Fly Fishing Chetumal

For years Chetumal Bay in Southern Yucatan, Mexico has been fished from the east side of the bay out of Xcalak. I have spent many weeks fishing from here. It shares its water with Belize. The bay has Tarpon (both large and small) on the west side, Bonefish and Permit plus various other saltwater fishes. It has recently been explored on this side of the bay by Carlos Godoy and has emerged as the newest fishery on the Yucatan. Carlos has been truly a pioneer in this area. He’s discovered awesome flats sight fishing for bones, permit, baby tarpon, juvenile tarpon and 100# plus adult tarpon. This is a chance to have “been there when”, from the beginning.

Carlos fishes out of Chetumal City, capital of Quintana Roo, Mexico. There are many sights of interests to explore in and around Chetumal City for a non-angler or days off of fishing. Let me know if there is interest in this.

Carlos (I have known Carlos and fished with him for over 20 years) and I have teamed up to give anglers an affordable fishing trip with some awesome fishing. Plus afford a non-angler a chance to join an angling partner but not fishing. There are lots of activities and great sights to see.

TRAVEL TO CHETUMAL

There are several ways to get to Chetumal. There are flights from Florida and Mexico City direct to Chetumal. These flights are your expense. Or, there are flights you can get to either Merida or Cancun. This is at your expense and from there it is a 4 hour vehicle transfer to the lodge. This transfer is included in the price. You will have to arrive to the airport by 2:00 PM to be transferred to Chetumal on the same day. Or figuring to spend the night in Cancun or Merida.

Returning, it would be wise to consider an overnight in either Merida or Cancun and take off home the next day.

TYPICAL DAY

Breakfast, chef’s choice, at 6:30 am with fishing gear ready to go by 7:30 am. It is just a short walk to the beach to the boats.

8 hours of guided fishing with lunch, snacks and beverages. If you want beers on the boat you need to talk to the guide. You will be charged for the beer. Return to the lodge around 4:00 pm. You will have time to wash off your equipment, shower, maybe have a swim in the pool, a cool drink and be ready for dinner (chef’s choice). If you have any dietary restrictions please let me know ahead of time so I can let them know. The lodge does not accept credit cards at this time.

PRICES - PER PERSON

Double room occupancy/double boat occ’y. Per person

3nights/2days fishing. - $2150

4n/3d fishing. - $2800

5n/4d fishing. - $3150

6n/5d fishing - $3600

7n/6d fishing. - $3950

Private room, private boat

3n/2d fishing - $2700

4n/3d fishing - $3600

5n/4d fishing - $4000

6n/5d fishing. - $4700

7n/6d fishing - $5100

Private room. - Add $150/night

Private Boat. - Add $225/day

INCLUDED;

Transfers from Merida or Cancun to Chetumal and return.

The number of nights in your package at lodge. There is a pool , Wifi, and A/C

Daily breakfasts and dinner at lodge (from menu). Let us know if you have dietary restrictions.

8 hours on the boat with lunch, beverages and snacks. If you want beer out on the boat with you, talk to the guide to let him know.

Fishing license and backup equipment.

NOT INCLUDED

Flights from your home to Chetumal, Merida or Cancun.

Gratuities for guides (about $50/day) and staff ($5.00/day/person)

Taxis, additional tours and activities.

Alcoholic drinks.

CANCELLATION POLICY

A 50% deposit is required to reserve your room and boat. If you have to cancel prior to 90 days of your reservations, your deposit will be refunded except for $200, administrative fee. A Cancellation within 90 of your reservation dates your money will be refunded, less $200 ONLY if we can get a replacement for you.

SEASONS

The best times for all of the fish below are between June and October. But if those times don’t work for you, the good season lasts through December. January through May, it can be very windy and making sight fishing and casting very difficult.

EQUIPMENT

Bonefish. - This is sight fishing at its its finest. The Bones average 2 - 4 pounds with a good chance of finding some in 5 - 8 pound range.

Rods. - 9’ fast action from #6 to #9.

Lines. - WF Floating lines on a Saltwater reel with at least 100 yds 20# backing.

Leader. - 9’ to 12’ in 8# to 16# test. I like using Flourocarbon for this. Take along tippet in Fluoro from 8 to 16 pound test.

Flies. - Gotchas, Crazy Charlies, Mantis Shrimp, and general shrimp patterns.

Colors. - Tan, Light Brown, Light Pink, White and Olive.

Permit. - When weather permits, fishing for these elusive fish can be outstanding.

Rods. - #8 - #10, 9’ long, fast action.

Lines. - WF Floating on a saltwater reel with 200 yds of 20# backing.

Leaders - 9’ to 12’ Fluoro in 12# to 16# test. Take tippet in Fluoro 12# and 16# test.

Flies - Rag Head, Velcro Crab, Mantis Shrimp, Veverka and Merkin

Colors - Tan, Light Brown, Light Pink, White and Olive

Tarpon. - Chetumal Bay has all sizes of tarpon from babies to juveniles to adult. Of course weather conditions will determine the fishing for the big boys.

Rods. - #8 to #10 for baby to juvenile tarpon, #12 for giant tarpon

Lines. - WF Floating on a sturdy reel with 100 yds of 20# backing for babies and juveniles. 400 to 500 grain sinking tip heads for giant tarpon with at least 300 yds of 30# to 50# backing.

Leader. - 9’ to 12’ - 30# to 40# test for babies and juvies and 100# test bite tippet for adult tarpon.

Flies. - Black Death, Purple Death, Seaducers, Toads, and Baitfish patterns

Colors - Red/Black, Purple/Black, Red/Chartreuse, Red/white, Orange, Tan.

Give me a shout for information about fishing Chetumal Bay. I will have a hosted trip there in 2022. Spaces are very limited.

HOSTED TRIP

Join me on a hosted trip August 23 - 30, 2023. This is prime time for Bonefish, Permit, Tarpon, with babies, Juveniles and giant Tarpon. We will be targeting Permit, Tarpon and Bonefish. This fishery gets very little pressure and our guides know the waters intimately. They have been exploring it for the last 3 years. The lodge is beautiful with a pool and on the beach. We will get on the beach right in front of the lodge to start our trip. This reminds me of when we first started fishing Isla Holbox. It has a real sense of adventure about it. We will “be there when”. I am excited about it. There is room for only 5 anglers and myself. Jump on this trip if you have a sense of adventure and exploration.

If you would like to combine a trip to Isla Holbox, and Chetumal let me know. I will get you a quote.