Posted by admin | Posted in Uncategorized | Posted on 05-04-2010
Upon arriving at the Boca Paila Fishing Lodge beyond the long row of beachfront Tulum Hotels without delay at 7:30 am, we noticed the place was by now jumping . Guests had been polishing off breakfast and the guides were getting the last of their gear within the boats while being expertly directed by Chico, the general manager and the main host of the property. Clearly this was not the first time these guys had done this, in fact Boca Paila has been present since the late 1960s. To say these guys are pioneers of fishing in this area is a real understatement , they have been the only game in town long ago and it was a 2 hour drive from Tulum, not 20 to 30 minutes as it is now.
We came in favor of the fishing and they were ready in favor of us. After momentary introductions with Chico, he informed us that our boat and guide Alfonso had been already waiting on the pier on behalf of us. A quick assessment of our tackle and off we went. Chico made sure we also had a few of the very best flies and jigs in favor of the area and season before we departed and handed those to our guide Alfonso subsequent to he personally escorted us into the boat.
Once on the water, Alfonso didnt waste much time and we took off across the glass lagoon in the hunt for our first fish of the day. There was a brief stop at a slice in the lagoon, where it meets the sea , and Alfonso said we needed to stop in favor of something there. Without giving freely all the secrets and techniques of the region , the stop proved to become rather helpful during the day.
After the “stop” where the lagoon meets sea, we made our approach to the first of many of what I presume are Alfonsos preferred spots within this magical lagoon. There awaited at least 30 miles of practically unaffected and guarded wetlands and interconnected genuine waterways.
Alfonso killed the engine as we arrived at the first spot and he began poling us across the black rooted mangrove shores as he surveyed the water with his expert ability to see . Inside 10 minutes he saw first bone fish and we were directed to “11 ‘o clock about 30 feet out,” and then a swift request to “strip it, strip it, strip it!” We followed our guides instruction and bingo, my Dad had our primary fish on. Inside two minutes, an additional good sized bone fish was caught and released by me. This was going to be entertainment !
Further along the shore, Alfonso continued to survey the waters from his 3 foot platform on behalf of the next catch. This time it was Permit and I had one on the line. If you have not caught a Permit fish with a fly rod or even just light tackle, its difficult to explain the amount of excitement it genuinely is. It was average size on behalf of the locale , about 10 pounds nevertheless it fought for 15 minutes before relenting and following a quick photo it was released. What a rush and what an exquisite fish!
a few more Bone Fish and a mixed bag of Jack, Mud Snapper and Porgy and off we went to the next spot. I thought to myself, if all the spots are like that, one of my arms might not make it the day. We had a few issues with the line on my rod and had to return to the lodge for line which procured Alfonso no occasion to get back up and running.
After about an hour of poling along in the briny waters near our first prize pool we had caught a variety more of the undesired Snappers, Jack and Porgy so we decided to move along once more . I ought to remark that there is seldom a dull moment on the lagoon. Even when you arent catching fish, theres a lot to see . Throughout the day we in all probability saw twelve rays of various species and witnessed several instances of Mullet boiling, bursting and leaping from the water to escape from the striking Barracuda along many birds of numerous species and insignia . We also saw a nesting couple of Sea Eagles (Osprey).
We crossed the lagoon at great speed for afternoon fishing before gliding in, engine off and back into the poling for Alfredo. I ought to point out that Boca Paila Fishing Lodge has a particularly gifted fisherman and guide in Alfons. I didnt catch sight of a tenth of what he spotted for us, however he was sitting up 3 feet higher than us, but he was amazing.
Just before lunch I got into my second Permit and this one was closer to 15 pounds and he planned to run. The Permit are quite common within the Tulum, Boca Paila locale of the lagoon so I shouldnt have been too startled to see Alfonso making lunch while I fought this fish. What did surprise me was that when I said “I think he’s coming in, grab the net”, Alfonso didnt jump . The fish gave me my answer when he took off on an additional long run and I caught a dry smile from Alfonso and went back to my fish. another 10 minutes and I did at long last land that one, and yes, Alfonso had the net ready this time .
Subsequent to lunch, which was wonderful by the way, a ham sandwich, chips and a beer. After being in the sun for 4-5 hours, it had been one of the very best lunches I have had in a while and Alfonso showed us the Mexican way of adding various hot sauce to the sandwiches… it was excellent . We moved nearer to shore and once more began to stalk the next catch, it was hot and the fishing appeared to slow a bit within the afternoon heat, but Alfonso was relentless and when he caught me sitting on the bow he demanded that I stand up. “You can’t catch fish sitting down…stand up ready !” I was up straight away and was slightly embarrassed but that ended quickly after I hooked into an additional Permit, this one was somewhat smaller, probably 8 pounds but the struggle lasted 10 minutes and the thrill was without doubt not gone.
We stalked a number more small groups of Bone Fish and Permit pairs, landing a few more run of the mill sized Bone Fish before moving on once again. This time , as we came across the new spot, Alfonso informed us that this was a large channel and one of the deeper areas of the lagoon. Still only twelve to 15 feet deep but we changed up the tackle and went to a large jig with a heavy leader. I am guessing about 20 to 25 pound test.
This is where things got very interesting . We must have hit that channel as a school of baitfish were passing through or had just passed since it was a feeding frenzy! The first casts for both my father and I produced two large Snook within the 20 pound range , pretty respectable fights for both, but pound for pound I think the Permit is tough to beat. Anyway , as things got peculiar , and cast after cast fashioned larger and larger Snook, I started thinking about the obscure “Super Slam”; Bone Fish, Permit, Snook and Tarpon. I would have been thrilled to possess such a great day and fall short but then as if on queue an additional big strike and out of the water it came , the Tarpon ran past the boat at full speed then made a run back by means of an additional spectacular jump . While it had been comparatively undersized a Tarpon at about 10 pounds, it had been the icing on a perfect day of fishing.
We stayed at the channel an additional 20 minutes or so and I was so worn-out and completely pleased that I handed my rod to Alfonso and watched him catch a few more Snook while my Dad did similarly and brought in a few more Bone Fish respectable measure.
All in all, I have to say that this was the best day of fishing EVER. Between the company, the Boca Paila Fishing Lodge services and the brilliant variety of fish we caught, this one will be tough to beat. I would like to again personally express thanks the team at Boca Paila for this glorious experience we are going to both always remember !