The Sian Ka’an Biosphere, a vast international wildlife park covering some 1.3 million acres, has been protected from commercial fishing and development. This has allowed local wildlife to thrive both above and below the water. The bay has developed into one of the most prolific and diverse fisheries for bonefish, permit, snook and baby tarpon in the entire Caribbean.

The fishing season is long, giving anglers over 8 months of prime weather to stalk the fish in the shallow waters of the Caribbean. Blessed with miles of coastline, shallow flats and lagoon systems, the fishing opportunities here are endless. Surrounded by pristine mangrove-lined shores and set against a backdrop of lush green rainforest, it’s the perfect habitat for all the famous flats species. Grand slams are undoubtedly within reach.

Ascension Bay has one of the largest permit populations in the world. If you are fishing for the first time, you will need some fly casting skills, the ability to listen to your guide and above all the luck to find the ‘right’ fish. In permit fishing you can do everything perfectly, but whether the fish eats your fly or not may simply depend on its attitude.

Snook are the ultimate ambush predator on the flats, typically lurking along the shoreline under branches or mangroves waiting for unsuspecting prey to swim by. The population is protected and hosts some of the most significant specimens you’ll find anywhere in the world.

The bay has the largest bonefish population per square mile of water than anywhere else in the world. Bonefish will eagerly take a well-presented fly, making 20-30 fish days a regular occurrence. They are the most straightforward species on the flats and if you do your part, they will usually do theirs.

Thanks to the protection of the Reserve, the bay has a huge nursery of juvenile tarpon – often called “baby tarpon”. Nevertheless, they still average between 10 and 30 pounds, with fish over 50 pounds being caught every year. To add to the excitement, migratory tarpon show up during the summer months with sizes averaging 70 pounds but can reach 130 pounds or more. These fish can be found on the sandy coastal flats as well as inside the bay.

While the big four flats species are often at the top of saltwater fly fishers’ lists, Ascension Bay is home to many other species of sportfish such as triggerfish, jack crevalle and barracuda, as well as many species of snapper and grouper. Come with an open mind and you will be sure to catch many species on the fly at Mayazul!