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On the West Coast of the Yucatan Peninsula, facing the Gulf of
Mexico lays the "Biosphere Reservoir of Los Petenes”, just
adjacent to the city of Campeche. Surrounded by more than 80
miles of mangrove shoreline, countless rivers, cuts, creeks,
channels and inner lagoons make the ideal refuge and shelter for
baby tarpon. Lots of them!
Rolling and gulping tarpon are easily located following their fins
and tails on their way up or down the rivers. Depending on tide
conditions, moon phases and weather, chase them along channels
mouths, inner shallows in less than 3 feet of water, or in open
bays where they hide in the turtle grass bottom or below hanging
mangrove branches. It is a real challenge for fly fishermen to
direct a great cast in the middle of a creek where there is barely
room for a rod. While fishing in open bays, it is also a
delightful spot for long casting. Skillful anglers still get
amazed with this specie, which lives and rolls in very narrow
channels and first time anglers get hooked forever.
Native guides pole a vast territory searching in every spot while
the angler fishing miles and miles without seeing other boats.
Opposite other fishing locations in the Yucatan or Ascension Bay,
this is primarily a tarpon destination, being the most important
nursery in Latin America. We are the pioneers in this area,
serving the angling community for almost 3 years now, and formed
by a native team of expert guides with the sharpest eyes in the
region. A strict catch and release philosophy is practiced.
Besides all the fishing experience, bird watching is another
wonderful experience where you will easily identify various birds
such as pelicans, seagull, white and roseate ibis, spin bill ibis,
white and gray herons, and many more.
THE FISHING:
Even though rolling and gulping tarpon can be seen everywhere in
these spots, you should not expect to catch a tarpon easily. In
contrast, you should consider the fight and the explosive jumps as
part of your experience and land 2 out of 10, on average. In
other words, these "baby" tarpons have unusual strength, and will
give you a chance to boat about 20% of your strikes. There are
exceptions though. The guides are very conscious to get you right
where the fish are and coach you to a great catch. That's the way
tarpon fishing is: very different to all what you may have tried
before; not frustrating, but CHALLENGING. On an average day
you'll see perhaps hundreds of fins or silver bodies, fight 16 to
20 and land 2 to 8. Not to say that sometimes you'll be amazed,
landing more tarpons in a day than any other angler in his or her
lifetime. Fish size runs on an scale from 5 to 20 pounds, an
average of 8 pounds or a little bit bigger, which means in terms
of fish aging, fish that are less than 5 years old.
Once you have learned to
"read the water" (what will take perhaps the first day), you will
be spotting tarpon as quickly as the guides. Nothing compares to
a hunt for tarpon!
Understand that fishing
for tarpon is a unique experience. Every single day brings
different results and you won't see the same spot in consecutive
days. Some mornings could be slow and the next day an incredible
fighting machine or vice versa. This is why we suggest a minimum
trip of 3 days, an average 5-day trip or an intensive 7 days
trip. We don’t think you will be disappointed.
We divide a calendar year in two parts in terms of weather
conditions and not in fishing conditions. The first period is
MARCH TO SEPTEMBER, assuring smooth rides, low winds, high
tides, more sight fishing. On the other part of the year,
longer boat rides are required (about 20 miles. 45 minutes to
an hour) and days are a little bit windy.
Campechanos are used
to hear "hurricane season words" which begins early June and
ending up late November. This does not mean there is a
hurricane every weekend. In fact, our last hurricane warning
was June 2005, but the last hit was Hurricane Isidore, 4 years
ago.
In SEPTEMBER and NOVEMBER there are chances of storms or cold
fronts that paralyze marine activities for 2 or 3 days and then
reopens. This could happen once or twice in a month. Anglers
deciding to fish these months should consider extra nights and
“open” air tickets in case of bad weather.
A regular fishing day begins with a light continental or American
breakfast before dawn at the hotel, usually by 6:00am, then pick
up and a short ride to the boats to start your trip by 6:30am.
Generally lunch is taken while riding or fishing by 11:00am, and
consist of ham and grilled chicken sandwiches, tuna or shrimp
salad, crackers, cookies, fruits, wraps and a cooler stuffed with
ice, water and the refreshment of your choice which could be
sodas, Gatorade, etc.. Charters usually end by 2:00 or 3:00pm.
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The fishing packages prices include ground transportation from
Campeche airport arrival/departure (additional charge for
other airport pickups), to and from boarding points
and hotels. Accommodations in selected hotels in town,
breakfast, lunch, guide service, boat rental, gasoline and
fishing license. Rates are based per person, double occupancy,
sharing boat and room. Other configurations can be set up at
your request. Prices are "almost all inclusive".
Evening meals are not included. This allows you to let you
taste by yourself the different restaurants in town featuring
exquisite fresh seafood and traditional dishes. Tips and
gratuities for guides and others are not included. Items of a
personal nature (laundry, telephone calls, etc.) are also not
included.
FISHING
RATES, in US$ (valid to December 31, 2008):
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2 per boat/ |
2 per boat/ |
1 per boat/ |
1 per boat/ |
| Duration |
2 per room |
1 per room |
2 per room |
1 per room |
| 2 days fishing/3 nights |
$1,200 |
$1,300 |
$1,400 |
$1,800 |
| 3 days fishing/4 nights |
$1,450 |
$1,600 |
$1,950 |
$2,450 |
| 4 days fishing/5 nights |
$1,850 |
$1,900 |
$2,500 |
$2,950 |
| 5 days fishing/6 nights |
$2,250 |
$2,300 |
$3,000 |
$3,500 |
| 6 days fishing/7 nights |
$2,800 |
$2,850 |
$3,600 |
$4,100 |
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