Gran Slam Destination Ascension Bay

Ascension Bay offers any possible scenario a flyfisherman could dream about ...
Ascension Bay is a world famous destination due to its variety of species and abundance of fish, offering great opportunities for anglers with any level of experience.  Sight fishing for bonefish in skinny water, wading over a white sand bottom, looking for permit in shallow flats just two or three feet deep or fishing from the boat in a mangrove lagoon, where snook is hiding and tarpon are rolling. You will find the consistency of bonefishing, the exitement of fishing for tarpon, the thrilling challenge of fishing for permit, the nice surprice of jack crevalle or snook and the fierce strike of "cudas" on a the flats. The so-called "permit Mekka" of the Caribbean is the ultimate dream of the avid saltwater angler.
The climate is subtropical, but by the prevailing wind from the sea very pleasant. Temperatures range in the summer around 35 ° C. In winter, they rarely fall below 15 ° C.

Ascension Bay, in the heart of the Sian Ka’an Biosphere

The Sian Kaan reserve is composed equally of semi evergreen tropical forest, wetlands and savannas, and marine habitat with coral reefs. Sian Ka'an is home to more than 345 species of birds, including over one million wintering migratory song birds from the U.S. and Canada. The wetlands and marine habitats shelter the endangered Morelet's and American crocodile as well as manatee and provides habitat for the green, loggerhead, hawksbill and leatherback sea turtles. Small dolphins groups swim, feed and reproduce in Ascension and Espiritu Santo Bay.
Two large Bays, Ascension and Espiritu Santo Bay and a unique fresh water wetland system and 60 miles of pristine coral reef is the enduring landscape used by the ancient Maya civilization over two thousand years ago, as attested to by the remains of approximately 27 Maya sites found within the reserve. Fly fishing and wild life observation tours are today transforming the fishing boats into tourism boats as well as inhabitants tourism income has become the first source for the Villages, displacing commercial lobster fishing.

Punta Allen Village

Deep within the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve on Mexico’s Caribbean coast of the Mexican State of Quintana Roo, about 40 km south of Tulum, is the prosperous fishing village of Javier Rojo Gomez, better known as Punta Allen. It is a community unlike any other we know in Mexico. In addition to its privileged location, what makes this village unique is its commercial success. Ever since it was founded in 1968 it has been the regional leader in the lobster fishery, as measured both by total catch and the size of lobsters caught. Even more remarkable is the fact that the wealth from this industry is not concentrated in a local boss, but rather spread out among the fishermen, with many being wealthy enough to have second homes in Merida, or elsewhere in the Yucatan Peninsula. But one learns about these things after a while. Perhaps the first thing one notices is the town itself.
This is a small village, with a population of only several hundred, and access to electricity only a few hours a day. After traveling there for two hours on a bad dirt road, one expects to find the usual impoverished village of cardboard shacks and tin roofs. Instead, the houses are made of cement blocks. Many of them are rather large, and painted in bright colors. More important, there is a recycling center, a library, and a health clinic, as well as a very nice playground that seems fairly empty, because unlike other isolated rural communities in Mexico, Punta Allen has one of the lowest birth rates in the nation.

Pesca Maya Fishing Lodge, Punta Allen

Pesca Maya Fishing Lodge opened its doors on January 1996 and has quickly become one of the Yucatan's most popular fishing destinations and with good reason. The lodge is located 90 miles south of Cancun in the 1.3 million acre Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve (Mayan for "where the sky is born"). Situated on a long, narrow strip of barrier beach, the lodge is virtually surrounded by water. The entire area boasts some of the Caribbean's greatest flats fishing for bonefish, excellent fishing for permit, fishing for snook, fishing for tarpon and other species, as well as reef and offshore fishing (in season).
We can take up to 22 anglers in the lodge, sharing rooms; offering our own Fly-Shop, 10 boats with the best guides in the area, and a beautiful beach where you can relax while not fishing. There are 11 rooms in 3 buildings, all with A/C and private bathroom with walk-in showers, most with oceanview. Located in a solitary white sand beach, turquoise water and a magnificent coral reef at 90 yards from the beach. The spacious Seaclusion house is the centre of our activities: exquisite meals and cold drinks are being served; flies tying and fishing stories take place. Serious fishing, beautiful spots, nice and comfortable accommodations, good food and personal attention is our mission.

Fishing for Bonefish

Ascension Bay is well known for its endless wading flats, mangrove lagoons, channels and coral reefs. Pesca Maya is located right on the northern side of the bay, having access to over 100,000 acres of flats, some wadable, some soft, that request a boat. Renowned by anglers for their wariness and fighting spirit, bonefish are stealthy and speedy residents of these shallow flats. Although they are not usually consumed by people, bonefish are a major target of sport anglers, becoming a pillar of the recreational fishing industry.
Without any doubt, the great bonefishing pleasure is to spot the fish, cast, strip, see the fish following, feel the bite, set the hook and listen your reel scream while bonefish pulls your line, stronger, pound per pound, than most fish. It sounds simple, but it takes angler’s best skills to catch bonefish.
Your eyes have to learn to read the water, flashes, waves, moog, birds, manta-ray, sharks and many other signs. Your cast will make your fly go for 30 feet and land nice and smoothly at the right place, the proper stripping and sensitivity to feel the fish and set the hook with your hand, not lifting the rod. It takes a good guide to help you with each step. The way to work the flat with the wind on your back, directions to spot the fish and strip.

Fishing for Tarpon

The so-called “Silver King” has an insatiable appetite, a strong mouth, power, resistance and acrobatic skills, wich makes him the perfect adversary for your Fly-rod...
Fishing for Tarpon or “Sabalo” – as we call him here in Mexico – can be divided into three cathegories: Baby Tarpon (up to 30 pds), Medium Tarpon (from 30 to 80 pds) and Big Tarpon (more than 80 pds, in occasions they can reach up to 200 pds of weight.) Obviously, those Mega-Tarpons are the ones “most wanted”, but of course the less common to find. In the waters of Ascension Bay, and along the Westcoast of the Yucatán peninsula, you can find schools of baby Tarpon to medium size Tarpons lurking in the mangrove areas. When the Tarpon-fishing-day has been successful, one will finish exhausted from the physical efforts. Deeper water gives the Tarpon a greater margin to maneuver and makes you spend more time to chase him, wearing out the angler as well as the fish. Around noon, when wind starts picking up, it’s getting more difficult to find the Medium to Big-Size Tarpon, that’s when the boats turn towards the quietness of the mangrove-channels to look for dozens of Baby-Tarpon.
Armed with 6wt – 9wt rods we go out to face these small giants in battle. You have to handle your line carefully, if you don’t want him to escape and disappear in between the mangrove roots, once you have him hooked up.In Ascension Bay, it’s high season for Baby Tarpon from May throughout September. Even though there are lots of them around the shallow waters of the flats, be prepared for a rough adventure. Hooking and landing any size of tarpon, is always a difficult challenge.
To protect the environment and to maintain fishing populations stable, Pesca Maya follows the "catch and release" policy for all species.

Fishing for Permit

Permit are beautiful fish... and can be difficult to hook with a fly. They'll saunter over to the fly, take a look and decide this fly is not for them; or, they'll attack with surprising vigor. For the angler, the key is spotting them and taking a cast. Quick. Accurate. Often, permit are found mixed in with bonefish or tarpon. Rarely have I seen all three in the same area, but it does occur.
Permit inhabit flats and may be found in channels and on deeper flats that have lots of crabs, shrimp, worms and minnows. Permit also follow tides. In shallow water I've seen singles or doubles; in deeper water schools. Permit seem to run with fish of similar age groups and sizes. I've observed permit moving with the wind, cruising in from deep water onto the flats to feed. They move fast and with purpose, and you can see them coming from far away!
When I see these fish coming out of the water, my blood pressure rises and my mind comes to attention! A cast may be coming soon! Focus. A change of rod and fly might be necessary, but I'm ready and willing to make a cast anytime they are around!
Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula -- The Yucatan Peninsula is undoubtedly one of the best permit destinations worldwide. The fish population is probably second to none. The expansive flats from Boca Paila to Ascension Bay hold tremendous numbers of permit, and it is not uncommon to see dozens of them in a single day's angling.