Inland, the ecosystem is a fragile mix of mangrove lagoons and thick jungle. The fresh (but slightly salty) water in the lagoons hosts an entirely different species of wildlife than the saltwater flats. If you are looking for world class fishing in a pristine and wild place, Xcalak is the town for you and Xcalak Fishing is your guide service! Xcalak (I have no idea how to pronounce that) is waaaay down there in Mexico past Cancun, past Ascencion Bay, almost to Belize. A few of us even opted to grab a lodge kayak and head out to the oceanside flats for a little afternoon casting practice. The switch was flipped from fishing to hunting oftentimes when 18-20 inch fish could be found cruising in groups of 2s and 4s along the sandy mangroves, searching for food in 4 inches of water. Plan for overnights in Cancun on June 9 and June 18. And with a white-sand seabed, the coastal water displays a stunning aquamarine tint. I look for alternatives from time to time, but didnt on this post. Let me share my thoughts. For those travelers contemplating a visit to the remote fishing village of Xcalak, Quintana Roo. Acocote Eco Inn, Located right in town, Casa Cangrejo is a straight up fly fishing lodge. It is located on the southernmost tip of the Mexican Riveria, on a peninsula about 1.5 hours boat ride north of San Pedro Belize. Before you head off to Xcalak, here is some advice for making the most of your trip: .jason-signup { 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. and guiding in Xcalak and I can tell you that things have never Hop in a panga, explain to your guide what you want to catch, and off you go. Its cheaper to stay at one of the non fishing lodges down there and book guides on your own and DIY. Specifically, the joy found in our trip to the salt to fish the lesser known of the great Yucatan bays: Chetumal. is a great caster himself, casting equally well with both 0 Comments. Not all locations fish well every month but there is always something peaking on any given week. 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. Between the shore and the reef, the calm saltwater flats are home to a thriving variety of game fish and tropical marine life. In addition to boat fishing, Chetumal also offers excellent wade fishing. 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. 2022 by Fly Fish Costa Maya. Let us help you build the perfect lodging and fishing package. Curious about this undiscovered fly fishing mecca? And thats how we truly fell for this beach town in the south of Mexico. . 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. He and his wife Illana own Costa de Cocos resort, which sits on . 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. Running south, we have a maze of grass . He is an excellent teacher and my choice when I send It's a great read.way better then the movie of the same name, imo. Poor fisheries data, many fishers, and increasing tourism development: Interdisciplinary views on past and current small-scale fisheries exploitation on Holbox Island 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. 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. Read about average temperatures and weather patterns month by month. Go far enough, and its not that you forget about the worriesits that the worries forget about you. This isnt to say Chetumal is any less of a fisheryit just gets less pressure. Id love to make it down there. Two units have generated flow nonstop, day and night. Dan Blantons board has a had a few posts on ocassion. Will dredging the Zaragoza Canal hurt Xcalak. width:auto; The jungle starts to encroach on civilization and lines the road like a solid green wall. I often found that the best communication came early at the dock when discussing the plan for the day. Work now, play later as they say. Casa Cangrejo, One of the first accommodations to open in Xcalak, at Cocos your room is a palapa hut. Re: DIY Fly Fishing. I will let those with more experience and confidence continue the debate from there. This proved to be a pretty exciting way to mix up the day when cuda were on the flats. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. The cabanas fit 2 anglers, had ceiling fans, plenty of windows, and a fine and functional bathroom. Lakes above and below us are all . The shifting baseline concept popularized by Pauly (), in which change is measured against previous reference points which may themselves not reflect the true early state, has been documented in fisheries worldwide (e.g. We're on our way back to Costa de Cocos resort, idling down the outside edge of a long . Did I mention all you can drink too? As with Xcalak, nothing special on the fly front here. trips from $300 : Sapos Del Mar . @Glenn, I dont know why the video isnt playing for you it played for me straight off. 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. Costa de Cocos, Only 2 kms from town, this accommodation is the closest thing to a resort youll find in Xcalak. I'm sorry to say no permit for . 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. Enjoy unique accommodations right on the water. Required fields are marked *. 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. Im not far behind. 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. 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! Bonefish are easy to find, yet hard to spot. And he can also keep up Because of the diversity of waterscapes, Xcalak is an excellent place for fly-fishers to attempt the Grand-Slam, catching a bonefish, a tarpon, and a permit all in the same day. 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. 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. 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. We started answering emails, at first, and then made this website. 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. Would cut the cost quite a bit me thinksor are you one of those resort dudes? And thanks to the protection enforced by the Xcalak National Reef Park, the waters around Xcalak are full of healthy, plentiful pescado just waiting for you to arrive. Experience the fishing, the culture, and the food . 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). These pickup trucks carry fresh seafood, fruit, vegetables, and snacks. Leave early to arrive before nightfall. 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. WordPress. Jack he muttered. 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. Ruin explorers can easily visit the Chacchoben archaeological site, about a two-hour drive from the village. THE BEST Xcalak Fishing Charters & Tours. } Here is where you'll acquire a wealth of knowledge about Xcalak, in just . Its a 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 . content: ""; Traveling back in time to a distant tropical land where time loses all meaning. 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. We quickly spotted a school of Bonefish and Tony caught one, so it was my turn to fish. 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. 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. His fly fishing writings have been published on blogs such as the Daily Drake and Simms Wading Room. While staying at El Pescador Lodge in Belize, weve seen boats from there flyfishing in the Bacalar Chico Reserve. There was some netting going on. This ancient Maya city boasts three excavated stone plazas and a towering pyramid. As to your Appalachian Trail adventure, have you read the book "A Walk in the Woods" by Bill Bryson chronicling his Appalachian adventure? Each is constructed with a forward casting deck . Some fish get into our soul. Fly Fishing in Xcalak, Chetumal Bay, Mexico. This approximately 70-acre lake just north of Turner is open to public fishing along the southern half. 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. These fish are tough, with extremely hard mouths, so getting them to eat sometimes was not the hard partsticking the hook was. Maximize your time on the water and make great memories on one of our deluxe overnight river camping trips. Park. 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. But maybe it's good for you. Depending on traffic and how many stops you make, the trip will take about 6 to 7 hours. What more could you ask for? 8,621.89 Sqft. These lagoons are mangrove-lined and accessible on all tidal phases. Traveling a few hours further south youll discover Xcalak has bigger flats and more diverse sea life. The fishing. Andy manages Duranglers Flies and Supplies online store and web content. .fullwidth-signup{ 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. Jacks are close relatives of Permit, and they sometimes swim in schools together. 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. This way of thinking might sell them far to short, however, because bonefish are extremely fun. The most popular fish in Xcalak are permit and bonefish, but theres a lot more than that for you to hook. They are opportunistic eaters and as picky as permit. 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. A typical fishing day has you departing the Lodge at 8:00 AM and returning around 4:00 PM. For me, this fish is permit. Enter dates. Fishing season here is year-round and the fish are abundant. Looking into the water, something didnt seem right. 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. After 5 minutes or so the fish was getting closer to the boat. xcalak-bonefishing-sabadeando.wmv. Both the saltwater flats and inland lagoons make for excellent kayaking and SUP. Walleye fishing should start picking up now that we are into March. https://www.thexflats.com/, Another local, Jos is an experienced Xcalak fly fishing guide, and he loves the local area. I looked back at Alberto, and the look on his face said it all. This fly fishing service can book your tour and accommodations, and has access to a network of Xcalak guides. But what the sand lacks in smoothness, the beach makes up for in seclusion. 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. I found that with our guides at Costa de Cocos, we had very little issues with any of our guides. Outdoor Activities. From there, the best way to get to Xcalak is to rent a car and drive south on Highway 307. Beyond Tulum, the communities become more rural and become fewer and farther between. } PHOTOGRAPHY BY RASMUS OVESEN & MARTIN EJLER OLSEN, Blue Ribbon, Fly-Fishing Fever in Heber Valley, Fish It Well Diaries, Chapter 5: Camille Egdorf, Discovering Resilience: Photos by Jess McGlothlin. Join us on a 6 Night & 7 Day Guided fishing trip to beautiful Xcalak, Mexico. More than once, it was remarked that the food was beyond our expectations. 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. Our group boated everything from 3-pound babies to 15-pound juvies. His place is right in town where the fishing guides pick you up. We came to fish, not be pampered with warm bathrobes and spa treatments. Its uncommonly easy to find a stretch of the Caribbean all to yourself in Xcalak. Mixing bonefish, permit, and homemade bourbon on the Mexican Caribbean. For me, it is tarpon. clear: both; I personally felt it was incredible, but I am partial to anything coastal, and anything Mexican. Fly fishing for Pacific Rockfish is nothing new, but something that most anglers haven't sampled yet. 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. 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. Deep sea, light tackle, fly fishing - you name it! Looking at the case now10 years removedis like trying to investigate a crime that was never actually a crime. Tags: Bahia Blanca, bonefishing, Mexico, Xcalak. News: Will dredging the Zaragoza Canal hurt Xcalak? Plan for your Montana fishing trip. Very well done Kev, glad you had a great trip. Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you a free special report - Why Millions of Americans Are Moving to Mexico. 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. Had a great trip to Xcalak, fishing out of Casa Paraiso. The town sits next to the Caribbean on a small spit of land that separates the Ocean from Chetumal Bay. 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. The excellent fly fishing is found on the bonefish and permit flats of Chetumal Bay. I've heard anything from only an 8 weight to 8-10 weights needed for permit down there. Imagine floating into a deluxe camp on one of our private ranches or permitted islands where cold beverages and tasty appetizers await. 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. 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. Facing the " Great Mayan Reef", the second largest reef in the world, Casa Caracola is located in a national park. Then we visited again. Coral Garden Inn. Talk your guide about what you want to try for snook, tarpon, barracuda, or jacks. overflow: hidden; Since our trip was in December, we had the youngsters of the species to target. 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. [Story by Nick Roberts / Photos by Patrick Williams] THE SUN IS SETTING OVER THE SLEEPY FISHING VILLAGE OF XCALAK, MEXICO, casting the barrier reef in amber light and bringing out the vibrant green and blue hues of the oceanside flats. 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. Hey Bjorn, Experience the wilds of Montana on a multi-day horse pack adventure. Xcalak is one of the towns that has been maintained over time in its most natural state. Top Fishing Charters in Xcalak. 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. It isnt completely remote either, but the first-day warnings do come with points on crocodiles and jaguars and how to avoid them. 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. 2023. Although more populous than Xcalak, the crowds here are nothing compared to the Riviera Maya. Xcalak Xcalak is home to a quintessential view of the Caribbean, with translucent turquoise waters and mostly undeveloped beaches, backed by swaying palms. 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. It was amazing fishing in a fantastic place with bones and permit caught right off the dock. 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 . Maybe its a magical place where you can hook permit all day long, wade mudflats without another fly fisher in sight, or finally hook the Grand Slam youve been aching for. Like us, theyre here to take advantage of Costa de Cocos great off-season rates. float: none; February 8, 2023. Jose on many occasions and I am pleased to recommend him. Luggage options for the traveling angler. As it tends to do at inopportune moments, the windtoday blowing a steady 15 from the eastpicks up, increasing the chop. These were just a few spots that our guides had in their back pockets for the right situation. If this was a sign of things to come, the foreshadowing was causing almost catatonic euphoria. It's just that I've heard so many different reports about what rods to use there and you, having done it yourself, may be able to give some insight on what you liked about having the 10 weight vs a lighter weight in that situation. Okay so I thought about this a lot today and let me restate my earlier comment. I toss the Rag Head Crab into the air, load my 9-weight, and aim a couple feet in front of the lead fish. Seven through ten weights were in order for the grand slam of species we would be chasing the upcoming week. Mexico Climb the steps for a sweeping view of the entire site. Xcalak. Get in, amigo, Julio tells me as he hands off the pole to his brother. Fishing Charters & Tours in Xcalak. Im not able to watch the video for some reason. JavaScript is disabled. width:max-content; The average catch is 6 - 12 bonefish per day. 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. Choose from over 20 fabled blue ribbon rivers that we target. A six hour drive south of Cancun, Xcalak resists mega-tourism and retains its natural beauty. Fly Fishing shop, the owner of this B&B is a fly fishing enthusiast. great time to plan a visit. Watch on. and nice guy. Feel free to send me an email with any questions you 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? 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. The downside is the weather can be unpredictable this time of year. More from their website : "Tucked along the world-famous Chetumal Bay, the Xflats at Tierra Maya's 7 beachfront suites are elegantly . In the Xcalak National Reef Park, fishing is catch-and-release (release comes after you take a photo of your catch, of course). Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. For years, my work has been fishing 4.2 / 5 (2 reviews) Mahahual 26 ft 4 persons . My first two casts were off, but fortunately the fish were still in range. 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. . International Fly-Fishing Film Festival 2023 Gage Charlesworth Ogden City Corp gagec@ogdencity.com-801-629-8992. Along with many miles of Caribbean shoreline, Xcalak sits conveniently close to the entrance of Chetumal Bay. With XOTF at Casa Paraiso, youre sure to have a rewarding and relaxing time. These are the fish we seek when the deeper questions of life are on the table. The fishing day starts with meeting your guide on our new 200 foot dock directly in front of the lodge. To the north, we have the the Rio Huach lagoon system, boasting consisitent baby Tarpon and Snook fishing year round. Information related to travelling to Montana: which airports to fly into, major towns, etc. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Subscribe to the Magazine Today and Save 65%, IL Magazine: Discover the World's Best Retirement Haven for 2023 + 15 more, about subscribing to International Living Magazine. Wet season runs from May to October and you can still expect sunny days, but . .signup-column { North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters: This week's report from Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus. Bay wells producing sheepshead and black drum on live shrimp. David Randall moved to Xcalak in the early '90s, after selling his catfish hatchery south of Kansas City. More than 11222 fishing boats in 110 countries. This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 3:04 am and is filed under Locations. maybe you are just very ready for a vacation to explore the 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! In Xcalak, lush Mayan jungle meets turquoise Caribbean water. We fished for Permit, tarpon and Snook here also but I considered . A resort, it is not. margin: 1.5rem 0; The first time I went to Xcalak, what stood out the most was the places authenticity. Originally started as a diving and snorkeling lodge to cater to tourists wishing to explore the Mesoamerican barrier reef 400 yards from shore(more on that later), the owners of the Lodge quickly realized the immense potential of the fishery in front of and behind their lodge. Your guide knows where to find the fish he spots them, and you hook them. You might have heard of Xcalak, but because of its remote location its a relatively unknown, uncrowded fly fishing destination. Email:xcalakotf@gmail.comPhone:+1.907.953.3992. of Jose, myself, and a nice permit. 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. Some of the most exciting underwater experiences include seeing manatees and diving with schools of yardstick-long tarpon. There were a few interesting flats around, some small bonefish, a decent number of cudas. Xcalak on the Fly is the Yucatan Peninsula's newest fly fishing lodge based out of Casa Paraiso. Really like your blog. Xcalak Front Side Flats. Your email address will not be published. The town is remote, and so far south, its only six miles to the Belize/Mexico border. The jetties are still holding trout and redfish. BEACH FRONT lote For Sale 9150 ft2 at Mahahual- Xcalak road P3413, Costa Maya, Quintana Roo. Accommodations are off-grid, which gives any vacation in Xcalak a touch of adventure. Quiet about Xcalak! Acocote Eco Inn: Perfect for the adventurous - Read 144 reviews, view 87 photos, and find great deals for Acocote Eco Inn at Tripadvisor This package includes transportation from Cancun International Airport, accommodation and all meals. 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. josexcalak@hotmail.com WhatsApp Given Xcalaks limited development, youd be right to guess that the tourist hotels take sustainability seriously. Many had a mix of experience guiding out of Xcalak along with guiding at Ascension Bay. 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. In 2015, we almost didnt visit Xcalak. .signup-row:after { It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. (3 spots remain.) You wont be roughing it though this palapa hut comes with its own private bathroom. 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. 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.

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