Mexico 2013
I have just come back from a recent saltwater fishing trip in the resort of Punta Allen, Mexico. If your thinking of a first step into saltwater fishing especially fly fishing then Mexico and particularly Ascension Bay offers a great location to test your skills on a variety of species such as Bonefish, Snook, Tarpon, Barracuda and the elusive Permit. In fact, for many saltwater veterans Ascension Bay is 'the' place to go for fly fishing for Permit and is regarded by many as the best place in the world with huge flats and access to deeper water the habitat is perfect for these wary travellers that can often be seen in large schools. Offering the fisherman a truly great chance of making contact with and certainly having a number of shots at these fish.
Our trip coincided with some unseasonal weather with monsoon like conditions at times making it tough going. However, the fish were there and it was a case of finding them and in this game of hide and seek the guides out of the Veijo Chac are the best in the area. With good English and an intimate knowledge of Ascension Bay the guides consistently found fish. Whether we could catch them was a different matter. As with all fishing understanding how the fish react in different conditions is important for success.
All the additional fresh water and low pressure certainly made the fish a little spooky but the predators were out in numbers with Snook and for me Barracuda offering excellent sport on a fly rod. I found that large poppers worked well and despite being a 'chuck and duck' fly casting operation the 'gulp' noise from a popper fly seemed to turn the Barracuda on. I cannot remember how many fish I missed setting the hook and those fish that slashed at the fly. There is nothing more exciting than seeing the water erupt in an explosion as a Barracuda smashes a popper...really exciting stuff and thankfully I was fast enough that they didn't all get away.
Bonefish were also a familiar target species offering great sport on an 8# fly rod in shallow water, they just take off and we had great fun in both open water and in amongst the mangroves where despite best efforts the guide occasionally had to get out to untangle the line. All part of the fun of chasing these torpedoes down. But with other species like Jacks Blue runners and Snapper all happy to have a go at a well or in some cases a badly presented fly there was always something happening.
The Snook were hiding as usual under the mangroves but just occasionally came out to play with my boat partner Chris Hartley hooking a huge fish that sadly spat the fly after a couple of minutes. Tarpon were jumped and most got away although I did actually hook a good fish off the jetty on the beach late one evening which was very exciting as it tried to get back under the stanchions.
With a number of shots at Permit my luck was out hooking and losing one but to be fair it was the same story with most members of the party as stories were told of missed chances, fish on and off and then the usual round of tales of disappointment and excitement. Everyone caught fish with most of the party getting into good specimens with Bonefish up to 6lb, large Snook and just the occasional Permit. Oh yes, I also had a shot at a Trigger fish that was moving at speed. Maybe next time? All part of saltwater fly fishing. A great location, great hospitality, clean lodgings, good food and good value.
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