It is an old borrow pit and features largemouth bass, panfish such as bluegill, and a few trout. If youre craving a lively afternoon, head to Mahahuals pedestrian-only malecn, and find a beachside bar for some people-watching. Re: DIY Fly Fishing. Your flight is NOT included in the package and must be purchased separately. Top Fishing Charters in Xcalak. The closest town to Xcalak is Mahahual, home to a cruise ship port, restaurants, shops, hotels, and a Mayan-themed water park. 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. Costa de Cocos lodge, kitchen, and service staff did an absolutely fantastic job of making us feel comfortable, well fed, and equally hydrated. The area we were in was very shallow, so Alberto began poling us in search of Plan B. 923 Main Ave | DURANGO, CO 81301 2023 pricing for 7 nights / 6 days. Xcalak (Skiff Fishing) | Fly Fish Costa Maya (And check out our highlight video from our trip last year below!). Depending on traffic and how many stops you make, the trip will take about 6 to 7 hours. of Jose, myself, and a nice permit. Use tab to navigate through the menu items. These "ghosts of the flats" swim about 27 miles per hour . Cell coverage is non-existent in Xcalak, so make sure you have an offline map before making the drive. Off the beaten track, Xcalak is an alternative to the throngs of people and high rise hotels found further north. content: ""; Your email address will not be published. Destination fishing trips - Experience Xcalak Mexico!!! Choose from Montana's largest selection of fishing and lodging packages. Before you head off to Xcalak, here is some advice for making the most of your trip: .jason-signup { 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 . Lodge packages include all meals and guided fishing so you can sit back, relax and enjoy a great fly fishing vacation, Enjoy great fishing and keep your costs in check with one of our hotel packages. Fresh Xcalak Fishing Reports . margin: 1.5rem 0; 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. Get away from it all on our extensive network of private access waters. Both the saltwater flats and inland lagoons make for excellent kayaking and SUP. Home to jaguars, howler monkeys, and the deadly fer-de-lance pit viper, this land, along with the rest of the Yucatn Peninsula, was ruled by the Maya for centuries. Fly Fishing for bonefish in Chetumal Bay. In Xcalak, fly fishing is a treat it isnt crowded and has healthy marine life and excellent guides. So, head to the ADO bus terminal in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Tulum, Bacalar or Chetumal . For pricing on lodging packages visit each individual package for rates, inclusions and exclusions. 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. Sign in to access your subscriptions and subscriber-only content. Double occupancy (boat and room) -$4,495.00 USD. } Inland, the ecosystem is a fragile mix of mangrove lagoons and thick jungle. Each is constructed with a forward casting deck . background-color: #1a3c95; Costa de Cocos, Only 2 kms from town, this accommodation is the closest thing to a resort youll find in Xcalak. Chetumal Bay is at the far southern tip of the Yucatan, near the border with Belize. Bonefish are easy to find, yet hard to spot. Luggage options for the traveling angler. .signup-column { We strive to stifle our joy on a daily basis in order to achieve something we perceive as greater in the long run. Local skipper Victor has lived in the area for 35 years and has been guiding fishermen in the area . 970-385-4081 For those travelers contemplating a visit to the remote fishing village of Xcalak, Quintana Roo. I would reccomend it, even just for the entertainment value. you. Shop White's Tackle Traveler ranking. Last updated 3/1/23. 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? The second episode of the two-part sit-down with the owner of XFlats Lodge, Jesse Colton. Uncategorized. 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. This special guide covers real estate, retirement and more in Mexico and is yours free when you sign up for our postcards below. For unknown reasons, Scheepstra broke away from his fishing partner and headed back toward the rental car. The first time I went to Xcalak, what stood out the most was the places authenticity. xcalak-bonefishing-sabadeando.wmv. 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. 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. hands. Fly Fishing Xcalak, Mexico Jan 2019 - YouTube This approximately 70-acre lake just north of Turner is open to public fishing along the southern half. Things to do ranked using Tripadvisor data including reviews, ratings, photos, and popularity. Xcalak Fishing - Xcalak Fishing Xcalak has been a favorite for over ten years. 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. Capitn Jos Feel free to send me an email with any questions you The Xflats | Saltwater Fly-Fishing Lodge In Xcalak, Mexico 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. /* Clear floats after the columns */ Manage your subscription or add a digital edition to your print subscription. Read about the seasonal patterns in our fisheries. width: 100%; Xcalak is renowned for fly fishing. Our bay fishery is a vast area made up of hundreds of cayes, rivers, ponds, lagoons, cuts and banks. 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. display: block; Targeting the plentiful bonefish is always an option. 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. 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 Bonefishing | Bonefish on the Brain While we all had our target fish we obviously would love to catch, I found it better to ask our guide what they thought would be the best option. Learn about getting to Xcalak. Join us on a 6 Night & 7 Day Guided fishing trip to beautiful Xcalak, Mexico. My first two casts were off, but fortunately the fish were still in range. Traveling back in time to a distant tropical land where time loses all meaning. It also happens to be one of the best places to DIY saltwater fly fish. [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. 30 Jul. Gulf Coast - Weekly Fishing Reports - TPWD - Texas 318 were here. The permit are swimming right to left, on a diagonal line, but suddenly, they start coming toward us. I hadnt caught anything the day before and now I was blowing a great Permit shot. What's the #1 Thing Every Expat Says They Wish They'd Done Before Going to Latin America? After about day 3, I finally figured out how to articulate permit: Some fish get into our heart. I personally felt it was incredible, but I am partial to anything coastal, and anything Mexican. Some of the bonefish I personally took shots at while wading said secret lagoons led me to believe that a 10-pound bonefish in the Yucatan was entirely plausible. This entry was posted on Monday, March 22nd, 2010 at 3:04 am and is filed under Locations. 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. You must log in or register to reply here. Xcalak - American AnglerAmerican Angler 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! width: 100%; Boats and Equipment All boats used by the lodge are 23-foot pangas that accommodate two fishermen and a guide. Xcalak on the Fly Go far enough, and it's not that you forget about the worriesit's that the worries forget about you. https://www.thexflats.com/, Another local, Jos is an experienced Xcalak fly fishing guide, and he loves the local area. Speaking of accommodations, here are the most popular accommodations for fly fishers in Xcalak: Home of the Fxcalak (fish-ka-lak, get it?) I have fished with Captain Postponing joy actually seems to make a lot of sense for those looking to get ahead of the pack. He and his wife Illana own Costa de Cocos resort, which sits on . We offer both full and half day options. The cabanas fit 2 anglers, had ceiling fans, plenty of windows, and a fine and functional bathroom. 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. All Rights Reserved. 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. Simply enter your email address below and well send you a free special report Mexico: The Perfect Close-to-Home Retirement Haven. 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. Video: 9 more videos to help you discover Xcalak. Duranglers 2018 Xcalak, Mexico Trip Report - Duranglers Fly Fishing It was like a rustic cabin right on the . The more I learned about these fish, the less I understand. Filters 1. Looking at the case now10 years removedis like trying to investigate a crime that was never actually a crime. 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 . Hop in a panga, explain to your guide what you want to catch, and off you go. Our good friend, Captain Rob Perkin of Connect Outfitters, has over 30 years of experience off the beach at Pacific City and has been running guided Rockfish/Salmon fly fishing trips for several years now in an awesome boat crafted by his own hands. Hey Nate, certainly looks like a good time. +52 983 186 6112. Your email address will not be published. I booked Nick for this April and he comes highly recommended, out of Mahahual. Build lasting relationships with your best clients or reward your key employees with one of our custom built corporate fishing retreats. 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. I may have framed my question a bit different than I wanted. Im not able to watch the video for some reason. At a whopping six-hour drive from Cancun, not many tourists make it to Xcalak, and thats too bad for them. I hope to see you down here soon. Climb the steps for a sweeping view of the entire site. The town of Xcalak, Mexico sits at the end of the road. For Immediate Release: Wednesday, March 1, 2023 . and nice guy. But what the sand lacks in smoothness, the beach makes up for in seclusion. 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. Welcome to Xcalak, Mexico. If you liked the story above, check out these stories below. 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. Watch on. Getting ThereThe town of Xcalak, Mexico sits at the end of the road. Xcalak is home to a quintessential view of the Caribbean, with translucent turquoise waters and mostly undeveloped beaches, backed by swaying palms. The scenic, 250-mile drive from Cancn to Xcalak takes about five hours. Contact david@whitestackle.com to suggest our next tutorial. } The most popular fish in Xcalak are permit and bonefish, but theres a lot more than that for you to hook. 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. He rents boats and can give you advice. Its a secluded region perfect for travelers looking to experience a genuine beach-life. } This is a video I made for some friends that were thinking of going on a trip with us. Theres more to Xcalak than fly fishing, heres our Ultimate List of Things to do in Xcalak, https://www.josexcalaktours.com/index.html. [Story by Nick Roberts / Photos by Patrick Williams]. I have had wonderful days fishing for bonefish While staying at El Pescador Lodge in Belize, weve seen boats from there flyfishing in the Bacalar Chico Reserve. Map. Jose on many occasions and I am pleased to recommend him. The sheer power of the fish is incredible. I watch Blantons Board, so Ill keep an eye out for that. Top Fishing Charters in Xcalak. DIY Saltwater Fly Fishing - Etiquette on the Xcalak flats. 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. Would cut the cost quite a bit me thinksor are you one of those resort dudes? .signup-column { A few of us even opted to grab a lodge kayak and head out to the oceanside flats for a little afternoon casting practice. Julio and I stealthily close in on the fish, their black spikes silhouetted in the fading light. Water temperatures are still cold. In 2015, we almost didnt visit Xcalak. Permit: the holy grail of flats fly fishing species for many (maybe white whale is a better analogy). After 5 minutes or so the fish was getting closer to the boat. 1 INSTITUTIONAL AMNESIA. Two suites complete with kitchens sleep 6 people each. For years, my work has been fishing and guiding in . Headwear to keep you dry, cool, sun free, warm, or whatever you need! Costa de Cocos - Home Since our trip was in December, we had the youngsters of the species to target. 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. Mexico Captain Victor Castro, Xcalak | Yucatan Fishing Guides & Charters They do not, however, command nearly the same respect in the angling world as a Permit. Mexico Fly Fishing Trip Report: Costa de Cocos Lodge, Xcalak 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). There was some netting going on. Dan Blantons board has a had a few posts on ocassion. David Randall moved to Xcalak in the early '90s, after selling his catfish hatchery south of Kansas City. . Go now, he whispers excitedly. 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. 2 people are looking at this charter. Maybe you are very serious about fly fishing maybe you are very excited about snorkeling or maybe you are just very ready for a vacation to explore the reefs, islands, lagoons and bays of the beautiful Xcalak National Park. This ancient Maya city boasts three excavated stone plazas and a towering pyramid. 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. We started answering emails, at first, and then made this website. 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. As in most places where one can find tarpon, there often are a few in the mix. Back then there wasnt really a trustworthy tourist website and we just couldnt figure out if the trip was worth the effort. Let us answer all of your questions and help you choose exceptional lodges in Chile, Argentina, Alaska and the Bahamas. Work now, play later as they say. Xcalak Fishing is a fly fishing guide service located in the remote Mexican fishing village of Xcalak, Quintana Roo. Harboring fewer than 400 souls at the far southern tip of Mexico's Caribbean coast, the small fishing village of Xcalak was arguably one of the best places to ride out a pandemic. 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. Pesca Y Paseos (Chetumal) - Updated 2022 Prices - FishingBooker Durango fly fishing guides on the San Juan River, Animas River, Dolores River, Florida River and Los Pinos River. The permit are still there, about 20 yards out. Although more populous than Xcalak, the crowds here are nothing compared to the Riviera Maya. Powered by Here in Xcalak, Mexico, we have some of the most beautiful saltwater flats for fly fishing in the world. There's a boat ramp in the southwest corner of the lake. Fly Fishing in Xcalak Mexico - Holy Waters Most hotels are self-catered. These fish are those we hold most dear. Xcalaks shore is made mostly of tiny coral fragments that arent exactly powdery-soft. font-size: medium; 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. About Xcalak - Xcalak Fishing Our guides at Costa were no exception, often spotting permit 300 yards away or more. 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. Some fish get into our soul. Report by Captain David Dillman, Galveston Bay Charter Fishing. For me, this fish is permit. 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. Weather in the Northern Rockies can be fickle and it is always a good idea to come prepared regardless of the season. However, for what the rooms might have lacked in luxury luster, everything was more than made up for with food, drinks, service, and staff! We enjoyed another day eating lunch in town and drinking beers sitting by the sea.