Hello Capt Jeff! Hope all is well with you! Had a fabulous trip. was there from Nov 21 till Dec 3.
Wont bother with a formal trip report but will give you the skinny in fishin, snorklin and eatin. Three of several most important thngs to do while in AC.
Fishing:
Did two trips in a row with one of AC's more prestigious captains but will not name him right now because he still owes me a $400 refund for a third trip which he did not show up and did not here from him for several days he's got till Christmas to mail back my deposit before I rip him a new one on this board.
Made two trips with Pete Graniel and they were fantastic. did just what we wanted to do (bottom fish - snappers and groupers- outside the reef had a blast fishing as deep as 500 ft of water. Caught genuine reds, silk snappers,several different groupers - had some "steam engines" hooked but rocked up most of them, and some big amberjacks (up to 60 pounds). Great fishing, great crew, couldnt ask for more, Would fish with Pete again and again.
Snorkeling:
Made one trip on the "tuff enuf II" I think was the name dint matter where we went this guys didnt give a crap.
Then we found Lil Alfonse (remembered from the boards) He is the man. Fantastic. Made all of the rest of our snorkeling trips with him and had a blast - very informative, patient, lots of fun and makes a killer rum punch. Even did a charter with him - went to Caye Caulker again, snorkeled coral gardens and made a stop at Hol Chan just before Sundown. Here me Capt Jeff - been to Hol Chan 12 or 13 times before but never at this time of the day - couldnt believe the stuff we saw. School of 8 or 9 Rainbow Parrots (around 40 pounds apiece came thru the channel and raised some hell with some of the smaller fish(grunts etc.)chasin' them around into the coral.
When we first went in there was a school of grey snappers on the edge of the drop near the boat. ( maybe 50 fish in the school) when we snorkeled back from the channel maybe 15 minutes later the school had grown to 500 or more fish. They appeared to be gathering from the west and swimming out thru the channel to deeper water. Most of the resident Black groupers that are hard to see during the day were out of their holes and a couple of pretty good sized ones were messing around with the big Parrots. I could keep going but you get the idea.
While we were there we went to bacalar chico - super(first time). Mexico rocks - been there but with Alfonse a totally new experience(also tres cocos) Coral Gardens, Rocky Point, and by the wreck near Mexico rocks - all were great. Would recommend Alfonse to all.
Eatin': (scale of 1 to 10...I'm picky!)
El Divino good breakfasts, not bad dinners probably a 7 (real good Thanksgiving dinner)
Celi's - real good seafood give it an 8
Blue Water grill - good overall but the shrimp sticks with bean sauce - killer item as was the Flourless chocalate cake with van ice cream overall a 9
Casa Picasso - disappointing a really great soup(bisque) but "wheres the rest"? very tiny portion. I had penne picasso - was so hot couldn't taste it, wife had Lasagne eh?! others in group had different items - nothing special, desert inferior to BWgrille - overall a 6
Remember islanders its IMHO you guys can think what you want.
El Patio - ick - dusty, buggy, tasteless a 3 1/2
Elvi's overall good an 8
Jambel Jerk I liked it half our family yes the other half no give it a 7.
Simon's stuff at the room that we ordered - A-1
nice job Simon
Stayed at two places while there Banana Beach(got plenty of exercise on the third floor) great place and people would stay again.
And the Palms (by Ramons) great spot, nice people, good service - would stay again.
What did I miss? Weather was spectacular, not too hot, not much wind - great for fishin went for the day to Marker is. at Turneffe Atoll kick ass spot great snorkelin probably great bottom fishin but didnt do it
Thats about it. Would put some pictures in when I figure out how CANT WAIT TILL NOVEMBER 06
Rykat