Fishing Report #6
March 02 – 09, 2025
Hello to all our loyal fishing report followers!
Another week, another epic adventure to share with you all. Believe it or not, we’ve already wrapped up Week #6 of the 2025 season—time flies when you’re having fun and chasing fish! This week, we welcomed back a lively crew of friends from the Pacific Northwest. Most of them are repeat visitors who’ve been coming here for years, feeling right at home while noticing and appreciating the improvements we’ve made: in-room refrigerators, upgraded air conditioning, better running water, solar-powered electricity, and our continued commitment to being eco-friendly and conserving this incredible fishery.
Monday kicked off with a fired-up group ready to turn their year-long dreams into reality. Mother Nature greeted us with one of those jaw-dropping Caribbean sunrises, where the sun rises blood-red over the horizon, as if emerging from the earth’s core. With a gentle easterly breeze and clear skies, the day held promise.
The bonefish wasted no time making their presence known—active, aggressive, and willing to eat just about any decently presented fly with a swift retrieve. Dinny had a curious encounter when he landed his first pufferfish, initially unsure of what he was holding, but he carefully unhooked and released it. Everyone had solid permit shots. Tom managed to feed two around the red buoy, but, as we always say, “There are a thousand ways to lose a permit, and you only need one.” He felt the bittersweet taste of victory and defeat—triumphant in fooling the fish, yet heartbroken by the unfinished business.
The undisputed highlight of the day came courtesy of Dave and Jeremy. While poling through the “Casitas” area, their guide spotted a school of about 20 permits. For half an hour, they stealthily tailed the fish, moving like ghosts to avoid spooking them. Finally, two fish broke away from the school, giving Jeremy his shot. Unable to see the fish through the glare, he trusted his guide’s precise instructions—a single cast was all it took. One of the fish followed his white crab fly for what felt like an eternity (but was probably 4-5 seconds), and then it ate. The guide called the set, Jeremy obeyed perfectly, and after a blistering run and a heart-pounding fight, they landed it. High fives were exchanged as Dave took his turn. The school was still within sight, and he seized the moment, delivering a flawless cast and landing a beautiful 15-pound permit. The sheer joy and relief of accomplishing such a feat is hard to put into words—a day for the books!
Tuesday brought tougher conditions with 22 mph easterly winds and thicker cloud cover than forecasted—classic. Despite the challenges, the group remained upbeat and focused. Most of the anglers doubled down on their permit quest, leaving other species as incidental catches (and there were plenty of those!). The bones were so eager they practically volunteered for the hook. Permit chances were abundant, but the tricky wind and low visibility made things tough. As always, the permits had their way more often than not, whether it was missed hooksets, break-offs, or botched strips. Every blown shot is a lesson learned.
Going back to the lodge, fishing tales flowed freely. It never takes more than ten minutes to dismantle old myths and create a few new ones.
Wednesday dawned with similar conditions—cloudy skies and a stiff 25 mph southeast wind. Crossing the bay was a challenge, so the plan was to work the protected waters between Hernandez and Cenotes, where we had found plenty of fish earlier in the week.
The bones showed up in numbers, and there was plenty of variety to keep things interesting. Dinny added a couple of jacks and a bluerunner to his tally, while John and Koy each landed impressive barracudas. Permit opportunities came and went. John had a textbook shot at a school of ten fish near the red buoy, nailed the cast, let the fly sink, and hooked up—only to have his fly break off. Next time, John, next time.
We had hoped for a break in the weather on Thursday, but the day started with rain and a brisk north wind. Spirits dipped momentarily, but this crew knew how to rally. Given the conditions, the team shifted their focus to the mangroves and river systems, working blind casts along the edges—and it paid off! The day became a species bonanza: bonefish (in droves), jacks, tarpons, snappers, bluerunners, snooks—you name it. Dinny and Koy stole the show with a barracuda blitz, battling acrobatic ‘cudas all morning long. It was an unforgettable day when we least expected it.
By Friday, the skies cleared, and the wind eased to a manageable 12 mph southeast breeze. The team was feeling the week’s wear and tear but stayed hungry for more action. The day delivered in spades with a steady stream of species. As the skiffs began to return, only Dinny and John remained unaccounted for. Concerned, we prepared to search for them, but just 100 yards out, we spotted them—arms raised, grins from ear to ear, and shouting: “SUPER GRAND SLAM!” Relief turned to celebration.
Their epic day began with Dinny landing a beautiful snook, followed by an easy haul of bonefish and a feisty barracuda. By afternoon, they each hooked a permit from the same school—John on a Squimp and Dinny on a white crab. With only one species left, their guide beelined to River One, where he had seen rolling tarpons the day before. After a near miss on the first cast, they switched to a sardine pattern, and boom—hooked up. With the tarpon jumping on the far side of the skiff and the line under the hull, the guide shouted, “Get in the water!” Without hesitation, Dinny obeyed and fought the fish to completion. An extraordinary finish to an already incredible week.
Saturday arrived with clear skies but persistent winds. Fatigue was setting in, but the crew’s spirit remained unbreakable. The morning action was fast and furious—bonefish, tarpons, snooks, and jacks all eager to play. The permit were active, and several were hooked, though not all were landed. The day wrapped up with the much-anticipated “Barracuda Tournament,” and Tom and Baylor blew away the competition with a nice 15-pounder. The evening was filled with laughter, celebratory toasts, and promises to return next year.
We closed the week with a spectacular farewell dinner courtesy of our masterful chefs, Luis and Angel, who dazzled us once again with their culinary magic rooted in Mayan-Mexican tradition.
Thank you for reading until the end. We are committed to providing the best service while promoting responsible fishing practices and preserving this extraordinary ecosystem. Until next week—tight lines and good vibes from JP and the entire ESB family.
Tight lines, J.P. (Juan Pablo Marchelletti) & The ESB Team
800-669-3474 | 530-222-3555 | travel@theflyshop.com | ESB Lodge
