first time trying to catch bonefish on fly
Capt. Jesus Castillo
April 5, 2011
Ascension Bay - Saltwater Fishing Report
Last year in May – Yury and I visited Pesca Maya: A very special fishing lodge near Punta Allen in southern Mexico. Then it was, for both of us, the first time trying to catch bonefish on fly. And what a trip it was! That first day we shared in a haul of over 70 juvenile "bones" and caught plenty of fish every day of our trip. In February of this year we went back for more.
Pesca Maya is a great place for beginners to salt water fly fishing. But it is also a wonderful location for the more experienced. It is, for example, possibly the ultimate "Grand Slam" destination in the Caribbean. A Grand Slam is the capture of a bonefish, tarpon and permit, in a single day
A "Super Grand Slam" adds a fourth species– snook- also caught on fly the same day. And Pesca Maya boasts good populations of all four species - all year round. This is doubtless something to do with the unique range of aquatic habitats found in Ascension bay. In other Caribbean locations there are all 4 species but they tend to have particular seasons of migration and grand slams are possible only at certain times of year and are much harder to achieve. So Pesca Maya has something for the beginner (almost guaranteed sport in exquisite surroundings) and some real challenges for the experienced fly fisher - with Grand Slams always a possibility.
Last year we were beginners (although Yuri fluked a super slam on his last day). This year was to be savoured by a more "experienced" team. Last year was "cast and catch", this was to be "identify and hunt": Last year quantity, this year quality.
We arrived in Cancun in mid February and drove straight down to the lodge (although Pesca Maya do pick-ups from the airport). This involved 2 hours on perfect high ways and almost 2 hours on a rough jungle track. We arrived late in the evening weary but still bursting with enthusiasm. The plan was to start our 5 days with a few bonefish and then concentrate on permit, tarpon and snook.
We opened next morning with 7 weight rods, 10lbs test fluorocarbon and a selection of "clouser" and "gotcha" fly patterns..... and waded off to destiny...
Please read more fishing reports on our site:
http://www.pescamaya.com/en/fishing-reports.html
Target Species:
bonefish, permit, tarpon, snook
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