Fishing day

Start your day off with a glass of fresh squeezed orange juice, coffee, some fruit and an omelet with toast or something a little lighter.

Either way the kitchen is open at 6:30 AM for breakfast. After which, your guide will be waiting for you at the dock on the lagoon side of the peninsula; a very short walk from your cabana. Lunch is packed in the ice chest with drinks or, after discussing it with your guide the night before, you can return to the lodge for lunch. If you prefer not to cut into your fishing time, plan to have lunch on the water in the boat.Guests fish from 16’ Dolphin Skiffs powered by 40 HP Yamahas. Most of the boats have a leaning post mounted on the fore deck for easier casting and fishing from the bow. If you prefer to target one kind of fish, be sure to let the guide know so you can discuss the possibilities. He’ll want to know so he can plan the best way to accomplish your goals. Boca Paila is home to all four of the “Slam” fishes of the Yucatan; bonefish, permit, tarpon and snook. Bonefish and Permit are numerous and are the preferred fish at Boca Paila. They are around all year long. Tarpon and snook are present, also, but can be more difficult to find, depending upon the wind, weather and season (they are more numerous in the summer and fall). If either of these two fish is on your list, be sure to discuss this with us first and with your guide when you get there to give you the best chances of success.

As a rule, anglers fish with the same guide for the week. The local Mayan guides are experienced but may not speak English well. Be sure to discuss any issues, special requests, or expectations with the lodge manager. It is a perfect place for novice as well as experienced fly fishers. Everyone should have plenty of shots at bonefish swimming as singles, doubles or maybe in small schools of a half dozen fish or so. Lots of action!

The fishing takes place between 8 am and 4 pm to take best advantage of the sun’s angle on the water so guide and angler alike have the best chances of sighting the fish before casting. Before 8 and after 4, the angle of the sun makes it difficult to see beneath the water’s surface. So, anglers are back at the lodge around 4 – 4:30 pm, in time to get cleaned up and join others at the bar for cocktail hour and snacks before dinner at 7:00 PM. Dinners are mostly of Mayan and Mexican cuisine specializing in fresh seafood.

For non-anglers, there are on-premise activities of snorkeling, kayaking, kite surfing (there is a fee for kite surfing lessons), beach hiking, relaxing at the beach or one can sign up for a Mayan Ruin tour (fee required) or wildlife viewing. Just let us know ahead of time when booking your space or talk to the lodge manager when you arrive at the lodge to see what activities are available during your stay.