Stirring the Fish Pot

Some well-meaning guy asked a question on LocoGringo.com about fly fishing on the Riviera Maya. As per usual, he was greeted with the slurry of NO FISHING! FISHING IS ILLEGAL! comments as well as some very educated explanations of the actual rules (no fishing within 250 meters of swimmers or in designated no fishing zones--like Xcacel and Xcacelito). Any, I referred him to PescaMaya.com for information about types of flies and equiptment to bring. Hope he finds some help and I hope that others don't get turned off on LocoGringo.com which is such a good resourse for all things Mayan Riviera.

I heard back from Jenny and Spencer (from LocoGringo):
Jim,Thank you so much for that information!!!! I forwarded it to my husband and he is SUPER excited! I really cannot thank you enough for putting the effort into such a detailed response. I am also super excited because my favorite fish to eat is the mahi mahi. We will definitely take a local boat out of Akumal and do some ocean fishing, do you have any recommendations for specific individuals??? You really made our day, I did not think we could be more excited about our trip, but now we are ecstatic! Hubby is also excited about the other opportunities as well and just needs to figure out how much he wants to spend. Once again thank you so much for being such a generous resource! Jenny and Spencer

I responded:
Actually, you kind of made my day. I am a copy/technical writer and I usually have to write about stuff that, quite frankly, I just don't care about that much. So thank YOU for the chance to write about something that I like! As for individuals, there are plenty that are all very good. I have gone out with several, but for the last 2 years I only go out with Francisco Pena, and I doubt I will ever go out with anyone else. Not because the others aren't as good--they are all good--but because I just like talking to him about fishing, his is totally fine with me bringing my own stuff, he will let me try new things if I feel like it, and is just a generally nice guy. Also, he is a "fishing only" guy, not one of the ones who does fishing one day, then snorkeling the next, followed by diving on the third. He fishes, that's it. Plus, he does very well in the local tournaments that they have going on down there from time to time. To book Francisco, you go to Akumal Dive Center. That is the one RIGHT ON THE BEACH next to the Lol Ha Restaurant. When you get there, ask for Jose. He is the one who owns the boat and will be the one with whom you will do the transaction. Just ask for Francisco. Do yourself a favor and go out early. They will take really good care of you and will also provide drinks--I think they also provide beer if you are into that--and no, you don't have to worry about Francisco getting drunk--he won't drink beer while captaining :). By the way, I am logging these questions and responses on my blog: www.mayanrivierafishing.blogspot.com. I will add some links there for some other fishing info sites and for Pesca Maya and Boca Paila fishing lodge.Please feel free to stay in touch!!--Jim

The Basics

I had a lady send me a private message from LocoGringo.com asking about fishing opportunities around Akumal. I was happy to oblige her. Here is her question and my answer:

> Trollboy8,> > Hey just wanted to PM you in regards to your croc> reply post. Judging from your pics and some of your> replies I have seen you seem to be quite the fishing> expert on the area. I wanted to get your advice. > We are going down to the ABR June 15-23rd for> vacation, we love to snorkel and so I think that> area will be just what we want. > > However, my husband is an avid fly fisherman (we> live in Colorado, and he is from Wyoming - catch and
> release for the most part) and has never tried deep
> sea fishing, and would also be interested in all
> other opportunities for fishing. We probably won't
> fish every day or every other day, but since we are
> going to the ABR based on my solid interest in
> snorkeling, I also want him to have a blast and do
> some fishing. So, I guess my questions are, if you
> were going down to the Akumal area for a little over> a week in June, what are some of the best fishing> experiences/opportunities that you would recommend. > We are renting a car, but it will be our first time> to the area.> > Thank you for any recommendations! > > waterwoman

Waterwoman,My name is Jim, I am from Orem, UT. I am very gladthat you messaged me and I would love to give you someinformation about fishing down in the Akumal/RivieraMaya area. I am currently putting together a blogwhere I will have all the fishing information anyonewould ever want--and probably more--just by going to alink. However, I still haven't gotten around tofinishing that so I will just give you the spiel.There are (in my opinion) about 4 main fishingopportunities for you to enjoy while in the Akumalarea. Some are VERY close by (measured in yards fromABR, not miles) and others that are a little furtheraway.

1: Shore fishing. This is, oddly, the most difficultof all the fishing opportunities. There are plenty offish right off the beach at ABR--unfortunately you arenot allowed to fish there. I suppose that it makessense given the number of snorkelers, swimmers, littlekids splashing around, etc. so I won't complain toloudly (although it does pain the fisherman's heart tosee a 25" bonefish or a 20 lb. permit swimming next toyou while snorkeling in Akumal Bay and know that youcan't even try to catch them, oh well.) According toMexican law, you cannot fish in areas designated as"protected" usually on beaches that are designated asturtle sactuaries, or on any beach withing 250 metersof swimmers. That makes it pretty difficult anywherearound ABR. It is possible to walk south down thebeach to the south end of Jade bay in the earlymorning before anyone is up and get in a couple ofhours of fishing. Really, the best place to shore fishwith no chance of being hassled is an hour's (give ortake) drive down south to Boca Paila. You can fishfrom the beach or you can fish in the boca or lagoonsand have opportunity to catch anything from barracudasto bonefish to sharks or snappers. The fishing isdefinitly not "fast and furious" but if nothing elseis supremely relaxing on this somewhat remote andalmost always empty beach. Also a great place for therest of the family to play in the waves or just enjoythe beautiful white sand beach and lush vegetation ofthe Sian Kaan Reserve. The road is a little bumpygetting down, but being from the West--like me--I amsure you can handle it (unlike some of the more"prissy" city-folk that think that the Boca Paila roadis unpassable) believe me, it is not that bad at alland each time I have visited Boca Paila and beyond Ihave done so in a small 4 door rental sedan thatfinished the journey none the worse for wear.

2: Local deep-sea charter from Akumal. If you just want to go out and experience salt water fishing, thisis your best bet and, other than shore fishing, isalso the cheapest. You can book with your guide for 3hours--which really is ample time believe it or not and extra hours can be negotiated--especially if youare the type to get up early (which is also the besttime to go). For whatever reason, most of the touristsaround there just don't seem to get up and moving toearly so the guides tend to schedule their days in 3hour blocks starting at about 8:30 am, allowing timefor a long lunch and prep time for an afternoon tripthat would start around 1:30. Like I said though, ifyou want to go out longer, just book earlier--at say,6:00 am. Usually your guide will give you a good ratefor the extra hours. I am incredibly jealous that youare going in June because by all accounts, that ishands down the best time of the year to fish the MayanRiviera. YOU WILL CATCH FISH--BIG ONES, and plenty ofthem. May and June sees the annual migration of dorado(mahi mahi). These are fast growing fish that onlylive to be about 5 years old in most cases. Therefore,the are prolific reproducers and one of the fewpelagic species that are in really good shape as faras population and health. Catch them, keep them, eatthem, throw them back, it's up to you and you don'tneed to feel guilty about it. Often, your guide willkeep fish even if you are more of a "catch andrelease" kind of person because if you don't want thefish, he can sell it for some supplemental income. Thereal "target fish" for that area at that time of yearthough, is no doubt the sailfish. These are stricklycatch and release--as are all billfish--includeingblue, black, and white marlin--all of which aremigrating at that exact same time. You can also expectto catch barracuda, king mackerel, spanish mackerel,and possibly yellowfin tuna and wahoo.Generally--especially that time of year, you willspend most, if not all, of your time trolling withheavy equipment. If you catch a small barracuda onheavy tackle, its not much of a thrill, but you haveto use it because you never know when a 800 lb. bluemarlin is going to take your bait.One of the really nice things about the Mayan Rivierais that you can be deep sea fishing within a mile ofthe shore. Unlike a lot of places along both the eastand west coasts of the U.S. you really have to sail10, 20, even 30+ miles to get to an area where youwill have a chance at large gamefish. Not from Akumal,you will have your lines in the water about 5 minutesafter you get in the boat. The boats are smallish,about 20-25 feet, but very seaworthy--trust me. Youcan also request to bottom fish where you will catch aTON of smaller fish--mostly snappers, grunts, triggerfish and if you are lucky a huge grouper or cuberasnapper, but that time of year, I would suggest younot waste time bottom fishing and just troll for thebig boys during that special time of the year.

3: Big Charter Boats from Puerto Adventuras (PA) PA isabout 15 minutes up the road from Akumal. They have amarina and several Captains that charter larger, morecommercial sized sportfishing boats. Likely, the kindsyou or your husband have seen on fishing shows. Youcan put out more lines on these boats, they have morerange, but as you will see, they fish EXACTLY the samewaters as do the local fisherman out of Akumal. Theyare MUCH more expensive, but you can bring morepeople. Also, there are the amenities of having abathroom on board. Honestly though, I doubt I willever use one of these boats. I enjoy the simplicity ofusing the smaller skiffs out of Akumal, the more personal attention by the guides, plus I know themoney is going to the locals and not some largefishing conglomerate based in the U.S. But for many,this is the only way to fish, and more power to them.

4: Flats fishing. I saved, in my opinion, the best forlast. Flats fishing will require either an hour or anhour and 40 minute's drive down the Boca Paila roadand a slightly more expensive guide service eitherfrom Boca Paila Fishing Lodge or, my favorite, PescaMaya Fishing Lodge. Both are very good, cater to U.S.clientel, offer day trips or stay-overs, and will takeyou to absolutely world-class flats fishing. If yourhusband is an avid fly fisherman, this will be likecloud nine for him. A little different than flyfinshing on the Wind River Range, but still flyfishing. The target fish are bone fish, tarpon, andpermit. If you catch all three, you have yourself agrand slam. Add a snook or a barracuda for a "superslam." You will also likely catch all manner ofjacks--horse-eyed jacks, jack crevalle, blue runners,yellow jacks, and plenty of smallersnappers--mangroves, Lane, and mutton. The cost for aday trip is about $400-450, but that is for 8 hours offishing for 2 people, breakfast and lunch. The guidesusually don't speak a lot of English, but do wellenough for you to have a great time. They are veryattentive to your needs and I am certain you will havea good time. The hosts at the lodges speak very goodEnglish and will make you feel very welcome andcomfortable. My only complaint at all about either ofthose places are the sometimes snooty North Americanfly fishermen that turn there noses up at yourspinning gear or if you aren't wearing an Orvisfishing shirt. If your husband fly fishes, I am surehe knows the type. Luckily, you only see those guysfor a few minutes before you head out and a fewminutes when you get back and you can have thesatisfaction of having caught about 10 times the fishbecause you weren't wasting your time checkingyourself out in your L.L. Bean travel mirror all day.Anyway, there is nothing like getting a bonefish onlight tackle. Imagine a rainbow trout on steroids andcrystal meth and that is about what it is like to catch a bonefish.

Anyway, that is pretty much the deal. If you have anyother questions at all, feel free to email me. I willpost this response on my fledgling blog, so thanks forthe opportunity to write about my favorite passtime.Let me know what you think and defintly send a reportof how your trips goes. If you have specific questionsabout equipment, how to book guides, what to bringwith you and what to leave at home, I am more thanhappy to help.

Good Luck,
Jim Riddle
Orem, UT