Fly Fishing Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula
 Bonefish are predominately a coastal
species, commonly found in intertidal flats, mangrove areas, river mouths, and
deeper adjacent waters. The flats vary in composition from sand or grass to
rocky substrates. Bonefish can tolerate the oxygen-poor water they sometimes
encounter in coastal habitats by inhaling air into a lung-like air bladder.
Bonefish typically school, sometimes in groups of up to 100 individuals. The
daily patterns of bonefish consist of a movement to shallow water during the
rising tide, and a retreat into deeper water during a falling tide. Bonefish
are also known to move from particular sites (creek, channel, bay, etc.) after
inhabiting the location for a maximum period of several days. Over the
long-term movements between such "favorite" sites seem to occur without any
discernable pattern. During summer months, larger individuals tend to remain in
deep water, rarely moving onto the flats; they reappear in autumn, as water
temperatures grow cooler.
 Tarpon populate a wide variety
of habitats, but are primarily found in coastal waters, bays, estuaries, and
mangrove-lined lagoons within tropical, subtropical, and temperate climates
(45° N-30° S). The normal habitat depth extends to 98 feet (30 m).
Although a marine fish, tarpon can tolerate euryhaline environments and often
enter river mouths and bays and travel upstream into fresh water. In addition,
tarpon can also tolerate oxygen-poor environments due to a modified air bladder
that allows them to inhale atmospheric oxygen. The only variable that seems to
limit their choice of habitat is temperature. Rapid decreases in temperature
have been known to cause large tarpon kills. During such temperature drops,
tarpon usually take refuge in warmer deeper waters.
 Permit primarily occupy
inshore regions such as flats and sandy beaches, and deeper cuts, channels, and
holes adjacent to these areas. The substrate of the flats may vary from sand,
mud, marl, or sea grass. Permit often swim in water depths less than 2 feet,
though due to large body depth, large individuals cannot occupy waters as
shallow as other flats species such as bonefish. In deeper waters up to 30 m,
permit often congregate around structures such as reefs, jetties, and wrecks
where they frequently occur in large schools.
 The Snook has a most distinctive body
shape, featuring a tapered head and snout, underslung lower jaw, large fins
and, most distinctive of all, a prominent black stripe running the full length
of the lateral line. The stripe is present in all species of Snook. Coloration
is generally dark gray to black on the dorsal surface, shading to silvery on
the sides. The fins are yellowish. As with many shoreline fish, the coloration
may vary with season and habitat. Snook of inside waters usually have darker
sides. usually INSHORE in coastal and brackish waters, along mangrove
shorelines, seawalls, and bridges; also on reefs and pilings spawns primarily
in summer; cannot tolerate water temperatures below 60 degrees F; can tolerate
wholly fresh or saltwater; schools along shore and in passes during spawning
season; feeds on fish and larger crustaceans.
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Tom;
The wind was a challenge both days, but my
casting ability was more of a hindrance than the wind. We did get some
increased sun and less wind on Friday, and got into a school of 20-30 fish, out
of which I hooked two and landed one. I fought and lost two fish the first day.
Multiple other shots at tailing fish on both days, but my nerves got the best
of me watching those tails wave in the air. Broke a few off at the strike.
Alfredo was very patient with me.
What good fighters!! Multiple runs
over 100 yards for each fish. Tuza and Alfredo were very hospitable, and I
recommend them highly.
I could never have spotted the cruising fish
without Alfredo. Need more experience to see them.
Regards,
Tony |
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