Public or Private Destination:Public Type of fishing: Game Offered:Bonefish
Ascension Bay Bonefish Club is a true end-of-the-road experience, far south of the mega-resorts of Cancun and Playa del Carmen on Mexico's Riveria Maya. Ascension Bay Bonefish Club (ABBC) maintains a long history of providing the traveling fly fisherman with outstanding flats fishing inside the pristine Sian Kaan Biosphere. Enjoy flats fishing for Permit and Bonefish as the main quarry, with plenty of shots at baby Tarpon, Snook, Jacks and Barracuda. The club only takes six anglers per week, offering a warm and unique small club atmosphere that rivals the service of big lodges without the large numbers.
Limited Space... Unlimited Service since 1985
Bonefishing Permit may be the big game, but Bonefish is still our middle name. There are seemingly endless flats that stretch from ABBC for over a dozen miles southward. Most of these flats are hard packed white sand and provide easy wading and the perfect backdrop for spotting the elusive Bonefish. Some of the other flats are carpeted with turtle grass and dotted with mangrove shoots. These food rich Bonefish havens are best fished from one of our shallow-draft skiffs. The various flats have many little mangrove islands that act as nice wind breaks.
The Bonefish most often travel in schools, sometimes multiple schools on the same flat. These schools show themselves as areas of “nervous water” as they push over the flat. Even more exciting is the flash of shiny tails waving as they feed their way across the rich marl… perfect shallow water targets for a delicately presented fly.
Bonefish of Ascension Bay are very plentiful and are most often larger than in other areas of the Yucatan. However, unlike our Permit, they will never be contenders for the IGFA record books. Typical Bonefish are between two and three pounds, with some fish three to five pounds and just a handful in the five to eight pound category.
Permit Fishing The most powerful highlight of fishing with us is our expertise at fishing for Permit on the fly. Permit are the saltwater equivalent of the Steelhead or Atlantic Salmon for the fly fisherman. They take some skill, persistence and a little luck, but once hooked the rewards run long and deep into the backing of your reel and your memory.
Ascension Bay acts as a nursery and giant feeding grounds for Permit. Because of the consistent depths and incredibly rich waters, the population and size of the fish are unequaled in the world. Many fishermen catch their first Permit at ABBC . Still others catch them over 30 pounds each season. In fact,Winston Moore, a world-class fly fisherman, has been very successful with us including catching and releasing a fish over 40 pounds in back-to-back years.
At ABBC, we love to wade for most of our Permit. Here the guides will help you out of the boat into waste deep, hard bottom flats and wade with you right into the perfect casting position. With single fish or small schools, the other guide and angler will stay in the boat and monitor the movements of the fish for the caster. On the bigger schools, both anglers will get out and literally corral the fish, giving you shots at double hook ups. While fishing from the boat is preferred and/or necessary, anglers can take turns at shots from the generous casting platform of our custom skiffs. Also, a private book can be arranged for the week at an additional cost. This must be done at the time of booking.
Other Fishing Although Tarpon are not as plentiful as in some other tropical waters, they are here, and provide some very exciting and acrobatic action. Fall is your best chance at them, however they are present the entire season. Most are baby Tarpon from 15 to 30 pounds with a few monster fish at over 80 pounds hooked each season.
The reclusive Snook are present in many areas of the bay. These are hard brawling fish that when not jumping, are hard to keep away from the mangroves.
The most overlooked player on the flats is the Barracuda. He is a very flashy fighter who will streak over to crush your fast moving fly, and will then leap all over the place trying to get rid of it.
Another angling diversion is to fish along the immense barrier reef that protects Ascension Bay from the Caribbean. Casting to a wide array of hungry creatures is a great afternoon sport.
Interested in the Grand Slam or the Super Slam? ABBC is the place to try for a Grand Slam (Permit, Bonefish and Tarpon caught in one day) or even a Super Slam (the above plus Snook).
The Club Bedrooms are large and airy, with overhead fans and electricity. A full bathroom with hot-water shower is standard for each bedroom. Some are en suite while others are located just across a narrow hallway. Screened windows provide views of the Caribbean and garden as well as cross ventilation or close them down an enjoy the A/C.
Traditional breakfasts, with some local flair, consist of cereal, eggs, bacon, ham, juices, toast and coffee. Box lunches are prepared for the fishing days and typically include sandwiches, fruits, desserts, ice water and other beverages. Varied meals served family style (both American dishes and local Caribbean / Mexican favorites) are tasty, healthy and always ample. They include fresh meats, seafood, chicken, vegetables, fruits and delicious desserts including the famous flan and homemade pies. Bottled water is used for drinking and ice.
Pricing & Terms Price is all-inclusive from Cancun Trips run Friday to Friday. November – June $ 3,200 USD, per person, per week.
Getting there… Fly to Cancun, Mexico where we (our english speaking driver w/sign) will meet you and drive you down the club in a private van. If your schedule requires you to overnight in Cancun, our driver will pick you up from your hotel between noon and 1:00pm. The English speaking driver will be happy to stop along the way for you to purchase refreshments or specialized alcohol.
Our trip packages are all inclusive and start from Cancun, Mexico. Complete pre-trip information about our trips, including tackle and packing suggestions, will be sent to you upon booking.
Cancellation Policy A fifty percent (50%) deposit is required to secure your trip dates, with the balance due ninety (90) days prior to the trip date. Deposits are due within thirty days of invoice date to confirm reservations. If it is necessary for you to cancel, we will try to arrange substitute dates. If trip cancellations are received prior to the final payment date, but substitute dates are not possible, deposits will be returned less a fee of $500.00 per trip. Trip cancellations after the final payment due date, in which vacancy cannot be filled, will be charged a cancellation fee of up to one hundred percent (100%) of package price.
Day Trips DAY TRIPS in Ascension Bay FISHING $375 per day, per boat. One to Two Anglers (private boat, 2 guides, lunch) - Duration: 8 am – 5 pm*
Not included: transportation, gratuites, tackle & flies or alcohol. To confirm a date, you can BOOK it securely online. The trip price is non-refundable for no-shows and Cancellations made inside of 72 hours. If you must cancellation less then 30 days prior to the trip date and more than 72 hours in advance, we will happily reschedule your trip (it must be taken within one year). Cancellations made prior to 30 days before the trip date are 100% refundable. Upon booking, you will recieve a Trip Planner with a fly list and travel directions. We provide driving directions, along with an alternate route in case the beach road condition are unacceptable. A rental car is the cheapest/easiest way to reach us for a day trip. Let us know if you can fish the great waters of Ascension Bay. * You can start later in the morning or finish early in the afternoon or both. This window is the prime part of the sightfishing day.
Bedrooms are large and airy, with overhead fans and electricity. A full bathroom with hot-water shower is standard for each bedroom. Some are en suite while others are located just across a narrow hallway. Screened windows provide views of the Caribbean and garden as well as cross ventilation or close them down an enjoy the A/C.)
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