The middle of May is here on the Yucatan and the weather this time of year tends to change from the dry season into the more tropical wet season. The rains this week did not emerge but the weather patterns seemed to have mind of their own. The wind stayed East/Northeast but in the middle of the week gusted up into the high teens at night but dropped rite back down during breakfast each morning. The nice conditions set up the week for favorable fishing.
Casa Blanca this week enjoyed the return of “Permit” Joe Dudra seeking out his 200th Permit release as well as returning Anglers Peter, Adam and Erik Baggers and from across the pond Dave and Nigel. Ralph from Jackson Hole and Ken also joined the party. Peter Bagger decided to not hold back on his two sons and came out of the gates on fire. Peter returned after the first day of fishing solo with 2 beautiful Permit releases, Nigel and Dave shook off the rust with several Bonefish and Joe released a Tarpon as well. Joe got back on the board Tuesday releasing number 193 Permit while Adam Bagger stuck a very large Tarpon of his own.
Tuesday continued with the nice weather and good fishing. Erik Bagger caught a gorgeous Palometa in the 20lb range and Dudra super slammed his way to Permit number 194. The rest of the week the weather fluctuated somewhat but Ken released his first ever snook, Nigel released his first Tarpon and Mr. Dudra managed to release a Tarpon tipping the scales at 100 lbs and sacrificed his 10wt rod to do so.
Playa Blanca opened it’s doors to returning Anglers Ted Johnston and crew. Ted, Greg, Phil and John Stout were in town from Florida and Chicago while Don and Jack flew in from Maryland and Tom and John Elmo represented North Carolina. The good conditions allowed the group of Anglers to start the week on fire. The first day awarded multiple Permit to Ted and Phil as well as one for John and Tom and John enjoyed a day of putting several large Poons in the air. The week continued with Permit releases and the crew hunting the Large Oceanside Tarpon that are still swimming the shorelines of Punta Pajaros. The end of the week produced some tougher fishing conditions but Greg put the stick to a big Permit with guide Andres and John Stout added to the action with another Large Tarpon. Tom and John Elmo broke out the spinner during the cloudy sessions and tore into some giant cudas. Another successful week at Casa and Playa Blanca! Thank you to all the new Anglers and familiar faces that fished with us this past week.