In the world of fly fishing, particularly destination angling, “shiny and new” or “remote and unknown” can trump reliable. No judgment here. We love it all to be honest. And with very few exceptions, we have experienced it all since Frontiers was founded back in 1969. Based on our experiences both recently and in the past, we boldly proclaim that Mexico is THE destination for serious flats anglers. Allow us to explain…

With all due respect to the numerous fisheries and lodges around the world, Mexico remains one of the most consistently good flats fisheries for a variety of species. Our recommendation also considers factors like travel conveniences for many U.S. anglers and a relatively reasonable price point that caters well to groups, angling couples, or individuals. All of these factors allow for repeated trips to gain flats experience or catch a trophy fish.

You can read more about our love for Mexico’s flats fisheries in another blog post here. As a summary, these fisheries are accommodating for novices and challenging for experienced anglers alike. While always subject to conditions, these fisheries typically offer a high-density of fish along with trophy potential. Mexico is particularly well-regarded for its permit fishing, but its migratory tarpon, snook, jacks, and bonefish may surprise you.

Some programs in Mexico feature dual guides (two-per-panga), which can be particularly helpful at making the most of every opportunity on the flats. Regardless, all the lodges in Mexico are fishing-focused and cater specifically to anglers. With fishing in common, there are a range of lodge options scattered around the Yucatan coastline. Here are a few aspects to consider when choosing a lodge for your flats trip to Mexico…

Variety of Species

Mexico’s diverse ecosystem means that every day on the water brings new experiences and the chance to test your skills against different species. Mexico features honest, year-round grand slam opportunities for bonefish, tarpon, and permit, along with snook, barracudas, jacks, and other fish. For Caribbean-area flats fisheries, Mexico is up there with the very best, if not at the top itself, with its wide array of species.

The guides and lodges are tuned into these various fish species and their patterns. If you’ve ever tried to fly fish from a deep sea boat when the crew is trained for conventional gear, you know the frustrations that can follow the relative nuances and subtleties of fly fishing for saltwater species. That’s not the case with Mexico and its flats fisheries. Whatever you want to fish for, these teams will be ready to position you for success. This is most noticeable with the 2-guide teams around Ascension Bay and Chetumal Bay that excel at the fine art of permit fishing. Their attention to detail with boat handling and positioning, line management, and knowing when to hop off and wade for a spotted permit can make the subtle but critical differences between success and failure on the flats.

Boutique Luxury

Mayazul Lodge

Just south of the smalling fishing town of Punta Allen, Mayazul Lodge is perched at the mouth of Ascension Bay in Mexico. Protected within UNESCO Heritage Sian Ka’an Biosphere, Ascension Bay is revered as one of the most prolific and diverse bonefish, permit, snook, and juvenile tarpon fisheries – among other species – in the Caribbean. Each day, anglers gather beachfront from the newly renovated lodge in custom-kitted pangas for a full day on the flats. Later, guests return to beachside cocktails and a chef-designed menu. As with many lodges around Ascension Bay, the guides and fishing culture tends to lean towards permit. Rest assured, anglers get consistent opportunities for bonefish and other species. The level of quality and service sets this lodge apart. Perhaps more than any other lodge around Mexico, Mayazul offers a boutique feel with their program, managing to balance high levels of quality and service with personal touches and a relaxed atmosphere that allows guests to feel like family.

Playa Blanca Lodge

One of only two lodges on Espiritu Santo Bay, Playa Blanca has both access to a great fishery and top-notch lodge. Their attention to detail and quality service extends seamlessly from the water to the lodge. Their fleet of experienced guides and Dolphin skiffs give anglers strong chances at permit, bonefish, and resident tarpon around Espiritu Santo. While all the typical grand slam and adjacent species are available, many serious flats anglers travel repeatedly to Playa Blanca for arguable the best permit fishery in the world. Of course there are no guarantees on the flats, and certainly not with permit. That said, this bay and its flats consistently offer shots at permit and at permit with a large average size. Playa, like its sister lodge Casa Blanca, also features a direct charter flight to Punta Pajaros. Aside from a short, open-air truck ride transporting guests from the airstrip to the lodge, the program here eliminates any ground transfer in Mexico.

Casa Blanca Lodge

Casa Blanca Lodge has received rave reviews from anglers since it opened more than 20 years ago. Located on the island of Punta Pajaros within the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve, the guides have access to both Ascension Bay and the Santa Rosa lagoon. Casa Blanca and its sister lodge, Playa Blanca, are the only lodges in the Yucatan fishing from traditional Dolphin flats skiffs. These skiffs push less water than larger pangas, draft skinny, and position anglers to make the most of shots at permit and other flats species. In addition to quality flats fishing, Casa Blanca boasts perhaps the most dramatic and picturesque oceanside setting of any of the Mexican fishing lodges. The other key selling feature for Casa Blanca is the direct charter flight from Cancun airport to the nearby airstrip on Punta Pajaros. For any travelers with security concerns regarding Mexico, we strongly recommend Casa and Playa Blanca lodges due to this charter flight, which eliminates all in-country ground transfers.

Something In-Between

Palometa Club

Recently refreshed and renovated accommodations, the Palometa Club made its reputation in the fishing industry using a two-guide-per-panga program that excelled at targeting permit. Both guides are experienced and capable as the lead guide, compared to some other programs that utilize a head guide plus apprentice model. Having two experienced guides in your boat means that you have two sets of eyes at differing vantage points to spot the fish. Beyond that, one guide can manage the boat while the other helps to manage the line, coach the angler, and when conditions allow, hop out and wade with an angler to pursue a feeding permit on foot. The Club’s guide team remains one of the most experienced and skilled in the area. With a laid back “at home” feel to the lodge, it’s easy to relax after a day of chasing fish in the bay.

Grand Slam Fishing Lodge

With one of the best settings of any Yucatan lodge, Grand Slam has a beachfront equally adept for lounging or spotting rolling tarpon. The swinging chairs at the bar and nearby fly vise are two other examples of how the lodge creates an experience that mixes fishing with touches of comfort, luxury, and uniqueness. There is a small swimming pool perfect for a quick dip, that along with the air-conditioned rooms, will keep you cool after a day on the flats. The grounds are well maintained, as are the bar and menu. The outdoor patio has seated many of the industry’s best anglers at one time or another over the last decade or so, as he or she chased permit, tarpon, and grand slams in the fabled waters of Ascension Bay. While no longer the newest program around, Grand Slam remains a solid choice for anglers wanting quality flats fishing and a comfortable lodge experience at a reasonable price.

Fishing, Low Frills

The XFlats at Tierra Maya

Located in Xcalak, Mexico (pronounced “ish-ka-lak”), the XFlats lodge is nestled among tropical trees and exotic greenery with a beachfront offering views of the Caribbean Sea. Their 120-foot pier is a great place to relax, but keep a rod handy, as you never know what might swim by. The lodge features a screened bar and dining area for meals and lounging. Rooms have air-conditioning and ensuite bathrooms. First and foremost, this lodge, and everything about its program, is aimed at saltwater flats anglers. There is an emphasis on permit with its guide staff and lodge culture; however, anglers can fish for a variety of species on the nearby flats and around Chetumal Bay. The fishery has strong populations of permit and bonefish along with resident juvenile tarpon, snook, barracudas, and jacks. Outside of the bay, ocean-side flats can be particularly productive for permit, larger juvenile tarpon, and bonefish when conditions allow. Similar to Ascension Bay to the north, there are also resident juvenile tarpon and snook along mangrove-lined flats and lagoons. For adventurous anglers, some guides will offer to hike into remote lagoons to fish for larger bonefish, along with opportunities at snook and juvenile tarpon.

Fishing on the Side

Fin Chasers

What about anglers that only have a short time to spend on the flats? Perhaps he or she is vacationing with the family near Cancun or has travel plans elsewhere around the country. Fin Chasers is a versatile flats program a mere 35 minutes north of Cancun. The program offers multiple options for accommodations, from a reasonably priced city hotel to a premier deluxe resort. This fishery excels with a great tarpon resource for resident juveniles. There is also a good population of snook around the mangrove-lined flats and lagoons, along with jacks and other species. Depending on the time of year, this can be a very good permit fishery with schools of small to medium-sized fish and relatively limited angling pressure. If choosing a resort, it’s a great place to take a non-fishing companion. With so many direct flights to Cancun, it’s one of the easiest quality saltwater programs to access.

If you’re interested in learning more about Mexico, feel free to contact me, Ben Hoffman.

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