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“Cozumel Bonefishing at it's Best”
On the northern tip of the Isle of Cozumel,
about ten miles from the plaza of San Miguel, are three
lovely lagoons all teeming with hungry bonefish ready to
pounce on your "Gotcha" or "Crazy Charlie". These lagoons
are known as Laguna Monte Cristo, Paso Balem, and Rio de la
Plata. These lagoons are quite shallow, from 3" - 18", and
they are quite large. They are so large that you will not
be able to wade the full expanse of each lagoon in a full
day's fly fishing.
The lagoons are a fly or light tackle
angler's dream come true! Each lagoon has the ideal flats
habitat and environment to attract bonefish, permit, and
other sport fish.
There are flats and shallows for as far as
you can see. Each lagoon has many acres of water all lined
with heavy mangrove bushes along the shoreline. This is
bonefishing without all the crowds that have become quite
commonplace in places like the Bahamas and other
destinations. There is enough open and fishable water that
two boats, with two anglers per boat, can fish in the same
lagoon all day without ever seeing each other.

Bonefish are plentiful twelve months a
year. In season you may also have a good chance at the
elusive Grand Slam and get a bonefish, a baby tarpon to 20#,
and maybe the elusive permit. During the months of March to
September it is also possible to catch really large permit
of 20 pounds or larger. You may also have shots at baby
snook in their season, barracuda, snapper, triggerfish and
other sport fish of the flats. If you are lucky you may
even get to see an alligator.
The lagoons though are primarily the home of
large schools of bonefish in the 2# - 4# class. Larger fish
are seen every day and if you can keep your fish out of the
coral heads you may get a 6# or larger fish. Double digit
fish are present but not common. I operate a number of
clean and seaworthy pangas from 17' - 25' powered with new
40 - 60 hp Yamaha outboards. All boats have all the
required safety equipment and have nice casting decks on the
bow. All full day trips include a nice box lunch, beer and
soda, and a selection of the ideal flies for the time of
year of your visit. Small Gotcha's, Crazy Charlies,
Clousers, and crabs in #6 - #8 are the most popular
patterns. The angling begins after a short ride to where
our pangas are moored and then about a 20 minute boat ride
to the lagoons
.
Most of the fishing is sight casting while
wading. Some poling is possible but the bottoms of the
lagoons are quite hard and it is most exciting to slowly
stalk your quarry in 6" of gin clear water. You'll sneak
along a stretch of water lined with mangroves and see the
bonefish "tailing". The guide, with his excellent eyesight,
will spot the fish long before you are aware they are
swimming towards you. He'll indicate where the fish are and
you'll make a perfect 50' cast to a pod of bonefish
approaching your position. The guide will whisper "strip,
strip, slower, he's coming!, he's got it!, Strike!, and your
reel is screaming and the bone is already into your
backing. Yes!
Since 90% of the fishing is done walking you
must bring a good pair of wading booties or shoes to protect
your feet from the coral and small rocks and shells. You
should also bring at least a #30 sun block, a hat with a
long brim and preferably one with protection for the back of
your neck. Polarized sunglasses are a must to assist your
seeing the fish and to protect your eyes from the glare of
the water. Long sleeve shirts and Supplex or other quick
drying trousers are also suggested to give you sun
protection. You can always roll up your sleeves if you are
too hot. For bonefish tackle I would suggest a 9' #8 with a
floating bonefish taper and a good single action reel with
100 yards of 20# backing. You should have an assortment of
leaders from 9' - 12' with 8# - 12# tippets.
Full day of fishing price for 2 anglers is $325.00 USD +
Mexican Fishing License Fee and a third angler
can be added for an additional $75.00 USD + License.
We also offer a Cruise Ship Special Rate of
$275.00 USD + License and a 3rd angler can be added for
$50.00 + License.
(Please bring cash as we
cannot accept Checks, Credit Cards, Travelers checks)
You will be picked up by our captain at the
pier of your hotel if you are staying in north end of San
Miguel, in case that you are staying south of downtown, I
have transportation available under request (not included in
the rate). You must call the day before your fishing date
for specifics or with questions. The boat leaves for the
Laguna's at 6.00 a.m.
A deposit of $100.00 is required for any
reservation at the time of booking, full payment must be
done on your arrival to Cozumel or at least one day before
the fishing date; fees include: guide, box lunch (when full
day), beer, soft drinks, ice & tackle, boat and all needed
to have a great flats fishing day. Not include: tip for the
guide and fishing license.
All of my guides are very well trained in fly
fishing and spin fishing skills. All of them speak good
conversational English. They are congenial and very
friendly, they want to make your day as fulfilling as
possible in terms of fish seen, and caught, and the overall
Cozumel experience. We want you, our customers, to go home
happy and to look forward to your next booking with us. We
strongly recommend to our fly fishermen friends to bring
their own fly tackle, a 9' #9 for especially windy days or
the possibility of hooking up with a large permit. An extra
reel or spool, an extra line, leaders, and flies. If you are
a newcomer to fly fishing, or you are only going to fish
with us one day, we can provide an outfit and some flies.
Sincerely:
Gabriel Diaz Medina

Fishing Adventures in Cozumel
Established since 2000. |