GENERAL INFORMATION
Isla Holbox, an island with just one village and less than 1500 people, is located on the northern tip of the Yucatán Peninsula in the state of Quintana Roo, México. Most of the people who call the island home make their living fishing. Holbox is 43 Km long and its white sand beaches are decorated with countless shells washed to the shore from the sea. Since ancient times, Isla Holbox has been known as a highly beautiful area and was used as a relaxing and resting place by the Maya. Today, it is known (although not by many!) as one of the top tarpon destinations in the world.
THE FISHING
Isla Holbox is blessed with one of the world's outstanding tarpon habitats. Holbox is a small and virgin island with beautiful white sand beaches, surrounded by a magnificent turquoise colored sea. Here in the shallow mangrove lagoons, creeks and flats you will find baby tarpon (5 to 15 pounds) and snook throughout the year. However it is the migratory fish that make Holbox a unique flyfishing destination. In April, migrating fish begin to arrive to feed in the clear water of the shallows. During June, July and August, the fishing for large tarpon in the 75 to 190-pound range is fantastic. In addition to the tarpon and snook, bonefish, barracuda, snapper, permit, and jack crevalle area also occasionally found in area waters during the spring and summer months.
Each morning, experienced guides will pick you up in front of the lodge. Breakfast will be served early at the lodge so you get a jump on the fishing. The guides are fully trained professionals that have years of guiding and fishing experience in this area. Each morning you will run between 20 and 50 minutes to fish the shallow waters surrounding the island. Typical fishing days will include eight hours on the water, although extra time can be arranged. Guides are native to Holbox Island and all have been tarpon fishing the area for many years. Language is not an issue while fishing, as all guides speak some degree of "fishing" English. Some guides are completely fluent in English.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Holbox Fly Fishing Lodge is the only property on Holbox Island dedicated to fly fishing enthusiasts and their non-fishing partners. The beachfront location affords privacy, a gentle breeze, and a terrace view that will stamp your memory as one of the more unforgettable of your lifetime travels. The rooms are modern, upbeat and air conditioned. Comfortable lounge furniture is available for relaxing on the front deck or the beach, and hammocks allow you to siesta "Island Style" at any time of the day. An outside shower with a Conch Shell spout pours warmish water over sandy feet - or sandy fishing equipment. Holbox Flyfishing Lodge is located on the main Isla Holbox beach, only a short walk from the town square. All of the rooms feature air conditioning, and each is finished in a comfortable and tasteful manner. There are rod racks outside of each room, and there is a freshwater cleaning rack on the side of the building.
Food is always an important part of any vacation and Holbox will not disappoint you. You will be able to watch the daily catch brought in, as the Gulf of Mexico provides superb seafood such as lobster, shrimp, calamari and the freshest of fish. An Italian presence has been on the island for many years resulting in excellent European cuisine that provides the island's continental flare alongside the classic Mexican food. A continental breakfast at the lodge will begin each day and lunch is served on the boats on fishing days. Happy hour includes signature hors d' oeuvres, and all other meals are on your own in the local restaurants, an easy five minute walk from the lodge.
CAPACITY
Isla Holbox Flyfishing Lodge can accommodate a maximum of ten anglers and guests per week.
LENGTH OF STAY
Standard package is a six fishing day / seven night package (Saturday to Saturday) although shorter packages can be arranged.
SEASON
Year-round
PRIMARY SPECIES
Tarpon and some snook, with occasional area opportunities for bonefish, permit, barracuda, jacks, and snapper. Tarpon range in size from small "baby" tarpon to giant silver kings well over 100 pounds.
BOATS AND EQUIPMENT OFFERED
The fishing boats are seaworthy 18-foot pangas, fully equipped for your comfort and safety. It is suggested that you bring all of your own gear and fishing tackle.
HOW TO GET THERE
All guests should book flights to Cancun, Mexico. Guests making their own flight reservations must plan to arrive in Cancun no later than 1:00 p.m. Arriving around 12:00 PM is ideal. Be sure to schedule the return flight no earlier than 12:00 PM as well, in order to make connections with the boat shuttle from the island. Transportation is included from Cancun to the lodge at Isla Holbox. This service includes pick up by a private van at Cancun’s airport or at any of Cancun's hotels with ground transport to the small coastal town of Chiquila (about 2 1/2 hours from Cancun.) From Chiquila a private boat will take you across Yalahau lagoon to the beachfront of the lodge. This water transfer takes about 30 minutes.
NON-ANGLING ACTIVITIES
As good as the fishing is at Isla Holbox, most tourists come here to enjoy the relaxing atmosphere on an island that features one small village, streets of sand, and the friendliest people in the Yucatan. Non-fishing travel partners can enjoy viewing the large amount of flamingos and other birds that call the area home. The island’s “Laguna Yalahau” is a mangrove-filled lagoon full of dolphins, flamingoes, and many different species of fish. Isla de Pájaros (Bird Island) is located in the Laguna Yalahau and is home to over 140 different species of birds. This Island is a protected natural area which can be reached only by boat. Although snorkeling and diving are not great, the beaches on Holbox are splendid and swimming is easy. Non-anglers can also enjoy horseback riding, kite surfing, golf carts for exploring the island, bicycle rentals, and much more.
DOCUMENTS REQUIRED
All U.S. citizens are required to have a valid passport that does not expire within 6 months of trips dates. Please be sure that your passport has at least two blank, unstamped pages remaining in back, and that it is not torn, delaminated, or damaged in any way. No visas or inoculations are required for U.S. citizens. A Mexican departure tax is payable at the airport when leaving Mexico. Some airlines include this as a prepaid part of your ticket. Please check with your travel agent or carrier to verify this.
Holbox Mexico Fly Fishing Report
June 2007
Four days fishing, five nights lodging, Breakfast and Lunch, $1795.00
Friday June 1:
After weeks of preparation we were finally on our way. I guess getting ready is half the fun for most of us anyway. We left Jacksonville on the early morning flight to Miami for some Cuban coffee and arrived in Cancun just after noon. We met our driver and hit the road to Holbox (pronounced Hol-bosch) for a 2 1/2 hour trip to the Holbox
Fly Fishing Lodge. Our patience paid off after a long day in the air and on the road with freshly made
ceviche and cold Mexican beer on the veranda overlooking the ocean. YES!
we made it!
Located to the north west of Cancun, Holbox Island is 26 miles long running east and west across the top of the Yucatan Peninsula. Holbox is separated from the mainland by a shallow lagoon that is sanctuary to Flamingos, Rosette Spoonbills and of course the reason we're here, baby Tarpon!
There are approximately 1500 people that live on Holbox, virtually no cars, lots of golf carts, no golf and beautiful sand streets lined with quaint restaurants serving on tables set up in the street. Unfortunately there is an internet cafe for those of you who can't cut the cord.
Sat. June 2:
We were awakened at 5:00 am (not my favorite time of
day) by our gracious host Luciano with a tray of freshly brewed native coffee followed by an array of quesadillas, croissants, fruits, juice and more coffee! Okay, we were full and ready for some Tarpon fishing! The pangas headed ENE to
the tip of the Yucatan where the Gulf waters meet the Atlantic and home of schools and schools of Tarpon.
The fishery for big migrating Tarpon is fairly reliable from the late spring until mid September or so and is only really affected by the weather passing through the area. We hit the weather perfectly as the day we arrived was the nicest day in the last 10 days. Because of the rough weather that had just pounded the area, the big Tarpon had not moved back into their usual places yet and we couldn't find them anywhere.
Around noon we all hit the backcountry looking for the baby Tarpon and possibly a snook or two. Returning to the dock around 2:30 in the afternoon we gathered in the shade of the 2nd story veranda to celebrate day 1, drink our favorite
local drinks (which are on the house by the way) eat hors d’œuvres and hear about each others day on the water. Nearly everyone had hooked up multiple fish and the trip was begining to live up to it's billing.
Sun. June 3:
Could the weather be any better? Calm seas, good sunlight but still no big guys have shown themselves. We searched their normal spots and left earlier than day 1 to enjoy the baby Tarpon and snook that seen to be everywhere. At the evening happy hour we learned which flies were working and which flies were to be added to the wall of shame. To top the day off, we were priviledged to witness the much written about but rarely seen "GREEN FLASH". Another incredible day!
Mon. June 4:
Finally the big guys show up and so do we! The schools appear more toward the lighthouse area and they are feeding heavily. Each boat has their own school to fish and everybody is hooked up. Mark and Jim actually have a double header going. One cast, one fish on a black and red Bunny Death tied by Flyh2o. Normally the fish respond to the purple and black sinking flies but black and red were the ticket today.
In the backcountry on day 3, we found what could have been the Marquesas Keys transplanted into Mexico. Water like a mirror reflecting the sky with only dorsal fins and tails breaking the surface. I quickly tied on a popper and was rewarded instantly with a nice silver prince (not quite a king yet). We stayed and caught until after lunch with other boats from our group having the same kind of day we were having....Life is Good!
Enjoy the pictures and sign up now for next years trip to Holbox or the Bahamas trip coming up July 13 thru 18 at Big Charlies Bonefish Lodge.
Call us at 904-997-2220 to add your name to the list. Scroll to the top of the page and click on the Bahamas button for details on the Big Charlies Bonefish Lodge trip
