Posted: Thu 02/12/09 1:30 pm Post subject: Mexico - Ascension Bay
I am planning a trip to Mexico in May to the Ascension Bay to catch my first bone fish on the fly. Looking for a good guide - thought someone on here may have been down that way before and could make a recommendation. Thanks!
Posted: Thu 02/12/09 1:38 pm Post subject: Holy Smokes!
Holey Smokes!!! BBhog - talk about a 'blast from the past' .. haven't seen you on fliesandfins.com in YEARS man! And looking at the date (2004) of when you first became a member (under your name in this post) .. was a long time ago now. I remember though .. KENTUCKY, right? You still there? Hope all is well .. and I am sure there are some folks on Flies and Fins who have been to Ascension Bay .. and can and will help you out .. If not - I can reach out to some friends in the industry who will definately be able to help you out .. but let's see if there are any others who have been and know the region and fishing and guiding opition .. i wish i was one of them, but i have never been to ascension bay --- you are gonna LOVE bonefishing though .. its sooo much fun! .. Ok man, good to "see ya" - hope all is well .. and welcome back!
There are a bunch of great options down there. One of the pinnacle lodges, known as the "Grand Slam Capitol of the World" is Boca Paila. There have great guides and I know many people who have had great experiences with them. I went to Pesca Maya, also a well established lodge in the area about 15 years ago (it has changed a lot since then) and had a blast. It was a little more rustic (and much cheaper) than Boca Paila at the time, but the guides (mostly lobster fishermen who knew the area like the back of their hand) were good for putting you on fish. As far as instruction, you were better off if you knew what you were doing and let them just take you where the fish were. I think they have refined their operation a lot since then though. There is also Casa Blanca which operates on the south end in a more isolated area and with more high end reputation. I have a lot of friends who have just gone to the end of the road and stayed in Punta Allen and hired guides for the day. This is a very rustic way of doing it, but much cheaper.
What is your situation? Are you looking to book a lodge trip? Are you going with family and want to fish for the day? Some of these will do that, some will only book a week. Let me know and i can narrow down the options that i know about.
Jeremy, yeah, 2004 I think was when I found this site, place has grown quite a bit since then in membership, ugh. I am not in Kentucky any more, I moved to NC about 18 months ago, and shamelessly, haven't done much fly fishing since then. I've focused my attention toward bass fishing and fish tournaments now instead. Still love the fly rod, just have great bass lakes basically in my back yard here in Apex, NC - Jordan, Harris, Falls, all have trophy bass and all are so close. But, I can't wait to catch a bonefish on the fly, should be a lot of fun in Mexico.
I'm taking the trip to Mexico and staying in Playa del Carmen. I understand that Ascension Bay is about 45 miles South, and I'm looking for a single day - I'm sure the wife will want to come along too, not opposed to a female guide for that reason. She's afraid of the deep sea, so that day trip will be with the other two guys that are going with us - I understand that sailfish/marlin season is in full season at that time, so I wouldn't mind finding a guide who will fly fish the deep water for those species as well. Difficult finding guides in a foreign country - thought I'd turn here - thanks!
Posted: Mon 02/16/09 5:54 pm Post subject: Ascencion Bay Fly Fishing Guide
bbhog,
Based on the trip you are taking and what you are looking for, I would recommend Boca Paila. They offer guide trips by the day and are well established with some of the most experienced guides in the area. Because of this, they are not cheap but not over the top expensive either. Considering the top end boats they use and the experienced guides. The rate I saw on one website is $450 for the day and $322 for a half day. Also, since you are only fishing one day (and may bring the wife) I would go this route. This is a great place to catch your first bonefish on the fly as you can typically find large schools of bonefish which makes it easier than hunting down individuals. In fact, if you haven't caught one before fishing into a school is a good way to break the ice and then move on to hunting individuals. There are some bigger fish around but on average, the size of the fish is on the smaller side, but even a 2 pound bonefish will pull as hard as a 5 pound trout or bass. I know many people who have caught their first bonefish here, hopefully you will be the next. Good Luck!
Regarding the offshore fishing, I am not as familiar with guides in that area. I set up one group with one many, many years ago but don't remember the name and wouldn't be comfortable recommending that. I am sure Boca Paila could point you in the right direction.
-Kory
ive been to cancun did not have a chance to go fishing but i did asking around and was not to happy with some of the answers i got what out for the mexican they will take your money and give u a boat ride
I'll offer some insight on what I now. Been going down there since '96 and will be there March 4- April 2, can't wait.
Kory_K has already offered some sound advice.
A couple things to mention. If you want to fish Ascension Bay you need to head further south than BP lodge. BP fishes the expansive BP lagoon in their backyard, a great fishery for sure. However, they are located to far north to run trips into AB, completely two different fisheries.
I bring this up because if you wish to wade flats, most likely you will not be doing it in the lagoon system. The bottom is too soft for wading and 90% of the fishing is done out of a boat, which isn't all that bad, just don't get the idea your going to be wading flats. On the other hand, fishing AB 90% of the fishing is done by wading. Of course depending on what species your targeting (permit/ tarpon) you'll be fishing from a boat anyways.
AB offers larger and more vast flats than does the lagoon system, more room to explore. Also depending on weather the lagoon system can be blown out and discolored while some of the flats in the Bay will remain fishable with good water clarity. I've seen this on different occasions but it's not likely.
In your case of wanting to book a day trip and being based in PDC I would recommend going and fishing AB and do the lagoon system another time. Since this is your first bonefishing trip you've got to experience all of what AB has to offer IMHO. You will find large schools of bonefish in AB like you will in the lagoon system as Kory mentions. FWIW, Kory, you might find this interesting, the size of the bonefish has gone up every year since the banning of the netting in '96. As Kory mentioned the fish in the schools are smaller, but good practice as your going through the learning curve. He is also correct about the singles and double being larger fish....a 5,6,7 lbs. fish is not nearly as uncommon as they once were.
I don't know that many places that offer one day fishing trips besides BP which has been mentioned. Another option is Pesca Maya Lodge, they do day trips too and will pick you up at PDC and drop you back at the hotel if you don't have transportaion for extra $. If you have transportation you could easily drive yourself down and save some $. The good thing about going a little further south is that you have a couple options....1. Fishing AB and experiencing what it has to offer. 2. If the weather does get shitty and your not able to cross the bay you still have the lagoon system out the back door to salvage your day.....just don't expect to do any wading as I mentioned earlier. Not as many flats to cover but keeps you fishing and in the ballgame.
Another couple things to mention. 1. Some would say drive down to Punta Allen and look for a guide and save some money. I have seen this come back in bite people in the butt, including my neighbor, who had such a bad experience he said he would never go back to that area to fish again!!! The guides didn't show one day, another day they were late, another day they were hungover and useless, this is a possibility and normally happens to those trying to save a dime. 2. May is peak season down in that area, the chances to find a guide in Punta Allen are going to be pretty slim. All the lodges have a certain amount of full time guides, when the lodges get full they use all their full time guides on top of hiring (renting) out local guides in Punta Allen through the fishing Co-operative (kinda like a union) to fill the needs on how many guides and boats are needed. The remainder of the so called "guides" one might run into might just be a guy who runs eco tours and not a guide at all, but will take your money and get you on the water......who knows if you'll be near a fish or not??
You cannot post new topics in this forum You cannot reply to topics in this forum You cannot edit your posts in this forum You cannot delete your posts in this forum You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Search
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
