Honduras [1] boasts some of the finest deep-sea, flats, and lagoon fishing in all of Central America, rivaling its better-known neighbor Costa Rica. Not many tournaments are staged in Honduras, nor have world records been posted off its coasts, but some gargantuan tarpon are known to be lurking in the waterways around the Mosquitia in eastern Honduras, and hefty sailfish abound in the waters around the Bay Islands.
Fishing charters are easily arranged in the Bay Islands [2], either with outfits specifically catering to tourists, or less formal day trips (bring your own gear) arranged with local boats. Frequent catches include kingfish, marlin, king and Spanish mackerel, bonito, wahoo, blackfin tuna, red snapper, barracuda, and the occasional shark. Flats fishing is also excellent in shallow sandy areas around the islands, like south of Barbareta of eastern Roatán [3]. Favorite targets are bonefish, 2–4 kilos of wily, recalcitrant muscle, and permit, as well as snapper and tarpon.
The dedicated sport fisher out for really big fish may want to consider a weeklong trip to the Mosquitia, going for one of those 45-kilo tarpon frequently caught (and released) there. The best tarpon season is February–May. Snook are also common in the Mosquitia, and while not as big as tarpon, they put up quite a fight for their size. Team Marin Honduras (www.teammarinhondurasfishing.com [4]) offers organized trips in the region.
The best inland fishing is at Lago de Yojoa, Honduras [5]’s largest natural lake. Tilapia were introduced to the lake years ago and a sizable population took hold. Then the lake became a major fishing destination and overfishing depleted stocks. Because of stricter regulations, the population is on the rebound. The only place offering organized fishing trips on the lake is Honduyate (www.honduyatemarina.com [6]) on the San Pedro Sula–Tegucigalpa highway right on the lakeshore, at highway kilometer marker 162 near the village of Monte Verde. Honduyate has fishing gear available to use. Trips might also be arranged at the Hotel Agua Azul (tel. 504/9991-7244 or 504/608-3671). Those with their own gear can negotiate trips with local boats in the village of Las Marías or Peña Blanca [7], on the west and north sides of the lake.
Hunting for game in Honduras [1] is more a practice of survival for local campesinos than a sport, but foreigners are permitted to hunt in certain areas. National parks are off-limits. The Pacific plains around Choluteca [8] are legendary hunting grounds for white-winged dove, but dwindling populations of the birds have led to restrictions. Hunting is now allowed only for migrant doves and only in certain areas. Deer, quail, wild turkey, and boar are common game in other parts of the country, particularly the Olancho and El Paraíso departments. Hunting season normally runs from the end of November to March 15.
For more information on hunting seasons, locations, and permits, check with the Instituto Hondureño de Turismo (Honduran Tourism Institute, tel. 504/238-3974 or 504/222-2124, www.letsgohonduras.com [9]).
Links:
[1] http://www.moon.com/destinations/honduras
[2] http://www.moon.com/destinations/honduras/the-bay-islands
[3] http://www.moon.com/destinations/honduras/the-bay-islands/roatan
[4] http://www.teammarinhondurasfishing.com
[5] http://www.moon.com/destinations/honduras/central-honduras/lago-de-yojoa
[6] http://www.honduyatemarina.com
[7] http://www.moon.com/destinations/honduras/central-honduras/lago-de-yojoa/around-the-lake/pena-blanca
[8] http://www.moon.com/destinations/honduras/southern-honduras/the-pacific-coast/choluteca
[9] http://www.letsgohonduras.com