xcalak fishing report

While staying at El Pescador Lodge in Belize, weve seen boats from there flyfishing in the Bacalar Chico Reserve. 5 Places to Live in Mexicoand 3 to Avoid. Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. float: left; Two suites complete with kitchens sleep 6 people each. Wet season runs from May to October and you can still expect sunny days, but . is a great caster himself, casting equally well with both 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. 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. Required fields are marked *. Stay in a cabaa or a small casa, and spend the rest of your time on land in the palapa-topped lodge preparing for the next day and boasting about your triumphs. 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. It was like a rustic cabin right on the . I make a long, slow strip. 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. Will dredging the Zaragoza Canal hurt Xcalak. Our packages and trips were designed by fishing-obsessed father and son duo Jim and Chase Looney with anglers in mind. 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. LODGING Costa de Cocos Resort (www . [Story by Nick Roberts / Photos by Patrick Williams]. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. Beyond Tulum, the communities become more rural and become fewer and farther between. Your flight is NOT included in the package and must be purchased separately. clear: both; margin: 1.5rem 0; Other random by-catch I managed were snappers, small jacks, needlefish, perch, some reef fish, and one small saltwater crocodile. Rain has improved fishing conditions. 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 . Between the shore and the reef, the calm saltwater flats are home to a thriving variety of game fish and tropical marine life. Andy manages Duranglers Flies and Supplies online store and web content. Maximize your time on the water and make great memories on one of our deluxe overnight river camping trips. Rates and terms for some of our standard trips. Montana Angler holds a federal permit to guide our guests on these legendary waters, Fish over 20 legendary Montana rivers across multiple valleys or get off the beaten path on our exclusive private access ranch leases. 2 people are looking at this charter. You can buy food from the local grocery trucks that ply the beach road. This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 3:04 am and is filed under Locations. With a rental car and an early start, you can make a day trip to some of southern Mexicos intriguing, lesser-visited sights. We have miles and miles of wade-able flats with large numbers of bonefish and permit, and if you want to get on a kayak or SUP, you can access lagoons with lots of baby . Learn more about Mexico and other countries in our daily postcard e-letter. Im not far behind. The line went tight instantly and the drag began screaming. Your guide knows where to find the fish he spots them, and you hook them. Many avid anglers, however, enjoy bringing their own gear. 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. More than once, it was remarked that the food was beyond our expectations. Were on our way back to Costa de Cocos resort, idling down the outside edge of a long expanse of turtle grass, when suddenly our guide, Julio Gomez, cuts the engine and plants his bamboo pushpole, bringing the panga, aptly named Permit Me, to a halt. Discover the full adventure here, Learning is about looking at things differently, making your life a little better everyday., 9 more videos to help you discover Xcalak. In an area as remote as Xcalak, you can always appreciate the natural beauty, but you might be wondering, what else is there is to do? I looked back at Alberto, and the look on his face said it all. Xcalak on the Fly is the Yucatan Peninsulas newest fly fishing lodge based out of Casa Paraiso. Come wade the warm, tropical flats of Xcalak in search of Permit, Jacks, Bonefish and juvenile Tarpon from the quaint fly fishing village of Xcalak, Mexico. Youre sitting at your computer, dreaming of fly fishing, and wondering what your next destination will be. We started answering emails, at first, and then made this website. Theyre partnered with Hotel Tierra Maya. Experience the wilds of Montana on a multi-day horse pack adventure. https://www.thexflats.com/, Another local, Jos is an experienced Xcalak fly fishing guide, and he loves the local area. In the Xcalak National Reef Park, fishing is catch-and-release (release comes after you take a photo of your catch, of course). Plan for overnights in Cancun on June 9 and June 18. Xcalak Fishing is a fly fishing guide service located in the remote Mexican fishing village of Xcalak, Quintana Roo. Find out when to come, what equipment to bring, browse blog articles, and more. And again. 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. 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. 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. 2022 by Fly Fish Costa Maya. Not just a fishing and diving lodge, Costa de Cocos boasts a restaurant, brewery, and distillery. Both the saltwater flats and inland lagoons make for excellent kayaking and SUP. I've heard anything from only an 8 weight to 8-10 weights needed for permit down there. Montana Angler guides fish the famous Livingston creeks in addition to several other spring creeks on some of our exclusive ranch leases. Can't find the video you're looking for? 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 At XOTF, our goal is to provide you with the most personalized and all-inclusive fly fishing experience.Our packages and trips were designed by fishing-obsessed father and son duo Jim and Chase Looney with anglers in mind. The town sits next to the Caribbean on a small spit of land that separates the Ocean from Chetumal Bay. Get it together I told myself. 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. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. foraging in the turtle grass, perfect cover for crabs and shrimps. Traveler favorites. Here is where you'll acquire a wealth of knowledge about Xcalak, in just . Xcalak is located within a National Park, designed to protect the worlds second largest barrier reef. But maybe its good for you. Returning to Costa was a no brainer for me, as I quickly became addicted to saltwater fishing after my first trip. All of the guides at the lodge had lots of experience on the water (most around 15-20 years of guiding). Back then there wasnt really a trustworthy tourist website and we just couldnt figure out if the trip was worth the effort. The flats all along Xcalaks coast are fair game for fly fishing, with some of the best found at Chetumal Bay, only 30 minutes away by boat. Renting a car from Cancun is the most common way to reach Xcalak. Its a quaint statement that can be applied to many situations in life. We have the safest, fastest, and driest boats in the . After suffering several hurricanes, Xcalak maintains a small population dedicated to fishing and tourism, maintaining its . Other times, our guides found hundreds (maybe thousands) of small bones mudding in on a deeper flat (also a good place to look for permit). Shorelines action is heating up with a few speckled trout, redfish, and decent numbers of black drum, and sheepshead, all on live shrimp. He was never seen or heard from again. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. This isnt to say Chetumal is any less of a fisheryit just gets less pressure. From there, the best way to get to Xcalak is to rent a car and drive south on Highway 307. In part because both destinations are on my radar and in part because it's nice seeing pics of such a warm destination (as I type this I think the wind chill may have crept into the low double digits). of Jose, myself, and a nice permit. The fishing routine was simple and timely. Xcalak is both, so it was always going to be a win for me. March 3, 2023. It depicts a good summary. Xcalak is a small fishing village on the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo. 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. Welcome to Xcalak, Mexico. But maybe it's good for you. Acocote Eco Inn, Located right in town, Casa Cangrejo is a straight up fly fishing lodge. Now that I've been home from that trip for over a year, I figured it was time . .signup-row:after { International Fly-Fishing Film Festival 2023 Gage Charlesworth Ogden City Corp gagec@ogdencity.com-801-629-8992. Tierra Maya Lodge, At 9 kms north of town, this secluded accommodation is a fantastic destination for DIY fly fishing. Fly Fishing in Xcalak, Chetumal Bay, Mexico. These fish are tough, with extremely hard mouths, so getting them to eat sometimes was not the hard partsticking the hook was. When he is not plugging away in the basement of Duranglers, he can be found in the shop talking weird flies, throwing spey casts for few fish, eating pizza, drinking coffee, painting, and raising a family in Southwest Colorado. There are no guarantees when permit fishing, but we found that if we really wanted to spend an entire day getting refusals, then there were plenty of permit to accommodate us. Deep sea, light tackle, fly fishing - you name it! Durango fly fishing guides on the San Juan River, Animas River, Dolores River, Florida River and Los Pinos River. I personally felt it was incredible, but I am partial to anything coastal, and anything Mexican. 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. Scuba enthusiasts should consider an overnight trip to the Banco Chinchorro atoll, an underwater paradise with a pristine biosphere, shipwrecks, and coral canyons. 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 . 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. I have had wonderful days fishing for bonefish Tags: Bahia Blanca, bonefishing, Mexico, Xcalak. The first time I went to Xcalak, what stood out the most was the places authenticity. 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. Simply enter your email address below and well send you a free special report Mexico: The Perfect Close-to-Home Retirement Haven. Julios younger brother and apprentice, Eduardo, spots the fish right away. Victor's location in Xcalak means easy access to the flats of Chetumal Bay. Traveling back in time to a distant tropical land where time loses all meaning. Jack he muttered. There are three seasons in Xcalak - dry, wet, and hurricane. MONDAY-SATURDAY 8:00 am-6:00 pm For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Some fish get into our soul. Most of our trips include rods, flies and we rent waders. As to your Appalachian Trail adventure, have you read the book "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson chronicling his Appalachian adventure? Bill Battles - Fly Fish America. Brandon, I am careful when I write these reports because I am not an expert and dont want to pretend to be one. This approximately 70-acre lake just north of Turner is open to public fishing along the southern half. The reef runs from Cozumel all the way to Honduras, and is quite close to the shore in Xcalak. Fun Facts: All about the manatees of Xcalak. Xcalak (I have no idea how to pronounce that) is waaaay down there in Mexico past Cancun, past Ascencion Bay, almost to Belize. Home to jaguars, howler monkeys, and the deadly fer-de-lance pit viper, this land, along with the rest of the Yucatn Peninsula, was ruled by the Maya for centuries. Night time temps were pretty cool, so having an AC was a non-issue and the showers were hot! Bonefish are easy to find, yet hard to spot. josexcalak@hotmail.com WhatsApp 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. If you delve into the history of Xcalak, you will be able to see its relevance in communications and supplies between large cities. Our bay fishery is a vast area made up of hundreds of cayes, rivers, ponds, lagoons, cuts and banks. Acocote Eco Inn: Perfect for the adventurous - Read 144 reviews, view 87 photos, and find great deals for Acocote Eco Inn at Tripadvisor Xcalak has been a favorite for over ten years. Of the 30 plus eats I had with Marty on the second day, we managed to jump 4 and land 1. The town is remote, and so far south, it's only six miles to the Belize /Mexico border. float: none; They do not, however, command nearly the same respect in the angling world as a Permit. you. The third cast was spot on and the entire school was over my fly. Again, I really enjoyed your report. 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. @media only screen and (max-width: 600px) { 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. Two units have generated flow nonstop, day and night. Chetumal Bay is at the far southern tip of the Yucatan, near the border with Belize. } Bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, and barracuda await your fly. Options include all inclusive fishing lodges, convenient hotel packages and unique river front vacation cabins and homes. 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. width:max-content; They are spooky and quick to forget. This fly fishing service can book your tour and accommodations, and has access to a network of Xcalak guides. may have. Enjoy unique accommodations right on the water. 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. 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. Re: DIY Fly Fishing. Outdoor Activities. 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. This special guide covers real estate, retirement and more in Mexico and is yours free when you sign up for our postcards below. white sand flats, throwing at cruising Bones and scouting the deep water for Permit. To the north, we have the the Rio Huach lagoon system, boasting consisitent baby Tarpon and Snook fishing year round. 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. Jose on many occasions and I am pleased to recommend him. There is often the fear of a translation issue or a communication breakdown that leads to missed fish. I may have framed my question a bit different than I wanted. As it tends to do at inopportune moments, the windtoday blowing a steady 15 from the eastpicks up, increasing the chop. It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. I booked Nick for this April and he comes highly recommended, out of Mahahual. 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. I'd like to hear about the permit on the 10 weight. Local skipper Victor has lived in the area for 35 years and has been guiding fishermen in the area . What more could you ask for? Some days were better than others for finding rolling tarpon, but when they were up, they were up! This isn't a trip for everyone but for those looking for a trip off the grid a bit, I would like to introduce you Xcalak Mexico. The excellent fly fishing is found on the bonefish and permit flats of Chetumal Bay. and permit with Captain Jose. Headwear to keep you dry, cool, sun free, warm, or whatever you need! 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. With the scarcity of resources in mind, its not surprising that theres no air conditioninghere, youll have to count on the Caribbean breeze and ceiling fans to stay cool. Your email address will not be published. Xcalak is cash-only, and theres no ATM; youd be wise to load up on pesos before arriving. Not only is he an excellent .signup-column { Lodge packages include all meals and guided fishing so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a great fly fishing vacation, Enjoy great fishing and keep your costs in check with one of our hotel packages. Xcalak Front Side Flats. Some fish get into our head. After getting into the groove of casting heavier rods, we even managed a few fish including the first bonefish of the trip caught by Jim. In Xcalak, fly fishing is a treat it isnt crowded and has healthy marine life and excellent guides. 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. and an obscure mountain lake; Of the Sea, brothers explore the elusive Banco Chinchorro off the coast of Xcalak; Jacks, giant trevally attacking from deep ocean water; Father Nature . width: 100%; Accommodations then were spare and dirty, fishing was so-so. For the majority of anglers traveling from the United States, the most direct route is to fly into the spring-break mecca of Cancn and drive the rest of the way, which takes about five hours. } Get in, amigo, Julio tells me as he hands off the pole to his brother. What's the #1 Thing Every Expat Says They Wish They'd Done Before Going to Latin America? Really like your blog. Experience the fishing, the culture, and the food . The jetties are still holding trout and redfish. 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. This was a now or never, make or break moment. Spring creeks offer the ultimate challenge in the fly fishing world. Specifically, the joy found in our trip to the salt to fish the lesser known of the great Yucatan bays: Chetumal. Dr. Mike Larkin on Bonefish The Tom Roland Podcast. Site cast to trophy trout cruising the shallows of several productive lakes. color: white; Your email address will not be published. There were times were we found bonefish tailing in schools of 10s and 20s in a foot of water and turtle grass. One thing I did notice was that, depending on the day and tides, the tarpon spots could be limited. I found this video fresh off the internets. TRAVEL There are several flights a day to Cancn, Mexico. After a quick scramble through mosquito hell, we would find ourselves in secret lagoons full of baby tarpon, snook, and bonefish pushing 6 to 8 pounds. Jacks are close relatives of Permit, and they sometimes swim in schools together. Facing the " Great Mayan Reef", the second largest reef in the world, Casa Caracola is located in a national park. I hope to see you down here soon. I will never forget my first day of Bonefishing, watching a 3lb fish rip off hundreds of feet of line in seconds while bending my 7wt rod in half. The permit are still there, about 20 yards out. (And check out our highlight video from our trip last year below!). Map. Like you, I spend most of my time trout fishing, but the wife and I head to Xcalak two weeks each spring for the bones. Xcalak Bonefish (1.000) Xcalak on a Monday (1.000) Bones of Costa de Cocos (1.000) Tags: Bahia Blanca, bonefishing, Mexico, Xcalak. Video Tutorials. There they arethree or four tailing permit leisurely zigzagging across the flat, their sickle fins slicing through the waters rippled surface. @Glenn, I dont know why the video isnt playing for you it played for me straight off. maybe you are just very ready for a vacation to explore the After about 10 minutes of nothing, I looked to my right and a big school of Permit were heading our way. Click here to receive the sport of fly fishing's most authoritative magazine. 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. 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. Its a Please check the website to learn Xcalak is one of the towns that has been maintained over time in its most natural state.