Welcome to Yucatan
Location, Type of Fishing:
Campeche Tarpon Bay is a premier fly fishing outfitter operating out of Campeche, a Mexican resort city on the Gulf-side of the Yucatan Peninsula. Offering multiple-day trips to the Los Petenes Biosphere Reserve, Campeche Tarpon Bay targets an abundance of baby tarpon, catching these little brutes on flies every day with opportunities for barracuda and small snook as well. This remarkable reserve lies just northeast of Campeche, with over 40 miles of prime coastline that is characterized by mangroves, small creeks and channels at its south end. The biosphere gets its name for the unique islands of vegetation blanketing the brackish saltmarshes of this incredibly diverse and wondrous preserve. In addition to being important habitat to a variety of exotic birds and other wildlife, it is an extensive nursery for a number of important inshore fish species, including small tarpon in the 5-40 lbs range. Depending on the angler’s skill level, a half dozen tarpon may be brought to the boat on an average day. Many days, it’s not uncommon to see shots at 20 or more fish per angler. Summertime is the best time of year to visit, with large migratory tarpon frequenting the area beginning about late spring and remaining into the fall. This general timeframe constitutes the peak time for fly fishing in Campeche, but the rest of the year can be very good as well. A relatively close destination to reach from the States with just an easy day of travel, a visit to Campeche Tarpon Bay will have you primed to be casting at aggressive baby tarpon the very next day.
- Season: Year-round, Peak: May-Oct.
- Species: Tarpon, Snook, Barracuda and Jacks
- Rods: 6-10wt. Saltwater, Fast-action
- Rates: 7 night/ 6 days fishing $3350.00
What Makes It Special:
Campeche Tarpon Bay offers incredible fly fishing packages at a very good value. If hooking tarpon is your game, then Campeche is the place to be. Rapidly becoming recognized as one of the world’s foremost spots for baby tarpon, fishing in Los Petenes Biosphere is a wonderfully rewarding experience, and these tail-walking specialists will have you admiring their inspired aerial performances to try and shake free once hooked. Start the day off jumping tarpon in the cool of the morning air before the sun has yet to come up, and continue fishing through the morning into the early afternoon. Finish the day cooling-off poolside at a comfortable hotel, and later explore the wonders of the city, dining out at one of its many delightful restaurants. Downtown, the old fortified city of San Francisco de Campeche, is a rare gem for both anglers and non-anglers alike, where you can spend your downtime taking in the centuries-old architecture and exploring the beautiful stone-wall fortifications so wonderfully characteristic of the Spanish colonial period. In fact, the old square has been maintained so well, it was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999 for its historical and cultural influence on the region. One of the nice things about Campeche is that it is fairly easy to get to from the States, but at the same time, is not nearly as crowded as the Mayan Riviera on the other side of the Yucatan. It is also one of the cleanest cities you’ll visit in Mexico and is considered quite safe for tourists, so you can feel comfortable doing some shopping at the marketplace or strolling the streets at night after an evening meal.
Keys to Success:
Resident tarpon can be found in the waters of Los Petenes Biosphere year-round, but it is recommended that you avoid the cold fronts that typically dip down from the north in the month of December. The remainder of the year though is generally considered good to excellent for fishing. Choosing the right time for a trip depends greatly on the tides. It’s very important to book your trip so that you fish either an in-coming or out-going tide. The outfitter will study the tide charts to help you to decide the best dates for a visit, so you can fish at the ideal time. The migration of the fish is another important factor to consider when booking a trip. The peak season for tarpon is between May and October, since more migratory fish are present in the area at this time, and the best time to catch larger fish occurs during the summer months. Temperature can be a consideration as well. September measures the hottest with daily highs that can reach 114-degrees Fahrenheit! Another factor is the weather, although it should be the least significant one influencing your decision. Campeche is affected by seasonal rainfall, with June, July and August being the wettest months on record. While most anglers would agree that they wouldn’t care to fish in the rain, fishing here takes place early enough in the day before the weather has a chance to move in, so that rain is generally not an issue. Typically, there is a little dry period between the end of July and the beginning of August and is the reason why 2Salt Travel hosts a trip here at that time.
Lodge:
As a guest of Campeche Tarpon Bay, you will be treated to deluxe accommodations at the Ocean View Hotel in Campeche, not far from the marina where the skiffs are docked at night. Their excellent guest services set them apart, as they aim to help their guests feel relaxed and comfortable at all times. A pleasant and contented stay awaits with access to many modern amenities like free WiFi, a pool and an exercise room. The hotel staff is courteous, professional, and friendly, going out of their way to make your stay the best possible. Located just a few minutes from downtown by cab, the hotel is close to several local eateries as well as an artisan market. Overlooking the ocean, the hotel entrance is just across the street from a delightful boardwalk, where many locals frequently exercise in the morning, and is an excellent place to take in a sunset at the end of the day. For anglers heading out in the morning, an early breakfast is included in the fishing packages. Served right off of the lobby of the hotel, they’ll have you fed and heading out before the break of dawn. Dinners are not a part of the fishing packages, but with so many excellent local dining options nearby, you’ll be grateful for the opportunity to try the many superb cuisines that the Campeche dining scene offers. A sampling of local restaurants recommended include La Pigua, La Parrilla Colonial, Marganzo, Luz de Luna and La Palapa de Tio Fito, to name a few.
A Typical Day
Anglers visiting Campeche typically head out to the water before first light, sometime between 5:00am and 6:00am, depending upon the time of year. The hotel kitchen opens early to accommodate fishermen, as it is the agreement with the outfitter. You can be ready to head to the lobby and have breakfast as early as 4:30 am. You may choose from several hot meals from the breakfast menu, like eggs made-to-order, Heuvos Rancheros, French Toast or pancakes. There is also fresh fruit, pastries and cereals served buffet-style, along with fresh-squeezed juices, coffee and a variety of hot teas. Your host will meet you at breakfast each day to help with your gear and assist you to the boats. The guides pick up in skiffs just across the street from the entrance to the hotel. Your lunch will already be on-board when you get to the boat, and snacks, beer, and soda will be in a cooler along with plenty of drinking water. The guides will press you to drink lots of water throughout the day, as it is important to stay hydrated. Lunch is taken a little earlier than normal, sometime about mid-morning. The lunch menu changes daily, so be sure to tell your host of any dietary restrictions you may have, as they are happy to accommodate any changes that you may require. Plan on fishing sometime past noon when the breeze usually begins to pick up. Known affectionately as La Brisa in Spanish, the fishing usually goes to pieces once it shows up, with most anglers being pretty tired about that time anyway. Expect to be back no later than about 2:00pm each day.
How to Get There:
A trip to Campeche Tarpon Bay begins with your arrival at Manuel Crescencio Rejón International Airport (MID) in Mérida, Mexico. Several major airports in the US offer direct flights to Mérida at different times of the year. It is also possible to connect to Campeche (CPE) through Mexico City, as Campeche does not have an international airport of its own. While connecting to Campeche from Mexico City is a good alternative, the direct flight to Mérida means that you will need to transfer to Campeche by van. Should you choose to fly to Mérida, you must first pass through immigration, before collecting your luggage and clearing customs. A representative will be there to greet you after exiting the customs area and will assist with your luggage. A comfortable and relaxing transfer to Campeche is next, and the drive takes no more than 1½ hours. There is no need to worry about security checkpoints with the transfer service, as you will pass through quickly and without disruption. Drivers are friendly and accommodating, and will answer any questions that you may have on the drive south. Arriving at Campeche, you will be taken directly to the hotel, so that you may check-in, unpack and begin unwinding as quickly as possible. A representative of the outfitter will contact you that evening to go over the next day’s plan and discuss your expectation for the trip.
What’s Included:
Double-occupancy accommodations, ground transportation to/from Mérida, guided fly fishing (2 anglers per boat), breakfast, lunch, snacks, beer, soda and drinking water. Not included: Roundtrip International airfare to/from Mérida or Mexico City, round trip domestic airfare to/from Campeche, and gratuities for drivers, guides and staff. Meals at dinnertime are not included. Single-occupancy and/or single angler rates are available and are subject to an additional charge. Ground transportation to/from Cancun is available and is subject to an additional charge.
Non-angling Activities:
Birdwatching, shopping, museums, exercise classes and massage are just some of the non-angling activities that can be arranged during your stay.