xcalak fishing report
Most of our trips include rods, flies and we rent waders. Looking into the water, something didnt seem right. It comes with the package. Posted on July 30, 2020 January 11, 2021 by islander. 20-40 lb leader is perfect and when they're in the mood to bite they will eat a variety of bait fish patterns in sardines and mullet intimations and og tarpon flies like tarpon toad, black death, gummy minnows and ep minnows, in black and . Id love to make it down there. Rain has improved fishing conditions. I'm sorry to say no permit for . fly fishing maybe you are very excited about snorkeling or There's a lot of beauty and tranquility in our remote area of the Caribbean. 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. 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. 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) Xcalak Bonefish (1.000) Xcalak on a Monday (1.000) Bones of Costa de Cocos (1.000) Tags: Bahia Blanca, bonefishing, Mexico, Xcalak. Running south, we have a maze of grass . They do not, however, command nearly the same respect in the angling world as a Permit. Shots at permit are what brought my fishing buddy Patrick and me to Xcalaka small pit stop on the Yucatn Peninsula at the southern end of Costa Maya, perfectly situated on one of the last undeveloped stretches along the Mexican Caribbean. Fly Fishing shop, the owner of this B&B is a fly fishing enthusiast. Now, obviously joy can be found everywhere and in every situation, we find ourselves in, including work (we must choose to find it)but we are talking about the joy that can be found in fly fishing. If you liked the story above, check out these stories below. The most popular fish in Xcalak are permit and bonefish, but theres a lot more than that for you to hook. While beach destinations in Mexico, such as Cancun and Playa del Carmen, are well-known for their long, beautiful stretches of sand, theres another perfect spot along the Caribbean Sea that receives far less tourist attention: Xcalak. For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 . His fly fishing writings have been published on blogs such as the Daily Drake and Simms Wading Room. Xcalak is renowned for fly fishing. After about 10 minutes of nothing, I looked to my right and a big school of Permit were heading our way. In the past we have fished all six days, but this year decided to take it easy a bit. Even if the wind is howling out of the east, there are plenty of sheltered places to fish in Chetumal Bay, which is as large as Espiritu Santo and Ascension Bays combined. Your guide knows where to find the fish he spots them, and you hook them. Whether it's the birdlife, stunning Caribbean vistas, or world-class fishing, we can promise you that we will show you a unique and memorable experience out on the water. Postponing joy actually seems to make a lot of sense for those looking to get ahead of the pack. with the best permit guides in the world in terms of expertise. So I will simply say that there is a broad range of acceptable tactics but with the permit I caught, in the weather I caught it and with cast I made I was happy to have the 10wt. More than once, it was remarked that the food was beyond our expectations. } When I wrote my first article on bonefish fishing in Xcalak, Mexico, I mentioned that I was currently planning another trip back to pursue bonefish once again. Back then there wasnt really a trustworthy tourist website and we just couldnt figure out if the trip was worth the effort. Seven through ten weights were in order for the grand slam of species we would be chasing the upcoming week. After 5 minutes or so the fish was getting closer to the boat. May 9, 2022 May 9, . Did I mention all you can drink too? Read about the seasonal patterns in our fisheries. That image has changed with the arrival of sargassum algae in atypical amounts beginning about a decade ago ().Researchers from within the natural sciences assume that these specific algae reproduce quickly in the Atlantic Ocean due to an input of nutrients in the water, changes in currents, and warming ocean temperatures, viewing sargassum arrivals to be the new normal. Last updated 3/1/23. Traveler ranking. Traveler favorites. We strive to stifle our joy on a daily basis in order to achieve something we perceive as greater in the long run. Anyway, long story short, we did visit. Faro Xcalak, Othon P. Blanco's tide times and tide charts, high tide and low tide times, fishing times, tide tables, weather forecasts surf reports and solunar charts for today. Not only is he an excellent Here in Xcalak, Mexico, we have some of the most beautiful saltwater flats for fly fishing in the world. Xcalak is a quiet fishing town on the southern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Luggage options for the traveling angler. 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. Now, within that image, somewhere nestled between the aquamarine blues and the distant sandy cays throw in a few thousand Bonefish, Permit galore, Tarpon of all sizes and just about any of the Caribbeans' other dream inshore game fish species. @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { If youre craving a lively afternoon, head to Mahahuals pedestrian-only malecn, and find a beachside bar for some people-watching. We know you'll love fishing with . Or, use the free kayaks and SUPs offered at most beachside hotels. Xcalak Fishing is a fly fishing guide service located in the remote Mexican fishing village of Xcalak, Quintana Roo. Its cheaper to stay at one of the non fishing lodges down there and book guides on your own and DIY. of Jose, myself, and a nice permit. One of those lucky ones was me. 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. 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. As a fishing village, the vast majority of Xcalak's 400 people have earned a living from the sea for generations and that tradition continues. While we all had our target fish we obviously would love to catch, I found it better to ask our guide what they thought would be the best option. Your journey begins by flying to Cancun, where you will be whisked away from the urban hustle and bustle to the much more relaxed pace in real Mexico. Fishing changes by the week in Montana. Looking at the case now10 years removedis like trying to investigate a crime that was never actually a crime. For me, this fish is permit. float: left; JavaScript is disabled. I watch Blantons Board, so Ill keep an eye out for that. Be it status, financial security, or even something as fleeting as comfort. If you book a fly fishing package with one of Xcalaks accommodations, they can hook you up with a guide, or you book an accommodation and a guide separately. It isnt completely remote either, but the first-day warnings do come with points on crocodiles and jaguars and how to avoid them. float: none; and nice guy. 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. Night time temps were pretty cool, so having an AC was a non-issue and the showers were hot! The clear water and marl bottom mix allow for great biodiversity within each lagoon, providing plenty of food for Bonefish, Snook, Cuda, small Permit, and Tarpon. 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. They are spooky and quick to forget. Bay wells producing sheepshead and black drum on live shrimp. Chetumal Bay is at the far southern tip of the Yucatan, near the border with Belize. Hey Bjorn, They are opportunistic eaters and as picky as permit. The town is remote, and so far south, its only six miles to the Belize/Mexico border. Bring your gear, your fly box, your sunscreen, your best double-haul cast and your sense of adventure for an amazing time at one of my favorite places to fly Read More Xcalak is a small fishing village on the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo. reefs, islands, lagoons and bays of the beautiful Xcalak National The XTC Fly Fishing Experience. Theyre partnered with Hotel Tierra Maya. You must log in or register to reply here. a bit about my services and your options for exploring the Xcalak Shorelines action is heating up with a few speckled trout, redfish, and decent numbers of black drum, and sheepshead, all on live shrimp. [emailprotected], HOURS: From there, the best way to get to Xcalak is to rent a car and drive south on Highway 307. Xcalak, with a present population of around 350 people, was the largest city in Quintana Roo until it was . Speaking of accommodations, here are the most popular accommodations for fly fishers in Xcalak: Home of the Fxcalak (fish-ka-lak, get it?) As to your Appalachian Trail adventure, have you read the book "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson chronicling his Appalachian adventure? Costa De Cocos Lodge isnt totally out in the middle of absolutely nowhere, but it is out of the way. The second-longest reef in the world, it stretches nearly 700 miles, from Isla Mujeres in Mexico to the Bay Islands in Honduras. Xcalak 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. A link to purchase your Montana license online is also provided, Frequently asked questions related to fly fishing in Montana and about our fishing trips and packages, Montana Angler is a family run business that prides itself on working with the best guides and lodging options in Montana, Read what our guests have to say about our trips and learn why we are rated #1 in Trip Advisor and have a 5 star average on our Orvis reviews. Imagine floating into a deluxe camp on one of our private ranches or permitted islands where cold beverages and tasty appetizers await. Feel free to send me an email with any questions you The town is remote, and so far south, it's only six miles to the Belize /Mexico border. 4.2 / 5 (2 reviews) Mahahual 26 ft 4 persons . I'd like to hear about the permit on the 10 weight. While none of our group boated a snook this trip as it was a little early in the season, we still had a few shots. The permit are still there, about 20 yards out. Our group boated everything from 3-pound babies to 15-pound juvies. A pair of windmills power the resort, and like any good fishing lodge, it has its own restaurant and bar, which is where Patrick and I head after stashing our gear in our cabana, one of 16 spread along the waters edge. trips from $300 : Sapos Del Mar . The restaurant at Cocos is a popular place to cool off with one of their microbrews and trade stories with other fishers. .fullwidth-signup{ Fresh Xcalak Fishing Reports . Destination Reports Xcalak Bonefish Round 2. Things are calming back down, and some activity has returned to the beaches and offshore. Not only is Jose a great flats guide, he Tags: Bahia Blanca, bonefishing, Mexico, Xcalak. Returning to Costa was a no brainer for me, as I quickly became addicted to saltwater fishing after my first trip. 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. Its less developed (and less crowded) than its popular northern neighbor Ascension Bay, near Tulum. This waterbody should produce fish year-round. Montana Angler guides fish the famous Livingston creeks in addition to several other spring creeks on some of our exclusive ranch leases. I toss the Rag Head Crab into the air, load my 9-weight, and aim a couple feet in front of the lead fish. If you have spent any time on a saltwater flat with a guide, then you are always amazed by how far an experienced guide can spot fish. guide with great eyes, he is an enjoyable fishing companion Victor's location in Xcalak means easy access to the flats of Chetumal Bay. Ever look for places to camp in some of these exotic locations? Top Fishing Charters in Xcalak. Spend your days fly fishing the saltwater flats, snorkeling the coral reefs (just steps from your door), or simply eating too much local food and napping in the dappled shade of a palm. Two units have generated flow nonstop, day and night. Xcalak is home to a quintessential view of the Caribbean, with translucent turquoise waters and mostly undeveloped beaches, backed by swaying palms. I recently returned from Southern Mexico after my first salt water trip. .signup-column { For years, my work has been fishing and guiding in . We pick you up each day at the hotel and in the evenings you can enjoy fun western towns like Bozeman and Livingston, Browse our large network of vacation homes and cabins that are either on the water or centrally located to great fishing. On the way to Xcalak, you can stop for tacos and a cold beer in Tulum. Find out when to come, what equipment to bring, browse blog articles, and more. It would be my second trip chasing saltwater fish on the flats, while Tony is a fairly experienced saltwater angler and licensed Captain. We discovered there were lots of people with questions about Xcalak. Our good friend, Captain Rob Perkin of Connect Outfitters, has over 30 years of experience off the beach at Pacific City and has been running guided Rockfish/Salmon fly fishing trips for several years now in an awesome boat crafted by his own hands. Get picked up right from the dock in front of the beach and enjoy supper at the on-site restaurant. These "ghosts of the flats" swim about 27 miles per hour . Click here to receive the sport of fly fishing's most authoritative magazine. Some fish get into our soul. may have. Both of us had traveled to Xcalak before, and we really enjoy the remote, off the grid feel as well as the excellent fishing for various species including Bonefish, Tarpon, and Permit. clear: both; North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters: This week's report from Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus. Talk about hero to zero. Join us on a 6 Night & 7 Day Guided fishing trip to beautiful Xcalak, Mexico. The closest town to Xcalak is Mahahual, home to a cruise ship port, restaurants, shops, hotels, and a Mayan-themed water park. Most tarpon I saw were in tannic colored water, so dark colored tarpon flies and toads were in order. Boats and Equipment All boats used by the lodge are 23-foot pangas that accommodate two fishermen and a guide. Along with many miles of Caribbean shoreline, Xcalak sits conveniently close to the entrance of Chetumal Bay. Filters 1. For unknown reasons, Scheepstra broke away from his fishing partner and headed back toward the rental car. This might be a deeper existential opener for a blog post designed to inform you about our recent trip to Mexico, but it might be a necessary one. As it tends to do at inopportune moments, the windtoday blowing a steady 15 from the eastpicks up, increasing the chop. Far too often we are working to build insulation of comfort around our existence to protect us from the uncomfortable realities of the modern worldbut sometimes the casualty to our padded lives becomes our joy. Ruin explorers can easily visit the Chacchoben archaeological site, about a two-hour drive from the village. The area we were in was very shallow, so Alberto began poling us in search of Plan B. Theres more to Xcalak than fly fishing, heres our Ultimate List of Things to do in Xcalak, https://www.josexcalaktours.com/index.html. On spectrum of cost, Xcalak is on the low end for lodges and guides, although its location makes it a little difficult to get to. The fish are happy, the cooler is full and our skiffs are loaded, the only thing we are waiting for is you! 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. Leave early to arrive before nightfall. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. and guiding in Xcalak and I can tell you that things have never We flew into Cancun on a Friday the 6th of December, overnighted at the Cancun Airport Marriott, and then were picked up the following morning for a 5-hour drive south into the Mayan jungle. float: none; 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. Choose your accommodation, pack your gear, and head to what might be the last undiscovered fly fishing paradise in the Yucatan. What more could you ask for? Off Xcalaks coast is the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. Dr. Mike Larkin on Bonefish The Tom Roland Podcast. josexcalak@hotmail.com WhatsApp 5 Places to Live in Mexicoand 3 to Avoid. Julio raises his hand, signaling me to stop. background-color: #1a3c95; https://www.josexcalaktours.com/index.html. Its uncommonly easy to find a stretch of the Caribbean all to yourself in Xcalak. Facing the " Great Mayan Reef", the second largest reef in the world, Casa Caracola is located in a national park. Local skipper Victor has lived in the area for 35 years and has been guiding fishermen in the area . Xcalak Front Side Flats. Xcalak is a refreshingly undisturbed fishing village nestled along Mexicos southernmost Caribbean coastline. I found that with our guides at Costa de Cocos, we had very little issues with any of our guides. A six hour drive south of Cancun, Xcalak resists mega-tourism and retains its natural beauty. Dolphin and Sailfish have been caught to the south in the 150 to 200 range, and the surf is finally fishable, though Jack Crevalle have been the most likely catch. Jacks are close relatives of Permit, and they sometimes swim in schools together. Harboring fewer than 400 souls at the far southern tip of Mexico's Caribbean coast, the small fishing village of Xcalak was arguably one of the best places to ride out a pandemic. Needless to say, the diving and snorkeling here is world class. To the north, we have the the Rio Huach lagoon system, boasting consisitent baby Tarpon and Snook fishing year round. I often think of bonefish as the saviors of any saltwater fishing destination, due to their sheer numbers and availability as targets. This was a now or never, make or break moment. All of our guides are Xcalak natives who have spent their entire lives on and in these waters and still love to fish in their free time. This fly fishing service can book your tour and accommodations, and has access to a network of Xcalak guides. Michael Graham was in Xcalak in the Spring of 2009 on a self-described walk-about. In 2015, we almost didnt visit Xcalak. Had a great trip to Xcalak, fishing out of Casa Paraiso. Parsons et al., 2009; Senz-Arroyo et al., 2005).Research on the shifting baseline phenomena in marine science has tended to focus on the individual . document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Duranglers Flies and Supplies Fly Shop 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. The front side of Xcalak, or 'out front' as we like to say, is an expansive coastline fishery that offers a little bit of everything, regardless of the conditions. More than 11222 fishing boats in 110 countries. Costa de Cocos, Only 2 kms from town, this accommodation is the closest thing to a resort youll find in Xcalak. Two suites complete with kitchens sleep 6 people each. After about day 3, I finally figured out how to articulate permit: Some fish get into our heart. News: Will dredging the Zaragoza Canal hurt Xcalak? Andy manages Duranglers Flies and Supplies online store and web content. xcalak, Mexico A World Class Fly Fishing Destination Xcalak and Chetumal Bay are rated among the top fishing destinations in the worldwe leave nothing out All-Inclusive Fly Fishing Packages As any experienced angler knows, it's not just about the fishing, it's the location too. CAR Most visitors to Xcalak arrive at the Cancun International Airport (CUN). This package includes transportation from Cancun International Airport, accommodation and all meals. 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. At a whopping six-hour drive from Cancun, not many tourists make it to Xcalak, and thats too bad for them. Will dredging the Zaragoza Canal hurt Xcalak. 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. The fresh (but slightly salty) water in the lagoons hosts an entirely different species of wildlife than the saltwater flats. For me, it is steelhead. It is an old borrow pit and features largemouth bass, panfish such as bluegill, and a few trout. 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. In a protected area, this little fishermen's village highlights many activities and advantages : scuba diving, fly fishing and fishing, snorkelling, bird watching and wildlife trips on land and water. overflow: hidden; Overall conditions on Lake Taneycomo couldn't get any more stable than we've experienced the last couple of weeks. The line went tight instantly and the drag began screaming. Fly fishing for Pacific Rockfish is nothing new, but something that most anglers haven't sampled yet. Rates and terms for some of our standard trips. I may have framed my question a bit different than I wanted. There were a few interesting flats around, some small bonefish, a decent number of cudas. Knowing a bit of Spanish from the client never hurt, but it was not a detriment if we didnt. Im not able to watch the video for some reason. His place is right in town where the fishing guides pick you up. Go now, he whispers excitedly. I would reccomend it, even just for the entertainment value. We also had the option to search for large jacks when they were out on the deeper flats blitzing bait, and a few of us capitalized on this opportunity. Some days it was permit, some days it was tarpon, but the constant was of course bonefish. We started answering emails, at first, and then made this website. Inland, the ecosystem is a fragile mix of mangrove lagoons and thick jungle. The fishing day starts with meeting your guide on our new 200 foot dock directly in front of the lodge. Casa Cangrejo, One of the first accommodations to open in Xcalak, at Cocos your room is a palapa hut. Fly Fishing for bonefish in Chetumal Bay. } Video: 9 more videos to help you discover Xcalak. I often found that the best communication came early at the dock when discussing the plan for the day. Water temperatures are still cold. Water has cleared up. @Glenn, I dont know why the video isnt playing for you it played for me straight off. Targeting the plentiful bonefish is always an option. Cell coverage is non-existent in Xcalak, so make sure you have an offline map before making the drive. We're on our way back to Costa de Cocos resort, idling down the outside edge of a long . 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.