Looking for a fishing partner in Cancun

[samng]

hi there
I am considering going to Cancun, rent a car drive to Tulum, fish for bones near the bridge near Pez Maya, maybe drive to Punta Allen one day hire a guide,also might drive to Xcalak and explore. I am thinking Jan 19 for a week.Kinda of do this on a shoestring.

sam

[Henry]

I'm not making it down to the Yucatan this year otherwise I'd likely take you up on your offer. I've done a few times exactly what you have planned. It's loads of fun and full of adventure. It definitely is something that needs to be done in pairs though. You want to be very carefull travelling around alone and even more so fishing around the bridge at Boca Paila. The DIY flats have some real soft spots that a person could become hopelessly stuck in. You wont have to drive all the way down to Punta Allen to find a guide. You could contact Boca Paila lodge for that or just hang around the bridge...you'll likely be approached by someone offering to guide you. Although I didn't avail myself of the opportunity, we were quoted $200.00 for a days guided fishing with a lunch (great price). Funny thing was, another DIY fisherguy managed to get a quote of $140.00 for the days fishing "and" he would get picked up in Tulum!!!...(fantastic deal!!!). I guess when guides have the day off...they'd rather get a few bucks on the sly from their lodge. They all do it!

Good fishing down there, it's a wonderful place.

Henry

[figen]

Just as a side note, I got a lead on a very budget friendly guide in Punta Allen. I exchanged some emails with a girl that was part of Ecology preservation program in Punta Allen (it got cancelled), and she told me that some of the locals there would guide for bonefish and charge about 1500 pesos for it. I got a name, and vague description of where to find him. Have no clue as to his skills or English speaking capability.

let me know if anyone wants the information..

Good luck on the trip. There's great looking flat just north (Tulum-side) of the Boca Paila bridge. Here's picture:
http://www.figen.com/fiske/pix/en_big_990403-mexico-boca-paila-flat.html

Never tried it, and it may very well be too soft for wading. If you're headed for Punta Allen, you might want to check with someone on the condition of the road.

[Henry]

It was your "Mexico 99" trip report that inspired me to do the same the following year (a few times after that aswell). That "good looking" flat in your photo is indeed a great spot to fish. It starts out quite mushy but if you skirt the mangroves on your left for a 100 yards or so, you eventually wade across a waste deep channel and up onto a huge hard sand flat that must me at least a kilometer or more square. Loads of fish on this flat when the tide is running.

Just thought you'd like to know what you missed out on...(smile)

Best regards,

Henry

[figen]

Hey Henry,

That is so cool! Guess it's a small world, huh?
You got some really nice pictures at your website. Did you catch a Bone right off the beach in Tulum? That should be illegal, when considering how much $$$ and time some of us had to put in for our first bone.. ;)

[Henry]

My first (and many others) Bonefish was caught directly off the beaches around Akumal. In fact, also caught my first Snook, Cuda, Snapper, Permit, Ladyfish...(phew!!!)... Triggerfish, Pallometta, Needlefish, Grouper and assorted Jacks there.

My wife and a friend couple of ours love to vacation down there and that suites me fine. I can fish the beaches every day and make occasional side-trips down to Boca Paila for a change of scenery.

Bonefish never come cheap but the finer things in life are definitely worth the investment.

Your "Mexico 99" report was great. When are you going to follow it up with your latest Bonefishing exploits. I need some good reading to help pass the next 10 weeks. That's when my bud and I are heading down to Eleuthera for 2 1/2 weeks of fishing and fun.

Later,

Henry

[Bonefish Bob]

I have been admiring the picture posted by Figen of the flats near the bridge at Boca Paila. I will be in the Mayan from March 7-17/04. Was planning on doing day trips to the Boca Paila area south of Tulum on the DIY plan. Also interested in Cozumel guided bonefish if it's 'easier' then trying it alone.

Any comments on issues such as leaving your vehicle near the bridge, fishing alone on the flats, trying to find a guide just in case the DIY plan doesn't pan out? I have flyfished only one time in Cuba last April for a week. Fell in love with the sport and want to try it again on this next trip.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!!

[mrschapin]

Hey folks,

I looked into fishing this area, but was unable to find a cheap fare to Cancun.

You might want to check out A Classic Journey Outfitters. They offer a guided fishing package On Ascencion that is extremely reasonable. Haven't travelled with them, but the price is nice.

Other problem I found for a DIY in that area was car rental. Even the smallest compact is $400 w/insurance per week, and I don't know if one of those gets you to Punta Allen or not.

Anyhow, good luck--I'm interested to see how it goes, as this is a trip I plan on taking in the future.

Matt

[bbanking]

hi there
I am considering going to Cancun, rent a car drive to Tulum, fish for bones near the bridge near Pez Maya, maybe drive to Punta Allen one day hire a guide,also might drive to Xcalak and explore. I am thinking Jan 19 for a week.Kinda of do this on a shoestring.

sam
Rent a jeep and not a car...it will be rainy

[bbanking]

Just as a side note, I got a lead on a very budget friendly guide in Punta Allen. I exchanged some emails with a girl that was part of Ecology preservation program in Punta Allen (it got cancelled), and she told me that some of the locals there would guide for bonefish and charge about 1500 pesos for it. I got a name, and vague description of where to find him. Have no clue as to his skills or English speaking capability.

let me know if anyone wants the information..

Good luck on the trip. There's great looking flat just north (Tulum-side) of the Boca Paila bridge. Here's picture:
http://www.figen.com/fiske/pix/en_big_990403-mexico-boca-paila-flat.html

Never tried it, and it may very well be too soft for wading. If you're headed for Punta Allen, you might want to check with someone on the condition of the road.

His name is Gaspar and he is a great guide.

[figen]

His name is Gaspar and he is a great guide.

Hi Bbanking. I was actually referring to someone else here. Gaspar is great, and I would absolutely recommend him, if we hadn't "moved on" from Mexico to the Bamahas, we would go with Gaspar. As for prices, last year the "whole-sale" rate for guide/boat/gas was around $150 per day (what a lodge would pay a guide with the guide's own boat/gas. With lodge's boat/gas, I think the guides get only a few hundred pesos, plus ofcourse tips). If you book directly with a guide, you can expect to pay around $150-$175, and if you book with an agent, it's typically around $250 (cheap such as www.casasirena.com) upto $375. My unconfirmed "lead" was even cheaper, about $135 for a day (1500 pesos).