There are three seasons in Xcalak - dry, wet, and hurricane. Copyright 2020 American Angler. This place is real and its called Xcalak. North Central Oregon/Mid-Columbia Waters: This week's report from Gorge Outfitters Supply (541-739-2222) in Rufus. Xcalak Bonefishing | Bonefish on the Brain But maybe its good for you. 2022 by Fly Fish Costa Maya. DIY Fly Fishing - Xcalak Forum - Tripadvisor Costa De Cocos Lodge - Xcalak Fly Fishing | Yellow Dog Journey to Xcalak | Saltwater Fly Fishing | Trey Reid Partly because of its far-flung location and partly because its protected from development (its a National Reef Marine Park), Xcalak isnt overrun by tourists. 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. Experience the wilds of Montana on a multi-day horse pack adventure. 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. display: table; Xcalak Caribe Lodge Get picked up right from the dock in front of the beach and enjoy supper at the on-site restaurant. Before you head off to Xcalak, here is some advice for making the most of your trip: .jason-signup { Water temperatures are still cold. Xcalak Fly Fishing Basics - Xcalak Mexico 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. overflow: unset; 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. 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. foraging in the turtle grass, perfect cover for crabs and shrimps. 5 Places to Live in Mexicoand 3 to Avoid. Simply enter your email address below and well send you a free special report Mexico: The Perfect Close-to-Home Retirement Haven. 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. Had a great trip to Xcalak, fishing out of Casa Paraiso. The more I learned about these fish, the less I understand. That isnt to say they arent out there, the truth is often wilder than fiction. A little variation in the flow but not much. Shots at permit are what brought my fishing buddy Patrick and me to Xcalaka small pit stop on the Yucatn Peninsula at the southern end of Costa Maya, perfectly situated on one of the last undeveloped stretches along the Mexican Caribbean. Each is constructed with a forward casting deck . The Xflats | Saltwater Fly-Fishing Lodge In Xcalak, Mexico Farmington, ill. -Stop by for a cold beer on your, Byron Bayeasternmost point of Australia. Now that I've been home from that trip for over a year, I figured it was time . In 2015, we almost didnt visit Xcalak. March 3, 2023. 3. great time to plan a visit. Plan for your Montana fishing trip. Triggerfish were a final noteworthy target that can show up in Xcalak, unfortunately, we did not get a shot. 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 will never forget my first day of Bonefishing, watching a 3lb fish rip off hundreds of feet of line in seconds while bending my 7wt rod in half. 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. Fly Fishing in Xcalak, Chetumal Bay, Mexico. 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. 1 INSTITUTIONAL AMNESIA. We came to fish, not be pampered with warm bathrobes and spa treatments. It grew into something that lets us connect travelers to the small businesses of Xcalak. Its uncommonly easy to find a stretch of the Caribbean all to yourself in Xcalak. Traveler favorites. 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. The reef runs from Cozumel all the way to Honduras, and is quite close to the shore in Xcalak. May 9, 2022 May 9, . Its a 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. Associated with Xflats fly fishing. Duranglers 2018 Xcalak, Mexico Trip Report - Duranglers Fly Fishing Xcalak (Skiff Fishing) | Fly Fish Costa Maya Although more populous than Xcalak, the crowds here are nothing compared to the Riviera Maya. . Jacks are close relatives of Permit, and they sometimes swim in schools together. The lodge will supply you with non alcoholic beverages and lunch to take on your fly fishing quest. Xcalak is one of the towns that has been maintained over time in its most natural state. color: white; float: none; 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. Luggage options for the traveling angler. Your email address will not be published. Dan Blantons board has a had a few posts on ocassion. 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 closest town to Xcalak is Mahahual, home to a cruise ship port, restaurants, shops, hotels, and a Mayan-themed water park. 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. Options include unique fishing lodges, exclusive ranch stays, riverside vacation rentals, and affordable hotel packages. 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. Last updated 3/1/23. 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. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. You can buy food from the local grocery trucks that ply the beach road. Chetumal Bay, an expansive wonderland for the intrepid flats fisherman! Deep sea, light tackle, fly fishing - you name it! Water has cleared up. 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. 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. Welcome to Xcalak. Buy it online or buy it when you arrive, just be sure to buy it before you start fishing. 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. This trip was with Bahia Blanca. We strive to stifle our joy on a daily basis in order to achieve something we perceive as greater in the long run. The fishing. and guiding in Xcalak and I can tell you that things have never MONDAY-SATURDAY 8:00 am-6:00 pm 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. [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. Here are our recommendations for rods, lines, flies, tippet, waders and more. These lagoons are mangrove-lined and accessible on all tidal phases. 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. Poor fisheries data, many fishers, and increasing tourism development: Interdisciplinary views on past and current small-scale fisheries exploitation on Holbox Island A lovely place to stay - Review of Reef House at Casa Paraiso Xcalak This ancient Maya city boasts three excavated stone plazas and a towering pyramid. He rents boats and can give you advice. Xcalak is a small fishing village on the southern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, in the State of Quintana Roo. Not just a fishing and diving lodge, Costa de Cocos boasts a restaurant, brewery, and distillery. Institutional amnesia pushes fish spawning aggregations towards 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. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Duranglers Flies and Supplies Fly Shop 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. Let me share my thoughts. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. 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. Sign in to access your subscriptions and subscriber-only content. 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). After a quick scramble through mosquito hell, we would find ourselves in secret lagoons full of baby tarpon, snook, and bonefish pushing 6 to 8 pounds. I hope to see you down here soon. 30 Jul. Most of our trips include rods, flies and we rent waders. Adventurous travelers will be curious to explore beyond Xcalaks tranquil beaches. Options include all inclusive fishing lodges, convenient hotel packages and unique river front vacation cabins and homes. 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. Bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook, and barracuda await your fly. Xcalak is located within a National Park, designed to protect the worlds second largest barrier reef. 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). While none of our group boated a snook this trip as it was a little early in the season, we still had a few shots. Mexico - Remote Fly Fishing Experts: Pescador Solitario I recently returned from Southern Mexico after my first salt water trip. Some guides have over 25+ years of experience guiding fly fishers in the area. Build lasting relationships with your best clients or reward your key employees with one of our custom built corporate fishing retreats. Off Xcalaks coast is the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef. 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 . It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. Curious about this undiscovered fly fishing mecca? . 4.2 / 5 (2 reviews) Mahahual 26 ft 4 persons . Youre sitting at your computer, dreaming of fly fishing, and wondering what your next destination will be. Welcome to Permit Paradise! Many had a mix of experience guiding out of Xcalak along with guiding at Ascension Bay. Fishing Report - Southwest Zone | Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife 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 Required fields are marked *. I would reccomend it, even just for the entertainment value. Off the beaten track, Xcalak is an alternative to the throngs of people and high rise hotels found further north. I hadnt caught anything the day before and now I was blowing a great Permit shot. My first two casts were off, but fortunately the fish were still in range. Learn about getting to Xcalak. Imagine floating into a deluxe camp on one of our private ranches or permitted islands where cold beverages and tasty appetizers await.