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. Talk about hero to zero. Our bay fishery is a vast area made up of hundreds of cayes, rivers, ponds, lagoons, cuts and banks. Dr. Mike Larkin on Bonefish The Tom Roland Podcast. 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. Its a This was a now or never, make or break moment. 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. 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. To the north, we have the the Rio Huach lagoon system, boasting consisitent baby Tarpon and Snook fishing year round. Plan for your Montana fishing trip. Posted on July 30, 2020 January 11, 2021 by islander. On the way to Xcalak, you can stop for tacos and a cold beer in Tulum. Okay so I thought about this a lot today and let me restate my earlier comment. Your email address will not be published. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Duranglers Flies and Supplies Fly Shop You can leave a comment, or trackback from your own site. Your guide knows where to find the fish he spots them, and you hook them. 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! Not just a fishing and diving lodge, Costa de Cocos boasts a restaurant, brewery, and distillery. And with a white-sand seabed, the coastal water displays a stunning aquamarine tint. Permit: the holy grail of flats fly fishing species for many (maybe white whale is a better analogy). Two suites complete with kitchens sleep 6 people each. BEACH FRONT lote For Sale 9150 ft2 at Mahahual- Xcalak road P3413, Costa Maya, Quintana Roo. Between the shore and the reef, the calm saltwater flats are home to a thriving variety of game fish and tropical marine life. There were times were we found bonefish tailing in schools of 10s and 20s in a foot of water and turtle grass. Fishing changes by the week in Montana. Local skipper Victor has lived in the area for 35 years and has been guiding fishermen in the area . Depending on traffic and how many stops you make, the trip will take about 6 to 7 hours. .fullwidth-signup{ 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. We had two slams in our group (tarpon, permit, and bonefish in a single day) and lots of action throughout. 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. 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. Get picked up right from the dock in front of the beach and enjoy supper at the on-site restaurant. Within these numerous environments, we have a smorgasbord of options to fit every angler's needs. width: 100%; Headwear to keep you dry, cool, sun free, warm, or whatever you need! Not all locations fish well every month but there is always something peaking on any given week. josexcalak@hotmail.com WhatsApp Boats and Equipment All boats used by the lodge are 23-foot pangas that accommodate two fishermen and a guide. 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. Cleanr theme by WPShoppe. All rights reserved. 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. We started answering emails, at first, and then made this website. This approximately 70-acre lake just north of Turner is open to public fishing along the southern half. https://www.thexflats.com/, Another local, Jos is an experienced Xcalak fly fishing guide, and he loves the local area. overflow: hidden; 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). For unknown reasons, Scheepstra broke away from his fishing partner and headed back toward the rental car. 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 didnt see a lot of snook on our trip, but the ones we did see were pushing 40. Facing the " Great Mayan Reef", the second largest reef in the world, Casa Caracola is located in a national park. 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. 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. They do not, however, command nearly the same respect in the angling world as a Permit. Other random by-catch I managed were snappers, small jacks, needlefish, perch, some reef fish, and one small saltwater crocodile. } We have miles and miles of wade-able flats with large numbers of bonefish and permit, and if you want to get . The town is home to just 400 local fishers and a scattering of resident expats. Simply enter your email address below and we'll send you a free special report - Why Millions of Americans Are Moving to Mexico. Xcalak Looking into the water, something didnt seem right. Overall conditions on Lake Taneycomo couldn't get any more stable than we've experienced the last couple of weeks. Top Fishing Charters in Xcalak. you. Getting ThereThe town of Xcalak, Mexico sits at the end of the road. For years, my work has been fishing Fishing Charters & Tours in Xcalak. The rivers, streams and lakes of Yellowstone National Park hold a special place in the hearts of many anglers. This trip was with Bahia Blanca. If you wish, you can join a kayaking tour, which is usually paired with a snorkeling excursion. 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. For those travelers contemplating a visit to the remote fishing village of Xcalak, Quintana Roo. It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. In 2015, we almost didnt visit Xcalak. What's the #1 Thing Every Expat Says They Wish They'd Done Before Going to Latin America? Your email address will not be published. Then we visited again. Email:xcalakotf@gmail.comPhone:+1.907.953.3992. 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. There is often the fear of a translation issue or a communication breakdown that leads to missed fish. One of those lucky ones was me. I found that with our guides at Costa de Cocos, we had very little issues with any of our guides. Andy manages Duranglers Flies and Supplies online store and web content. 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 . Chetumal is no exception as it boasts resident baby and juvenile tarpon, along with large migrating adult tarpon in the summer months. The area surrounding Xcalak on the Chetumal bay side is a wild and relatively untouched place. Read about the seasonal patterns in our fisheries. Water has cleared up. Associated with Xflats fly fishing. Options include all inclusive fishing lodges, convenient hotel packages and unique river front vacation cabins and homes. A six hour drive south of Cancun, Xcalak resists mega-tourism and retains its natural beauty. The walleye fishing has been good on the days anglers can get out on the water. 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. Mexico Fly Fishing Trip Report: Costa de Cocos Lodge, Xcalak, This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google, Five Classic Rivers to Flyfish on Your First Trip to Argentine Patagonia, 5 Trips for Fishing the Mother's Day Caddis Hatch on the Yellowstone River, May Fly Fishing: Montana's Mother's Day Caddis Hatch, A Guide to Spring Fishing on the Gallatin River, Chile fishing trip report: Magic Waters Patagonia Lodge March 2022, Argentina Fishing Trip Report: February 2022 at El Encuentro Lodge and the Brook Trout Basecamp, Belize April Trip Report To Turneffe Flats Lodge - 2021, Ascension Bay Mexico Flats Fishing Report: Grand Slam Lodge, Patagonia Chile Fishing Report: Magic Waters Lodge February 2020, Jurassic Lake Lodge Argentina Fall 2019 Trip Report, Alaska September Fly Fishing Trip Report; The Bristol Bay Region at Intricate Bay Lodge, Steelhead Scouting Mission to Southeast Alaska, Jurassic Lake Lodge Argentina Fishing Trip Report. width: 100%; Welcome to Xcalak, Mexico. 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. You also need to purchase a Mexican fishing license, which you can buy weekly, monthly, or yearly. This place is real and its called Xcalak. 923 Main Ave | DURANGO, CO 81301 /* Clear floats after the columns */ 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. overflow: unset; 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. . My first two casts were off, but fortunately the fish were still in range. Fly fishing Xcalak with XTC Dive Center is a unique experience unlike any other adventure in the Yucatan. Our guides at Costa were no exception, often spotting permit 300 yards away or more. Lakes above and below us are all . 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. While staying at El Pescador Lodge in Belize, weve seen boats from there flyfishing in the Bacalar Chico Reserve. guide with great eyes, he is an enjoyable fishing companion I have had wonderful days fishing for bonefish As a lifelong trout angler and guide, flats fishing is a totally different experience and challenge, and I am hooked. clear: both; Site cast to trophy trout cruising the shallows of several productive lakes. 2023. Xcalak Front Side Flats. Snorkel, kayak, and enjoy the constantly warm weather far from the snowy north. 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. Ruin explorers can easily visit the Chacchoben archaeological site, about a two-hour drive from the village. of Jose, myself, and a nice permit. 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. Tierra Maya Lodge, At 9 kms north of town, this secluded accommodation is a fantastic destination for DIY fly fishing. 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. padding: 1.25rem 1.25rem 1rem; Outdoor Activities. All Rights Reserved. The permit are still there, about 20 yards out. For pricing on lodging packages visit each individual package for rates, inclusions and exclusions. 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. Of the 30 plus eats I had with Marty on the second day, we managed to jump 4 and land 1. Coral Garden Inn. 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. 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 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. I've heard anything from only an 8 weight to 8-10 weights needed for permit down there. 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. 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. At XOTF, our goal is to provide you with the most personalized and all-inclusive fly fishing experience. Welcome to Xcalak. At a whopping six-hour drive from Cancun, not many tourists make it to Xcalak, and thats too bad for them. They are opportunistic eaters and as picky as permit. I looked back at Alberto, and the look on his face said it all. Michael Graham was in Xcalak in the Spring of 2009 on a self-described walk-about. 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 . 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. 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. Diosa Del Mar Mahahual 25 ft 4 persons .