Rod and Reel
Standard tackle for bones is an 8-weight flyrod armed with an adjustable, disc drag reel. A mid or wide arbor model is preferred because of the rapid line pick-up sometimes required. I was using the Fishin’ Hole’s St. Croix Avid model , a sturdy, medium-priced, 9-foot stick that rolled out a nice type loop necessary for flats fishing where wind is almost always a factor.
A floating fly line designed for tropical angling is added to achieve the smooth, fast cast needed to cover the cruising bones. Remember to pull your line off the reel at the hotel and stretch the memory out of it before you head out. Especially if it’s been on the reel since you put it away in the fall. A big birdsnest is something you can live without when standing on the deck of a bone fishing skiff and the guide is giving you the cast signal.
Also make sure you thoroughly wash the salt water from your rod and especially your reel, particularly at the end of your trip. The corrosion can build in a hurry.
Flies
The smaller the better seems to be the rule on Ascension Bay where the standard #2 and #4 saltwater irons used for bonefish in the Bahamas and Mexico are pared down to #6s.
Standard bonefish shrimp imitations like Gotchas and Crazy Charlies work but the Punta Allen guides prefer more complex ties.
Muted tans and pinks appear to be the preferred colours with little or no weight. Include some crab imitations and clousers for permit and barracuda.
Leaders are the standard OX bonefish tapers in 9-foot lengths.
Gear and Clothing
Baby it’s hot out there so you better be prepared for it. Save your sun tanning for around the pool back at the hotel in Cancun and cover up. All those tropical rays bouncing off the water can burn you up in a hurry.
A quality long sleeved shirt and wading pants with serious UV ratings are recommended. A hat with protection for your ears and neck, as well as, a sunscreen with a high SPF factor are also essential. Flats boots and a good pair of polarized sunglasses are also definitely worth the investment.
Access, Accommodation and Guides
Getting to Cancun is a no brainer. There are hundreds of flights a day landing and taking off from the Yucatan’s primary tourist destination. Getting to Punta Allen is a little more complicated.
Bonefish anglers – especially those staying at resorts along the highway south of Cancun can day trip with a rental car or taxi. There’s also a jitney mini-van called a colectivo. We took the taxi back to the resort including a two hour stop-over at the spectacular Mayan ruins at Tulum.
The village has several bonefishing “clubs” which offer guiding and accommodation.
I made my arrangements though Garry Pierce’s Tailwater Drifters who offers both guiding by the Caamal family and a small lodge.
Day rates (not including accommodation) run from $375 to $430 plus tip, a maximum of two anglers to the boat. Both fish when wading but if you’re poling a lagoon there’s only room for one on the casting deck so you take turns.
As well as the bay’s bountiful bonefish Punta Allen also offers fly or gear angling for permit, barracuda, tarpon and snook.
