Cancun Area Fly Fishing

Flats Fishing Closer Than You Thought

Permit on the fly

When you think Mexico, specifically the Yucatan, for fly fishing the flats, most people would end up
somewhere in or around the Sian Ka'an Biosphere south of Cancun and Tulum where there are numerous world class lodges and an almost endless supply of beautiful fishable flats. However on a recent trip to Cancun, with a somewhat limited timeframe, we were unable to make a trip down south and instead booked a trip with the guys from Cancun Tarpon Fishing (www.cancuntarponfishing.com). Being so close to the tourist mecca of the Zona Hotelera in Cancun, we weren't sure what to expect, but we were pleasantly surprised at the quality fishery they have right there so nearby in the Nichupte Lagoon.

Owner and guide Martin van der Does and his crew of seasoned guides provide an excellent way to break away from or join your family for a great day of fishing -- especially for those visiting Cancun on a vacation who don't have the time or capability to head down to one of the other more well-know destinations down south.

We started the day throwing flies at bonefish and a few permit on the flats and ended the day getting into a good number of juvenile Tarpon back in the hidden mangrove lagoons. Our guide, Mauricio was a master with the fly rod and had a superb handle on the area we fished. He also had some sort of super vision power that allowed him to see fish that were apparently invisible to the eyes of untrained gringos such as ourselves (which, by the way, is a MUST when fishing flats).

Bonefish on the Fly

And the beauty of what Martin offers here is that you can choose a variety of fishing options from part to full day and even work with lightweight spinning tackle for the kids or non-fly fishers in the group. Plus, you're literally across the street from a good number of hotel resorts in the area, giving you a quick and easy escape for a day (or less or more) of fishing.

We're already planning our next trip down there, so it's definitely a good option for the Cancun-bound fisherman who wants to experience some great saltwater fishing closer to where you family might be staying.

You can see more info on their website: www.cancuntarponfishing.com