Options for the Solo Fishing Traveler
As a confirmed introvert who spends a lot of time in the boat alone by choice, I understand the pleasure of fishing by yourself. I spend long days in my bass boat without talking to anyone, only checking the phone occasionally and doing what I want, when I want to do it – those days are restorative and necessary for my mental health. Even when I travel with a group, I still need some “me time” in the course of the day to center myself.
Despite those professed loner tendencies, I rarely take a long-distance fishing trip by myself, unless I’m going somewhere to visit someone. Even I have learned that sometimes having a great partner or great group enhances the trip – both the camaraderie and the fishing part of it, as you can put your heads together to figure out a pattern.
Going Solo?
In some cases, you may want to go on the trip by yourself, or perhaps you can’t find a friend to go. Maybe they can’t afford it, can’t get off work or aren’t as adventurous as you are.
If that leaves you traveling alone by choice, in many cases you will have to pay a “single supplement,” usually 20 to 50 percent extra, in order to account for the lodge or outfitter’s sunk costs. For example, they can’t sell the second bed in your room, and the same number of guides are committed, so they have to make up the difference somehow. It’s usually a fair trade. If it’s a bass fishing trip, you’re guaranteed to get a shot at the “money” cast every time, as well as more attention from the guide. If you’re trolling for mahi or billfish, you’ll get to handle every strike. That sounds great, but in a true first-world problem it can get tiring.
Do You Want to Get Paired Up?
Many potential travelers on our hosted trips who don’t have someone to go with them ask us what they think is an innocuous question: “Can’t you just find someone to go with me?” We often do have additional single travelers, and while many lodges recommend strongly against semi-random pairings, in some cases putting two people together can be amazing. Several of our “singles” have become lifelong friends. Two of them even dated for several years (long story).
We have, however, had two pairings that were absolute disasters. In one, the anglers strongly disliked each other, and in the other they tolerated each other but were both relatively unhappy. That’s not cool – everyone is hoping to go on a bucket list trip, and if you cannot get along with your roommate and fishing partner it’ll put a damper not only on your trip, but also on the trips of everyone around you. We’ve learned from those experiences to really try to get the two potential roommates to speak ahead of time, and to vet them for any idiosyncrasies that might not allow it to work. We will be increasingly vigilant about that in the future.
It's also incumbent upon the single looking for a roommate to be honest about his or her tendencies and quirks. Do you snore? Drink a lot? Can you only sleep with the TV on? Let them know before you go. You may also have to be a little bit flexible, allowing your partner the front of the boat, or the bed of his or her preference, to make things work.
When Hanna and I pair up two strangers, if we have any suspicion that things are not ideal we will try to fish with them for a day to break up any tension. Even if there isn’t any tension, it allows them a different perspective on the fishery.
Joining a Group
For most of us, going on an offshore fishing trip alone is cost-prohibitive. It could end up costing two or even three times as much as you’d pay to go with friends. However, for some of our trips and destinations, there are ways to go as a single and still get the group experience while enjoying some alone time. For example, Casa Vieja Lodge has a “Singles Week,” usually in June and November. You get your own single room and each day you will fish on a different boat, typically of varying sizes, with different groups of anglers. It’s actually a great way to get the full CVL experience – normally you reserve one boat for the entirety of your trip for your group, so you get broader exposure to the boats and captains this way. We know several people who’ve done this trip multiple times, and they’ve invariably met likeminded people from around the country or the globe who will travel with them elsewhere.
Our trips to Sport Fish Panama Island Lodge are also perfectly tailored for single anglers. We’ve typically gone with a total of eight (including me and Hanna), although next May we’re going back with 12. On each trip we’ve had multiple single anglers go along. On the island, you will typically get your own room in one of the guest houses, and we fish four to a boat. The groups change every day so everyone gets to fish with everyone else over the course of the four or four and a half days on the water. The trip price is based on double occupancy at the Hilton during the one night in Panama City, but for a modest charge you can have your own room there, too.
Pack Obsessively
One advantage of going in a group or with a partner is that you don’t have to bring everything under the sun to have everything you need. You can split up certain necessities (and even buy them in bulk in the case of things like Senkos). I’ve borrowed medicine and bandages in the jungle, crankbaits in the Sierra Madres and water shoes in Central America. Unfortunately, there’s no way to know exactly what you’ll need on any given trip, but if you’ll be among strangers be sure to pack everything you might need within the limitations of the airlines, your luggage and what you can carry.
Note on Tipping
I understand that going alone sometimes means shouldering a heavier cost than what you’d spend if you went with a partner. Things like taxis and other random expenses end up falling exclusively on your shoulders. There are some areas where you can skimp, but tipping is definitely not one of them. Your guide, captain, mates and the service staff will work just as hard if not harder, so be sure you pay them as if there was a full boat or a full room. In many of the places we go they are highly dependent on gratuities and it’s not fair to undertip just because you’re alone.
If any of this makes you want to join us on a trip – as a single or otherwise – or if you have questions about the ins and outs of traveling alone, shoot us an email and we’ll happily discuss any issues or booking options.
