These fish are those we hold most dear. LODGING Costa de Cocos Resort (www . But maybe it's good for you. The downside is the weather can be unpredictable this time of year. Choose from Montana's most comprehensive selection of fly fishing trips. Dan Blantons board has a had a few posts on ocassion. Xcalak is a small fishing village on the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo. 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. I watch Blantons Board, so Ill keep an eye out for that. Chetumal Bay is at the far southern tip of the Yucatan, near the border with Belize. It would be my second trip chasing saltwater fish on the flats, while Tony is a fairly experienced saltwater angler and licensed Captain. Maybe you are very serious about fly fishing maybe you are very excited about snorkeling or maybe you are just very ready for a vacation to explore the reefs, islands, lagoons and bays of the beautiful Xcalak National Park. Depending on the weather conditions, we could find ourselves poling white sandbanks in search of Permit, wading ankle-deep grass flats for tailing Bonefish, or casting to strings of Tarpon passing remote cayes. Bring your wading gear for hopping out of the boat onto the flats, or for wading out right from your hotel (if you didnt get enough fishing during your 8-hour tour, that is). The closest town to Xcalak is Mahahual, home to a cruise ship port, restaurants, shops, hotels, and a Mayan-themed water park. The long ride south to Xcalak along scenic Highway 307 offers a fascinating look at the countryside and the villages dotting the eastern edge of the Yucatn Peninsula. March 2, 2023 Fishing Report. 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. I toss the Rag Head Crab into the air, load my 9-weight, and aim a couple feet in front of the lead fish. The fishing routine was simple and timely. You might have heard of Xcalak, but because of its remote location its a relatively unknown, uncrowded fly fishing destination. Double occupancy (boat and room) -$4,495.00 USD. 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. display: table; It's a great read.way better then the movie of the same name, imo. The tarpon opportunities were not an all day, everyday kind of thing, but when they were there, it could be a few hours of almost constant targets! It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. Experience the fishing, the culture, and the food . The upside is the permit fishing is consistently good through June and July (Julio notes that May is typically the best month), and June is also when big migratory tarpon begin to show up along the reef. Costa de Cocos, Only 2 kms from town, this accommodation is the closest thing to a resort youll find in Xcalak. International Fly-Fishing Film Festival 2023 Gage Charlesworth Ogden City Corp gagec@ogdencity.com-801-629-8992. The town sits next to the Caribbean on a small spit of land that separates the Ocean from Chetumal Bay. I'm sorry to say no permit for . The second episode of the two-part sit-down with the owner of XFlats Lodge, Jesse Colton. josexcalak@hotmail.com WhatsApp This trip was with Bahia Blanca. 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. So, head to the ADO bus terminal in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar or Chetumal . The guides in Xcalak really know their stuff. been more beautiful or better here than they are now. Nathan Bolerjack. 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). I found our guides all warm and open once we got them talking about their lives and their guiding careers. I will let those with more experience and confidence continue the debate from there. Try Nick Denbow at Catchafish.net. Victor's location in Xcalak means easy access to the flats of Chetumal Bay. There were times were we found bonefish tailing in schools of 10s and 20s in a foot of water and turtle grass. Its a Looking at the case now10 years removedis like trying to investigate a crime that was never actually a crime. 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. This technical match the hatch fishing produces big results. Xcalak is cash-only, and theres no ATM; youd be wise to load up on pesos before arriving. There were a few interesting flats around, some small bonefish, a decent number of cudas. This place is real and its called Xcalak. For years, my work has been fishing 2022 by Fly Fish Costa Maya. /* Create three equal columns that floats next to each other */ As in most places where one can find tarpon, there often are a few in the mix. Postponing joy actually seems to make a lot of sense for those looking to get ahead of the pack. Acocote Eco Inn, Located right in town, Casa Cangrejo is a straight up fly fishing lodge. Need a fishing charter? 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. Chetumal Bay, an expansive wonderland for the intrepid flats fisherman! We will help you hand pick the perfect lodge, design a great fishing program and help coordinate all logistics from airport transfers to meeting, Explore the world's most amazing fisheries with our destination travel program. .fullwidth-signup{ Renting a car from Cancun is the most common way to reach Xcalak. 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. Boats and Equipment All boats used by the lodge are 23-foot pangas that accommodate two fishermen and a guide. }. Many avid anglers, however, enjoy bringing their own gear. The fresh (but slightly salty) water in the lagoons hosts an entirely different species of wildlife than the saltwater flats. Traveler favorites. It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. We quickly spotted a school of Bonefish and Tony caught one, so it was my turn to fish. 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. Here is where you'll acquire a wealth of knowledge about Xcalak, in just . Your flight is NOT included in the package and must be purchased separately. The XTC Fly Fishing Experience. Some guides have over 25+ years of experience guiding fly fishers in the area. Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you a free special report - Why Millions of Americans Are Moving to Mexico. If you wish, you can join a kayaking tour, which is usually paired with a snorkeling excursion. Hop in a panga, explain to your guide what you want to catch, and off you go. If you delve into the history of Xcalak, you will be able to see its relevance in communications and supplies between large cities. On windy days, the lagoons behind Xcalak provide shelter and productive fishing for baby tarpon and snook. Inland, the ecosystem is a fragile mix of mangrove lagoons and thick jungle. Everyone was excited; my first permit, and it seemed like a good one. Filters 1. The area surrounding Xcalak on the Chetumal bay side is a wild and relatively untouched place. Rain has improved fishing conditions. 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. Our bay fishery is a vast area made up of hundreds of cayes, rivers, ponds, lagoons, cuts and banks. Outdoorsman, writer and media producer Trey Reid shows us why he has been returning year after year for the excellent saltwater fishing near the Mexican-Beli. It depicts a good summary. 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. This special guide covers real estate, retirement and more in Mexico and is yours free when you sign up for our postcards below. I often found that the best communication came early at the dock when discussing the plan for the day. The average catch is 6 - 12 bonefish per day. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. 1 INSTITUTIONAL AMNESIA. (And check out our highlight video from our trip last year below!). I landed the fish, a bit disappointed, but happy nevertheless at putting a good fish in the boat. If you are interested, you can read more about our 2019 trip here OR shoot me an e-mail and we can talk Mayan adventure. font-size: medium; } Big, small, funny, and fast. I often think of bonefish as the saviors of any saltwater fishing destination, due to their sheer numbers and availability as targets. Did I mention all you can drink too? xcalak-bonefishing-sabadeando.wmv. 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. Go far enough, and it's not that you forget about the worriesit's that the worries forget about you. The third cast was spot on and the entire school was over my fly. 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. He and his wife Illana own Costa de Cocos resort, which sits on . . Triggerfish were a final noteworthy target that can show up in Xcalak, unfortunately, we did not get a shot. Xcalak is one of the towns that has been maintained over time in its most natural state. But maybe its good for you. 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. The jungle starts to encroach on civilization and lines the road like a solid green wall. The jetties are still holding trout and redfish. 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. Cell coverage is non-existent in Xcalak, so make sure you have an offline map before making the drive. Costa de Cocos lodge, kitchen, and service staff did an absolutely fantastic job of making us feel comfortable, well fed, and equally hydrated. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site. After 5 minutes or so the fish was getting closer to the boat. May 2, 2016. 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 . border: 0.2rem solid #ffb500; Specifically, the joy found in our trip to the salt to fish the lesser known of the great Yucatan bays: Chetumal. Targeting the plentiful bonefish is always an option. More than once, it was remarked that the food was beyond our expectations. 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. 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. 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. 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. Most of our trips include rods, flies and we rent waders. Click here to receive the sport of fly fishing's most authoritative magazine. reefs, islands, lagoons and bays of the beautiful Xcalak National I may have framed my question a bit different than I wanted. Some of the most exciting underwater experiences include seeing manatees and diving with schools of yardstick-long tarpon. With food and drinks included in the cost of the lodge, our gear was sorted rather quickly into our rooms. Your email address will not be published. What would it take to help others find Xcalak? https://www.josexcalaktours.com/index.html. Bonefish - Bonefish live on both hard and soft bottom flats so fly fishing will be wading and boat casting. width: 100%; He rents boats and can give you advice. 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. . I looked back at Alberto, and the look on his face said it all. It was like a rustic cabin right on the . Maybe you are very serious about Your email address will not be published. American Angler magazine covers fly-fishing tactics, tackle, destinations, news, and fisheries conservation for a national readership of more than 40,000 fly fishers of all levels. I make a long, slow strip. 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 and guiding in Xcalak and I can tell you that things have never All of the guides at the lodge had lots of experience on the water (most around 15-20 years of guiding). Map. He was never seen or heard from again. Its less developed (and less crowded) than its popular northern neighbor Ascension Bay, near Tulum. This was a now or never, make or break moment. float: left; Traveling a few hours further south youll discover Xcalak has bigger flats and more diverse sea life. 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. He is an excellent teacher and my choice when I send Back then there wasnt really a trustworthy tourist website and we just couldnt figure out if the trip was worth the effort. This way of thinking might sell them far to short, however, because bonefish are extremely fun. I found that with our guides at Costa de Cocos, we had very little issues with any of our guides.