Bonefish, Ascention Bay

I am finally putting up some pictures the recent travels to the Yucatan Peninsula and first ever Bonefishing experience my Girlfriend and I shared together. (Mark my words, it won't be my last.) I have always been intrigued by saltwater fishing, and wading the remarkably beautiful places these species inhabit. I have read about it in magazines and online, seen it on TV and in the countless fishing videos I watch. But I never saw myself becoming as obsessed or addicted as I have. It's like crack, I find myself craving that sensation again in the worst of ways.

We woke up bright and early Friday morning and prepared ourselves for a road that would prove to be just as challenging as the fishing. The entry road from the Sian Ka'an  Arch to Punta Allen is less than improved. It put our rental Jetta Aire and it's little Firestones to the absolute test. Nevertheless, we made it!

 

Prior to leaving the states, I had booked a day of fishing with one of Punta Allen's resident guides, Captain Victor Barrera.Victor has been running his own guide service, Macabi March, for 22 years now. His expertise really shines on the water, this man knows what he is doing out there. Accompanied by 17 year old assistant/apprentice guide Rudolfo, Victor motored me and my girlfriend through the mangroves and out into Ascension Bay.

We stopped in some deeper water for some blind casting just to get acclimated, and possibly take a shot at a cruising Palometa. ( we gringos know them as Permit.) Permit are renown for their speed and power, as well as their extreme ability to appear and disappear just as quickly. They are extremely difficult to hook up with and today was no exception. I blew my cast and only opportunity at a Permit that day. I didn't let it get me down though, I still had a full day of blowing casts to Bonefish ahead of me.

 

  

Part of the reason bonefishing was so enjoyable for me was the challenge it provided. It was a truly humbling experience. Driving winds, scattered light rain, and cloudy skies made for a challenging day of fishing. No matter the weather, Guides see things that untrained eyes cannot. For rookies like myself, Bonefish are next to invisible, but once you see that tailing or waking fish, or catch a glimpse of their shadowy profile, not only does your heart begins to race as tunnel vision sets in, but you begin to build the confidence that really helps you start catching fish.

Wading the flats at Ascention Bay is a truly unique and beautiful experience. In addition to fishing, we saw schools of snapper, cruising stingrays, horseshoe crabs, barracuda, needlefish, dolphins and countless tropical birds.