Mexico
Fly Fishing in Xcalak, Chetumal Bay, Mexico
Chetumal Bay is located near the small fishing village of Xcalak, Quintana Roo, Mexico, about 8 miles north of Ambergris Cay, about 150 miles south of Ascension Bay, and eight miles north of the Belize Border. The excellent fly fishing is found on the bonefish and permit flats of Chetumal Bay. Additionally, mangrove ringed inland lagoons provide fly fishing opportunities to fish for small tarpon and snook, and ocean-side fly fishing is available with more permit and bones on turtle grass flats, and seasonal big tarpon. Chetumal Bay is the primary fishery and the boat run to the most productive flats is generally 20 to 30 minutes. There are a few locations that take 45 minutes or more to reach.
Accommodations
For about 19 years Pescador Solitario has utilized the beach front lodge Tierra Maya, a modern facility with luxury rooms for double or single occupancy. All face the beach, have excellent views, and each has a private bathroom. Adjacent to the rooms is a quaint, beach side restaurant with a full bar. Power is via generator and storage batteries so electricity is provided for full-time air conditioning and other conveniences. The guide picks you up at the Tierra Maya dock, right in front of your room.
At the lodge you will enjoy three meals per day included in your package. Breakfasts vary and are full fare with hardy portions. Lunch is almost always on the flats…..between casts. Four course gourmet dinners are excellent and include a full range of seafood, local fare, and more traditional foods.
Other Activities
The Palancar Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world, and is 500 yards off the beach at Tierra Maya. Snorkeling is excellent right off the beach and diving can be arranged through local dive shops. The area is famous for its quality of diving and varied and plentiful marine life.
Bird watchers can take special trips to bird island to see incredible numbers of water birds nesting, cavorting, and hunting.
Other wildlife includes manatees, small crocodiles known as caimans, and chachalacas, a large bird that looks like a cross between a pheasant and a cuckoo that will wake you up each morning. Jaguars are sometimes seen near Xcalak. Iguanas and geckos are generally on your roof.
Sea kayaks are available for the fly fishermen and are great for exploring the back-country lagoons, late evening fishing, or just exercise.
There is always revelry après fishing at the lodge. Typical beverages are provided. Special requests can be accommodated with advanced notice. The atmosphere is very casual.
The Fish
Bonefish
Fly fishing trips to Mexico’s Chetumal Bay offer unique opportunities for catching all the Caribbean flats species, but bonefish remain the most dependable. Mostly because of our operation, Chetumal Bay now has the established reputation as the best location for BIG bonefish in the Mexican/Belizean Caribbean. The per client average catch rate during the fall and winter months is generally 6 to 10 bones per day, with days of 25 to 30 fish obtainable. During the summer months the fish are bigger, but catch rates are lower at about 4 to 8 fish per day.
While we generally expect the bonefish to be smaller on the average during the winter months, more recently this has been proven not to be true. The average fish is about 3 to 4 pounds, about twice the size of the real average in Ascension Bay. Big bonefish are around but not plentiful (7 to 8 pound fish), and over the years a number of trophy fish in the 10 to 16 (yes 16) pound range have been landed.
Permit
Fly Fishing for permit in Mexico’s Chetumal Bay. Probably the most interesting development in terms of the fishing is the apparently ever-increasing numbers of permit. We generally targeted these fish in the May, June, and July period. However, we now see them in good numbers year-round, and October and November are also productive months. In 2002 the Mexican Navy mostly completed a new canal that connects Chetumal Bay to the Caribbean, and essentially cut the Xcalak Peninsula in half. This increased daily water exchange appears to be one of the reasons for increased permit. Also, it does not hurt that as a species, permit are apparently on the rise in numbers.
Adding to the successes is the fact that fishermen are simply getting better at catching these fish, and the guides better at teaching the special skills necessary to be successful. Tierra Maya is a great place to get that grand slam, with the average permit fisherman getting 3 to 10 shots per day.
Tarpon
Fly Fishing for Tarpon in Mexico’s Chetumal Bay. Chetumal Bay is not known for its tarpon fishery. Regardless, there is a good population of resident tarpon in the bay and in the small lagoons we fish. These are juveniles, generally not exceeding 40 pounds, and most are 20 pounds or less. We also see larger fish in the Bay, up to 80 pounds or so, and true giants in some of the reef cuts on the ocean side. If you want to maximize your tarpon fix, come in June or July.
Snook
Fly Fishing for snook in Mexico’s Chetumal Bay. From December to February snook cruise the flats of Chetumal Bay like I have seen nowhere else. The large numbers of snook present in the winter are a very real added attraction. We can now predict with some regularity the migratory patterns and time of this mostly winter fish. It is a real treat to catch these guys cruising the flats, much like bonefish, away from the mangroves. December through February is not uncommon for clients to land 2 to 5 of these 10 to 20 pound fish in a day of fishing. Resident snook, which tend to smaller, are in the lagoons year-round.
Fishing Day
When Fly fishing Mexico’s Chetumal Bay, the fishing day proceeds like this:
Generally breakfast is served from 6:00 AM to 6:30 AM and boats generally leave no later than 7:00 AM. At certain tides you may want to leave earlier, or when you are targeting permit. There are never more than two fisherpersons per boat and the guide can accommodate the departure wishes of the clients. We have over 30 productive flats and lagoons. If you desire you can fish the same flat more than once during your six days of fishing. Our guess is you will want to keep exploring new locations, with each having its own special character and beauty.
Other Activities
The Palancar Reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world, and is 500 yards off the beach at Tierra Maya. Snorkeling is excellent right off the beach and diving can be arranged through local dive shops. The area is famous for its quality of diving and varied and plentiful marine life.
Bird watchers can take special trips to bird island to see incredible numbers of water birds nesting, cavorting, and hunting.
Other wildlife includes manatees, small crocodiles known as caimans, and chachalacas, a large bird that looks like a cross between a pheasant and a cuckoo that will wake you up each morning. Jaguars are sometimes seen near Xcalak. Iguanas and geckos are generally on your roof.
Sea kayaks are available for the fly fishermen and are great for exploring the back-country lagoons, late evening fishing, or just exercise.
There is always revelry après fishing at the lodge. Typical beverages are provided. Special requests can be accommodated with advanced notice. The atmosphere is very casual.
Travel
Travel to Mexico’s Chetumal Bay
The preferred route to Tierra Maya and our fishing operation is via Cancun. A rent car is easy to obtain and the drive to the lodge is about 5 hours. The roads are paved to within a few kilometers of Tierra Maya. For large groups, the private shuttle service is available at a reasonable rate, and is the most common and economical method used by clients.
Pricing
Pricing for fly fishing trips for Bonefish to Mexico’s Chetumal Bay
Recently Tierra Maya changed hands and significant upgrades were made to the lodge, including air conditioning. The prices for the 2022 seasons are listed below. Included in the prices are the number of nights lodging and days fishing as specified in your package, airport reception with air-conditioned, professional shuttle service to and from the lodge (Saturday to Saturday ONLY), all meals, snacks, all bottled water, breakfast juices and coffee, and a guide (8 hours per day) and boat per the specified fishing days in your package. Prices are in US Dollars
Double Occupancy – 2 people per room, 2 fishing (prices per person)
| 7 Nights Lodging, 6 Days Fishing | $4,495 each ($4,695 in 2024) |
| 6 Nights Lodging, 5 Days Fishing | $4,195 each ($4,695 in 2024) |
| 5 Nights Lodging, 4 Days Fishing | $3,895 each ($4,295 in 2024) |
| 4 Nights Lodging, 3 Days Fishing | $3,595 each ($4,095 in 2024) |
| 3 Nights Lodging, 2 Days Fishing | $3,295 each ($3,895 in 2024) |
Double Occupancy – 2 people per room, 1 fishing (prices per group)
| 7 Nights Lodging, 6 Days Fishing | $5,700 each ($6,200 in 2024) |
| 6 Nights Lodging, 5 Days Fishing | $5,200 each ($5,700 in 2024) |
| 5 Nights Lodging, 4 Days Fishing | $4,700 each ($5,200 in 2024) |
| 4 Nights Lodging, 3 Days Fishing | $4,200 each ($4,700 in 2024) |
| 3 Nights Lodging, 2 Days Fishing | $3,700 each ($4,200 in 2024) |
Single Occupancy – 1 person per room, 1 fishing (prices per person)
| 7 Nights Lodging, 6 Days Fishing | $6,400 each ($6,900 in 2024) |
| 6 Nights Lodging, 5 Days Fishing | $5,900 each ($6,400 in 2024) |
| 5 Nights Lodging, 4 Days Fishing | $5,400 each ($5,900 in 2024) |
| 4 Nights Lodging, 3 Days Fishing | $4,900 each ($5,400 in 2024) |
| 3 Nights Lodging, 2 Days Fishing | $4,400 each ($4,900 in 2024) |
Not Included In Packages
Airfare to and from Cancun, accommodations outside of the specified package dates, meals during your travels to and from the lodge, fishing equipment, gratuities for guides, staff and the shuttle driver, alcoholic beverages and sodas, and travel insurance. Shuttle Service with packages not booked Saturday to Saturday.
Recommended Tips And Gratuities
We ask that tipping for our staff and team members be in US dollars.
Guides: $50.00-$75.00 per day per boat
Staff: $10.00 per day / per guest.
Shuttle driver: $50 per group
All rooms are based on double occupancy unless otherwise noted. Additional rate for Private Room, add $150.00 per lodging night to Double Occupancy fishing package. *not available from February-June.
Shuttle Service
Shuttle service is included in the 7 Night Lodging packages booked from Saturday to Saturday ONLY. All other packages and travel dates, the shuttle service is an additional cost. Please contact us for pricing and details.
Additional Days, Services and Fees
Additional Days Lodging & Fishing
Contact the lodge for details.
Recommended Tips And Gratuities
We ask that tipping for our staff and team members be in US dollars.
Guides: $75 – $100 per day per boat
Staff: $25 – $50 per day / per guest.
Shuttle driver: $50 per group
Included In Packages
The number of nights lodging and days fishing as specified in your package, airport reception with air-conditioned, professional shuttle service to and from the lodge (Saturday to Saturday ONLY), all meals, snacks, all bottled water, breakfast juices and coffee, and a guide (8 hours per day) and boat per the specified fishing days in your package. UPDATE: lodging – all rooms now air conditioned!
Not Included In Packages
Airfare to and from Cancun, accommodations outside of the specified package dates, meals during your travels to and from the lodge, fishing equipment, gratuities for guides, staff and the shuttle driver, alcoholic beverages and sodas, and travel insurance. Shuttle Service with packages not booked Saturday to Saturday.