Go Back   Alberta Outdoorsmen Forum > Main Category > Fly-Fishing Discussion

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-19-2021, 06:09 PM
caddisfly7's Avatar
caddisfly7 caddisfly7 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Didsbury
Posts: 123
Default Playa del Carmen, Mexico. DIY

Hi all!

Headed to Mexico for the first time, going to try my hand at some DIY fly fishing. Been reading some forums, sounds like there are a couple opportunities in the area. I’m hoping to not have to rent a vehicle, and just fish the beaches around Playa del Carmen. Doing lots of my own research, but I always like getting tips from fellow Albertans with experience!

1. Anyone have any advice? Haha! Are fishing the beaches in the AM before things get busy a decent way to get into some fish? Hopefully bones! But I’d be up for anything. Or is it better to rent a vehicle and head south?

2. Couple fly choices?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-20-2021, 07:34 AM
JReed's Avatar
JReed JReed is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cochrane
Posts: 738
Default

I was down in the Tulum area just before the pandemic closed the borders. Was my first time saltwater fly-fishing, did it on my own.......it was a blast. My intention was to catch some bones but I never saw any schools, however, there are a ton of different species that'll take your fly. Here's some tips:

-Before you go, use google earth to identify some spots you'd like to try. Look for structure (reef edges etc..)

- Go early in the AM, I think the rule is you can't fish within 250m of people swimming, by noon the beach will be packed and the fishing slows down. The beach is public land, kinda like our high-water mark rule. Wander where you may, but be cautious, you're not in Canada.

-You've probably read this, but the chartreuse over white clouser minnow is an effective pattern

- Bring a small dry bag for your gear, one that you can wear in the water. Saltwater is good at rusting out gear. At the end of your session, take your rod, reel, and flies in the shower with you and rinse everything off. Maybe enjoy a cerveza too......dry your gear on the balcony

- I used a floating line, and just waded out to the structure I wanted to fish. Wading with waves crashing into you while you're trying to fish takes some getting used to. Polarized shades are a must, lots of opportunity to spot your targets. Use the waves to swing streamers off the dark reef into the lighter coloured water, mix in a varying cadence of strips. You'll get some tight lines

I was fortunate enough to catch some cool fish.... mutton snapper, pompano, needlefish.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-20-2021, 11:01 AM
TroutFodder TroutFodder is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2021
Posts: 3
Default

Some great advise from JReed.

Look for near-shore structure and changes in depth.
The Clouser is a great searching pattern that you can't go wrong with.
Fish can be found in surprisingly shallow water at times - especially if schools of minnows are present.
If waves are a problem, use an intermediate sinking line to get just below the waves and limit having your line pushed around too much (also casts better in the wind) - a floating line is fine though if that's all you have.
Spotting fish is fun but don't be afraid to blind cast.
Part of the fun is just exploring and not knowing what you will hook into next.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-20-2021, 04:51 PM
Gerald J Gerald J is offline
 
Join Date: May 2013
Location: Sherwood Park
Posts: 369
Default

Lots of good advice above. I fish the Cancun area right in front of our resort every year. Chartreuse Clouser works really well. Mornings are better. Less people and usually less wind. There are Barracuda around as well. So you might get a few quick breakoffs.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12-18-2021, 01:23 PM
caddisfly7's Avatar
caddisfly7 caddisfly7 is offline
 
Join Date: May 2017
Location: Didsbury
Posts: 123
Default

Thanks all for the advice! I found some structure near my resort that held a few small jacks. Went there a few days and I caught a couple on a schminnow pattern. Tried up and down the beach with a clouser in the morning as well, but with the exception of spotting a pretty big fish outside of casting range, it was slow.

Ended up getting a guide on the last day. Went over and fished for bonefish on the north end of Cozumel. Went with Alex Euan and we got into a few bonefish. Landed 5 total with the biggest being around 5 lbs. Wow, bonefish are almost too much fun, that first run is incredible and sight fishing for them in the mangroves is super fun. I recommend Alex if anyone is headed down that way!
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12-18-2021, 07:08 PM
Sundancefisher's Avatar
Sundancefisher Sundancefisher is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Calgary Perchdance
Posts: 18,776
Default

If you can find some crystal floss and tie a tangle mess on a hook… you can catch lots more needle fish. The floss tangles in their teeth.
__________________
It is not the most intellectual of the species that survives; it is not the strongest that survives; but the species that survives is the one that is able best to adapt and adjust to the changing environment in which it finds itself. Charles Darwin
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12-19-2021, 06:34 AM
Soab Soab is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 346
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by caddisfly7 View Post
Thanks all for the advice! I found some structure near my resort that held a few small jacks. Went there a few days and I caught a couple on a schminnow pattern. Tried up and down the beach with a clouser in the morning as well, but with the exception of spotting a pretty big fish outside of casting range, it was slow.

Ended up getting a guide on the last day. Went over and fished for bonefish on the north end of Cozumel. Went with Alex Euan and we got into a few bonefish. Landed 5 total with the biggest being around 5 lbs. Wow, bonefish are almost too much fun, that first run is incredible and sight fishing for them in the mangroves is super fun. I recommend Alex if anyone is headed down that way!
Sounds like a great day, I’m heading to the Bahamas tomorrow. Hoping to get into some bones
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12-20-2021, 12:51 AM
Red Bullets's Avatar
Red Bullets Red Bullets is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: central Alberta
Posts: 12,627
Default

Sounds like a treat to go fishing down south. Wonder if anyone spearfishes with scuba gear or while snorkeling around those resorts?
__________________
___________________________________________
This country was started by voyagers whose young lives were swept away by the currents of the rivers for ten cents a day... just for the vanity of the European's beaver hats. ~ Red Bullets
___________________________________________
It is when you walk alone in nature that you discover your strengths and weaknesses. ~ Red Bullets
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12-20-2021, 01:16 PM
JReed's Avatar
JReed JReed is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Cochrane
Posts: 738
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by caddisfly7 View Post
Thanks all for the advice! I found some structure near my resort that held a few small jacks. Went there a few days and I caught a couple on a schminnow pattern. Tried up and down the beach with a clouser in the morning as well, but with the exception of spotting a pretty big fish outside of casting range, it was slow.

Ended up getting a guide on the last day. Went over and fished for bonefish on the north end of Cozumel. Went with Alex Euan and we got into a few bonefish. Landed 5 total with the biggest being around 5 lbs. Wow, bonefish are almost too much fun, that first run is incredible and sight fishing for them in the mangroves is super fun. I recommend Alex if anyone is headed down that way!
Sounds like a blast! I just got back from the riviera again too. Caught a few different fish, but got sick of getting told “no fishing” by beach security, even though there were no people swimming in the entire bay.

Going to hire a guide next time. It amazes me how hard some of the different reef fish pull on the end of the line, don’t even need to set the hook. I was using a light coloured crab pattern, that fly didn’t hold up for too long, it was getting hammered almost every cast
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 05:36 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.5
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.