Mexico
Isla Holbox, Giant Tarpon Haven
Found....a lush remote island off the northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula, a sleepy fishing village, white sand beaches lined with pangas and a smattering of small comfortable hotels...and Giant Tarpon. The wildlife is abundant. Viewing flamingoes, white ibises, roseate spoonbills, and crocodiles from your boat is not uncommon. Or take a sea kayak into the back lagoons and creeks to get up close and personal.
But, oh, yeah, back to the fishing. Try to imagine the ocean slick calm at sunrise. Acres of bait fish rise to the surface, pushed up in a panic as marauding tarpon roll through them. Schools of tarpon, ten to a hundred fish, go nuts, slamming through the bait like yellowfin tuna. You cast to the frenzy and hook what feels like a block of cement, only it moves, then it jumps, sending white spray showering across the water like rain. The tarpon's massive scales catch the morning light--shining like polished silver mirrors. The fish slams back into the water, jumps again, again. You bow with your rod, your heart hammering, adrenalin firing through your veins. Then the giant tarpon takes a run that melts over two hundred yards of backing from your reel before you have time to think. And that's just the beginning of an epic battle off the beaches of Isla Holbox.
Isla Holbox (pronounced hoe-bosh) is a throw-back to the early 1980s in Cabo San Lucas or Playa del Carmen. The locals are friendly and welcoming. You sit with your feet in the sand beneath a coconut palm drinking a cerveza or margarita and watch the kids swimming in the ocean.Maybe you join them. Delicious meals are served in open air restaurants along the beach, or a block away in the small village.
If you're looking for mass tourism, big hotels, and nightlife, you won't find it here. But if you want to hunt giant tarpon, along with a variety of other saltwater gamefish, in remote tranquility with top guides, you won't find a better destination.
Lodging
Our favorite place to stay, Hotel Faro Viejo, is nestled beachside in a grove of coconut palms and gardens, dotted with private palapas to give you some shady relief from the sun. It is a great place to read, sip a cool drink, or watch the beautiful sunsets. Each room has two beds (or a queen), ceiling fans, air-conditioning, a private bath, and splendid ocean view from the private balcony. Two and three-bedroom suites, with kitchens/or mini refrigerators and satellite TV, are also available on the beach. Satellite TV is also available in the upstairs bar. The downstairs open-air restaurant and bar serves delicious meals and a variety of cocktails.
Lodging Note
Other lodging options are available, including the deluxe small resort Villas Paraiso Del Mar. This gorgeous luxury property is ten minutes down the beach from Faro Viejo. Amenities include satellite TV, master suites with jacuzzis, private terraces, mini bars, swimming pool, fine dining restaurant, room service, beach barbecues, and more.
The Fishing
Head guide Alejandro Vega, also known as Mr. Sandflea, runs a well-organized guide service. The fishing day runs from 6 AM to 2 PM, though anglers can stay out longer if they choose. Anglers are picked up each morning by their guide (two anglers per boat) at the Faro Viejo dock at 6 AM in traditional 18-foot fiberglass pangas with 40 to 50 hp outboards. The boats are seaworthy for open water but light enough to effectively fish the shallow flats.Each boat has a forward casting platform similar to a flats skiff. There is plenty of room for all your gear and rods. The run to most of the giant tarpon fishing areas is 20 to 45 minutes. Fishing for the big boys in done in 20 to 30 feet of water over mostly sand bottoms. The water is green and clear. You will cast to fish you see rolling and cruising, though blind casting in the areas of the bait fish is also common. Fly casting and lure casting outfits capable of dealing with tarpon 150-pounds and up are necessary. The guides are experienced in positioning their boats to give fly casters the best sun and wind angles on these giants. Isla Holbox could very well be the best destination on earth to catch and release 2-pound to 200-pound tarpon.
Advance Booking Note
We have secured the top four fly-fishing guides for the prime period of May 23 to June 28, 2005. The dates are: May 23-29, May 29-June 4, June 4-10, June 10-16, June 16-22, and June 22-28. These are 6 nights/5 days fishing packages. Space is limited to eightanglers during this period, so contact us as soon as possible to book this prime period. We also book the remainder of the season, May through October, based on current availability. These spaces fill up quickly, so let us hear from you soon.
Non Fishing Activities
Want to bring along a non-fishing companion, or the whole family? Not a problem. The friendly village comes alive after sundown with youngsters playing, and families enjoying the evening in a very social atmosphere. There are several good cafes and restaurants to sample the great seafood available. The beaches are long and beautiful. The water is warm for swimming, diving, or snorkeling. A certified dive shop makes daily excursions to nearby reefs. Eco-tours include sea kayaking, horseback riding, swimming with whale sharks, bird watching, and beach picnics. Or you can just hang out and do nothing. It would be hard to find a better place to catch some sun or get caught up on your reading and writing.
Season
The big tarpon arrive in May and usually stay around through October. The baby tarpon, a few schools of large tarpon and snook are available year around, though the best snook fishing is October through February. Barracuda, jack crevalle, sea trout, corvina and other species are available.
The winter months of December through April are prime time for North Americans looking to escape the cold and catch some rays. Fishing for the baby tarpon and throughout the back country is good during this time.
The Gear
You really can't be over-gunned here when fishing for the giant tarpon. You can try smaller rods if you want, but a 12-weight with a forward fighting grip is recommended. A good-quality saltwater reel with a smooth, strong drag is a must. It's important to bring a variety of fly lines, but we fish most often with Teeny 400 to 500 grain saltwater lines connected to at least 300 yards of 30-lb. backing. Other long sinking heads and shooting head systems can also be effective. It is not necessarily important to get really deep, but it is vital to keep your fly down in the tarpon feeding zone as they slice through the schools of bait fish. At times, poppers cast on intermediate lines can also provide some great action. Having different lines to fish different depths and situations is important. In the back country, 9- and 10-weight rods and lines, including floating lines, are appropriate.
These giant tarpon will test every ounce, and every aspect of your tackle, and they will find and punish any weakness. Most packaged tarpon and offshore leaders won't survive this test. We will supply you with a complete list of tackle, flies, and other gear you will need once you book your trip.
Getting There
You fly to Cancun, Mexico, which is serviced by numerous airlines. Spending a day or two on either end of your Holbox trip can be a fun way to extend your vacation. Our transfer people will either greet you on arrival at the Cancun Airport, or pick you up at your hotel. You will be driven in a comfortable air-conditioned van, about two hours, to the seaside town of Chiquila. There you will board a super panga for the 20 minute run to Isla Holbox. If you prefer, we can arrange an air charter directly to the island. Flight time is 30 minutes. There is a baggage weight restriction on the air charter, and the cost is approximately $200 per person additional.
If you need assistance in travel planning—air or hotels—just let us know and we will be happy to help you.
2005 Season Rates
Based on per person double room accommodations.
7 Nights/6 Days of fishing: $2,095
6 Nights/5 Days of fishing: $1,780
5 Nights/4 Days of fishing: $1,480
4 Nights/3 Days of fishing: $1,150
Accommodations in a suite: additional $20 per person per night.
Single rates are available, and highly discounted rates are available for non-angling companions. Special packages are available for a variety of activities. Please inquire about these prices, or to put together your own customized trip.
Advance Booking Note
We have secured the top four fly-fishing guides for the prime period of May 23 to June 28, 2005. The dates are: May 23-29, May 29-June 4, June 4-10, June 10-16, June 16-22, and June 22-28. These are 6 nights/5 days fishing packages. Space is limited to eightanglers during this period, so contact us as soon as possible to book this prime period. We also book the remainder of the season, May through October, based on current availability. These spaces fill up quickly, so let us hear from you soon.
Isla Holbox, Giant Tarpon Haven
But, oh, yeah, back to the fishing. Try to imagine the ocean slick calm at sunrise. Acres of bait fish rise to the surface, pushed up in a panic as marauding tarpon roll through them. Schools of tarpon, ten to a hundred fish, go nuts, slamming through the bait like yellowfin tuna. You cast to the frenzy and hook what feels like a block of cement, only it moves, then it jumps, sending white spray showering across the water like rain. The tarpon's massive scales catch the morning light--shining like polished silver mirrors. The fish slams back into the water, jumps again, again. You bow with your rod, your heart hammering, adrenalin firing through your veins. Then the giant tarpon takes a run that melts over two hundred yards of backing from your reel before you have time to think. And that's just the beginning of an epic battle off the beaches of Isla Holbox.
If you're looking for mass tourism, big hotels, and nightlife, you won't find it here. But if you want to hunt giant tarpon, along with a variety of other saltwater gamefish, in remote tranquility with top guides, you won't find a better destination.
LodgingOur favorite place to stay, Hotel Faro Viejo, is nestled beachside in a grove of coconut palms and gardens, dotted with private palapas to give you some shady relief from the sun. It is a great place to read, sip a cool drink, or watch the beautiful sunsets. Each room has two beds (or a queen), ceiling fans, air-conditioning, a private bath, and splendid ocean view from the private balcony. Two and three-bedroom suites, with kitchens/or mini refrigerators and satellite TV, are also available on the beach. Satellite TV is also available in the upstairs bar. The downstairs open-air restaurant and bar serves delicious meals and a variety of cocktails.
Lodging Note
Other lodging options are available, including the deluxe small resort Villas Paraiso Del Mar. This gorgeous luxury property is ten minutes down the beach from Faro Viejo. Amenities include satellite TV, master suites with jacuzzis, private terraces, mini bars, swimming pool, fine dining restaurant, room service, beach barbecues, and more.
The Fishing
Head guide Alejandro Vega, also known as Mr. Sandflea, runs a well-organized guide service. The fishing day runs from 6 AM to 2 PM, though anglers can stay out longer if they choose. Anglers are picked up each morning by their guide (two anglers per boat) at the Faro Viejo dock at 6 AM in traditional 18-foot fiberglass pangas with 40 to 50 hp outboards. The boats are seaworthy for open water but light enough to effectively fish the shallow flats.Each boat has a forward casting platform similar to a flats skiff. There is plenty of room for all your gear and rods. The run to most of the giant tarpon fishing areas is 20 to 45 minutes. Fishing for the big boys in done in 20 to 30 feet of water over mostly sand bottoms. The water is green and clear. You will cast to fish you see rolling and cruising, though blind casting in the areas of the bait fish is also common. Fly casting and lure casting outfits capable of dealing with tarpon 150-pounds and up are necessary. The guides are experienced in positioning their boats to give fly casters the best sun and wind angles on these giants. Isla Holbox could very well be the best destination on earth to catch and release 2-pound to 200-pound tarpon.
Advance Booking Note
We have secured the top four fly-fishing guides for the prime period of May 23 to June 28, 2005. The dates are: May 23-29, May 29-June 4, June 4-10, June 10-16, June 16-22, and June 22-28. These are 6 nights/5 days fishing packages. Space is limited to eightanglers during this period, so contact us as soon as possible to book this prime period. We also book the remainder of the season, May through October, based on current availability. These spaces fill up quickly, so let us hear from you soon.
Non Fishing Activities
Want to bring along a non-fishing companion, or the whole family? Not a problem. The friendly village comes alive after sundown with youngsters playing, and families enjoying the evening in a very social atmosphere. There are several good cafes and restaurants to sample the great seafood available. The beaches are long and beautiful. The water is warm for swimming, diving, or snorkeling. A certified dive shop makes daily excursions to nearby reefs. Eco-tours include sea kayaking, horseback riding, swimming with whale sharks, bird watching, and beach picnics. Or you can just hang out and do nothing. It would be hard to find a better place to catch some sun or get caught up on your reading and writing.
Season
The big tarpon arrive in May and usually stay around through October. The baby tarpon, a few schools of large tarpon and snook are available year around, though the best snook fishing is October through February. Barracuda, jack crevalle, sea trout, corvina and other species are available.
The winter months of December through April are prime time for North Americans looking to escape the cold and catch some rays. Fishing for the baby tarpon and throughout the back country is good during this time.
The Gear
You really can't be over-gunned here when fishing for the giant tarpon. You can try smaller rods if you want, but a 12-weight with a forward fighting grip is recommended. A good-quality saltwater reel with a smooth, strong drag is a must. It's important to bring a variety of fly lines, but we fish most often with Teeny 400 to 500 grain saltwater lines connected to at least 300 yards of 30-lb. backing. Other long sinking heads and shooting head systems can also be effective. It is not necessarily important to get really deep, but it is vital to keep your fly down in the tarpon feeding zone as they slice through the schools of bait fish. At times, poppers cast on intermediate lines can also provide some great action. Having different lines to fish different depths and situations is important. In the back country, 9- and 10-weight rods and lines, including floating lines, are appropriate.
These giant tarpon will test every ounce, and every aspect of your tackle, and they will find and punish any weakness. Most packaged tarpon and offshore leaders won't survive this test. We will supply you with a complete list of tackle, flies, and other gear you will need once you book your trip.
Getting There
If you need assistance in travel planning—air or hotels—just let us know and we will be happy to help you.
2005 Season Rates
Based on per person double room accommodations.
7 Nights/6 Days of fishing: $2,095
6 Nights/5 Days of fishing: $1,780
5 Nights/4 Days of fishing: $1,480
4 Nights/3 Days of fishing: $1,150
Accommodations in a suite: additional $20 per person per night.
Single rates are available, and highly discounted rates are available for non-angling companions. Special packages are available for a variety of activities. Please inquire about these prices, or to put together your own customized trip.
Advance Booking Note
We have secured the top four fly-fishing guides for the prime period of May 23 to June 28, 2005. The dates are: May 23-29, May 29-June 4, June 4-10, June 10-16, June 16-22, and June 22-28. These are 6 nights/5 days fishing packages. Space is limited to eightanglers during this period, so contact us as soon as possible to book this prime period. We also book the remainder of the season, May through October, based on current availability. These spaces fill up quickly, so let us hear from you soon.
