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Fly Fishing in Mexico
Permit. Bonefish. Tarpon. Your Caribbean Grand Slam.
Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula is one of the finest saltwater fly fishing destinations in the world. Endless flats, mangrove forests and a remarkably healthy ecosystem – protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. Here you stalk permit in knee-deep water, drift through schools of bonefish and battle tarpon along the mangroves. Land a bonefish, a permit and a tarpon in a single day and you have the legendary Grand Slam – and the bays along Yucatan's Caribbean coast are among the very few places on earth where that is a realistic goal.
We offer two outstanding lodges in two different bays – from the family-run Punta Allen Fishing Club in Ascension Bay to the new luxury lodge Beh Kay in Espiritu Santo Bay. Our owner Sebastian Bremm knows both lodges and both fisheries first-hand. We advise you personally on which option fits you best.
Your lodges in Mexico
Both lodges sit inside the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve on Yucatan's Caribbean coast. Sebastian Bremm has visited both in person. We are happy to advise you. Inquire now
Ascension Bay lies roughly 250 km south of Cancun, in the heart of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve. The Punta Allen Fishing Club sits just 50 meters from the beach and offers five comfortable rooms for a maximum of eight guests. The lodge is run by passionate anglers – "mi casa es tu casa" is lived here, not advertised. The kitchen blends Mexican specialities with international dishes and Italian wine, which makes the stay a pleasure off the water too. Ascension Bay is particularly well suited to anglers making their first trip to tropical saltwater.
7 nights, 6 fishing days, double occupancy
- 7 nights in a double room
- Full board (including packed lunch on the water)
- 6 full fishing days with guide and panga
- 2 anglers per boat
- Fishing licenses and tourism fees
Not included: International flights to Cancun, alcoholic drinks, gratuities, personal gear.
A typical day
08:00–16:00 – Full day on the water, packed lunch on the boat
17:00 – Back at the lodge, drinks, siesta
19:00 – Dinner and overnight
Espiritu Santo Bay is Ascension Bay's smaller sister – and arguably the finest permit destination in the Caribbean. Schools of several hundred permit and singles well over 30 pounds make the ESB a dream fishery. Beh Kay Lodge was built in 2026 together with Nervous Waters, right on the water, offering luxurious geodesic eco-domes with air conditioning, private bathrooms, excellent food and a lounge with bar.
7 nights, 6 fishing days, shared skiff, double occupancy · Private skiff and single room available at a supplement
- 7 nights in a double eco-dome
- Full board (including lunch on the flats)
- 6 full fishing days with guide and skiff
- 2 anglers per skiff
- Fishing licenses and fees
- Domestic flight Cancun – lodge (Pulticub) – Cancun
Not included: International flights to Cancun, supplement for private skiff or single room, gratuities, personal gear.
A typical day
08:00–16:30 – Full fishing day, lunch on the flats
18:00 – Aperitif and downtime at the lodge
19:30 – Multi-course dinner and overnight
The fishing on Yucatan's Caribbean coast
Fly fishing the flats of the Yucatan Peninsula is sight fishing in its purest form: you wade through knee-deep, crystal-clear water, or your guide poles you across the flats on a skiff while you scan for fish. It is the discipline that defines saltwater fly fishing – technically demanding, visually overwhelming and thoroughly addictive.
Permit – the holy grail
Permit are widely considered the most demanding target in saltwater. Wary, intelligent and extraordinarily selective – land one on the fly and you will never forget the moment. Both bays offer excellent permit fishing, and Espiritu Santo Bay ranks among the very best in the world.
Bonefish – stars of the flats
Bonefish often travel in large schools and deliver explosive fishing on the flats. In the ESB, conservation measures mean they regularly run bigger than elsewhere in Mexico. A perfect introduction to tropical saltwater – and never dull, even for experienced anglers.
Tarpon – raw power
Baby tarpon deliver spectacular fights and acrobatic jumps on light tackle. Through the summer months, large migrating tarpon move through the bays – an experience of a different order altogether.
Grand Slam
Bonefish, permit and tarpon in a single day – the Grand Slam is every saltwater fly fisher's dream. Add a snook and it becomes a Super Grand Slam. Mexico's bays are among the few places worldwide where this is a realistic goal.
Other species
Beyond the three Grand Slam species, Yucatan's flats hold plenty more: snook lurk in the mangroves and grow to impressive sizes, barracuda provide adrenaline with lightning-fast attacks, and jack crevalle fight with brute strength. Triggerfish on the flats are a particular challenge for experienced saltwater anglers.
The region & the season
Both lodges lie within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 on the Caribbean coast of the Yucatan Peninsula. The name comes from the Mayan language and means "origin of the sky". More than 1,700 km² of protected water – flats, mangroves, lagoons and an offshore reef – form one of the richest habitats in the Caribbean.
The season runs in two windows: February to June and August to November. The best months for permit are February through June. Bonefish and snook are available throughout the season, and large tarpon move through the bays on their migration during the summer months. August to October falls within hurricane season – fishing is possible, but you should allow for short-notice changes in the weather. The climate is tropical, averaging around 28 °C, so sun protection is essential.
Gear for Mexico
Saltwater fly fishing calls for completely different equipment than trout fishing at home. We advise you personally and put your Mexico setup together – in our shop in Vienna, by phone or through our online shop.
- Rods: Single-hand #8 for bonefish, #9–#10 for permit (crab patterns need power), #10–#11 for tarpon. Bring at least two rods. Single-hand fly rods →
- Reels: Saltwater-rated reels with a sealed drag are essential. Bonefish and permit will take plenty of backing. Saltwater reels →
- Fly lines: Tropical floating lines – standard lines go limp in the heat. Weight-forward with a versatile or short, powerful head for casting into wind. Fly lines →
- Saltwater flies: Gotcha, Crazy Charlie, Christmas Island Special (bonefish). Crab and shrimp patterns (permit). Tarpon streamers, Deceivers. Saltwater flies →
- Leaders & tippet: Fluorocarbon 12–20 lb for bonefish and permit, 60–80 lb shock tippet for tarpon. Leader material →
- Clothing: Light, sun-protective shirts and trousers (no waders). Buff, wide-brimmed hat, wading boots or flats boots. UV shirts →
- Polarized sunglasses: The single most important item for sight fishing. High-quality polarized lenses in copper or amber. Polarized sunglasses →
- Accessories: Waterproof bag for your gear, reef-safe sunscreen (this is a nature reserve), stripping guards against line cuts. Waterproof bags →
Why your own gear matters for permit: Permit forgive nothing. Rod action, drag and line weight have to work together – and you need to handle your setup without thinking when, after two hours of searching, the one shot finally comes. Fishing tackle you know well simply makes you a better angler on the flats.
Before your trip: If you can make it to Vienna, come by our shop – we go through your saltwater setup with you in person. If not, call us or send an email. We advise you just as thoroughly from a distance, and you can order everything from our online shop.
Frequently asked questions about Mexico
When is the best time to fish Mexico?
What is a Grand Slam?
Which lodge suits me better?
Do I need saltwater experience?
How do I get to Mexico?
What does a fly fishing trip to Mexico cost?
What gear do I need?
Is Mexico safe?
Plan your Mexico trip
Punta Allen Fishing Club or Beh Kay Lodge – we advise you personally and organize your trip. Sebastian knows both lodges and both fisheries from his own experience.
Tell us your preferred dates and experience level. We reply within 24 hours.