Light Tackle Fishing

Saltwater flats fishing has become a year-round pursuit for light-tackle anglers across the world. Punta Allen and the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve have world class flats fishing for permit, bonefish, barracuda and other species.

The flats fishing areas are just a few hours from Cancun and Playa del Carmen. The Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve is closed to most development, but there are several fishing lodges there catering to anglers from all over the world.

Stalking and sight-casting to wary, elusive species in knee-deep, crystal-clear water is undoubtedly the quintessential angling experience. For this reason, the popularity of flats fishing has grown at an exponential rate over the past decade. Flats angling incorporates many of the aspects encountered in hunting, yet the end result between the "hunter" and his quarry is a weary fish that is gently released unharmed.

The rush of adrenaline when your ghostly target is first encountered, the seemingly endless thrill of the careful stalk, the satisfaction of a well-placed cast, and then the ultimate gratification when your carefully aimed presentation is greedily pounced upon. All this culminates in a final display of unbelievable speed and power as the baffled fish suddenly realizes it has been cleverly deceived. Held only by a thin strand of monofilament and your lightly-balanced fishing rod, the whole drama unfolds into a climactic spectacle that must be experienced firsthand to be fully appreciated. With images like these, it is no mystery why more and more anglers are becoming obsessed with the wonderful nuances of light-tackle saltwater flats angling.