Fishing suggestions needed for resort between Cancun & Playa del Carmen

[skeeterjeff]

Taking a trip with the wife in a couple of weeks to El Dorado Royale on Punta Brava Beach, Riviera Maya, Mexico; which is located about halfway between Cancun and Playa del Carmen. Any suggestions on what to try, not really into deep sea fishing, just flats or spinning or casting? Thank you very much for any help or advice.

Skeeterjeff

[Supafly]

Boca Paila may not be too far for a day trip from there. Its about an hour and a half south of Playa del carmen. I did a day trip last year and caught a bunch of small bones and broke off a permit. The people at Boca Paila fishing lodge had someone pick me up at my hotel. It was about 50-75 bucks extra.

[Count]

Hey Jeff,

My wife and I visited El Dorado on the Mayan Riviera, just south of Playa del Carmen, for our honeymoon in 1998. Nothing else out there at that time. Now, I'm told, it's all built up.

Don't know how the fishing would be, but I'd recommend you bring along an 8 weight and some chartreuse Clousers and then hit the beaches early in the a.m., when the light is still low. Make sure to bring along some 30# or so wire bite tippet, as you may encounter cudas or jacks. You may also come across some bonefish or permit, so keep your eyes peeled for tails.

When the beaches become crowded later in the mornings, time to go do something else. But you can have a lot of fun early in the mornings, before the crowds get out on the beaches.

Or, take the ferry over to Cozumel and hook up with a guide to go fish the flats on the north end of the island.

Also, you're far enough south here that you can arrange for one of the Ascension Bay lodges to come pick you up and take you fishing for the day.

Lots of choices.

How is this area after last year's hurricanes?

Nice to see an Sooner here. I'm from Norman and now live in OKC.

Best,

John

[skeeterjeff]

I have looked into going out with Rogelio of Pesca Maya, looks to be $450 for a full day fishing Ascension Bay. Was getting ready to pull the trigger and thought I would post here to see if there were any other alternatives.

Thanks again John. I spend allot of my time fishing bass tournaments, but when I get a chance to hit the flats, man, that is some kinda fun.

Skeeterjeff

Go Sooners, Oh, sorry we are already done!

[CCS]

an alt idea for DIY with family ... drive down to Oscar y Lolas which is in the Soliman Bay area. family can lunch there and you can wade the grass flats on s end of cove, out to permitty flats and around into more permit flats on n end of soliman bay. earlier in day good to avoid kayak traffic, but midday around point will be fine and better for visibility.

would also recommend boca paila for a day trip, which would be about 1.5 hrs each each way from PDC. best to do with guide but the 'white flats' inside the inlet offer top notch wading for bones and permit.

[Supafly]

Go to Boca Paila, its a much shorter ride. I am sure you cant go wrong with either though

[wrx_canoe]

FYI -

I've got a day booked with Pesca Maya on Jan.9th. I'll let you know how it goes.

I'm staying at Barcelo Maya which is about 1/2 hour south of Playa de Carmen.

They're supposed to be picking me up from the hotel at 5:45am. Cost for the shuttle was US$100 and the day's fishing is $350. This includes breakfeast, lunch, boat and two guides (one apprentice). Supposed to be 8 hours of fishing.

Hopefully the weather cooperates.

Cheers,
Preston
Toronto

[ifish1]

I've fished this area a number of times and all the above information is great....some other options are getting up early and walking the beach....snook often patroll the beaches early in that area and you may also have a shot at bones and polometo (like our pompano)....also I've had good success going to the boca pailla bridge and wading from there on my own....be careful of soft bottom if your by yourself.....another option which I reallyy like is taking the first ferry out of PDC to Cozumel and meeting Nacho Euan,one of several guides there. His website escapes me but if you Email me I'll get that for you....Also,you can't go wrong with Pesca Maya. Rogillio, the owner runs a super operation and all the guides can put you on fish...the only drawback is the distance to just fish one day. I have always stayed there and if you ever get the chance to do that I highly reccomend it...any other questions i'de be happy to try to answer........Rick Heim ifish1

[skeeterjeff]

I decided to pull the trigger and book a long day of it with Rogelio's guides on the 23rd of January (Preston, please let me know how your trip goes on the 9th). My E-mail address is 'jeff@texhomaland.com'. I am an early riser, so I will be up to fish the beach area on the other days.

My wife and I will take the ferry one day to get some pictures of the damage over at Cozumel, our travel agent requested this. I thought about going out with Alex or Chico, but felt that something new to try was in order. I have fished with them several times in the past. Anyway, thanks again for all your help.

Skeeterjeff

[juanito_1]

Jeff,
Sometimes it's hard to fish the beaches at the resorts in that area due to the wind at this time of the year, makes spotting fish tough & usually involves a lot of blind casting. I've had good success fishing the beach at Puerto Aventuras just south of PDC, tends ot be a little more protected from the prevailing winds. The fish (bones) are definitely there but you have to work for them. Early & late are the best times as during the day there are lots of swimmers & while they fight well if you hook one it's not recommended for a peaceful holiday. I've always done well on the northern end of the beach but from what I've been told down there all the beach can be productive at the right time, you may even get lucky & stumble on a permit or two. Try the northern end where it's shallow but somewhat of a rocky bottom for permit(weed guard recommended) .
Buena suerte.
John