If you’ve spent enough time chasing fish on the flats of Xcalak, you already know that timing is everything. You can have the best cast, the right fly, and even a school of permit fish tailing right in front of you, but if the season’s not in your favor, luck runs thin quick. That’s why it pays to know what fly fishing in Xcalak, Mexico gives you month by month. This little slice of southern Mexico on the Belize border isn’t just another Caribbean fly fishing destination; it’s one of the last truly wild corners left in the region.
Here’s how the seasons shake out if you’re planning your fly fishing trip.
Winter (December – February): The Trade Winds Bite
Winter down here means steady trade winds. Some days they howl, and when they do, you’ll work for every fish you put a fly in front of. But the flip side is clear: cool water and fish that stay active all day. Permit fishing in Xcalak and chasing bonefish on the flats don’t seem to mind the breeze as much as anglers do, and if you can manage your cast in the wind, this is a prime time for sight-fishing.
The crowds are lighter in winter, too. That gives you more room to work the flats, and it feels like you’ve got the Caribbean to yourself. Bring a good 9-weight, a lot of patience, and maybe a double haul you’ve practiced back home in the yard.
Spring (March – May): Prime Time on the Flats
This is the sweet spot. The winds settle, the sun rides higher, and the fish feed harder. Bonefish are everywhere, tailing shallow, and the permit fly fishing seems to move in tighter to the flats. Tarpon fishing starts heating up as the water warms, giving you the first shot of the year at a grand slam – the catch of a bonefish, permit, and tarpon in a single day.
If you want conditions that stack the deck in your favor, spring is it. Every cast feels like it could turn into a story you’ll tell for years. The water is usually gin-clear, the weather steady, and the guides down here will tell you straight that March through May is when fly fishing in Xcalak truly shines.
Summer (June – August): Tarpon Time
This is when the silver kings roll in heavy. Migrating tarpon in Xcalak sweep through, and suddenly every mangrove channel and blue hole seems alive with rolling fish. It’s hot, it’s humid, and you’ll sweat through two shirts before lunch, but the payoff is those explosive eats from tarpon that can run anywhere from 20 to 100 pounds.
Bonefish and permit don’t disappear, but let’s be honest, summer is tarpon season in Xcalak. If you’ve ever dreamed of watching a tarpon cartwheel across the flats with your backing disappearing fast, this is the time to book your trip. Just remember: the sun is brutal, and storms build quick in the afternoons, so early mornings matter.
Fall (September – November): Quiet and Wild
Fall brings fewer anglers, partly because it overlaps with hurricane season. That risk keeps some folks away, but for those willing to roll the dice, the fishing can be outstanding. You’ll still find plenty of bonefish and permit in Xcalak, and the weather, when calm, is some of the nicest of the year. The real draw is solitude. With so few boats on the water, the fish feel less pressured. It feels raw, wild, and about as close to untouched as you’ll ever get in a saltwater fly fishing destination.
So, When Should You Go?
Truth is, there’s no bad time to fish Xcalak on the Fly. It’s more about what you want.
- Want steady action and lighter crowds? Winter.
- Dreaming of that perfect Caribbean flats fishing trip? Spring.
- Hunting tarpon? Summer.
- Looking for solitude and a roll of the dice? Fall.
Every season has its bite. All you’ve got to do is decide what kind of Xcalak fly fishing story you want to bring home.
Ready to plan your trip? Book your adventure with Xcalak on the Fly today and experience some of the best fly fishing in Mexico for permit, bonefish, and tarpon.