Who is best suited to this destination? Intermediate to advanced saltwater anglers looking to experience one Mexico’s finest flats fisheries.
Where is the lodge? Playa Blanca is located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, near Espiritu Santo Bay in the Sian Ka’an Bisophere Preserve.
How do I get there? Guests fly into Cancun, Mexico on either a Friday or Saturday and connect on a short charter flight to the lodge (included). If you fly in on Friday we recommend staying at the Marriott Cancun Courtyard by the airport. It has a free shuttle and it’s very convenient. If you fly in on Saturday you must arrive prior to 2:00 PM to make the charter flight down to the lodge.
When should I go? The most popular peak months are March through May. However, the fall season of September – November is a great time to be there as well. There is typically less pressure and fishing can be very productive. The lodge is normally closed during the summer, however, groups of 8 or more may sway the lodge to open up as needed.
How will I fish? Anglers fish two per boat in 17 foot Dolphin flats skiffs with a single guide and take turns fishing from the the bow.
Is there wade fishing? There are some areas where wade fishing is possible but Espritu Santo Bay is mostly a soft bottom fishery and unsuitable for wading. Most of the fishing is accomplished from the boat and the guides will feel like they can cover more water, more effectively from the boat.
Where will I fish? The expansive flats, lagoons and beaches of Espiritu Santo Bay on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula including Santa Rosa lagoon and sometimes Ascension Bay to the north.
How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Typical runs to the fishing grounds are 25-45 minutes. If the wind comes up, you can expect longer runs as the boat will need to travel slowly.
What type(s) of fish will I catch? Bonefish, permit and tarpon are the main quarry with some opportunities for barracuda, snook and jacks.
How many fish will I catch? Any time you land double digit numbers of bonefish it is a great day. Even one permit for the week is doing very good and tarpon catches vary widely with conditions and landing ratios.
Will I see other anglers? There is a good chance you will see other anglers fishing the bay, but there’s rarely ever the circumstance where you will be diverted to other areas due to angling pressure. Anglers and guides fishing the bay are few and far between.
What are the guides like? Playa Blanca’s guides remain some of the longest tenured and most experienced on the entire Yucatan. They are professionals that know how to put you in the best position to catch fish. They can be passionate and expressive in the boat, but they are always on your team and simply want to help you do your best. Some of the guides speak very good English. Some only speak a type of “fishing English”. For the most part they can provide good fishing direction in English. In general, they can give you help that may sound like this, “fish coming about 60 feet. Cast 2 o’clock now…. Re-cast 40 feet!”
What are the physical demands? Physical demands are generally not an issue.
Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge does have some tackle available for rent in a pinch. It’s best to plan on bringing all of your own equipment if possible.
What is the general vibe, atmosphere and style of the lodge? Playa Blanca is a fishing lodge through and through but is comfortable enough for non-anglers as well. The lodge features plenty of indoor and outdoor lounge areas to tell fishing stories, smoke cigars or have a celebratory margarita at the end of the day. Their location overlooking a beautiful white sand beach and the sea offers a relaxing and tranquil scene at the end of a long day on the flats.
Is there an on-site owner, manager or other point-person at the lodge? Johnny and Rita are the onsite managers and hail from Montana. They have done an amazing job since taking over management of both Playa Blanca and it’s sister lodge Casa Blanca. They are known to look after their guests like family and simply do a fantastic job on site.
Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Meals are a well prepared blend of Mexican and American cuisine. The lodge features plenty of fresh seafood, fruit, rice, poultry, steak and Mexican favorites.
Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Guests stay two per room in air conditioned cabanas on the beach. Accommodations are simple, spacious, air conditioned and feature queen size beds and private bathrooms with hot/cold running water.
Is there internet and/or cell service? The lodge does have wi-fi in the main lounge area. Connection speeds are appropriate for email but browsing may be somewhat slow.
Are there other activities? Playa Blanca is mostly a hard core saltwater fly fishing destination with very little extra-curricular activities. The lodge and beach are beautiful and appropriate for non-fishing guests as long as they are simply happy with a quiet and picturesque setting. It’s a great place to go for a beach walk, read a book, relax and sunbathe.
Are there any health concerns, dangers or annoyances? Some mosquitoes and biting black flies can be present. Bringing long sleeves and pants as well as a good bug repellent is a good idea. We recommend that guests always consult with the U.S. Department of State and the Center For Disease Control websites for general travel information and guidelines.