor dining facilities and a most capable staff. Clean, comfortable
but by no means elegant. Warunta Lodge rates are $1,895 for 4 nights/3-1/2 days guided fishing. Guests fly to San Pedro
Sula, Honduras via Houston, Dallas or Miami, then onward to La Ceiba, where they overnight—the hotel and internal
transfers are included. Next day, an early morning flight takes you to Puerto Limpera on the coast, followed by a short
boat transfer to the lodge. Most days, guests are fishing well before lunch. To book a trip, contact Paul Melchior at Angling
Escapes (866-347-4365; www.anglingescapes.com). by Robert Tomes
PANAMA
• Warunta Lagoon
• Warunta Lagoon Lodge
• Coiba National Park
• M/V Coral Star
If you’d like to try something different, a week aboard the 115-foot motor vessel
Coral Star chasing large tuna, dorado, cubera snapper, roosterfish, sails, grouper and
wahoo around Panama’s Coiba National Park and legendary Hannibal Bank might
be just what you’re looking for.
The M/V Coral Star serves as the live-aboard mother ship, while fishing takes place from a fleet of 28-foot Pursuit and Albemarle
twin-diesel sport fishermen and 18- to 22-foot flats boats. The Coral Star is captained (in rotation) by two American skippers,
Don Perkins and Teddy Spaligy, both of whom are retired U. S. military officers. Accommodations aboard the Coral Star
consist of eight carpeted, air conditioned staterooms with en suite baths. Chef Andy—formerly of the Hotel Grand National in
David—prepares three gourmet meals each day in the Coral Star’s immaculate galley. Après fishing can take the form of a lounge
chair on the Coral Star’s teak decks or carpeted sun deck, or sidled up to the Fan Tail Bar with piña colada in hand.
You can pretty much write your own fishing ticket—from 100+ pound sails and 400+ pound blue and black marlin offshore one day,
to 50+ pound roosterfish, dorado and wahoo inshore the next—and the Coral Star’s experienced guides will put on fish with frightening
regularity. In addition to fishing, you can also go snorkeling, scuba diving or sea kayaking anytime you want. For more information, contact
Coral Star of Panama at (866) 924-2837; E-mail: info@coralstar.com; Web: www.coralstar.com by Bill Battles
ROBERT TOMES PHOTO
CORAL STAR PHOTOS