Getting Ready

Welcome to your Fly Water Travel trip guide. We’re excited to help you prepare for your upcoming adventure! Inside, you’ll find everything you need: your to-do list, travel logistics, destination notes, and a curated tackle guide tailored to your trip.

To-Do List:

✓  Arrange flights to/from Cancún (CUN) or Tulum Felipe Carrillo Puerto International Airport (TQO), Mexico

 ✓  Complete your personal online guest registration form

 ✓  Provide Fly Water Travel with your passport information to provide to the lodge

Mayazul Lodge Tackle Overview

We always travel with at least three to four set-ups for this trip. A 9ft 8-weight paired with a tropical bonefish floating line, a 9ft 9 weight paired with a tropical permit floating line, and 9ft 10 weight paired with a all-around or grand slam style floating line, and if there are migratory tarpon present (June-July), then a 9ft 11 or 12 weight paired with a tarpon floating line. 

Mayazul Lodge - Provided Equipment:

  • Rods/Reels/Lines: Included. As a Sage Experiences Outfitter, Mayazul Lodge provides guests with first-class Sage rods, reels, and RIO lines curated specifically for their fishery.
  • Flies: Flies are not included. We suggest packing a thoughtful mix of shrimp, crab, and baitfish, to cover a variety of conditions and species.
  • Flats Shoes: Not included. This can include shoes, zip-style booties, or boots.

Mayazul Lodge Bonefish Setup

This is the go-to setup for bonefish at Mayazul Lodge. The 8-weight is the most versatile bonefish rod around the world and handles every type of bonefish fly with ease. It strikes the right balance between presentation and power, making it a dependable choice for most situations. With enough backbone to punch a fly through moderate winds without overpowering smaller shrimp imitations. 

Recommended Terminal Tackle:

  • Medium to fast action 9-foot, 8-weight 4-piece fly rod
  • Reliable corrosion resistant reel
  • Weight forward tropical floating line
  • 9-foot 12lb mono and/or fluorocarbon leaders (qty 4 each)
  • Spools of 12lb fluorocarbon tippet

Mayazul Lodge Permit Setup

This is the go-to setup for permit at Mayazul Lodge. The 9-weight is the most versatile permit rod overall and handles many of the fishing situations. For anglers that want a rod to help when the wind picks up or prefers a bit more rod all-around, a 10-weight is another great option. Both rods help deliver the often-heavier weighted flies that most of the Yucatán fisheries employ. They also have the ability to deliver lighter shrimp patterns when the conditions call for it. 

Recommended Terminal Tackle:

  • Medium to fast action 9-foot, 9-weight 4-piece fly rod
  • Reliable corrosion resistant reel
  • Weight forward tropical floating line
  • 10-12-foot 16-20lb mono and/or fluorocarbon leaders (qty 4 each)
  • Spools of 16-20lb fluorocarbon tippet

Mayazul Lodge Tarpon/Snook/Barracuda Setup

This setup is a great all-around for juvenile tarpon, snook, and barracuda at Mayazul Lodge. The 10-weight is great, as it will handle all these species and then will also be a great secondary or backup if you need it for permit as well. Being that this will be a rod that is utilized to target diverse species, you can rely on a few easy options for leaders too, that can be switched out quickly and easily.

Recommended Terminal Tackle:

  • Medium to fast action 9-foot, 10-weight 4-piece fly rod
  • Reliable corrosion resistant reel
  • Weight forward tropical floating line
  • 10-12-foot 16-20lb test leaders with 45-50lb shock tippet (qty 4 each)
  • Spools of 50lb fluorocarbon tippet (tarpon/snook) and 40lb knottable wire (barracuda)

Mayazul Lodge Migratory Tarpon Setup

In the months of June and July, when the migratory tarpon season is in full swing, having a 11- or 12-weight is what you want to have on standby in the boat. Ascension Bay tends to see a good amount of migratory fish as it's in line with a solid travel corridor. The topography of the reef and some of the inner islands tend to draw these bigger fish. If you enjoy chasing the silver king, make sure you are ready!

Recommended Terminal Tackle:

  • Fast action 9-foot, 11- or 12-weight 4-piece fly rod
  • Reliable corrosion resistant reel
  • Weight forward tropical floating line
  • Spool of 80lb fluorocarbon tippet

Mayazul Lodge Flies

Top 5 Bonefish Flies

  • RIO’s Mantis Shrimp (Tan - Size 6) 
  • Christmas Island Special (Orange - Size 4-6) 
  • Spawning Shrimp (Tan - Size 4-6) 
  • RIO’s Shallow Hal (Pearl Orange - Size 8) 
  • Squimp (Tan - Size 6-8)

A wide range of patterns are effective in sizes 2-6. Be sure to have un-weighted flies, moderate (bead chain eyes) weighted flies, and heavy flies with lead eyes to meet different conditions and
 water depths. The most popular colors are cream, and tan followed by pink, white, and brown.

 Top 5 Permit Flies

  • Raghead Crab w/ Yellow Eyes (Tan, White - Size 2-4) 
  • RIO’s Diving Crab (Tan - Size 2) 
  • Floating Flotsam Crab (Tan - Size 4)
  • Peterson’s Spawning Shrimp (Tan - Size 2) 
  • Squimp (Size 2-4)

We recommend permit flies ranging from light to heavily weighted for different fishing scenarios. Floating crabs are also another great pattern to have in the box. Colors can be in the tan and white variety and in areas closer to the ocean, a mix of tan/white with orange or red highlights can be a solid choice. These floating crabs should be tied on hook sizes ranging from a size #2-1/0.

Top 5 Tarpon Flies

  • RIO’s Black Death (Size 1/0) 
  • Megalopsicle (Tan/Orange, Black/Purple - Size 1/0) 
  • RIO’s Dread Pirate (Rust/Olive, Tan, Yellow/Chartreuse - Size 1/0)
  • RIO’s King Slayer (Black/Purple, Coyote - Size 1) 
  • Tarpon Toads (Tan, Black & Purple/Size 1/0-1)

Most tarpon flies are a great crossover for snook. Snook flies should imitate baitfish or shrimp. In the clearer water, however, snook really prefer lighter white/red head, chartreuse/white or tan/white
 combo-colored flies.

Barracuda & Jack Crevalle Flies

  • RIO’s Ka-Cuda (Size 2/0) 
  • EP Baitfish (Tan/White, Chartreuse/White - Size 1/0) 

Suggested Packing List

We understand packing for an adventure is not easy. On a trip like this it is very important to have everything you need and nothing you do not.
 

Note: Mexico limits a total of four rods allowed in your baggage when entering the country and you may incur a tariff fee if you exceed 4 rods. The lodge has a small fly shop with a selection of flies, leaders, tippet, sun shirts, hats, etc., for purchase.