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. They are opportunistic eaters and as picky as permit. Xcalak Fishing is a fly fishing guide service located in the remote Mexican fishing village of Xcalak, Quintana Roo. Jose on many occasions and I am pleased to recommend him. This was a now or never, make or break moment. 2-8-23. Not just a fishing and diving lodge, Costa de Cocos boasts a restaurant, brewery, and distillery. Acocote Eco Inn, Located right in town, Casa Cangrejo is a straight up fly fishing lodge. As a lifelong trout angler and guide, flats fishing is a totally different experience and challenge, and I am hooked. DIY Saltwater Fly Fishing - Etiquette on the Xcalak flats. 1 While natural . Coral Garden Inn. Walleye fishing should start picking up now that we are into March. Fly Fishing in Xcalak Mexico - Holy Waters https://www.josexcalaktours.com/index.html. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. Down The Path - The FlyFish Journal Your flight is NOT included in the package and must be purchased separately. trips from $300 : Sapos Del Mar . Episode 37 - JESSE COLTEN: The Xcalak Episodes - Part Two of Two And thats how we truly fell for this beach town in the south of Mexico. Both the saltwater flats and inland lagoons make for excellent kayaking and SUP. Let me share my thoughts. Options include unique fishing lodges, exclusive ranch stays, riverside vacation rentals, and affordable hotel packages. Acocote Eco Inn | Xcalak Mexico The sheer power of the fish is incredible. Some of the most exciting underwater experiences include seeing manatees and diving with schools of yardstick-long tarpon. I booked Nick for this April and he comes highly recommended, out of Mahahual. Home - Casa Caracola Big, small, funny, and fast. 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! Victor's location in Xcalak means easy access to the flats of Chetumal Bay. 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. Spring 2023 trip dates: June 10-17 at the lodge. I make a long, slow strip. Watch on. [emailprotected], HOURS: Speaking of accommodations, here are the most popular accommodations for fly fishers in Xcalak: Home of the Fxcalak (fish-ka-lak, get it?) 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. 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. Theyre partnered with Hotel Tierra Maya. Two suites complete with kitchens sleep 6 people each. @Rob, not a resort dude, really just easier to find videos from folks staying at resorts. For pricing on lodging packages visit each individual package for rates, inclusions and exclusions. Anyway, long story short, we did visit. This trip was with Bahia Blanca. maybe you are just very ready for a vacation to explore the Get in, amigo, Julio tells me as he hands off the pole to his brother. and permit with Captain Jose. fly fishing maybe you are very excited about snorkeling or And with a white-sand seabed, the coastal water displays a stunning aquamarine tint. Xcalak is home to a quintessential view of the Caribbean, with translucent turquoise waters and mostly undeveloped beaches, backed by swaying palms. Talk your guide about what you want to try for snook, tarpon, barracuda, or jacks. Fishing season here is year-round and the fish are abundant. 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. I recently returned from Southern Mexico after my first salt water trip. Montana Angler guides fish the famous Livingston creeks in addition to several other spring creeks on some of our exclusive ranch leases. We zip up our wading boots and slide over the gunnel into the lukewarm water as quietly as possible. We strive to stifle our joy on a daily basis in order to achieve something we perceive as greater in the long run. This way of thinking might sell them far to short, however, because bonefish are extremely fun. Climb the steps for a sweeping view of the entire site. Montana is home to some of the most productive wild trout rivers on the planet. Xcalak is a refreshingly undisturbed fishing village nestled along Mexicos southernmost Caribbean coastline. 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. Xcalak Bonefish (1.000) Xcalak on a Monday (1.000) Bones of Costa de Cocos (1.000) Tags: Bahia Blanca, bonefishing, Mexico, Xcalak. You wont be roughing it though this palapa hut comes with its own private bathroom. Simply enter your email address below and well send you a free special report Mexico: The Perfect Close-to-Home Retirement Haven. Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. There were a few interesting flats around, some small bonefish, a decent number of cudas. The town is set on a peninsula separating the Caribbean Sea from the Bay of Chetumal, and offers three unique areas for fly fishing: the saltwater flats, the mangrove lagoons, and the edge of the bay. This proved to be a pretty exciting way to mix up the day when cuda were on the flats. 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. Need a fishing charter? Xcalak is both, so it was always going to be a win for me. 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. You can follow any comments to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. LODGING Costa de Cocos Resort (www . In 2015, we almost didnt visit Xcalak. The Fish Xcalak on the Fly All Rights Reserved. Imagine floating into a deluxe camp on one of our private ranches or permitted islands where cold beverages and tasty appetizers await. clear: both; Choose your accommodation, pack your gear, and head to what might be the last undiscovered fly fishing paradise in the Yucatan. . Traveler ranking. 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). It usually lead to a more productive day of fishing when we were maximizing our guides knowledge of the area along with searching for fish we had a better chance of getting shots. I found that with our guides at Costa de Cocos, we had very little issues with any of our guides. And again. 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. Mexico - Remote Fly Fishing Experts: Pescador Solitario There's a lot of beauty and tranquility in our remote area of the Caribbean. Your email address will not be published. Hop in a panga, explain to your guide what you want to catch, and off you go. Julio raises his hand, signaling me to stop. } Costa de Cocos - Fishing at Costa de Cocos I was fortunate enough to hit the ocean side on a good tide on the second day of the trip, along with a walk and wade lagoon on the last day. The walleye fishing has been good on the days anglers can get out on the water. Durango fly fishing guides on the San Juan River, Animas River, Dolores River, Florida River and Los Pinos River. 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. 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. International Fly-Fishing Film Festival 2023 | Ogden, UT Here is where you'll acquire a wealth of knowledge about Xcalak, in just . 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. There are three seasons in Xcalak - dry, wet, and hurricane. @Glenn, I dont know why the video isnt playing for you it played for me straight off. Costa De Cocos is truly a fishermans lodge. Two units have generated flow nonstop, day and night. 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. We didnt see a lot of snook on our trip, but the ones we did see were pushing 40. } Where the palm trees sway, and the tide ebbs and flows a place where nature is wild, and its environment is vast. Plan for your Montana fishing trip. Rates and terms for some of our standard trips. CAR Most visitors to Xcalak arrive at the Cancun International Airport (CUN). As with Xcalak, nothing special on the fly front here. 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. You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site. Read about average temperatures and weather patterns month by month. 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. 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. Did I mention tarpon are my favorite fish to cast at with a fly rod? This technical match the hatch fishing produces big results. We take care of all the gear and you just sit back and relax after arriving in camp. width: 100%; The restaurant at Cocos is a popular place to cool off with one of their microbrews and trade stories with other fishers. It would be my second trip chasing saltwater fish on the flats, while Tony is a fairly experienced saltwater angler and licensed Captain. Finally, heading south of Xcalak town, the water turns coloured and offers excellent opportunities to target rolling Tarpon, as well as Snook and Jacks as they feed on Sardines and glass minnows sheltering close to the mangroves. 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. Required fields are marked *. Here in Xcalak, Mexico, we have some of the most beautiful saltwater flats for fly fishing in the world. Xcalak Fly Fishing Basics - Xcalak Mexico Water temperatures are still cold. Although more populous than Xcalak, the crowds here are nothing compared to the Riviera Maya. I may have framed my question a bit different than I wanted. Between the shore and the reef, the calm saltwater flats are home to a thriving variety of game fish and tropical marine life. Xcalak (I have no idea how to pronounce that) is waaaay down there in Mexico past Cancun, past Ascencion Bay, almost to Belize. About Xcalak - Xcalak Fishing The fishing routine was simple and timely. He and his wife Illana own Costa de Cocos resort, which sits on . Xcalak Bonefish Round 2 - Islander Precision Reels Appetizers and drinks awaited us at the main lodge restaurant after we settled in. More than 11222 fishing boats in 110 countries. 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. 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). Find out when to come, what equipment to bring, browse blog articles, and more. 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. My first two casts were off, but fortunately the fish were still in range. 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. Powered by My name is Jose, I live in Xcalak, and I am here to help I will let those with more experience and confidence continue the debate from there. The town sits next to the Caribbean on a small spit of land that separates the Ocean from Chetumal Bay. To the north, we have the the Rio Huach lagoon system, boasting consisitent baby Tarpon and Snook fishing year round. It isnt completely remote either, but the first-day warnings do come with points on crocodiles and jaguars and how to avoid them. After about 10 minutes of nothing, I looked to my right and a big school of Permit were heading our way. Site cast to trophy trout cruising the shallows of several productive lakes. 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. Mixing bonefish, permit, and homemade bourbon on the Mexican Caribbean. Im not far behind. I would reccomend it, even just for the entertainment value. The scenic, 250-mile drive from Cancn to Xcalak takes about five hours. 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. The permit are swimming right to left, on a diagonal line, but suddenly, they start coming toward us. And stay open to opportunity, as you never know what you might come across while looking for something else. Looking at the case now10 years removedis like trying to investigate a crime that was never actually a crime. [Story by Nick Roberts / Photos by Patrick Williams]. The added bonus of these lagoons is that they offer excellent shelter during windy days or inclement weather, allowing our anglers to have great fishing, whatever the conditions, just like you can see in the video. While comfortable, the accommodations are rusticwhich for all of us was just fine. 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). Beyond Tulum, the communities become more rural and become fewer and farther between. Not only is he an excellent 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.