Ascension
Bay Bonefish Club
Joe
Donsky with a sweet little Permit
Our
next hosted trip will be _______________________
Near
the famous Mayan ruins of Tulum on the Yucatan Peninsula in southern
Mexico, is a small peninsula some thirty miles long and less than 100
yards wide in most place. On one side is a rich lagoon. On the the other,
the Caribbean Ocean. At the tip lies the sleepy lobster village of Punta
Allen, home to Ascension Bay Bonefish Club for the last two decades.
From here we are on the edge of Ascension Bay, which is over ninety
square miles of some the richest, wade able flats you can imagine. A
place where Permit can grow huge - most say, the largest in the world.
And there are Bonefish. Large schools of Bonefish found tailing their
way across the innumerable hard, shallow flats. Tarpon, Snook, Jacks,
Barracuda and others also lurk among these flats and reefs. At this
place our resort is small, affording you that special attention. Only
six anglers a week. There is actually one guide for each angler here.
The meals will delight you and the accommodations will certainly relax
you. Friday to Friday $2,600 per person
Bonefish
Permit may be the big game, but Bonefish is still our
main game. There are seemingly endless flats that stretch 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
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 here. Still others catch them over 30 pounds each
season.
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 boat
can be arranged for the week at an additional cost. This must be done
at the time of booking.
The
Club
Ascension Bay Bonefish Club is a small, private house virtually at the
water's edge. 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. A combination lounging-dining room and its adjoining
patio are the natural focal points of the lodge.
Meals
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.
Guides
and Boats.
Any fishing lodge is only as good as its guide staff. We are very proud
of our guides and their knowledge and mastery of this intricate fishery.
The ABBC guides have studied these waters for years and have learned
well. Our fishing successes and repeat customers attest to the knowledge
and professionalism of the ABBC guide staff. ABBC uses two guides per
boat. One senior guide handles the poling and the other stands with
the angler to point out the fish. Both guides are constantly probing
the flats for fish so that our anglers actually have two experienced
pairs of eyes in addition to there own. We utilize 21' custom fiberglass
boats that have plenty of storage and a clean front area with a very
stable casting platform. While not glitzy, your impression of them will
be elevated as you experience the simple functionality and productive
results these crafts allow us. Boats are like custom tied flies, some
are designed to hook fisherman, some just to hook fish.
Quick
Facts: ASCENSION BAY BONEFISH CLUB
• The Tropics finest lodge program.
• 1 Guide per Angler, standard.
• Very experienced, english speaking Mayan guides
• Permit that eat flies and can be waded to
• Scores of hungry Bonefish
• Great Caribbean food using a variety of local meats, seafood
and fresh produce.
Fish Stats...
Permit
- 8 to 20 lbs
Bones - 2 to 4 lbs
Tarpon - 10-25 lbs
Also great Snook fishing, Jacks, etc...
Grand Slam opportunities or even a Super Slam
