Hop in a panga, explain to your guide what you want to catch, and off you go. Located just a few miles north of the border with Belize on the southern end of the Yucatan Peninsula, Xcalak is a tiny fishing village that shows little influence from the outside world. More than 11222 fishing boats in 110 countries. I have fished with Captain They are spooky and quick to forget. Beyond Tulum, the communities become more rural and become fewer and farther between. SUNDAY 8:00 am-6:00 pm. Fresh Xcalak Fishing Reports . Hey Nate, certainly looks like a good time. Traveler favorites. After stretching our legs, refueling on appetizers, chips, homemade salsa (a personal favorite), and downing a few beverages; it was time to rig up. Diosa Del Mar Mahahual 25 ft 4 persons . Barracuda patrol is also in order in Chetumal: while one angler is on the bow with the bonefish rod, the second is on deck with a 10 weight and wire rig tied to a needlefish fly. And, being set in the jungle, the Caribbean breeze doesnt disturb the calm lagoon waters, making them perfect for exploring by kayak or stand-up paddleboard (SUP). If you can picture all that, you will have a good idea of what life is like out on the Xcalak and Chetumal Bay flats! Work now, play later as they say. This ancient Maya city boasts three excavated stone plazas and a towering pyramid. Hotel Tierra Maya also offers fly-fishing packages for 6-7 nights (US$3,496-4,237 s, US$2,243-2,760 d), though they don't include all the perkslike airport transportation, open bar . Looking into the water, something didnt seem right. Thanks for sharing! He and his wife Illana own Costa de Cocos resort, which sits on . I recently returned from Southern Mexico after my first salt water trip. Get picked up right from the dock in front of the beach and enjoy supper at the on-site restaurant. Our bay fishery is a vast area made up of hundreds of cayes, rivers, ponds, lagoons, cuts and banks. I found that all of our guides were easy to communicate with as they all spoke English very well due to their many years spent on the water with us gringos. His place is right in town where the fishing guides pick you up. Its less developed (and less crowded) than its popular northern neighbor Ascension Bay, near Tulum. He rents boats and can give you advice. Upon our arrival to Costa De Cocos, we were greeted by Zach, the fly fishing manager of the lodge who directed us to our rooms. A Beginners Guide to San Juan River Fly Fishing, Duranglers 2018 Xcalak, Mexico Trip Report, shoot me an e-mail and we can talk Mayan adventure, Tying Big Flies with Snowrunner, aka Nayat, 3 Lesser Known Fishing Spots Around Durango, CO, Winter and Springtime Fly Fishing and Tying Classes, Clinics, and Events, Duranglers is now an Orvis Endorsed Outfitter Fly Shop. As it tends to do at inopportune moments, the windtoday blowing a steady 15 from the eastpicks up, increasing the chop. It isnt completely remote either, but the first-day warnings do come with points on crocodiles and jaguars and how to avoid them. In the Xcalak National Reef Park, fishing is catch-and-release (release comes after you take a photo of your catch, of course). Julio and I stealthily close in on the fish, their black spikes silhouetted in the fading light. LODGING Costa de Cocos Resort (www . Back then there wasnt really a trustworthy tourist website and we just couldnt figure out if the trip was worth the effort. While an 8 or 9 weight could have handled these fish just fine, all our guides suggested a 10 weight in the event that the 30-pound bruisers of the juvenile bunch decided to show upwhich they did and quickly threw our flies. Welcome to Permit Paradise! For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. You know youre at a fly fishing-friendly place when theres a rod wash station. Chetumal Bay is not a name a lot of traveling fly anglers have heard as Ascension Bay often gets more of the notoriety and publicity due to its proximity to Cancun. Chetumal Bay is at the far southern tip of the Yucatan, near the border with Belize. One of those lucky ones was me. Everyone was excited; my first permit, and it seemed like a good one. Specifically, the joy found in our trip to the salt to fish the lesser known of the great Yucatan bays: Chetumal. It's been at least 20 years, but did stay in Xcalak and fished 5 days, DIY with rented panga. And he can also keep up As a lifelong trout angler and guide, flats fishing is a totally different experience and challenge, and I am hooked. XTC local guides maintain a high degree of knowledge on fly fishing and casting artificial lures for all species of saltwater fish found in the area. Double occupancy (boat and room) -$4,495.00 USD. may have. Its cheaper to stay at one of the non fishing lodges down there and book guides on your own and DIY. Both to the north and south of Xcalak, we have numerous rivers, creeks and cenotes that come together to form lagoon systems of differing sizes. Learn more about Mexico and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Some of the most exciting underwater experiences include seeing manatees and diving with schools of yardstick-long tarpon. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My name is Jose, I live in Xcalak, and I am here to help you. The cast is decent, and the 12-foot, 16-pound fluorocarbon leader unfurls in the path of the school, and the fly lands with a subtle plop. One of the other guests at the lodge claimed they caught a 10 pounder, and the blurry iPhone selfie seemed to support such a claimbut so did the blurry photos of bigfoot. Let us answer all of your questions and help you choose exceptional lodges in Chile, Argentina, Alaska and the Bahamas. Some fish get into our soul. Here is where you'll acquire a wealth of knowledge about Xcalak, in just . Buy it online or buy it when you arrive, just be sure to buy it before you start fishing. The flats all along Xcalak's coast are fair game for fly fishing, with some of the best found at Chetumal Bay, only 30 minutes away by boat. Xcalak on the Fly is the Yucatan Peninsula's newest fly fishing lodge based out of Casa Paraiso. Re: DIY Fly Fishing. THE SUN IS SETTING OVER THE SLEEPY FISHING VILLAGE OF XCALAK, MEXICO, casting the barrier reef in amber light and bringing out the vibrant green and blue hues of the oceanside flats. Most tarpon I saw were in tannic colored water, so dark colored tarpon flies and toads were in order. There were a few interesting flats around, some small bonefish, a decent number of cudas. Did I mention all you can drink too? Experience the fishing, the culture, and the food . . Go far enough, and it's not that you forget about the worriesit's that the worries forget about you. I look for alternatives from time to time, but didnt on this post. After about 10 minutes of nothing, I looked to my right and a big school of Permit were heading our way. Fly Fishing in Xcalak, Chetumal Bay, Mexico. Known as La Mula Blanca (The White Mule), this Mexican moonshine has no doubt comforted many permit-scorned anglers; a few days later I, too, order a round to ease the sting of rejection. In the past we have fished all six days, but this year decided to take it easy a bit. You might have heard of Xcalak, but because of its remote location its a relatively unknown, uncrowded fly fishing destination. This isnt to say Chetumal is any less of a fisheryit just gets less pressure. Let us help you build the perfect lodging and fishing package. Enjoy unique accommodations right on the water. Xcalak is a small fishing village on the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo. Fly Fishing the Surf with 2 Handed Rods (8/1/2019) Essential Gear for Fly Fishing the Surf (7/16/2019) Casting in the Wind (Part 2) (7/9/2019) How to Choose a Combo (6/25/2019) Add 10 Feet to your Fly Cast (6/5/2019) The line went tight instantly and the drag began screaming. Day 6Our last day in Xcalak would be another rest day. I have not caught a permit (yet) and am a complete amateur in the saltwater environment so I was wondering if it may have been a big one or was in some coral that you needed to put the wood to it? Traveler ranking. .fullwidth-signup{ I was also an unlucky one when I managed to hook and lose a permit pushing the 20-pound mark the next day, solidifying the fact that I would probably have said fever haunting me for the rest of my life. There is a landing strip in Xcalak, but Patrick and I cant yet afford to charter our own plane, so we opted for Cancn, where Miguel and his brother Alberto, the amicable drivers of a shuttle arranged by Costa de Cocos, met us amid the throngs of vacationers outside the airport. Anyway, long story short, we did visit. Bonefish and all that relates (maybe a bit about tarpon too). Jacks are close relatives of Permit, and they sometimes swim in schools together. It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. Welcome to Xcalak 101. In our group, we had two that were lucky enough to connect and land a permit on the first day. Go far enough, and its not that you forget about the worriesits that the worries forget about you. Appetizers and drinks awaited us at the main lodge restaurant after we settled in. A six hour drive south of Cancun, Xcalak resists mega-tourism and retains its natural beauty. Scuba enthusiasts should consider an overnight trip to the Banco Chinchorro atoll, an underwater paradise with a pristine biosphere, shipwrecks, and coral canyons. /* Create three equal columns that floats next to each other */ } Like us, theyre here to take advantage of Costa de Cocos great off-season rates. The most popular fish in Xcalak are permit and bonefish, but theres a lot more than that for you to hook. All Rights Reserved. And thats how we truly fell for this beach town in the south of Mexico. Most of our trips include rods, flies and we rent waders. There are new license requirements to fish for winter steelhead in 2023 on south coast rivers and anglers should check the new regulation book prior to fishing. Information related to travelling to Montana: which airports to fly into, major towns, etc. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to the Magazine Today and Save 65%, IL Magazine: Discover the World's Best Retirement Haven for 2023 + 15 more, about subscribing to International Living Magazine. Go now, he whispers excitedly. Often overlooked in favour of Ascension Bay to the north, this is a huge fishing ground and home to plenty of bonefish and permit, and plenty else besides. There's a boat ramp in the southwest corner of the lake. Andy manages Duranglers Flies and Supplies online store and web content. A typical fishing day has you departing the Lodge at 8:00 AM and returning around 4:00 PM. The small town of Bacalar is famous for its many-hued Bacalar Lagoon, also known as the lake of seven colors. A two-and-a-half-hour drive from the village of Xcalak, Bacalar is one of Mexicos enchanting, yet underrated, Pueblos Magicos, and exudes a laidback vibe that harkens to Tulum of 20 years ago. Casa Cangrejo, One of the first accommodations to open in Xcalak, at Cocos your room is a palapa hut. Need a fishing charter? clear: both; Myself and fellow Montana Angler guide Tony Nahorny traveled south to our partners at Costa de Cocos Lodge in Xcalak, Mexico in late February for a week-long escape from the Montana winter. To get to Xcalak, you can either rent a car at the airport, or the Costa de Cocos Resort in Xcalak can arrange for a complimentary shuttle to pick you up. and permit with Captain Jose. Today, tourists come from around the world to visit the temples dotting the jungle, just as anglers from far and wide travel to the peninsulas flats in search of its bonefish (macabi) and permit (palometa). Speaking of accommodations, here are the most popular accommodations for fly fishers in Xcalak: Home of the Fxcalak (fish-ka-lak, get it?) Were pleasantly surprised to learn from the bartender, Jos, that Costa de Cocos not only brews and bottles it own beer but also distills its own bourbon and corn liquor, which could double as fuel for the pangas anchored out back. Traveling a few hours further south youll discover Xcalak has bigger flats and more diverse sea life. We offer both full and half day options. Jack he muttered. We loved it so much, that we are even planning to head back November 16-23, 2019, and we have a few spots still available. As in most places where one can find tarpon, there often are a few in the mix. If you have fished in the Bay of Ascension you can expect fewer but larger fish in Xcalak, the average being 3 to 4 pounds. Xcalak on the Fly is the Yucatan Peninsulas newest fly fishing lodge based out of Casa Paraiso. Email:xcalakotf@gmail.comPhone:+1.907.953.3992. Rates and terms for some of our standard trips. Outdoor Activities. It was like a rustic cabin right on the . It is an old borrow pit and features largemouth bass, panfish such as bluegill, and a few trout. This keeps the populations healthy and means theres always plenty to catch. Get in, amigo, Julio tells me as he hands off the pole to his brother. We have been offering one week fly fishing . Capitn Jos Park. The fishing was simply outstanding - the best I've ever had in Mexico - and Costa de Cocos proved to be a little gem of a lodge. Mexico Fly Fishing Trip Report: Costa de Cocos Lodge, Xcalak, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Five Classic Rivers to Flyfish on Your First Trip to Argentine Patagonia, 5 Trips for Fishing the Mother's Day Caddis Hatch on the Yellowstone River, May Fly Fishing: Montana's Mother's Day Caddis Hatch, A Guide to Spring Fishing on the Gallatin River, Chile fishing trip report: Magic Waters Patagonia Lodge March 2022, Argentina Fishing Trip Report: February 2022 at El Encuentro Lodge and the Brook Trout Basecamp, Belize April Trip Report To Turneffe Flats Lodge - 2021, Ascension Bay Mexico Flats Fishing Report: Grand Slam Lodge, Patagonia Chile Fishing Report: Magic Waters Lodge February 2020, Jurassic Lake Lodge Argentina Fall 2019 Trip Report, Alaska September Fly Fishing Trip Report; The Bristol Bay Region at Intricate Bay Lodge, Steelhead Scouting Mission to Southeast Alaska, Jurassic Lake Lodge Argentina Fishing Trip Report. I will let those with more experience and confidence continue the debate from there. Contact david@whitestackle.com to suggest our next tutorial. Its early June, the official start of hurricane season, and the only other guests of the resort are pairs of anglers from Argentina and Texas. The average catch is 6 - 12 bonefish per day. Postponing joy actually seems to make a lot of sense for those looking to get ahead of the pack. The cabanas fit 2 anglers, had ceiling fans, plenty of windows, and a fine and functional bathroom. This way of thinking might sell them far to short, however, because bonefish are extremely fun. overflow: hidden; Great report Kev,and IMHO you did everything right re your rod choice mate.As this was your first experience of this kind you didn't take knives to a gun fight. North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters: This week's report from Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus. 3. Julio raises his hand, signaling me to stop. The dry season typically lasts from November to April, when day after day of sunshine makes the beach a great place to be. Options include diverse lodging packages, camping trips, wilderness horse pack expeditions, day trips and world wide travel. Not only is he an excellent Because of the sparse population and lack of development, there are isolated miles of shoreline between accommodations, allowing you to walk the beach without interruption. been more beautiful or better here than they are now. With clear underwater visibility, warm temperatures, and the presence of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef, the coast of Xcalak offers fantastic scuba diving and snorkeling. Grand slams are not uncommon in Xcalak, so set your sights high! If youre craving a lively afternoon, head to Mahahuals pedestrian-only malecn, and find a beachside bar for some people-watching. great time to plan a visit. My love of snook was something I was clowned on throughout the trip, but when these Mexican migrators showed up on the flats and in the mangroves, no one was laughing. hands. The Chetumal Bay flats in Xcalak are vastly larger than Ascension Bay further north, offering the fly. Even after the opening of the Parque Nacional de Arrecifes (Xcalak Reefs Natonal Park) many of the inhabitants still feed their families from the sea but now often in the form of guiding fishermen or . This was a now or never, make or break moment. On Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, far from the over-developed beaches of the Riviera Maya, you'll find a small, beachside fishing village called Xcalak. Many had a mix of experience guiding out of Xcalak along with guiding at Ascension Bay. Off Xcalaks coast is the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Again, I really enjoyed your report. A resort, it is not. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. There are three seasons in Xcalak - dry, wet, and hurricane. We see very little boat traffic and zero industry, aside from the few fishing guides that have the privilege of calling this place their office. Permit: the holy grail of flats fly fishing species for many (maybe white whale is a better analogy). This phrase is somewhat of a mantra for a few who joined us on our recent trip this past December to Costa De Cocos in Xcalak, Mexico. Seven through ten weights were in order for the grand slam of species we would be chasing the upcoming week. Many avid anglers, however, enjoy bringing their own gear. At a whopping six-hour drive from Cancun, not many tourists make it to Xcalak, and thats too bad for them. Mexico gets a reputation as a small bonefish destination, but when you are willing to put in a little time, and think of it as hunting (like we do with permit), you might be surprised. float: none; Our drive led us past the gringo tourists on rental bikes, past food carts unadvisable for visitors, and past the multi-million and mega gaudy resort entrances. Your email address will not be published. } . margin: 1.5rem 0; This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 3:04 am and is filed . and guiding in Xcalak and I can tell you that things have never } We strive to stifle our joy on a daily basis in order to achieve something we perceive as greater in the long run. During nine days of fly fishing and travel in the Yucatan Peninsula, the novel coronavirus went from being a faint American concern to a full-blown national emergency. Feel free to send me an email with any questions you The Parks daily entrance fee is payable to Park officials and it includes a wristband to show that youve paid to use the park. Find out when to come, what equipment to bring, browse blog articles, and more. overflow: unset; For years, my work has been fishing and guiding in . While the grand slam has the draw for fly fishing in Mexican saltwater, I think that one might be selling themselves short if you are not prepared and excited to catch other fish. width:auto; I have had wonderful days fishing for bonefish Xcalak is a quiet fishing town on the southern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Xcalak is home to a quintessential view of the Caribbean, with translucent turquoise waters and mostly undeveloped beaches, backed by swaying palms. Montana is home to some of the most productive wild trout rivers on the planet. Inland, the ecosystem is a fragile mix of mangrove lagoons and thick jungle. Click here to receive the sport of fly fishing's most authoritative magazine. Tags: Bahia Blanca, bonefishing, Mexico, Xcalak. Our group boated everything from 3-pound babies to 15-pound juvies. Re: DIY Fly Fishing. Most hotels are self-catered. For pricing on lodging packages visit each individual package for rates, inclusions and exclusions. @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { And thanks to the protection enforced by the Xcalak National Reef Park, the waters around Xcalak are full of healthy, plentiful pescado just waiting for you to arrive. Curious about this undiscovered fly fishing mecca? I landed the fish, a bit disappointed, but happy nevertheless at putting a good fish in the boat. We started answering emails, at first, and then made this website. 4.2 / 5 (2 reviews) Mahahual 26 ft 4 persons . And again. Xcalak is an out off the way destination that may lack the big-name draw of places like Ascension, but for the price, it may be the best deal in saltwater trips out there. border: 0.2rem solid #ffb500; This approximately 70-acre lake just north of Turner is open to public fishing along the southern half. Options include all inclusive fishing lodges, convenient hotel packages and unique river front vacation cabins and homes. Did I mention tarpon are my favorite fish to cast at with a fly rod? These "ghosts of the flats" swim about 27 miles per hour . News: Will dredging the Zaragoza Canal hurt Xcalak? Brandon, I am careful when I write these reports because I am not an expert and dont want to pretend to be one. fly fishing maybe you are very excited about snorkeling or Traveling back in time to a distant tropical land where time loses all meaning. These fish sneak to our minds without warning, upturn our mental tables, tip the shelves of reason, smash the windows of logic, set fire to the couch of stability, and leave without an explanation. Choose from Montana's largest selection of fishing and lodging packages. My name is Jose, I live in Xcalak, and I am here to help In part one, Jesse and Waypoints host Jim Klug discussed the southern Yucatan fisheries of Xcalak and Chetumal Bay, the challenges of owning a saltwater lodge, Jesse's personal obsession with permit, and how to build a career in the fly fishing industry. Home to fewer than 500 people and only about six miles from the Belize border, Xcalak remains free of tourist traps and condosby virtue of its remoteness. Not only is Jose a great flats guide, he My first two casts were off, but fortunately the fish were still in range. The resort also offers half- and full-day fishing trips (US$175-350), in case you want to fish while in Xcalak without making it a full-on fishing vacation. I am looking up from my desk at a picture Michael Graham was in Xcalak in the Spring of 2009 on a self-described walk-about. Xcalak (I have no idea how to pronounce that) is waaaay down there in Mexico past Cancun, past Ascencion Bay, almost to Belize. While staying at El Pescador Lodge in Belize, weve seen boats from there flyfishing in the Bacalar Chico Reserve. Maximize your time on the water and make great memories on one of our deluxe overnight river camping trips. [Story by Nick Roberts / Photos by Patrick Williams] THE SUN IS SETTING OVER THE SLEEPY FISHING VILLAGE OF XCALAK, MEXICO, casting the barrier reef in amber light and bringing out the vibrant green and blue hues of the oceanside flats. We fished for Permit, tarpon and Snook here also but I considered . Would love to see more pictures! (And check out our highlight video from our trip last year below!). Facing the " Great Mayan Reef", the second largest reef in the world, Casa Caracola is located in a national park. Read about the seasonal patterns in our fisheries. Electricity comes from solar panels, except for on cloudy days when a diesel generator kicks in, and the rooftops capture rainwater and channel it into underground cisterns to use for showers and cleaning. Although more populous than Xcalak, the crowds here are nothing compared to the Riviera Maya. Boats and Equipment All boats used by the lodge are 23-foot pangas that accommodate two fishermen and a guide. The farthest most tourists go is Tulum, a lively resort town named after the nearby Mayan archeological site and lined with hostels, cafs, bars, and openair restaurants.
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