» General Information:
Holbox island is located 100 miles from Cancún in the direction of Merida. Access by road is quite easy because the road is in good condition. Once you get to Chiquila harbor, regular watercrafts are used to cross to the island. It costs about U$S 5.- per person, or you can hire a panga ( a 23-foot outboard motor boat) for about U$S 25.-
Holbox is a typical island of fishermen with a population of about 1000 inhabitants and a growing tourist activity, specially Europeans, Canadians and Americans looking for tranquility and the taste of unknown and quiet destinations. Holbox village is picturesque, with its colorful low buildings, sandy roads and friendly people. Most of them descend from the Mayas but many come from immigrants from Europe and other countries. Small stores where you can find a bit of everything, restaurants with few tables and good service serving traditional Mexican dishes along with fish and lobster at a reasonable price, small posadas offering room for the night and fully-equipped hotels to host tourists and offer a Caribbean atmosphere and a warm service.
Located northwest of Cancun, Holbox touches both the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea. That is why it is home to an important amount of marine life making the anglers achieve excellent results.
The island is long and narrow; the northern and southern coasts are the longest and, in several parts, they are joint by natural channels or caños, as the local people call them. Most of the northern region has white sand with mangrove forests in some sections and such a clear sea perfect for swimming; while the southern region is more muddy with an irregular shore, more greenish waters and a vast variety of birds.
On the island there is a wide range of fly-fishing species but the main star is the tarpon. You find a healthy stable population of baby tarpon all year round and from April through September the giant tarpon start to appear weighing from 150 to 200 pounds.
Depending on the time of year you can also fly-fish permit, jack, spanish mackarel, snook, sea trout, snapper, among others, along with the tarpon.
There are few well-qualified fly-fishing guides in Holbox. It is important to keep this in mind so as to make the reservations in advance to avoid mistakes.
» Package:
The package we are offering includes only the fishing excursion with the best-qualified guide on the island. Transfer Cancun/Chiquila/Cancun or accommodation in one of the picturesque hotels in Holbox is additional. We suggest travelling to Holbox with all the package included because it has proved to be safer and more convenient than doing it on your own. You can have dinner at one of the small local restaurants that serve locally caught fish of the day and lobster.
» Tackle and Equipment:
Tackle for this fishing includes one # 8 Wt and another #9 Wt or #10 Wt rods for the time of year where there are no giant tarpon. During the giant tarpon season you will need a #12 Wt or #14 Wt. In case you don´t have one, there are rods for hire at U$S 25.- a day. Tarpon flies cost U$S 5.- each.
High-performance reels with a good brake system are required, as well as "bimini twist" tarpon leaders or other 80-pound "shock tippet" or over. For the rest of the species, 10-foot 12-pound leaders ( preferably fluorocarbon ones for permit or bonefish) or steel tippet for snook or sea trout.
Tarpon flies should be tied in hook 2/0 , 3/0 or 4/0 and for Giant 5/0 or 6/0 using Balck Death, Purple Death, Cockroach, Stu Apte, Seducer or other varieties in black and red, black and yellow, grizzly, etc. The most effective flies among permit are crabs in different patterns and versions, tied in hooks that shouldn´t be too big and small hook eyes (they shouldn´t be heavily weighted), coffee, brown, sand and with long legs. For the rest of the species, Clouser Minnow in different colors and sizes and streamers are used.
Also take a saltwater floating line and an intermediate line for tarpon.
We recommend taking a good pair of polarized sunglasses, light shirts and trousers (Columbia, Exofficio, etc), sunblock SPF 40 or higher, a cap with neck protection and insect repellent.
» Additional Information:
In Holbox fishing is done all year round. From October through April, the varieties that abound are baby tarpon, snook, permit, snapper and sea trout. From May through September, giant and baby tarpon, permit, jack and Spanish mackarel. Fishing starts at 6 a.m. and continues to 2 p.m., leaving some free time in the afternoon to enjoy the beach, take a nap, walk around the village and have dinner at one of the traditional restaurants.
Rates:
High and low season have different rates. We have selected three posadas: Hotelito Casa Las Tortugas, Villa Delfines and Flamingo (small hotels). The following rates DO NOT include these posadas. If you are interested in these or other posadas, we can quote you the corresponding rates. We also offer roundtrip transfers by a reliable taxi from Cancun to Chiquila for U$S150.- per trip (up to 4 passengers).
» Rates / Low Season - from September 16th to April 15th
U$S 275.-
Per boat (1 or 2 anglers)/day.
Rates include:
Boat, guide and lunch box with sandwiches and beverages.
Rates do not include:
Fishing licence, fishing equipment and flies, personal insurance and gratuities.
Notes:
Ask for two or more days with accommodation.
» Rates / High Season from April 16th to September 15th
U$S 375.-
Per boat (1 or 2 anglers)/día.
Rates include:
Boat, guide ans lunch box with sandwiches and beverages.
Rates do not include:
Fishing licence; personal insurance; fishing equipment and flies and gratuities.
Notes:
Ask for 2 or more days including accommodation in comfortable posadas.
