Category: Experience Xcalak
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Choosing the Right Fly for Bonefish, Permit, and Tarpon in Xcalak
Some places just have a rhythm to them, and the waters surrounding Xcalak, Mexico, are no different. It’s the hush of the wind across the mangroves, the push of the tide over white sand, and the whisper of a guide calling out from the poling platform, “Permit. Ten o’clock. Coming in hot.” In that moment,…
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How to Spot Fish in the Flats: Tips for Beginners in Xcalak
You’ve booked your trip to Xcalak or are planning to. So now you’re trying to figure out what you can get ready for. First, get into the mindset that fishing here will be different from the streams of the Rockies or the marshes of the East Coast. One of the things that makes Xcalak such…
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Gear for Xcalak: Polarized Sunglasses
You’re standing ankle-deep in warm Caribbean water, the sun rising behind you like a fireball over the mangroves. The sky is cloudless, and the flats are glass-calm. You scan the turquoise shallows, your guide pointing just ahead, “Permit, eleven o’clock, thirty feet.” You squint, trying to pick out the fish through the glare, but all…
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Top 5 Casting Mistakes Saltwater Fly Anglers Make (and How to Fix Them)
Saltwater fly fishing in a place like Xcalak is an unforgettable experience, so you’re going to want to make the most of that experience. One thing that can ruin the experience is missing shots at bonefish, permit, or tarpon; the culprit is often one thing: your cast. Even experienced freshwater anglers find the flats challenging.…
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Xcalak’s Secret Lagoons: A Hidden Fly Fishing Frontier
When anglers think of fly fishing in Xcalak, they often envision the iconic saltwater flats, the thrill of stalking tailing permit, and the crystal-clear Caribbean waters. However, nestled quietly behind the coastal village lies one of Xcalak’s most unique and underappreciated gems: the inland lagoons. These serene, remote waterways offer a fly fishing experience that…
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Snook on the Fly: Unlocking Xcalak’s Hidden Inshore Gem
While the waters of Xcalak are famous for permit, bonefish, and tarpon, another player in town often flies under the radar—snook. Sleek, aggressive, and always on the hunt in the mangroves, these inshore predators offer an exciting challenge for fly anglers looking to round out their Xcalak experience. If you haven’t tried fly fishing for…
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How Xcalak’s Marine Protected Status Enhances Your Fly Fishing Experience
When it comes to world-class saltwater fly fishing, few places offer the unique seclusion, breathtaking beauty, and abundance of species found in Xcalak, Mexico. Nestled at the southern end of the Costa Maya, just north of the Belize border, Xcalak is more than just a remote fishing village—it’s a marine conservation success story. The area’s…
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Barracuda on the Fly: The Underrated Thrill of Xcalak’s Apex Predator
When folks start planning their trip to Xcalak, they usually come down to go after the “Big Three” — permit, tarpon, and bonefish. Rightfully, the Grand Slam tends to dominate the conversation and the trip. But lurking in the turquoise shallows and deeper channels is a toothy, torpedo-shaped predator that often gets overlooked: the great…
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Bonefish Lifecycle and Migration: Understanding Their Movements in Xcalak
One of the three parts of the Grand Slam, The Bonefish, is a trademark of the Tropic Waters. Luckily, they are plentiful here in our home, Waters at Xcalak. Hopping on a plane and taking the flight down to our little paradise, I cast a line at one of these guys, often the trip’s…
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Three Essential Books on Fly Fishing in the tropics.
Fly fishing here at Xcalak, a picturesque town nestled in the southern part of the Mexican Caribbean, offers a unique experience with its crystal-clear flats, abundant game fish, and cold beverages at the bar. Whether you’re drawn to the challenge of Tarpon, the elusive bonefish, or simply the romance of the sport in these exotic…