Located at the southern end of Ascension Bay, in the heart of the 1.3 million acre Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Casa Blanca has established itself as Mexico's premier saltwater fly fishing destination. For nearly fifteen years, Casa Blanca has mesmerized anglers with its endless expanses of turquoise flats and its exceptional service. The fly fishing guides here are among the most experienced anywhere, and many have dedicated the majority of their lives to learning the subtle intricacies of this prolific fishery. In addition to bonefish, tarpon and permit, anglers can fly fish for numerous other species, including snook, barracuda, snapper, and jacks, making this the ultimate destination for anglers keen on variety.

Remarkably, the fly fishing in Ascension Bay is actually improving due to the biosphere's protected status and a growing conservation ethic among its inhabitants. Whether you are a seasoned angler in search of permit, or a novice intent upon landing your very first bonefish, Casa Blanca has the fisheries, guides, and amenities to accommodate.

Located on the northern tip of a private island in the heart of the Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve at the southern end of Ascension Bay, Casa Blanca Lodge is considered the Yucatan's premier fly fishing destination. The fishery focuses on sight-fishing for bonefish, permit, and tarpon, but snook, snapper, jacks, and barracuda are also present. The majority of the fly fishing is done from 16-foot Dolphin Skiffs, with one guide for every two anglers. Wade fishing is also possible in some areas. Guests who are interested in wade fishing can speak with their guide, who will help make this happen as much as possible. Catch and release fly fishing is practiced for all of the primary species. Casa Blanca provides the region's most experienced fly fishing guides, and they are well-suited to helping both beginning and expert anglers alike.

Casa Blanca Lodge is situated in a private setting and features a main bar and dining area, comfortable outdoor lounge, and eleven guest rooms. All the rooms have large baths, ceiling fans, plenty of storage room, and air conditioning. Nine of the rooms are situated in a row facing the beach and two are separate bungalows closer to the lagoon.

Breakfasts and dinners are a wonderful mix of continental and Mexican fare and are expertly prepared by the lodge host and a local chef. Lunches are diverse and each day anglers choose from numerous options at the do-it-yourself lunch bar. The staff is warm, hospitable, and always looking for ways to be of service to guests. Anglers and non-anglers may also enjoy a professional massage at an additional cost during their stay as well.

Day 1: Arrive Cancun. Take charter flight to island.

Days 2 – 7: Six full days guided fishing.

Day 8: Depart island for Cancun and points beyond.

*Guides fish eight hours a day, including travel time. If you want a longer day please tell your guide first thing in the morning how much longer you want to fish and tell him you will compensate him for his extra time. We recommend approximately $10 per hour.

Travel Logistics:

Arrival Information: To get to Casa Blanca, you will need to make flight arrangements to Cancun, Mexico. From there, the lodge will provide an air-charter to fly you directly to the lodge.

Getting to the Lodge: If you arrive Cancun the day you are scheduled to arrive at the lodge you will be met by a lodge representative in the Arrival Lobby after clearing customs. The representative will arrange for you and your baggage to be transferred to the General Aviation Terminal by car. You will then board a plane and take a charter flight (approximately 50 minutes) directly to the Casa Blanca airstrip.

Departure Information: On your departure day you will take a charter back to Cancun after breakfast.

2023-24 Rates: Per person based on double occupancy

July 1, 2023 - January 31, 2024:

• 7 night/6 day package: $6,275
• 5 night/4 day package: $5,271

February 1 - June 30:

• 7 night/6 day package: $6,649
• 5 night/4 day package: $5,615

Included: Air charter from Cancun to the lodge, deluxe seaside accommodations, all meals, non-bottled beverages, guided fishing & boat beverages, and use of all recreational equipment.

Not Included: Airfare to Cancun, accommodations/meals/transfers in Cancun, alcoholic beverages, phone service, gratuities, flies, laundry, and departure taxes. Any flight changes received less than 72 hours prior to arrival may incur an extra charter fee.

Species: Bonefish, permit, tarpon, barracuda, snook, jacks

Season: February through June (High Season); July through January (Low Season)

Capacity: 20 anglers

Who is best suited to this destination? Any anglers interested in fly fishing Ascension Bay, or those keen on targeting a wide range of species. Casa Blanca is a remote destination that is only reached by a charter flight. Those who are comfortable being in a more remote, isolated setting will appreciate this destination most.

Where is the lodge? Casa Blanca is located on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula on the southwestern portion of Ascension Bay in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere preserve.

How do I get there? Guests fly into Cancun, Mexico on either a Friday or Saturday and connect on a short charter flight to the lodge (included). The latest you can arrive in Cancun is by Saturday at 2pm. Once you have arrived at the lodge airstrip, your gear is loaded into either boats or trucks and you are taken to the lodge (about a 5-minute ride).

When should I go? Peak months are March through May. The summer months can also be very good as pressure on Ascension Bay is minimal. Additionally, angler might get shots at migratory tarpon in the summer. The fall season can be very productive September – November, although a risk of hurricanes is possible.

How will I fish? Anglers fish two per boat in 17-foot Dolphin flats skiffs. A single guide runs the boat while anglers take turns fishing from the bow.

Is there wade fishing? Yes, some wade fishing is available, although most of the fishing is accomplished from the boat. In Ascension Bay, the bottom is often soft but there are certain areas suitable for wading. Sometimes you will get out of the boat if the guide thinks pursuing a group of fish on foot is advantageous.

Where will I fish? The expansive flats, lagoons, channels, and mangrove estuaries of Ascension Bay.

How long does it take to reach the fishing grounds? Runs of 15 – 50 minutes are common. It is important to let management or your guide know if you prefer shorter versus longer run times.

What type(s) of fish will I catch? Bonefish, permit, and tarpon are the main quarries. There are some opportunities for barracuda, snook and jacks as well. It is best to take what the day gives you with a throw-at-anything-that-moves mentality.

How many fish will I catch? Anytime you land double-digit numbers of bonefish it is a good day. Even one permit for the week is very good and multiple permit is a rarity. Tarpon in the bay can be difficult at times but Casa Blanca offers a limited access “tarpon lagoon” that almost always yields good catches.

Will I see other anglers? In the high season, Ascension Bay can be a popular place. It is a common occurrence to see other guide boats on the bay and sometimes it is possible that your first pick of flats may not always be available. Advantageously, Casa Blanca sits at the southern end of the bay giving it easy and quick access to some very remote areas to access first thing in the morning.

What are the guides like? The guides, for the most part, are very experienced professionals. They are usually quite accommodating and want nothing more than to help you put fish in the boat. However, they can sometimes be a bit over-passionate, so it is best not to take some of their comments too personally. They speak respectable fishing English.

What are the physical demands? Physical demands are generally not an issue although having good balance is a benefit when fishing from the boat.

Are there any special skills required? Good casters with a crisp double-haul and the ability to deal with the wind will always benefit when fly fishing in saltwater.

Does the lodge provide equipment? The lodge does have some tackle available for rent, although it is best to bring your own equipment if possible.

What is your favorite setup for the trip? For bonefish, a 9-foot, 7- or 8- weight fast action rod is preferred. For Permit, we recommend a 9-foot 9- weight rod, also with a fast action. An 8- or 9- weight will be sufficient for juvenile tarpon, but for migratory tarpon we recommend a 9-foot 12- weight rod. Weight-forward floating lines are recommended for all bonefish, permit and juvenile tarpon fishing. For migratory tarpon, and intermediate line is nice to have in addition to a floating line.

What are the top flies?
Raghead Crab, Squimp, Casa Blanca Rag Head, Pearl Gotcha, Puglisi Tarpon Streamer.

What are the options if weather conditions become challenging? If conditions become unsafe to be on the water (such as high winds or storms), guests will remain at the lodge until conditions pass.

What is a typical day like? Guests at Casa Blanca start the day with a delicious made to order breakfast, served from 6:00 – 7:00 AM. Hot coffee is always ready by 5:00 AM in the main lodge, or it can be delivered to your room, as desired. Guests will meet their guides at the pier in front of the lodge any time after 7:00 AM. From here, they will set out for a full day of fishing. Lunch will be eaten on the boat during a mid-day break. Anglers typically return to the lodge in late afternoon. Some guests indulge in swims or massages (paid for on site and not included), while others relax with cold drinks and appetizers before dinner is served later in the evening.

What is the general vibe, atmosphere, and style of the lodge? The lodge crew is professional, and the facility offers great views and plenty of areas to lounge around in after a full day’s fishing. Guests gather in the evenings for meals and fishing stories. Occasional post-dinner trips out to the dock to watch the tarpon feed under the lights makes for a great cap to the day.

Is there an on-site owner, manager, or other point-person at the lodge? The owner is not on-site, but the management team is fantastic. Johnny Pares and Rita Adams are a young couple from Montana that has taken the lodge to the next level in terms of service and attention to detail over the last few years. They do a great job and guests greatly enjoy their hospitality and ever-present willingness to help while on-site.

Where do we eat, and what are the meals like? Delicious meals are served family style in a large central dining area and feature traditional Mexican fare.

What is the alcohol policy? Guests are welcome to bring any alcohol they would like to the lodge. Alcoholic beverages are also available at the lodge for a fee. Guests settle their bar tab the night before they depart back to Cancun.

Where do we stay, and what are the accommodations like? Accommodations are spacious, air-conditioned, and very comfortable with private bathrooms and hot/cold running water. Most rooms have good views of the beach and are within easy walking distance to the fishing skiffs.

Is there internet and/or cell service? Yes, there is satellite internet in the main building at the lodge. Some rooms that are closer to the router will get a signal but most of the time you will need to access it in the main lodge. Connection speeds are often slow but are generally suitable for sending email and light-duty browsing. Cell service is not widely available, but you may want check with your service provider for coverage maps.

Are there other activities? Casa Blanca is mostly a fishing focused destination. However, snorkeling, sea-kayaking, bike rentals and massages can be arranged if requested in advance. An eco-tour or Mayan ruin tour can also be arranged in advance as well.

Are there any other expenses? Alcoholic beverages, gratuities, laundry service, use of the lodge phone.

Do I need a visa? Permanent residents in the United States, Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom do not need a visa to enter Mexico as a tourist.

Are there any health concerns, dangers, or annoyances? The CDC is currently advising that pregnant women visiting Mexico take extra precautions against Zika by guarding against mosquitoes. Bugs are generally not a big issue, however, there are some mosquitoes present. Bringing long sleeves and pants is a good idea, as well as bug repellent. Also, the presence of Sargasso grass has been an ongoing environmental issue on the Yucatan Peninsula. When Sargasso grass washes onshore, it decomposes, emitting a powerful, sulfuric scent that can at times be unpleasant. Only use bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth while travelling in Mexico.