Bill Marts flyfishing

Every fishing day you will need to be ready to go early. Guides will be on the beach ready for you and your gear at 6:00AM. There is a coffee machine in your room and a breakfast burrito in the fridge If you want beers to take with you on the boat, you will need to buy them the day before at the 6-pack store located behind your home and bring what you want. You can also order beers or other alcoholic beverages to be delivered to your room to be there when you arrive. Guides will stow them in the ice chest. Your rod, reel leaders and flies should be fishing-ready. You will fish hard all day and be back at the lodge around 2:00 PM. Rinse your gear and stow it, enjoy a swim in the sea, shower and come to the patio for a refreshing Margarita and hors d'oeuvres. This is a great time to exchange fishing stories (old and new) , fishing methods, flies, etc

Not included:

Tips for transfer drivers ($5 - $10/person each way), taxi ($1 - $2 each person each way), room housekeepers ($15/day/person), guides average about $100 USD/day/boat. Fishing license ($10/day or $25/week. extra food and drinks besides the daily Margaritas, breakfasts and hors d'oeuvres and dinners are on your own - this is a good time to get to know Holbox and its people a little better and it helps spread the money around instead of leaving it one place. Equipment rentals ($50/day and $250/week) includes everything you will need for a day's/week's fishing. Flies, if that is all you need, are $7.00 each. All of the gear rented or purchased is top notch. It is what I do most of the time except for the flies (even those I sometimes end up getting from the guide).

A guide will come to your hotel to go over your gear, let you know what is going on and to answer any of your questions on your first night there.

ARRIVAL :

You will want to let us know your flight arrival number, airlines and time of arrival. If you are staying at a hotel we need the name of it to know where to pick you up. Your driver will be outside the terminal with Tarpon Club Isla Holbox and/or your name on a sign. The driver will take you to the little town of Chiquila, where you will catch the ferry to Isla Holbox. There will be taxis there to take you to your lodging (this is not included in the price). Try to get there before noon to get out to the island in time for a welcome Margarita and hors d’oeuvres before you go out “on the town” for dinner. Dinners are not included in the price. This is a good chance to see the town and plaza and get a feel for Holbox. Your guide will come by your hotel to check out your gear and get you ready for the next days fishing. Have everything ready because you need to get up around 5:00 AM for breakfast. There will be a breakfast burrito in your fridge. The guide will be on the beach in front at 6:00 AM.

FISHING DAYS :

You will meet your guide on the beach in front. On the boat will be an ice chest with lunches, water and soda (if requested). You can eat your burrito on the fly. If you want any beer to drink, you need to buy it from the 6-pack store the day before behind your lodging and bring it along. You will fish hard until it is time to get back to the lodging between 2 and 3 PM. If you want to stay later, the price is $150/hour (to be added to the tip and given to the guide). There is a place to wash your rods and reels and wading shoes in fresh water and a rack to dry them. When you are ready, enjoy an ice cold Margarita and hors d’oeuvres and relax a while before dinner.

DAY OF DEPARTURE :

Make sure the lodging manager knows when your flight leaves or if you are going to extend your stay in Cancun the name of your hotel. You will be transferred to the ferry ( the taxis is your payment responsibility), then transferred to the airport or your hotel in Cancun.

Take care of any of any other purchases, staff tips (recommended $15/person for all staff) . Guide tips are taken care of every day(they avg. $100/day/boat) at the end of fishing day.

This is a really special place to visit and fish. I’ve been going there for 29+ years and it still holds most of the charms and excitement as it did when I first “discovered” it in 1994. If you have any questions, concerns or comments please contact me. I would love to introduce you to Isla Holbox, it’s culture, and it’s fishing.

Isla Holbox is an island literally surrounded by tarpon. Depending upon the season, there are big tarpon and there are baby tarpon up to around 30 pounds there year around.

Other fishes include, permit (sometimes), bonefish (rarely), snook, sheepshead, triple tail, barracuda, and speckled trout.  But most, if not all the time is spent chasing poons.  Every once in a while, a saltwater Grand-Slam (three of the four; Bonefish, Permit, Snook and Tarpon) is caught and even fewer Super Grand-Slams are caught (all four).  These are usually caught by a few hard working anglers with tunnel vision focused on the goal.

Bird life is abundant and adds to an angler’s day on the water.  Beach walking or jogging is available on some outstanding beaches.  The heart of the town is a short walk from anywhere on the island ) and is a little more crowded than when I first visited it in 1994, but it is still a charming place and a great place to take your wife, girlfriend, family or friends and a whole other planet away from Cancun.  The main form of getting around is by walking, bicycle, motorcycle or golf cart (taxi).  There are some great restaurants around town for dinner (not included in price).  We do not include dinners in the price because we want to spread the spending around town and to give you a chance to experience the Island Life of Holbox.  The Plaza comes alive after sunset and is fun to walk around and see "what's happening" .

I am hosting a trip to Isla Holbox August 31 - Sept7, 2023. Check it out below. All prices are double occupancy in the rooms and two anglers in the boat. Single rooms (as available) are an additional $150.00 per night. Single in the boat is $250 per night. Non angler is less $250/day from the package price. And this means no fishing.

Custom trips: Call for a price quote.
Deposit:   50% of the total cost is required to reserved your dates.  The balance is due 90 days prior to your trip date.

Cancellation policy: Any cancellations received before 90 days prior to your arrival date in Holbox gets a full refund less a $200 bookkeeping fee. Any Cancellations less than 90 days out forfeits the whole deposit unless a replacement can be found to take your place.

If you have already reserved your stay at another hotel, but want to fish a few days while you are there, contact me and I will make the arrangements for you.

HOSTED TRIP AUGUST 31 - Sept 7, 2023

Join me on a hosted trip. I have been fishing there for for 29 + years. We will be fishing with my friend’s guide service (the best on the island). No extra charge. Check out the 7night/6day fishing price below. It is a lot of fun and great fishing. Our main target is Tarpon, babies and giants. This is prime time. Last year’s group all caught their first tarpon plus more.

If you are not looking to go on a hosted trip with me, you are, of course, free to go at any time. Just contact me so we can discuss what you would like to get out of a Holbox fishing adventure.

Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. 530-410-4771 phone or text, or email sabalogrande1144@gmail.com There is a 50% deposit due to reserve your space. The balance is due 90 days prior to your trip. You may pay by Check; Bill Marts Fly Fishing, 6526 41st Ave SW, Seattle, Washington 98136. Or by Venmo: to Bill Marts.

Prices: 2023 .

Fly fisher’s adventure

Private room, 2 anglers/boat

7n/6days of fishing $3495.00

6n/5d $3095.00

5n/4d $2550.00

4n/3d $2295.00

3n/2d $1995.

CALL YOUR OWN SHOTS -

Available October through April.

Custom trips. Available for 7n/6d, 6n/5d and 5n/4d trips only with 3 days fishing minimum. Pick the number of days to fish and the other days are your own to do what your please. Call, text or email for a quote.

Any questions, please contact text me at: 530-410-4771, or email me (best way) at sabalogrande1144@gmail.com.

EQUIPMENT AND PERSONAL GEAR LIST AND GENERAL INFORMATION FOR YOUR TRIP

1. Rods - #7, #8 or #9 for baby tarpon, # 12 for big tarpon

2. Reels - Saltwater proof reels corresponding to the rod weight above. They have to have a smooth drag system. For the babies, you will need 200 yds of 20# backing. And 300yds of 30#test for the heavier outfit.

3. Lines - for the shallow water fishing for the babies you will want a TROPICAL floating line. The Bigger gear can use a 20 - 30 foot saltwater tip or a full intermediate line both tropical lines

4. Leaders - Suicide leaders are mostly used for their simplicity and ease of getting the fish in as quick as possible. For smaller fish you will want to take 25# and 40# Fluoro, and the big boys, take 80# Fluoro or 100-120# mono. These leaders are connected directly to your line with loops. If you want a class tippet in your leader with a Bimini twist, class tippet and shock tippet, you either buy them, tie them yourself or get them from the guides in Holbox.

5. Flies - These are favored by the guides down there and by me. Black Death, Purple Death, Eclipse, Shock Treatment and Mangrove Seaducer. Size 1, 1/0 or 2/0 for baby tarpon and 4/0 or 6/0 for adult tarpon. I can tie you up and assortment of a dozen or more flies for $7.95 -$10.00 each, or your can buy them from your favorite fly shop or you can buy them in Holbox for $6.00/each (very good ties).

   ***Note - The equipment above may be rented in Holbox for $50/day or $250/week and includes everything, even the flies.

6. It may be very hot fishing and the sun can be relentless. Dress for it. Tropical clothing with sun protection. Long sleeve shirts, long pants and a hat that will protect your eyes with your Polarized Sun glasses. Take sun lotion protection, mosquito repellent, glasses cleaner (and wipes). I also take a couple pairs of disposable white cotton socks to wear in the boat to protect your feet. they also let you feel if you are standing on your fly line when about to cast. You may want to take extra face sun protection (Snoods From Damselfly are great) and hand protection (Sun Gloves or Sola Gloves).

7. Shoreside clothing - Everywhere is super causal; sandals or flip-flops, t-shirts, shorts whatever makes you feel comfortable.

8. Wading shoes - Sometimes we may want or have to get out of the boat.

9. Bring: Spare sunglasses, needle nose pliers, cutters for heavy leaders, water proof boat bag, camera or phone to take pics plus necessary batteries and/or chargers, prescription meds, raingear, headlamp and spare batteries

10. Passport good for 6 months after your arrival in Cancun, with copies of the picture page. Put one in your luggage for identification if needed and carry one on the boat.

11. Personal bathroom stuff

12. First aid kit

13. Carry enough cash for rentals (if you want them), tips (guides avg about $100/day for the boat, transfer from Cancun $5 - $10/person each way, hotel cleaning staff $100/person/day for all staff - bartender/waitstaff/beach service is up to you ). Tips are paid in pesos or USD cash.

14. Journal- you may want to keep a written account of your trip.

15. The hotel where you are staying accepts credit cards for any foods or drinks not included in your package. You may run a tab while there and settle when departing.

16. Your room includes a small refer but it is left empty for you to fill with drinks and snacks of your choice. You purchase these.

17. You may use my phone or email address as an emergency contact. Or call Sandflea at 011 52 984 157 5837.

18. You will have to purchase a fishing license (about $25 per person).

Inclusions:
The number of nights lodging with your package, with hearty breakfasts for non angling days between 8 - 10and coffee, and a breakfast burrito for anglers , welcome margarita upon arrival at the lodging, Happy hour margarita and two beers, with hors d'oeuvres upon return after a hard day fishing.

R/T transfers from Cancun to Chiquila, r/t ferry from there to Holbox. Rr/t taxi from ferry dock to hotel is paid by the angler

Double occupancy in the rooms, AC, Refer, Hot water shower in room, equipment wash station with rod drying places, free WiFi in common areas, hotel is on the beach with beach privileges Daily housekeeping and beach towels are also a part of the package. A welcomed massage can be arranged any day. Just let Kelly know when and everything will be ready for you after a hard day of fishing.