Mexico Hosted Trip with Mark Bowler

Discover Mexico's Secret Silver

In March this year, FF&FT experienced one of its most successful reader trips ever.
In 2012 you can join them ...

Anglers perpetually seek the perfect fishing spot – the spot where the fish are big, and no-one has ever fished for them before, writes Mark Bowler. In 2010, when I fished a day in Espiritu Santos Bay, to the south of Mexico’s high-profile sporting destination, Ascension Bay, I thought I may have found it.

A hectic morning spent juggling four rods for an endless conveyor belt of sight-fished bonefish, permit, tarpon and snook gave me a taste of the sport that wa only stress came when I was faced with the prospect of casting to either a 6lb bonefish or a big snook, as both mooched side by side in foot-deep water of a golden flat. I mean, which one would you choose?

I had to return. So this March, the FF&FT reader trip re-located further south to Playa Blanca – thatched, spacious, individual seaside cabanas set in palms in the grounds, with excellent food served in the beachfront bar, and staff service second to none. More importantly, Playa Blanca is the only lodge with easy, daily access to this bay. Or, should it get too windy, then the sheltered mangroves of Santa Rosa to the back of Playa Blanca are a mere five minutes away.

My expectations of the trip were high. However, I never dreamt that three of the party would catch their first permit. We also had regular tarpon shots, and gangs of snook to cast at – both on the flats and in the mangroves – and a steady supply of bonefish to keep us occupied. In all, the lodge registered five permit, plus a number hooked and lost, and two grand slams for the week. What will next year bring?

•See Editor’s blog – www.flyfishing-andflytying.co.uk  – ‘A sting in the tale’.

Itinerary:

March 10, 2012:  Fly from UK to Cancun. Connect with your charter flight to the lodge.

March 11-16:   Guided fishing from skiffs at Playa Blanca. Rooms are large, well appointed with all the modern amenities, large bathrooms, each with its own patio overlooking the tropical grounds and nearby Caribbean. All meals are served at Playa Blanca’s beachfront restaurant & bar.

March 17:  Fly back to Cancun in time to connect with your flight to UK, arriving the following morning.

March 18: Arrive UK.

Price per person fishing (shared room) from £3,785 (depending on flight)

Includes: Return airline flights, charter flight to and from the lodge, and seven nights of full board with six days’ fishing.
Not included: Gratuities, items of a personal nature.