Shad (Megalops atlanticus)The King of the Estuary. Vertical jumps, 30- to 60-minute fights on #10–12 fly lines.
Ría Lagartos · Yucatán · 365 days a year
Fly Fishing with Jorge and Carlos by Jorge N & Carlos C
Tarpon fishing with native guides in the Ría Lagartos Biosphere Reserve — 365 days a year.
- Native guides
- Certified operator
- Tarpon Fishing
- Small groups
What will you experience?
Drawing on our experience as native guides, we explore the various ecosystems of the Ría Lagartos Reserve to find areas with schools of tarpon.
The choice is yours: focus on tarpon or try your luck with other fish species in the area.
Tarpon Season
- Baby and juvenile tarpon: available year-round.
- Adult tarpon: June through October.
Our bonus for fly fishing
- We recommend the local flies that work best here.
- We tie custom flies for more creative and effective fishing.
Recommendations
- Suggested minimum stay: 4 days of fishing for best results.
- Flexible schedule: We plan your visit based on weather, tides, and availability to ensure the best fishing experience.
Food on board
Ask about our all-inclusive meal package: breakfast + lunch + dinner + drinks on the boat.
Ideal for fly fishermen seeking tarpon and an authentic experience with local guides.
Two species, one pristine bay
The estuary is a system of flats, mangroves, and river mouths that supports one of the cleanest fly-fishing fisheries in the Mexican Caribbean. We set out at dawn, read the water, and go after the catch of the day.
Shad (Megalops atlanticus)
Róbalo (Centropomus undecimalis)Lurking among the roots. Precision casting with poppers and streamers, #8–9 line.
What’s Included
6–8
Time on the water: Departure at sunrise; return at noon. Full-day tour available.
1–2
fishing by boatMaximum 2 people, full dedication to your technique and your catches.
100%
Fly-fishing gear included: #8–#12 rods, reels, lines, leaders, tippet, and a selection of local flies.
+
Catch & Release: Careful release, trophy photo, barbless hooks.
Your itinerary, hour by hour
Pickup at your hotel
We’ll pick you up in Río Lagartos or San Felipe. Hot coffee and a quick briefing.
Briefing and preparation
We’ll assign you a rod based on your skill level. We’ll review knots and practice dry casting.
Shad at Dawn
Departure toward the river mouths. The first light signals the tarpon’s arrival.
Sea bass in the mangroves
We’ve switched to the shaded channels. Clarification regarding power.
Last chance to catch the tide
We return to the most active spot from this morning—the tide change opens up one last window of feeding activity.
Return and release
Photo of the trophy, careful release. Cold beer on the dock.
JORGE & CARLOS
Your guides
Jorge and Carlos. Four generations of reading the water.
We grew up right here in these estuaries. We know where the shad schools are in May, which fly to cast for sea bass at low tide, and how the bite changes with each tide. We fish every day—and we translate that understanding of the water into an experience you’ll enjoy, even if it’s your first time with a fishing rod.
- 20+
- years on the estuary
- 350+
- Recorded species
- ES·EN·IT
- Languages
Season by species
Fishing is available year-round in the estuary, but each species has its peak season. We’ll help you plan based on what you’re hoping to catch.
Species EFMAMJJASOND
Shad (Megalops atlanticus)
Róbalo (Centropomus undecimalis)
Peak
season:
Good fishing
;
Sporadic
A Day on the Water
Reserve your spot
Secure your tour with $500 MXN
Secure your spot for your tour and group (1 to 2 people). The balance is paid on-site the day of the tour. Dates are confirmed via WhatsApp within 1 hour.
01
Choose a date
Departure at sunrise. We’ll confirm the exact time based on the tide.
02
Your group
Up to 2 fishermen per boat. You choose the size when booking.
03
Pay the deposit
Mercado Pago, Stripe, or WhatsApp.
Pay the deposit today
$500 MXN
· $4,500 MXN/ group (up to 2)
The total for the tour ($4,500 MXN per boat, for 1 to 2 people) is paid on-site. Additionally, the access fee to the Reserve (ANP): $125 MXN per person. No hidden fees.
Essentials for the day
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Polarized sunglasses: Essential. Without them, you can’t see the fish underwater—and sight fishing is half the fun.
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Reef-safe SPF 50+ sunscreen, oxybenzone-free. We’re located in a biosphere reserve—we protect the coral and mangroves.
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Lightweight, long-sleeved UPF shirt in a light color. The Yucatán sun at 11 a.m. is relentless.
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Scarf or neckerchief: Protects your neck and face. It also helps when it’s windy.
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Closed-toe shoes: Water shoes or shoes with a closed toe. The boat is wet and slippery.
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Water and snacks: We bring a cooler with water. If you have any dietary restrictions, please bring your own.
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Camera or GoPro: A waterproof case is recommended. The photo of the first shad will not be repeated.
We provide—the boat, motor, all fly-fishing gear (rods, reels, lines, leaders, flies), a bilingual guide, a fishing license, water, ice, fruit, and the trained eye to spot the fish before you do.
Before You Come
No. About half of our customers are beginners. We teach you the basics of casting in the first 30 minutes and focus on accessible areas. If you already have experience, we’ll take you straight to sight fishing for shad on the flats.
If conditions are unsafe (winds > 25 knots, storm), we will reschedule at no cost. Light rain doesn't stop fishing — the fish are still there.
If you need to change the date, message us on WhatsApp as soon as possible and we'll find another available date. The deposit conditions are in our refund policy.
Yes, ages 12 and up when accompanied by an adult. For children under 10, we recommend our traditional fishing tour—it’s more relaxed and offers a better chance of a consistent catch.
Yes, 100%. We use barbless hooks, take a quick photo, and release the fish. Shad and sea bass are too valuable to the ecosystem and the fishery to take them home.
We’ve included it. We hold valid permits from SEMARNAT and CONAPESCA, and we operate within the permitted area of the Biosphere Reserve.
What past visitors have to say
★★★★★
“The best guides in the area. They know the water—where and when to cast. We caught a shad and a sea bass on the last cast. We’ll be back in a heartbeat.”
DR
Daniel R.
Google
Oct 2025
★★★★★
“World-class flats fishing without the crowds of Belize. Jorge spotted the school of fish before I even noticed the water moving. Magical.”
MT
Marcus T.
Tripadvisor
Mar 2026
★★★★★
“My first time fly fishing. Carlos taught me how to cast in 15 minutes, and by the end of the day I’d caught my first shad. Patient and true experts.”
AC
Ana C.
Google
Feb 2026