Fishing Report #19
June 05 – 12, 2022

ESB Palms

Welcome to the Caribbean!

We had an excellent week at ESB Lodge with the return of good weather and increased fish activity in the bay.

The light winds we had throughout the week made for excellent fishing conditions.

This week we were visited by Keith Smith, Allen Smith, Lawson Stiff, Steve Passant who are already regulars, and John Gwin and John Corddry, who visited us for the first time.

Man with ESB Permit

The start of the week was very good with Keith landing the first permit on day one with an assist from Victor.

The team of John Gwin and John Corddy was unbeatable this week adding a permit every day.

Steve, who is taking his first steps in saltwater fishing, focused the first days of the week on gaining experience with the bonefish and in the middle of the week he made his first attempt at the elusive permit achieving the first of his life, with the Pepe’s instructions.

Man with ESB Permit

As is tradition we welcomed Steve to the Club with a double shot of tequila. Welcome to the Permit Fisherman’s Club, Steve!

Allen didn’t waste the opportunity to catch as many of the species with a fly, managing to land bonefish, tarpon, snook and permit.

I should mention that he finished his week posting six permit with three out of our four guides!

Man with ESB Permit

He landed two with Marcos Neri, three with Victor and added one more with Pepe, excellent job Allen!

Lawson, who is a very experienced fisherman, focused the week on permit, managing to add six to hand, under the watchful eye of Pepe and four with the assistance of Victor.

I was pleasantly surprised by Lawson’s ability to spot fish. He enjoys talking with the guides, about different fishing situations, which makes the total experience, that much more enjoyable and educational.

Man with ESB Permit

We closed the week with a total of 27 permit to hand with 6 anglers, which brings our season numbers to 307 permits with 138 guests!

The classic locations like red buoy, Casitas, El Arenal, Tabasqueños, have been the spots with the highest sightings and captures. It is good to know that after a few weeks of unfavorable weather the fish are returning to their normal patterns and the guides know where to find them

Flies:
Permit were eating Flexos, ESB spawning shrimp, Casa Blanca, ESB Yellow Eyes Raghead Crab, Tequila twister, etc.

The bonefish at just about any fly you casted to them with a good presentation.

Although the Tarpon and snook were not the main target of our anglers this week, those caught did not hesitate to attack EP Baitfish flies.

Man with ESB Permit

Weather:
We had favorable weather through the week with light winds between 7 and 11 mph, out of the East.

The little or no cloudiness was well appreciated by our guests, making it easier to find the fish.

The tides were much more stable and predictable due to the little influence of the winds.

Man with ESB Permit

Isabel and Carlo were not able to get me the giant tarpon-shaped inflatable cushion so that our clients could enjoy the magnificent sunsets from the beach, so I thought I had finally found their limits until they asked me if instead of the tarpon shaped cushion would a sea-turtle work. I really don’t know how to find the limit of their capabilities.

I’ll have a new report for you next week with accounts of adventures from our next seven guests and their exciting adventures.

Do not hesitate to contact our friends at The Fly Shop so they can tell you first-hand what life is like in Espiritu Santo Bay, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve (which means “Where the sky begins”, in the language Maya)

Taak ulak k’iin and Ka xi’ik teech utsil!!
(See you later and good luck! in Mayan language)
Martin Ferreyra Gonzalez and the entire ESB Lodge Family.

ESB Guest Image