Fish & Gear

Snook – an exciting and powerful game fish -- tend to the shallow coastal waters where temperatures are not too cool, mangroves are plentiful, and there are nurseries of smaller fish to feed upon. Typically the snook we find here are in the 4 kilogram range but can get quite large – upward of 12 kilos. Most guests use a #7 or #8 rod with a 50# tippet. Favorite flies include cockroaches. Summer months are typically off-season for snook here.

Bonefish in Xcalak tend to intertidal flats, mangrove areas, river mouths, and deeper adjacent waters. Bonefish feed near or on the bottom on various baitfish, crabs and shrimp. They are renowned for their sustained, powerful runs after the hook set. Typical size is ½ kilo to 1 ½ kilos. Expect to use a #7 rod and a 12# tippet. Favorite flies include chili peppers, Gotcha and shrimp. Spring is the best time of year..

Permit are an easily spooked fish that inhabit shallow water and travel solo or in very small groups. Here in Xcalak, we wade for permit because sounds of waves against the boat hull spook the fish, so a good pair of wading boots is needed. Great fighters, our permit typically range from 2 to 10 kilos. Usually a #9 or #10 rod and a #40 tippet are good; flies include crabs.

Tarpon are large, very strong fish that battle hard and often make incredible leaps during the fight. Here in the Xcalak, they are found in salt flats as well as in deeper reef waters offshore. These beautiful, silvery fish range from 3 to up to 7 kilos. Expect to use a #8 or #9 rod and a 50#, 40# or 20# tippet. Favorite flies include the cockroaches. May, June and July are the low months for tarpon in Xcalak..

Barracuda are found in almost all parts of the Xcalak reef system and are a very fast swimming fish. They can grow to ten to twelve kilos and are a voracious feeder on all kinds of fish. Here, we do not find much variation in seasonal availability. Expect to use a #9 or #10 rod with 50# tippet. Rapalas are effective lures.