Located on the western Yucatan Peninsula, the quaint historic city of Campeche offers incredible fly fishing access to more than 80 miles of mangrove coast, hundreds of inlet creeks, and numerous channels rich with baby tarpon. Offering skilled and kind-hearted fly fishing guides, a wonderfully quaint town with Mayan and Spanish history and flats-style sight fishing for feisty tarpon in the 5 to 30 pound class, Campeche is a favorite for saltwater anglers of all skills. Standard packages offer accommodations at either the Ocean View Hotel or the Hotel Plaza Campeche. Light breakfasts are served at the hotel and ample lunches are served aboard the pangas. Guests enjoy evening meals (not included) at various restaurants in this charming historical city. Upgraded accommodations are also available.
Location:
Campeche is located on the western coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula.
Fishing Program:
The fly fishing takes place in the biosphere reserve of Los Petenes. Each day anglers depart their hotel at approximately 5:45AM and meet guides who motor the Mexican pangas in the pre sunrise light from 15 min to 1.5 hours to start the fly fishing day. Once the day’s fly fishing grounds are reached the guide will cut the motor to reveal the spectacular sounds of hundreds of species of birds coming from the mangroves. Anglers and guides will then start looking for rolling tarpon while the guide poles the boat. The first sight of feeding tarpon breaking the surface of the mirror like water with the sun just peaking over the mangrove coast will have even the most seasoned angler’s heart pounding. Although the tarpon are always present sightings range from seeing fifty to literally thousands a day. The most significant factor that will determine success in finding the tarpon will be the wind or the lack there of. Typical days will have anglers seeing hundreds of tarpon that range in size from five to thirty pounds with opportunities to cast to 20 or more. If ten of these tarpon are jumped and 2 or 3 are landed it should considered a good day of Yucatan fly fishing. Depending on wind and tide conditions anglers will either fly fish for tarpon out on the open flats, along the edges of the mangroves, or in the creeks. In all the areas the experience is very visual. Whether the tarpon are rolling out in the open or cruising the mangroves and creeks you will see them. The hardest part of the experience is to keep from pulling the fly out of the tarpon’s mouth as it rushes the fly in the clear water.
The Region:
Located on the Western Yucatan, looking toward the Gulf of Mexico sits the town of Campeche. Currently a virtually unknown destination to the world of global angling, this region features more than 80 miles of mangrove coast, hundreds of inlet creeks, and numerous channels, making the region Mexico’s most prolific baby tarpon fishery. With flats style sight fishing for high numbers of feisty tarpon in the 5 to 30 pound class, skilled kind hearted guides, and a wonderfully quaint town with Mayan and Spanish history, Campeche is bound to become a staple for avid saltwater anglers.
The town of Campeche has a population of 400,000 and because of its rich Mayan culture and Spanish conquest it has been labeled a UNESCO world heritage site. Three blocks in from the bay the 17th century colonial city was constructed behind stone walls built to protect it from attack. Once completed, there was never another attack on the city and accordingly, it has been well preserved.
Fisheries:
The fertile mangrove-lined waters of Mexico’s northern Yucatan Peninsula represent the most prolific juvenile tarpon fishery in the world. Easy to get to, inexpensive, and well-suited to light tackle, this region is ideal for short trips or for longer adventures that combine two or more destinations.
Accommodations and Meals:
Currently there are no "fishing lodges" in the area so guests stay in a number of local hotels. With standard packages guests will stay at the Hotel Plaza Campeche. Another option for accommodations is the Ocean View. Both are simple clean hotels and are located just three blocks from the town square. Light breakfasts are served at the hotel and ample lunches are on the boat. Guests have evening meals (not included in the package) at various restaurants in the charming historical city.
Sample Itinerary:
Day 1: Arrive in Campeche
Days 2 – 7: Six full days guided fishing
Day 8: Depart Campeche
Typical Daily Schedule:
4:45AM: Wake
5:30AM: Breakfast
6:00AM - 2:30PM: Fishing
Afternoons open for swimming and exploring the charming town of Campeche. Dinners are on your own.
“Campeche is a really special place and fun for everyone, anglers and their non angling spouses as well. As a matter of fact, I don’t know who enjoyed Campeche the most, the fishermen or their wives. The Hotel Plaza was top notch in every way. Alejandro, Alex, was the best host I've ever encountered, period. He went out of his way every single day to make our stay the most pleasant possible. I can’t say enough about him and his whole staff, he treats his employees with kindness and respect and the whole town loves him. If you like old world charm, history and great fishing then this is your best choice, period. I'll take another group next year and can hardly wait to return.” M.I., OR
Species: Juvenile Tarpon
Season: May - November
Capacity: 6 – 8 anglers
2012 Rates: $2,725 - $2,800 per person for a 7 night / 6 day package
Media: Slideshow
