Fishing Report #1
January 26 – February 02, 2025

We are off on running with the 2025 ESB Opener.

Thank you for all your continued support over the years, you are all awesome!

we have been hard at work making some significant improvements to the lodge.

  • The lodge now runs 100% on solar powered electricity 24/7.
  • We have a new 80KW generator, that turns automatically when the batteries are depleted.
  • We dug a new well  so no more stinky water.
  • New, more powerful air-conditioners were installed in all rooms
  • We added an extra A/C unit in the living room (is was pretty hot some nights)
  • Mini refrigerators were installed in all the guestrooms for cold beers and drinks

2025 ESB Week #1 Barracuda

Dear friends, back to action! I imagine you’ve missed the reports just as much as I have. First things first: let me introduce myself. I’m JP (Juan Pablo) from Argentina, and I’ll be managing ESB until Martín returns. This means I’ll also be writing the weekly reports. Sooner rather than later, you’ll notice I’m not an experienced writer, and English is not my first language.

I’m proud that Dane and Chiara have trusted me with this position, and I’m very grateful for the opportunity. Although I spent a couple of months here last year, I’m still amazed by the incredible team they’ve assembled and trained. I’m also deeply impressed by the environment in which this operation is immersed.

2025 ESB Week #1 Jack Crevalle

Like every one of our guests, I feel privileged to be among the very few who get to experience and enjoy this natural reserve—a place with minimal human impact, rich biodiversity, and pristine beauty. I’m committed, as is every member of the ESB team, to doing everything in our power to keep it that way.

FISHING:
Now, let’s get to the important part—fishing.

The weather hasn’t exactly been on our side, reminding us that we’re still in winter. Even so, seven warriors showed up, ready to take on the challenge with great energy, enthusiasm, and a fantastic attitude. And I can confidently say—they won.

On the first day, like most of the week, we started with a north-northeast wind around 18 mph, mostly cloudy with some showers, which made the fishing slow. Still, everyone landed some bonefish, a few tarpon, and a snook. Our first permit encounter was with a small school of four moving slowly, but they got into the glare. By the time we tried to reposition for a better angle, they spotted us, and we didn’t even get a chance to cast.2025 ESB Week #1 Permit

Days two and three went by without much excitement—bonefish and tarpon for everyone, with just a few snook opportunities. A special mention to Dave and Connor, who had an absolute blast catching barracudas on poppers, including some really nice ones.

2025 ESB Week #1 Bonefish

By Thursday, the weather finally gave us a little break—more sun, less wind—and that immediately made everything better. That’s when Charles landed the first permit of the season, around 8 pounds. One of our experienced guides (we have the best) spotted it from far away and made a smooth, careful approach, barely touching the push pole to the bottom. When it was in range, Charles only needed one (perfect) cast, and that single lone permit just couldn’t resist the white raghead crab with silver eyes. A solid strip set, an awesome fight, and a great photo to top it off.

Mike and Steve had an absolute feast, landing big jacks on streamers they had tied themselves. The jacks were feeding along the shore, working together with birds and other fish.

Friday and Saturday, the northeast wind continued, alternating between cloudy and sunny skies. The result? Plenty of snook, a ton of bonefish, and a pile of tarpon to wrap up a solid week—one where our warriors had to battle tough conditions and bring out their best to come out on top.2025 ESB Week #1 Tarpon

WEATHER & TIDES
We experienced north and northeast winds through the week at 8 – 15 mph, with some gusts to 20. Skies were broken with some mostly cloudy days although patches of sun peeked through helping us spot fish. Temperatures were mostly in the 80’s to mid-80’s. We had spring tides coming off the dark of the moon through the week. Some of the flooding tides were accelerated by the northeast winds, but were manageable.ESB 2025 Week #1 Snook

FLIES
Tarpon and Snook flies are typically standard EP-style baitfish patterns. It’s also a good idea to have a selection of EP Peanut Butter flies in size #2/0, in colors like red/black, purple/black, Everglades, chartreuse, chartreuse/white, white/grey, yellow/white, white/red, tan, and EP Boca Grande in all available colors. A well-rounded variety will ensure you’re prepared for any scenario.

Bonefish will readily eat any shrimp pattern—or even tarpon flies—ranging from size #8 to #2. Lighter-weight mantis shrimp patterns work best in shallow water, while weighted flies with dumbbell eyes are ideal for deeper areas.

Permit preferred Pato’s Crab and Ragheads both in white (#2) along EP’s Spawning Shrimp in tan (#4).

Saludos,
JP and the entire ESB Family

2025 ESB Week #1 Permit

2025 ESB Week #1 Group

800-669-3474530-222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com | ESB Lodge