xcalak fishing report

For over 20 years, underwater visual census survey data has been collected periodically at 36 spawning aggregation sites, and grey literature is available since the 1940's, yet managers and conservation practitioners report that abundance tendencies for 48% of grouper and snapper spawning species across the 36 sites are 'Unknown', despite . With food and drinks included in the cost of the lodge, our gear was sorted rather quickly into our rooms. 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 . 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 am looking up from my desk at a picture Bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, and barracuda await your fly. As in most places where one can find tarpon, there often are a few in the mix. You wont be roughing it though this palapa hut comes with its own private bathroom. 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). Some days it was permit, some days it was tarpon, but the constant was of course bonefish. Xcalak is renowned for fly fishing. Map. Did I mention all you can drink too? One of those lucky ones was me. 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. Would love to see more pictures! Luggage options for the traveling angler. Options include diverse lodging packages, camping trips, wilderness horse pack expeditions, day trips and world wide travel. Jose on many occasions and I am pleased to recommend him. with the best permit guides in the world in terms of expertise. We enjoyed another day eating lunch in town and drinking beers sitting by the sea. Our packages and trips were designed by fishing-obsessed father and son duo Jim and Chase Looney with anglers in mind. It's been at least 20 years, but did stay in Xcalak and fished 5 days, DIY with rented panga. Site cast to trophy trout cruising the shallows of several productive lakes. At Miguels suggestion, we stop for a late lunch at a taco stand, where the four of us eat our fill of pollo and carnitas for only eight dollars. 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. While comfortable, the accommodations are rusticwhich for all of us was just fine. 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. Xcalak One thing I did notice was that, depending on the day and tides, the tarpon spots could be limited. Xcalak is a refreshingly undisturbed fishing village nestled along Mexicos southernmost Caribbean coastline. 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 fishing routine was simple and timely. 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. Theyre partnered with Hotel Tierra Maya. Fishing season here is year-round and the fish are abundant. 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. December through February, theses migrating snook show up and can be found lurking at likely ambush points. Youre sitting at your computer, dreaming of fly fishing, and wondering what your next destination will be. Dan Blantons board has a had a few posts on ocassion. TRAVEL There are several flights a day to Cancn, Mexico. 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. 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. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site. The guides in Xcalak really know their stuff. I looked back at Alberto, and the look on his face said it all. Costa de Cocos lodge, kitchen, and service staff did an absolutely fantastic job of making us feel comfortable, well fed, and equally hydrated. Farmington, ill. -Stop by for a cold beer on your, Byron Bayeasternmost point of Australia. 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. 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. Each is constructed with a forward casting deck . 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). You must log in or register to reply here. Montana Angler guides fish the famous Livingston creeks in addition to several other spring creeks on some of our exclusive ranch leases. Renting a car from Cancun is the most common way to reach Xcalak. THE BEST Xcalak Fishing Charters & Tours. Fly fishing Xcalak with XTC Dive Center is a unique experience unlike any other adventure in the Yucatan. These fish are tough, with extremely hard mouths, so getting them to eat sometimes was not the hard partsticking the hook was. We discovered there were lots of people with questions about Xcalak. I found this video fresh off the internets. The town sits next to the Caribbean on a small spit of land that separates the Ocean from Chetumal Bay. Climb the steps for a sweeping view of the entire site. Ever look for places to camp in some of these exotic locations? If you wish, you can join a kayaking tour, which is usually paired with a snorkeling excursion. The cabanas fit 2 anglers, had ceiling fans, plenty of windows, and a fine and functional bathroom. Mexico The permit are swimming right to left, on a diagonal line, but suddenly, they start coming toward us. We have the safest, fastest, and driest boats in the . Simply enter your email address below and well send you a free special report Mexico: The Perfect Close-to-Home Retirement Haven. Maybe you are very serious about More from their website : "Tucked along the world-famous Chetumal Bay, the Xflats at Tierra Maya's 7 beachfront suites are elegantly . 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. Posted on July 30, 2020 January 11, 2021 by islander. We zip up our wading boots and slide over the gunnel into the lukewarm water as quietly as possible. Imagine floating into a deluxe camp on one of our private ranches or permitted islands where cold beverages and tasty appetizers await. This place is real and its called Xcalak. It's a great read.way better then the movie of the same name, imo. This fly fishing service can book your tour and accommodations, and has access to a network of Xcalak guides. Like us, theyre here to take advantage of Costa de Cocos great off-season rates. We fished for Permit, tarpon and Snook here also but I considered . Cell coverage is non-existent in Xcalak, so make sure you have an offline map before making the drive. In the Xcalak National Reef Park, fishing is catch-and-release (release comes after you take a photo of your catch, of course). Xcalak is a quiet fishing town on the southern coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. Manage your subscription or add a digital edition to your print subscription. WordPress. 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 little variation in the flow but not much. .signup-row:after { Triggerfish were a final noteworthy target that can show up in Xcalak, unfortunately, we did not get a shot. reefs, islands, lagoons and bays of the beautiful Xcalak National Hey Bjorn, A lovely place to stay: Reef House at Casa Paraiso Xcalak - See 315 traveller reviews, 292 photos, and cheap deals for Reef House at Casa Paraiso Xcalak at Tripadvisor. Night time temps were pretty cool, so having an AC was a non-issue and the showers were hot! This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 3:04 am and is filed . 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. 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. The reef is a physical barrier that breaks up big ocean surge and turns it to gentle waves. I toss the Rag Head Crab into the air, load my 9-weight, and aim a couple feet in front of the lead fish. [Story by Nick Roberts / Photos by Patrick Williams]. It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. Really like your blog. Chetumal Bay is at the far southern tip of the Yucatan, near the border with Belize. Some guides have over 25+ years of experience guiding fly fishers in the area. (And check out our highlight video from our trip last year below!). Running south, we have a maze of grass . The flats of Chetumal Bay are home to an incredible amount of bones, and I had a few days of specifically targeting 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. 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. Permit fever is a real thing, and for those experiencing this diagnosis, Chetumal bay is a good place to seek a fix (I say fix, not cure as there is no such thing). This is a video I made for some friends that were thinking of going on a trip with us. Anyway, long story short, we did visit. SUNDAY 8:00 am-6:00 pm. trips from $300 : Sapos Del Mar . The fishing. Ruin explorers can easily visit the Chacchoben archaeological site, about a two-hour drive from the village. Diosa Del Mar Mahahual 25 ft 4 persons . Seven through ten weights were in order for the grand slam of species we would be chasing the upcoming week. Before you head off to Xcalak, here is some advice for making the most of your trip: .jason-signup { But maybe its good for you. Some of the most exciting underwater experiences include seeing manatees and diving with schools of yardstick-long tarpon. MONDAY-SATURDAY 8:00 am-6:00 pm There were times were we found bonefish tailing in schools of 10s and 20s in a foot of water and turtle grass. Our blog offers a vast collection of useful articles that include topics related to hatches, seasons, rivers, destination trip reports and more, Helpful checklists to make sure you include the proper clothing and gear for your Montana fishing trip, Information on rates for Montana and Yellowstone National Park fishing licenses. This package includes transportation from Cancun International Airport, accommodation and all meals. Read about the seasonal patterns in our fisheries. 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). Then we visited again. Along with many miles of Caribbean shoreline, Xcalak sits conveniently close to the entrance of Chetumal Bay. Ilana and David Randall founded Costa de Cocos over 25 years ago on an idyllic 350-foot stretch of oceanfront property a half mile north of town. DIY Saltwater Fly Fishing - Etiquette on the Xcalak flats. Local skipper Victor has lived in the area for 35 years and has been guiding fishermen in the area . The excellent fly fishing is found on the bonefish and permit flats of Chetumal Bay. A resort, it is not. February 8, 2023. [emailprotected], HOURS: Fly Fishing shop, the owner of this B&B is a fly fishing enthusiast. Options include all inclusive fishing lodges, convenient hotel packages and unique river front vacation cabins and homes. 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. Need a fishing charter? These "ghosts of the flats" swim about 27 miles per hour . Your guide knows where to find the fish he spots them, and you hook them. 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 . Not all locations fish well every month but there is always something peaking on any given week. Xcalak is a small fishing village on the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo. 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. 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. Xcalaks shore is made mostly of tiny coral fragments that arent exactly powdery-soft. More than once, it was remarked that the food was beyond our expectations. 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. Xcalak, with a present population of around 350 people, was the largest city in Quintana Roo until it was . JavaScript is disabled. Since our trip was in December, we had the youngsters of the species to target. I'm sorry to say no permit for . 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. 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. Xcalak is home to a quintessential view of the Caribbean, with translucent turquoise waters and mostly undeveloped beaches, backed by swaying palms. Your email address will not be published. . Costa De Cocos finds it home in the small fishing village of Xcalak, situated within the southern realms of the Yucatan Peninsula, only a few miles north of the border of Belize. 923 Main Ave | DURANGO, CO 81301 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. He rents boats and can give you advice. Would cut the cost quite a bit me thinksor are you one of those resort dudes? I found that with our guides at Costa de Cocos, we had very little issues with any of our guides. For unknown reasons, Scheepstra broke away from his fishing partner and headed back toward the rental car. It comes with the package. Although more populous than Xcalak, the crowds here are nothing compared to the Riviera Maya. We emerge from the jungle after a couple hours, and when I spot a stand of mangroves sprouting in a pool of water along the road, I know were almost there. If youre craving a lively afternoon, head to Mahahuals pedestrian-only malecn, and find a beachside bar for some people-watching. I hope to see you down here soon. 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. Join International Living Today and Get the 2023 Global Retirement IndexFREE with This Special Offer. Double occupancy (boat and room) -$4,495.00 USD. International Fly-Fishing Film Festival 2023 Gage Charlesworth Ogden City Corp gagec@ogdencity.com-801-629-8992. There they arethree or four tailing permit leisurely zigzagging across the flat, their sickle fins slicing through the waters rippled surface. The town is home to just 400 local fishers and a scattering of resident expats. 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. For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 . Can't find the video you're looking for? We take care of all the gear and you just sit back and relax after arriving in camp. width:auto; Xcalak is a small fishing village on the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo. Not to mention the list of 'other' species, such as Barracuda, Snapper, Jacks, Snook and Cobia that are all a real possibility on every trip. Other random by-catch I managed were snappers, small jacks, needlefish, perch, some reef fish, and one small saltwater crocodile. Depending on traffic and how many stops you make, the trip will take about 6 to 7 hours. 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. EN C Change your measurements Watch on. Go far enough, and its not that you forget about the worriesits that the worries forget about you. I often found that the best communication came early at the dock when discussing the plan for the day. . Casa Cangrejo, One of the first accommodations to open in Xcalak, at Cocos your room is a palapa hut. 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. @Glenn, I dont know why the video isnt playing for you it played for me straight off. 0 Comments. Inland, the ecosystem is a fragile mix of mangrove lagoons and thick jungle. Rates and terms for some of our standard trips. To the north, we have the the Rio Huach lagoon system, boasting consisitent baby Tarpon and Snook fishing year round. I recently returned from Southern Mexico after my first salt water trip. March 2, 2023 Fishing Report. Hey Nate, certainly looks like a good time. Xcalak Front Side Flats. Xcalak Bonefish (1.000) Xcalak on a Monday (1.000) Bones of Costa de Cocos (1.000) Tags: Bahia Blanca, bonefishing, Mexico, Xcalak. Rain has improved fishing conditions. 30 Jul. Julio and I stealthily close in on the fish, their black spikes silhouetted in the fading light. Welcome to Xcalak. 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. Xcalak is one of the towns that has been maintained over time in its most natural state. Spring 2023 trip dates: June 10-17 at the lodge. 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. 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) A six hour drive south of Cancun, Xcalak resists mega-tourism and retains its natural beauty. Things are calming back down, and some activity has returned to the beaches and offshore. 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. Poor fisheries data, many fishers, and increasing tourism development: Interdisciplinary views on past and current small-scale fisheries exploitation on Holbox Island LODGING Costa de Cocos Resort (www . Hi everyone. The town is remote, and so far south, it's only six miles to the Belize /Mexico border. 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 . Traveler favorites. 1 While natural . Accommodations then were spare and dirty, fishing was so-so. After about day 3, I finally figured out how to articulate permit: Some fish get into our heart. 2-8-23. Here is where you'll acquire a wealth of knowledge about Xcalak, in just . 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. In addition to boat fishing, Chetumal also offers excellent wade fishing. Permit: the holy grail of flats fly fishing species for many (maybe white whale is a better analogy). Video Tutorials. color: white; 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. Given Xcalaks limited development, youd be right to guess that the tourist hotels take sustainability seriously. The area surrounding Xcalak on the Chetumal bay side is a wild and relatively untouched place. 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. May 2, 2016. Costa De Cocos is truly a fishermans lodge. Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. Grand slams are not uncommon in Xcalak, so set your sights high! If you just have a day or two to spare, day trips are a great way to experience Montana's legendary fisheries. Xcalak (I have no idea how to pronounce that) is waaaay down there in Mexico past Cancun, past Ascencion Bay, almost to Belize. 2022 by Fly Fish Costa Maya. Bonefish - Bonefish live on both hard and soft bottom flats so fly fishing will be wading and boat casting. Let us answer all of your questions and help you choose exceptional lodges in Chile, Argentina, Alaska and the Bahamas. I have had wonderful days fishing for bonefish Both the saltwater flats and inland lagoons make for excellent kayaking and SUP. 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. Get it together I told myself. In Xcalak, lush Mayan jungle meets turquoise Caribbean water. The Chetumal Bay flats in Xcalak are vastly larger than Ascension Bay further north, offering the fly. Walleye fishing should start picking up now that we are into March. Fishing pressure has been very light, even with a lot of steelhead in the river. 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. Jacks are close relatives of Permit, and they sometimes swim in schools together. 8,621.89 Sqft. border: 0.2rem solid #ffb500; Everyone was excited; my first permit, and it seemed like a good one. His place is right in town where the fishing guides pick you up. Heres a rundown of the Xcalak beach, and here are the Xcalak fly fishing basics: The saltwater flats are the biggest deal in Xcalak. 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. Accommodations are off-grid, which gives any vacation in Xcalak a touch of adventure. 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. Get away from it all on our extensive network of private access waters. Many had a mix of experience guiding out of Xcalak along with guiding at Ascension Bay. You might have heard of Xcalak, but because of its remote location its a relatively unknown, uncrowded fly fishing destination. Enter dates. The Parks daily entrance fee is payable to Park officials and it includes a wristband to show that youve paid to use the park. We're on our way back to Costa de Cocos resort, idling down the outside edge of a long . 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. Looking into the water, something didnt seem right. As to your Appalachian Trail adventure, have you read the book "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson chronicling his Appalachian adventure? Appetizers and drinks awaited us at the main lodge restaurant after we settled in. position: relative; On the way to Xcalak, you can stop for tacos and a cold beer in Tulum. Getting ThereThe town of Xcalak, Mexico sits at the end of the road. Our bay fishery is a vast area made up of hundreds of cayes, rivers, ponds, lagoons, cuts and banks. been more beautiful or better here than they are now. Leave early to arrive before nightfall. Shorelines action is heating up with a few speckled trout, redfish, and decent numbers of black drum, and sheepshead, all on live shrimp. 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. .signup-column { 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. Quintana Roo, Mxico - Xcalak is a village of 375 inhabitants in the municipality of Othn P. Blanco, Quintana Roo, on the Caribbean coast of Mexico. .fullwidth-signup{ Or, use the free kayaks and SUPs offered at most beachside hotels. He covers the coast and inland waters. Plan for overnights in Cancun on June 9 and June 18. 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?

xcalak fishing report 2023