T-Bro
05-23-2006, 03:58 PM
Wanted to give a brief report on the opening of a new fishing lodge in Punta Allen, which is the northernmost point in Ascension Bay, Mexico. The club was opened in February 2006 and is the most luxurious place to stay in the region.
Using many of the long time guides from the Ascension Bay Bonefish Club, the Palometa Club offers a comfortable lodge and delicious food to anglers from around the world. I went to the lodge as one of the initial guests and was greatly impressed with how this differed from other operations that I have utilized in the past.
Punta Allen is a 3.5 hour drive from Cancun and is a good place to drink beer while you travel down the long sandspit from Tulum. The road is not as bad as in years past, despite the hurricane that hit Cancun hard last year. Lots of washboard, but no axel breaking holes.
Punta Allen is a nice town due to the relative affluence of its full time residents, who make good incomes from the areas lobster fishery. The people are friendly and seem to enjoy their idyllic lifestyle.
The clubhouse is very comfortable and is perfect for 8-10 guests. Rooms are for two people and have private baths and all rooms have AC. Food is served by two local ladies that are true artists. Reflecting local cuisine, the food is delicious and made of the freshest ingredients. Beware of the habanero sauce! It is addictive! These same ladies serve up cold beer or margaritas every evening after fishing, so everyone is happy for dinner. Breakfast is the same high level of cooking and lunches are packed each day that are adequate for satisfying a hungry angler. See the club website for good pictures of the accomodations and amenities. www.palometaclub.com
The fishing is a perfect entree to flats fishing. While the bonefish are smaller than Bahamas or Florida relatives, their sheer numbers and lack of spookiness make them a great introduction to the sport. Snook and baby tarpon can also be caught in the mangrove swamps that ring the bay and its islands. However, the real attraction of the Ascension Bay area are the Palometa, or permit. In my two trips to the area, I was blown away by the numbers of permit we saw. From doubles to schools of 50 or more, I have never seen so many permit elsewhere. However, as an intermediate flats fisherman, I have also never hooked one. The two best shots that I had were taken by Jack Crevalle that darted in and ate the fly before the permit could get it. Still lots of fun to catch a 10 pound jack!
For the non-fishermen, there are tremendous ecotourism opportunities. Great birdwatching and tours of the nearby Mayan ruins, as well as other activities in the Sian Kaan Biosphere.
I have attached a few pics from my trip in Late February. If I were you, I would wait until mid march or early fall to really have the best shot at permit.
Buena suerte,
T-Bro
Using many of the long time guides from the Ascension Bay Bonefish Club, the Palometa Club offers a comfortable lodge and delicious food to anglers from around the world. I went to the lodge as one of the initial guests and was greatly impressed with how this differed from other operations that I have utilized in the past.
Punta Allen is a 3.5 hour drive from Cancun and is a good place to drink beer while you travel down the long sandspit from Tulum. The road is not as bad as in years past, despite the hurricane that hit Cancun hard last year. Lots of washboard, but no axel breaking holes.
Punta Allen is a nice town due to the relative affluence of its full time residents, who make good incomes from the areas lobster fishery. The people are friendly and seem to enjoy their idyllic lifestyle.
The clubhouse is very comfortable and is perfect for 8-10 guests. Rooms are for two people and have private baths and all rooms have AC. Food is served by two local ladies that are true artists. Reflecting local cuisine, the food is delicious and made of the freshest ingredients. Beware of the habanero sauce! It is addictive! These same ladies serve up cold beer or margaritas every evening after fishing, so everyone is happy for dinner. Breakfast is the same high level of cooking and lunches are packed each day that are adequate for satisfying a hungry angler. See the club website for good pictures of the accomodations and amenities. www.palometaclub.com
The fishing is a perfect entree to flats fishing. While the bonefish are smaller than Bahamas or Florida relatives, their sheer numbers and lack of spookiness make them a great introduction to the sport. Snook and baby tarpon can also be caught in the mangrove swamps that ring the bay and its islands. However, the real attraction of the Ascension Bay area are the Palometa, or permit. In my two trips to the area, I was blown away by the numbers of permit we saw. From doubles to schools of 50 or more, I have never seen so many permit elsewhere. However, as an intermediate flats fisherman, I have also never hooked one. The two best shots that I had were taken by Jack Crevalle that darted in and ate the fly before the permit could get it. Still lots of fun to catch a 10 pound jack!
For the non-fishermen, there are tremendous ecotourism opportunities. Great birdwatching and tours of the nearby Mayan ruins, as well as other activities in the Sian Kaan Biosphere.
I have attached a few pics from my trip in Late February. If I were you, I would wait until mid march or early fall to really have the best shot at permit.
Buena suerte,
T-Bro