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Linebacker U tradition--Jack Ham as a Steeler smashing OJ #2
Springtime Salt Flats Fishing In Mexico
Upon arriving at the Boca Paila Fishing Lodge promptly at 7:30 am, we observed the place was already jumping. Guests were finishing up breakfast and the guides had been getting the last of their gear within the boats while being knowledgeably directed by Chico, the general manager and the primary host of the property, this was not any typical tulum resort. Clearly this was not the opening time these guys had done this, in fact Boca Paila has been around since the late 1960s. To say these guys are pioneers of fishing in this area is an understatement, they were the only game in town back then and it had been a a couple of hour drive from Tulum, not 20 to 30 minutes as it is now.
We came for the fishing and they were equipped in favor of us. After momentary introductions with Chico, he informed us that our boat and guide Alfonso had been already waiting on the pier for us. A quick assessment of our tackle and off we went. Chico made sure we also had a variety of the best flies and jigs on behalf of the region and season before we departed and handed those to our guide Alfonso subsequent to he personally escorted us into the boat.
Once on the water, Alfonso didnt waste much time and we took off across the glass lagoon in search of our opening fish of the day. There was a brief stop on a cut inside the lagoon, where it meets the sea, and Alfonso said we needed to stop in favor of something there. Devoid of giving away many of the secrets and techniques of the area, the stop proved to be quite helpful during the day.
Subsequent to the "stop" where the lagoon meets sea, we made our way to the first of many of what I assume are Alfonsos preferred spots within this magical lagoon. There awaited at the very least 30 miles of practically untouched and protected wetlands and interconnected unaffected waterways.
Alfonso killed the engine as we came across the first spot and he started poling us over the black rooted mangrove shores as he surveyed the water with his proficient ability to see. Inside 10 minutes he saw the bone fish and we were directed to "11 ‘o clock about 30 feet out," and then a swift plea to "strip it, strip it, strip it!" We followed our guides command and bingo, my Dad had our first fish on. Inside two minutes, an additional good sized bone fish was caught and released by me. This was gonna be excitement!
Further over the shore, Alfonso continued to assess the waters from his 3 foot platform on behalf of the next catch. This time it was Permit and I had one on the line. If you have never caught a Permit fish on a fly rod or even light tackle, its tricky to explain how much entertainment it really is. It was run of the mill size for the locale, about 10 pounds nevertheless it fought for 15 minutes before relenting and after a quick photo {it was} released. What a blast and what a ravishing fish!
a few more Bone Fish and a mixed bag of Jack, Mud Snapper and Porgy and off we went into the next spot. I thought to myself, if many of the spots are like that, one of my arms might not make it the day. We had a few issues using the line on my rod and had to return {to the} lodge for line which took Alfonso no occasion to get back up and running.
Subsequent to about an hour of poling along inside the briny waters in the vicinity of our first prize pool we had caught a number more of the undesired Snappers, Jack and Porgy so we decided to move down again. I should remark that there is seldom a boring moment on the lagoon. Even when you arent catching fish, theres a lot to catch sight of. Throughout the day we probably saw 12 rays of varied species and witnessed a number of cases of Mullet boiling, bursting and leaping from the water to flee from the striking Barracuda along numerous birds of countless species and insignia. We also saw a nesting pair of Sea Eagles (Osprey).
We crossed the lagoon at high speed the afternoon fishing before gliding in, engine off and back into the poling for Alfredo. I should mention that Boca Paila Fishing Lodge has a particularly able fisherman and guide in Alfons. I didnt see a 10th of what he spotted for us, however he was sitting up 3 feet higher than us, but he was amazing.
Just before lunch I got into my second Permit and this one was closer to fifteen pounds and he wanted to run. The Permit are quite common in the Tulum, Boca Paila area of the lagoon so I shouldnt have been too surprised to see Alfonso making lunch while I fought this fish. What did surprise me was that when I said "I think he’s coming in, get the net", Alfonso didnt move. The fish gave me my reply when he took off on another long run and I caught a wry smile from Alfonso and went back to my fish. an additional 10 minutes and I would finally land that one, and yes, Alfonso had the net ready this occasion.
Subsequent to lunch, which was great by the way, a ham sandwich, chips and a beer. Subsequent to being {in the} sun for 4-5 hours, it was one of the best lunches I have had in a while and Alfonso showed us the Mexican way of adding a few hot sauce into the sandwiches{it was} excellent. We moved nearer to shore and again began to stalk the next catch, it had been hot and the fishing seemed to slow a little within the afternoon heat, but Alfonso was relentless and when he caught me sitting on the bow he demanded that I stand up. "You can’t catch fish sitting downstand up ready! I was up and about directly and was slightly embarrassed but that ended quickly after I hooked into an additional Permit, this one was somewhat smaller, in all probability 8 pounds but the struggle lasted 10 minutes and the thrill was definitely not gone.
We stalked a few more small groups of Bone Fish and Permit pairs, landing a couple more average sized Bone Fish before moving on once again. This occasion, as we came across the new spot, Alfonso informed us that this was a large channel and one of the deeper parts of the lagoon. Still only 12 to 15 feet deep but we changed up the tackle and went to a large jig with a heavy leader. I am guessing about 20 to 25 pound test.
This is where things got fantastically interesting. We must have hit that channel as a school of baitfish were passing through or had just passed since it was a feeding frenzy! The first casts for both my father and I produced two large Snook inside the 20 pound sort, pretty good fights for both, but pound for pound I think the Permit is tough to beat. In any case, as things got crazy, and cast after cast produced larger and larger Snook, I started thinking about the mysterious "Super Slam"; Bone Fish, Permit, Snook and Tarpon. I would have been thrilled to possess such a great day and fall short but then as if on queue an additional big strike and from the water it came, the Tarpon ran past the boat at full speed then made a run back with another spectacular leap. While it had been comparatively small a Tarpon at about 10 pounds, it had been the icing on a perfect day of fishing.
We stayed on the channel for 20 minutes roughly and I was so worn-out and completely pleased that I handed my rod to Alfonso and watched him catch a few more Snook while my Dad did likewise and brought in a couple more Bone Fish respectable measure.
All in all, I have got to say that this was the best day of fishing EVER. Between the company, the Boca Paila Fishing Lodge, one of the most unique tulum mexico hotels I've ever stayed at, services and the awesome number of fish we caught, this one is going to be tough to beat. I want to again personally express thanks the personnel at Boca Paila for this excellent experience we will both never forget!
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