Yucatan Fly Fishing- The Permit Capital of the World

Visit the northern part of Mexico for Yucatan Fly Fishing. Here, you’ll fish for baby and juvenile tarpon. Choose the southern part of Mexico for Yucatan Fly Fishing at Ascension Bay and Espiritu Bay. In the south, you’ll fish for bonefish, snook, and the fly fishing permit capital of the world.

Ascension Bay Mexico, Yucatan Fly Fishing

There are two distinct fisheries in the Yucatan. With the exception of Isla Blanca, the north is primarily tarpon country. Alternatively, the south has greater opportunities for bonefish, permit and snook. To make it easier for you to distinguish the fisheries, we are dividing the Yucatan fly fishing into two areas, north and south.

Yucatan Fly Fishing

Northern Yucatan

The fertile waters of Mexico’s northern Yucatan Peninsula are one of the most productive juvenile tarpon fisheries on the planet. The local waters here are abundant with these feisty fish. The grass flats are crystal clear and will remind the seasoned angler of the classic flats fishing at Homosassa or perhaps places in the Florida Keys or Biscayne Bay.

It’s a beautiful unspoiled area with abundant wildlife and lush foliage.  Along the coastline, you will find many species of birds, turtles, fish, two species of crocodiles. But most importantly, the area is home to lots of tarpon. The Northen Yucantan and Campeche offers some of the best fly-fishing for juvenile tarpon..

Isla del Sabalo Lodge: Until recently, Isla del Sabalo Lodge wasn’t on the chart for many anglers. The lodge is located in a remote region on the western side of the Yucatan Peninsula north of Campeche. The peak season at Isla del Sabalo is like most other tarpon destinations, May through August. Although, there is a good fishery in the many unspoiled rivers here year-round. Fly-fishing the Yucatan for tarpon is as good as it gets here!

Tarpon Cay Lodge: The fishery in this region offers incredible Yucatan fly fishing opportunities. This is tarpon country and they come in all sizes here. From babies to juveniles to giants. They all live here in the estuaries of the mangrove lined lagoons, clear turtle grass flats near shore, and mysterious deep water places offshore.  A unique opportunity to see the full cycle of a tarpon’s life for all anglers.

Holbox Fly Fishing Lodge: The Yucatan Peninsula is famous as one of the Caribbean’s best shallow water flats fishing destinations. At the very northern tip of the Yucatan Peninsula is a small island, Isla Holbox. The island of Holbox is approximately ten miles long and one mile wide with a nice beach on the northern Gulf of Mexico side and a mangrove estuary on the other side. The island is also home to tarpon, both large and small, plus an assortment of other favorite species.

Isla Blanca: Yucatan fly fishing from your hotel in Cancun.  This amazing Yucatan fly fishing destination is located in the northern peninsula close to Cancun. The fishery in this region offers good opportunities for bonefish, permit, snook and small tarpon.

Campeche Tarpon Fishing Yucatan: This beautiful back-country destination is in a very remote region on the western side of the Yucatan peninsula, near the city of Campeche Mexico.  The fishery in this region offers incredible Yucatan fly fishing opportunities for small tarpon. The fishing program for Campeche Tarpon Fishing Yucatan centers on the Ocean View Hotel. This hotel is  situated ocean side in Campeche, across the street from the waterfront boardwalk.

Casa Blanca

Dolphin Skiff at Casa Blanca Lodge

Southern Yucatan

One of the finest saltwater flats’ fisheries in the world. Ascension Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay have that rare mixture of environmental ingredients which create the ideal foundations for an abundance of wildlife. The crystal clear waters offer Permit, Bonefish, Tarpon, Snook, and a host of other species. This is the permit capital of the world – your greatest chance to catch a permit is here!

What makes this location so special is the Sian Ka’an National Park which was made a Mexican National Park in 1986 and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987. Ascension Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay lie right in the heart of this 1.3 million acre reserve.

Edward Johnston, of Leisure Time Travel, has visited this part of the Yucatan peninsula 44 times in the past thirty-four years. Edward has caught well-over 100 permit with a fly rod at Ascension Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay. This is why it is known to many as the “permit capital of the world!”

Why take chances with your precious time? We’ve been there numerous times. There is no substitute for first-hand experience.

Casa Blanca LodgeThe Caribbean’s finest light tackle fishing. Big bones, tarpon, and plenty of permit. World record permit fishing in Ascension Bay at this permit capital of the world. Serious Grand Slam territory! Beautiful reefs and flats. This extraordinary lodge is on the south side of Ascension Bay at Punta Pajaros. This is the northern tip of Isla Casa Blanca in the Mexican province of Quintana Roo. Now, with air-conditioning in every room! Hot Fishing – Cool Rooms! Premium space is always scarce. If you’re ready to book, give us a call. If you have been there, then you already know! If you haven’t been, then go now! Just remember, Edward Johnston told you!

Playa Blanca Lodge: Located between Espiritu Santo Bay and Ascension Bay. This lodge features a laid-back atmosphere and a beautiful beach. It also has incredible expanses of crystal-clear shallow flats and undisturbed mangrove marshes. Great accommodations, delicious food, and Mayan ruins. Have Espiritu Santo Bay almost to yourself.

Mayazul Lodge: This wonderful new luxury lodge is located on the north side of Ascension Bay in the sleepy fishing village of Punta Allen within the Sian Ka’an biosphere reserve. If you want to go there give us a call, we have visited Ascension Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay forty-four times since 1990. This is a prime location for Ascension Bay Flats Fishing. A report by Edward Johnston of Leisure Time Travel on a visit to Mayazul Lodge and their Grand Opening April 2024. Click here for the report!

Grand Slam Deluxe Fly Fishing Lodge: The Grand Slam Deluxe Fly Fishing Lodge is located on the scenic ocean-side beach of the fishing village of Punta Allen. This is on the northern edge of Ascension Bay. Sight cast for bones, tarpon and permit in crystalline waters and spend your evenings in luxury.

Casa Redonda Suites: Casa Redonda is a place to enjoy life at nature’s pace. The resort delivers seclusion and intimacy. You can simply relax or enjoy a wide range of activities. Couples and honeymooners will enjoy the romantic ambience of the beach. Casa Redonda is nestled on a private beach between Ascension Bay and Espiritu Santo Bay, 120 miles south of Cancun.

Last Minute Specials: When the lodges have a week that has not been booked as of a certain date, they will run “special deals.”. We research our lodges and post all the current specials on this site in the permit capital of the world! Better act quick before the deals are all gone!

Yucatan Fly Fishing, Permit Capital of the World

 Leisure Time Travel: Your best and most knowledgeable choice for fishing the Caribbean.

Leisure Time Travel Inc.
531 N. Citrus Ave.
Crystal River, Florida 34428
352-795-FISH (3474)
1-800-771-2202