Fishing Report #5
February 23 – March 02, 2025
Hello to all our loyal fishing report followers!
Hello, fishing friends! Welcome to the fifth week of our 2025 season—a week filled with laughter, epic battles, and a reunion with old friends. This time, we had the joy of welcoming back a special group of anglers who have been with us since the very beginning, nearly nine years ago. At the helm of this lively crew was none other than the legendary host, Justin Miller. From the moment their plane touched down on the Pulticub airstrip, we knew the week would be one for the books. There’s something magical about being in a remote paradise, surrounded by good friends, that makes everything feel easy and right.
Monday greeted us with an unusual morning fog that slowly gave way to a light southern breeze and alternating sun and clouds. Temperatures stayed cool, barely reaching 75°F (24°C). A cold front had settled over us, but that didn’t stop the action. Most of the catches came during the cloudy spells, as anglers blind-cast near the mangroves. The highlight of the day belonged to Ghio and Karl, who spotted a school of permit between Arenal De La Isla and Tabasqueños. But these “big eyes” weren’t alone—they were surrounded by a lightning-fast pack of crimson snappers. Even with perfectly placed casts targeting the permit, the snappers were too quick, intercepting the flies whether it was a crab pattern or a shrimp. This frustrating game repeated itself fifteen times before the permit vanished like ghosts. Classic.
Tuesday started cloudy and cool, but the sun soon burned through, and with almost no wind, I had a hunch that the outer reef might hold some big tarpon. I kept quiet, but it seemed like the guides had the same idea. Copule of boats headed offshore, and it didn’t take long for Justin to find his groove. At the lighthouse, they spotted a rolling tarpon, made a perfect cast, and set the hook like a pro. He fought the fish hard and fast, bringing it to hand for a quick photo before a careful release. High-fives and cheers all around!
Meanwhile, Ghio and Stove were having a field day. With their eagle-eyed guide leading the way, they found permit after permit. Drifting between Rio Uno and Rio Dos, they spotted a school of about 15 fish. Stove was up first but missed his shot, and a red snapper stole the fly. Ghio shook his head, fearing another day of snapper interference, but the next cast was on point. The fastest permit in the group struck, and after two blistering runs, Stove landed a beautiful 12-pounder. When the roles reversed, Ghio didn’t disappoint. He hooked his very first permit—a milestone moment that would have been enough on its own. But the fish gods were feeling generous: he landed another, and another. By day’s end, they’d brought seven permit to the boat, with a few lost to the endless ways permit can break your heart. Miller and Hoss each landed one, while Karl and Ken brought three to hand. Some days, this bay humbles you; others, it makes you feel like a hero. Epic day!
That night, the celebration was in full swing. Ghio earned his initiation into the “Permit Club” with a well-deserved shot of tequila and an emotional toast to new milestones and old friendships.
Wednesday dawned like a masterpiece, the Caribbean sunrise painting the sky in hues too perfect to take for granted. Energized by the previous day’s triumphs, the crew boarded the vans with bright spirits and high hopes. The bay delivered in style. Snook, bonefish, and tarpon all made appearances, but the star of the day was Justin Miller, who achieved a Grand Slam—sealed with a majestic 20-pound permit. The “Fishing Council” held a playful debate on whether to validate his Grand Slam, as the tarpon was hooked under unusual circumstances. While targeting permit with a crab imitation, Justin felt a fierce tug on the second strip. Expecting a permit, he was stunned when a tarpon exploded from the water in an acrobatic display. After much laughter and deliberation, the council deemed his Grand Slam official. What more could you ask from this magical bay?
Thursday brought scattered high clouds and a steady 10-12 mph breeze from the east. Spirits remained high after the week’s extraordinary catches. Action was steady but mixed, with bursts of furious activity followed by quieter spells. The day’s most bizarre catch came courtesy of Karl, who borrowed Stove’s last Strawberry Fly. Just as he began reeling in absentmindedly, a bluerunner struck. Mid-fight, a barracuda attacked the bluerunner, resulting in a wild double catch on a single cast. Proof positive that the Strawberry Fly works!
Meanwhile, Stove and Bill Hoss enjoyed a dream afternoon, each landing a permit from the same school near “Casitas” on spawning shrimp patterns. Another glorious day in the bay.
Friday mirrored the previous day, promising another action-packed adventure. Permit sightings were plentiful, but as always, landing them was another matter. Justin Miller, usually a sharpshooter, lost three in a row. That’s the maddening beauty of permit fishing. Bill Sh., however, stayed patient. After stalking a school for over ninety minutes, he made the perfect cast with a light crosswind, felt the tension, and held his nerve. The permit charged to the backing, but with a flawless drag setting and palm control, Bill landed the beast for a quick photo and safe release. Victory!
By this point, we had all been urging Brian “Big Deal” McD to take a break from bonefish and chase permit. He finally relented—and struck gold. At “Casitas,” his guide spotted an almost invisible school. With the boat positioned perfectly, Brian delivered a textbook cast. His first shot was a touch off, but the second was pure magic. A solid eat, three spectacular runs, and a triumphant landing followed. Big Deal had earned his moment in the spotlight.
Saturday, the final day, found the team weary but unwilling to slow down. Karl and Ken set their sights on tarpon between Rio Uno and Rio Dos, where rolling fish rewarded their persistence. Karl hooked a monster on a gray Reducer fly. After a heart-pounding 20-minute battle, he brought an 80-pound bruiser to the boat, too massive to lift but perfectly released. Meanwhile, Stove and Miller turned a slow morning around at “Casitas,” landing three permit ranging from 15 to 20 pounds. Bill Sh., Ghio, and Brian also added more permit to the tally. Exhausted but elated, we wrapped up the week with a feast: our chef Luis’ legendary lobster with guajillo chili. Stories, laughter, and promises to return filled the air. Another unforgettable week in our Mexican paradise.
Weather/Tides: Temps ranged from 72-82°F, mostly sunny with some variable cloud cover and no rain at all. Tides were barely perceptible due to light winds and the lunar phase.
Flies That Worked:
- Permit: White/tan crab patterns (#2 & #4) & spawning shrimp imitations. Go-to flies included:
- Raghead Crab (tan & olive)
- Squimp (tan w/ yellow eyes)
- ESB Yellow Eyed Raghead Crab (white & tan)
- Enrico Puglisi’s Spawning Shrimp (tan, white)
- Tarpon/Snook:
- Cockroach #4/0
- Puglisi Peanut Butter (chartreuse/white, black/purple & gray/white) #2/0
- Junk Yard Dog (orange/yellow/grizzly) #3/0
- Tarpon Bunny (rusty orange & yellow)
- Laid Up Tarpon #2/0
- Reducer #1/0
- Bonefish:
- No specific requirements
Tight lines, J.P. (Juan Pablo Marchelletti) & The ESB Team
800-669-3474 | 530-222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com | ESB Lodge
